Desmond de Silva
Desmond de Silva | |
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ඩෙස්මන්ඩ් ද සිල්වා | |
Born | Desmond Anaclitus Rajiva de Silva 13 July 1944 |
Died | 9 January 2022 Melbourne, Australia | (aged 77)
Education | St. Thomas' College, Matara |
Occupations |
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Spouses |
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Children | 3 |
Parents |
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Musical career | |
Genres |
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Instrument(s) | Vocals |
Years active | 1989–2011 |
Labels |
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Desmond Anaclitus Rajiva de Silva (
Early life
De Silva was born on 13 July 1944 in Matara, Sri Lanka as the eldest of the family with two siblings. His father Clement Arnold de Silva from Matara was a Public Health Inspector (PHI) and mother Olga Correa from Chilaw was a teacher. He had one younger brother (Milroy) and a younger sister (Varena). After moving to Bambalapitiya, he first went to St. Peter's College, Colombo. Then he was boarded at St. Aloysius College due to being stubborn. Later he was sent back to St. Peter's College and finally school life ended at St. Thomas' College, Matara.[3] He did not go to high school and came to Colombo to join the Army. De Silva could not bear the hardships of military life, so he decided to leave. As a result, he left the Army and joined the Air Force. He left the army and became a soil digger at a bank construction site. At that time his daily wage was five rupees.[2]
Singing career
De Silva became a singer at the invitation of a friend. "Des," as he was known to his fans, launched his career in popular music in
He celebrated 53 years in show business, selling millions of CDs around the world. De Silva was known for his popular renditions of Sri Lankan 'baila' music, which was a style whose origins are in Portuguese and Spanish music. He had a string of baila hits including: Polkatu Hande, Chuda Manike, Mamma No, Miss Sri Lanka, Rajasangabo, Komali Pane as well as popular recordings of anonymous Baila songs.[2] He was also known for a whole range of 'Party Time' non-stop Baila music. De Silva resided in London and performed with London-based backing group Foreign Affairs in the United Kingdom.[3]
De Silva championed the cause of
In 1986, De Silva moved to England.[2] On 7 June 2003, he performed in a sold-out concert at BMICH titled 'Desmond Live in Concert'.[6] He launched the first ever Concert for Autism for Sri Lanka in Sydney, Australia on 31 March 2006.[7][8]
Personal life and death
De Silva married Deanna de Zilwa and they had two sons and a daughter (Steve, Sean and Jacqueline). His eldest son Steve was a singer/entertainer, who died of cancer, his daughter, Megan De Silva, was adopted by Derrick and Renuka Fernando.[9][10]
His second marriage was to Dr. Lilamani Wijeratne.
Desmond met and married his third wife, Phyllis Van Houten, in Sydney, Australia, where they lived for thirteen years. They were in Melbourne where he performed at a New Year’ Eve Dance. He died of a heart attack on 9 January 2022 at the age of 77.[11][12]
Discography
- Baila 20
- Gramaphone Express
- Chuuda Maanike
- Haadu Hathak
- Komali Pane
- Baila Rajje
- Desmond Silva with Sunflowers
See also
References
- ^ memes127en (9 January 2022). "Desmond de Silva dead and obituary, Legendary singer Desmond de Silva passes away". MRandom News. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c d e f "Desmond Silva who came to Colombo from Matara went on a non-stop journey". Sarasaviya. 12 January 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ^ a b c d "By God I can still sing well - Desmond de Silva". Aruna. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
- ^ "Veteran singer Desmond de Silva passes away". Daily News. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ^ bugsbunny (9 January 2022). "Sri Lanka's King of Baila Desmond De Silva has died". Colombo Gazette. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ^ "Desmond celebrates 40 years of it with a mega show at BMICH". 7 February 2005. Archived from the original on 7 February 2005. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ^ "Autism Awareness Campaign Sri Lanka (Autism Sri Lanka)". Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ^ "World Music Central - Desmond de Silva Autism Fundraiser in Sydney Australia". 29 September 2007. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ^ "Goodbye dear friend". Sunday Times. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- ^ "6 Years Young Voice Desmond de Silva". දිනමිණ. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ^ "Veteran singer Desmond De Silva passes away". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 9 January 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
- ^ "Legendary singer Desmond de Silva passes away". www.adaderana.lk. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
External links
- World Music Central: Desmond de Silva Autism Fundraiser in Sydney Australia
- Autism Sri Lanka: Desmond de Silva Autism Concert in Sydney
- Desmond de Silva appeals on Autism
- Desmond de Silva presents a Lifetime Achievement Award
- Listen to Desmond de Silva on Sinhala Jukebox
- Desmond de Silva on Sinhala Songs Page
- Desmond de Silva on the Myuru Gee Library
- World Music Central Article on Sri Lankan Musicians
- Sunday Observer Article on Desmond de Silva's 40 years in Showbiz
- Gulf Daily News Bahrain article Archived 11 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- Desmond de Silva discography at Discogs