Bonny a sparkling voyage in celebrity as a vocalist/entertainer for over four decades having made an indelible imprint in the music arena – by Sunil Thenabadu
Bonny Fernando a native of Sri Lanka was born in Trincomalee, while a toddler his family had moved to Kurunegala. He has had his education at St Anne’s College,Kurunegala later at St. Benedict’s College,Kotahena had possessed a innate talent for music specifically in singing. Bonny had received tremendous inspiration from the music legend Clarence Wijewardena while in school had been a member of the musical band ‘Freedom’ which was formed after Bonny had successfully sung in many concerts. Very often the group ‘Freedom’ was allied to the popular “Super Golden Chimes” led by eminent Clarence Wijewardena. By singing English numbers Bonny had initially showcased his innate talent for music vocals. Bonny was indeed fortunate to have got the opportunity to sing at the then SLBC programs ‘Star of Lanka’, ‘Talent in Focus’, ‘Police Hour’ becoming a finalist in the popular “Elasto Moving Design’ singing competition in two successive years. Bonny had excelled to tall, unprecedented elevations with his interpretations of evergreen English songs excelling in country and western versions of very popular vocalists then in the calibre of Perry Como,Tom Jones, Elvis Presely,Englebert Humperdinct and Matt Monro having won many accolades of fanatic music lovers to be even labelled as “Jim Reeves” of Wanni.
It had not taken Bonny Fernando long to be labelled as a sought-after vocalist to become a highly acknowledged in the music arena in Sri Lanka. Bonny was soon grabbed by the famous musical group ‘Moonstones’ which had been booked at the hotel Samudra. Bonny had been snatched by the musical group ‘ Esquire Set’ performing at the ‘little Hut’ also at the Kandy Lake Club which drew large musical fanatics. To Bonny at that time received many summonses to perform with other bands too like the ‘ Claude the Sensation”, the La langusttrie as a free-lance vocalist to sing Sinhala and English solos. Bonny’s heroics as a singing sensation made musician Upendra Fernando combining with veteran late Stanley Peiris to make an EP under the popular ‘Gemtone’ label , famous lyricist Premakeerthi de Alwis responsible for his unique stanzas. Bonny possess an amazing aptitude to sing late HR Jothipala’s hits to precision by popular request by his wide range of fan base.
Bonny had subsequently visited Germany in search of greener pastures for work after settling had during his spare time had sung in Grevenbroich hotel and Sonnenschein floating night club in Frankfurt as singing was in his blood. This expedition was after he had tied the nuptial knot with his fiancé’ Devika Karunaratne also from his native Kurunegala. Devika had excelled as a dancer is inherited arts is a tower of strength to Bonny in his musical journey even today. In year 1986 after his tenure in Frankfort had migrated to Sydney Australia where the family is based permanently now. Owing to Bonny’s friendly disposition towards all was adored by many and soon he had earned many friends with a huge fan base. Bonny’s artistic creativeness had grown in stature after settling down in Sydney all tall unprecedented heights. To the Sri Lankan community in Sydney the name of Bonny was synonymous with music concerts having taken the initiative to perform in charity events lavishly donating at all instances. It is pertinent to state that Bonny and his beloved wife Devika had combined to successfully complete many community events. It needs to be emphasised that it was Bonny who was chiefly responsible in the formation and giving birth of the present Sinhala Cultural Forum in Sydney with the assistance of huge personalities like Somaratna Dissananayke and Don Wickrema.Bonny has been the chief instrumentalist is organizing ‘Rhythms in Concert; which to date has grown in tallness.
Bonny Fernando now an Australian citizen domiciled in greater Sydney area is known worldwide as an entertainer cum singer at Shanili Enterprises. Bonny has to date performed successfully in many shows in ‘down under” Sydney, Melbourne ,Frankfurt, Germany and native Sri Lanka having been invited to sing several times like in the Independent Television Network popular program “Chat N Music” which is an uninterrupted program for over twenty one years. Bonny had also featured as the male vocalist in the renowned ‘Sihinayaki Re” program which was telecast in the national television SLRC for nearly six years on Sunday nights. During this period Bonny had recorded a new song with lyrics and music composition by popular musician Lakshman Hilmy. In addition, Bonny had been invited to many television channels to sing and for heart to heart chats.
Bonny is a singer who could sing fluently in both Sinhalese and in English languages. Bonny has excelled singing songs of Jim Reeves,Tom Jones ,Elvis Presley,Englebert Humperdinck, while in Sinhalese songs of any artiste but sings so impressively HR Jothipala songs enthusiastically. Bonny had sung on invitation at the BMICH too apart from at many other reputed auditoriums.
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In this consistency Bonny as a vocalist is much above that of many other entertainers. Bonny has performed at many hotels in Sydney and Melbourne duetting even alongside singer Kamal Khan a Malaysian national entertainer. The duo had performed together at elite functions of OBA’s of famous colleges in Sri Lanka, including prestigious S.Thomas’ College Mt Lavinia, NSW OBA branch, family night functions, regular Friday evenings performer at authentic, only Sri Lankan gold licensed caterer restaurant, Blue Elephant etc, Bonny for his efforts had received positive feedbacks, appreciations, accolades and even awards. For his convincing displays he had received invitations for repeat performances. Bonny has even received invitations to sing in local bands in Sri Lanka during his visits in the motherland. One such even was when he sang in ‘The Breakaway Ball’ alongside Corrine, Sohan, Judy, Lanka and Kumar all reputed artistes .Another memorable concert was when he was invited by Y’s Men’s Club of Kurunegala. to perform in “Memories that Linger’ with Bonny from Sydney organised by the Lions Club of Kurunegala. Bonny as a solo artiste “Bonny in Concert” backed by Sohan and the Experiments held in Ballroom ,Club House ,Havelocks City also organised by the old boys of St. Anne’s Kurunegala.Another musical concert featuring Bonny as a solo artistes titled ‘Golden Oldies Concert and Sing Along” was held at the pavilion Ballroom, The Club Huse ,Havelocks City. .In addition Bonny has been invited for live motion action in channels and as a Jude box featured artiste. Bonny has been instrumental in inviting many reputed and novice artistes in Sri Lanka to perform on stage shows in NSW Australia. In need to be emphasized that Bony had sung the theme song for the stage play ‘Hathe Kanuwa’ directed byRamesh Rathnayake. Having music embedded in his blood Bonny has already climbed to stardom effortlessly making an indelible imprint during the past four decades. Bonny was felicitated a few years ago by SCATS NSW cum PHOENIX PTY LTD, for his outstanding contributions made to music in Sydney. The concert was titled ‘Rhythm in Concert’ at the Blue Elephant Auditorium. Bonny is planning to organise more concerts alongside releasing some originals of his which he had made recently in music videos. Bonny also owns his own band ‘HEARTSBEAZ’ which is popular in Sydney and other states .Bonny is full time to music making his own music videos. In the recent past he had made a number of music videos v.i.z.,Gee Madala, Heena Dena Raa Pural, My way Cover,Me Jeevithe, Ree Yame Sihina Rekha, Ahasa Viyana, I can’t stop loving you, Ma Lassana Kellek, Digu Neela etc etc. which could be viewed on U tube.
In the context of the above Bonny Fernando has contributed immensely to music continues in the same vein often invited to many musical concerts who had undoubtedly etched an indelible imprint as a proficient musician. All his fans and followers would wish him enormous strength and good health to keep contributing to music.
Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane e mail sthenabadu@hotmail.com WhatsApp 0061444533242
