The wonderful voice and classical guitarist Neville Fernando, leader of the Los Cabelleros who was lost to the Sri Lankan music industry in April 1968 was remembered at an event at the Sooriya Village recently. The occasion was organised by his brother Errol who performed some of Neville’s says with Trevor his son, and Tashiya his grand daughter. Also taking part in this presentation was Nadeeka Guruge and his group and the Four Sisters who sang with Trevor Fernando.
Neville Fernando with his versatile singing style and his classical guitar playing burst on the music scene in Sri Lanka with his group Los Cabelleros and his impact was a welcome change in Sri Lanka’s music industry. He and his group became popular, so much so, that Neville Fernando began composing and singing for films, his first being Bandun Piri for Lester James Pieris’ film Ransalu which was released in 1967. perhaps the most popular one till today is Master Sir which was composed by Nimal Mendis and sung by Neville Fernando and Sandra Edema for the film Kalu Diya Dahara. To refresh your memory there were other songs associated with Neville Fernando – such as Gayana Gayum, Samudura Dewi, Mage Ran maliya, Sataha Lasan and Malagerena Salarosa to name a few. One cannot forget the many exciting live recitals that Los Cabelleros broadcast over SLBC (then CBC) and the numerous telephone calls the station received once the recitals were over. We wonder when a successful group like Los Cabelleros will catch the limelight in Sri Lanka.
Pix : Herbert Perera