Who will hit the stage on August 20 with old-time favourites -- the likes of Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, Engelbert and Jim Reeves, popular Sinhala tunes, homespun humour and more, talks to
Afew years ago Clifford Richards was walking past a bandstand when a saxophone caught both his eye and immediate curiosity. “If you have a liking, you can do anything,” he explains, and with a few practices, he added saxophonist to his diverse resume as an entertainer.
Next week, audiences will get to see ‘Cliff ’ as he is affectionately known showcase this skill on the sax when he presents “Clifford Richards in Concert”. The evening will be a show of song, dance and overall entertainment.
The show’s emphasis on ‘entertainment’ is no surprise considering the persona of its main act. You may have listened to the clear baritone voice reading news or voicing advertisements. Or many a music lover would have sung along with Cliff, or laughed at his unpretentious, homespun sense of humour at the sing-alongs and shows where he has been the master of ceremonies. But before Cliff became an established figure as presenter and compere at hundreds (he has literally compered over 900 shows) of shows and events, the soft spoken entertainer found his niche through singing.
Singing came naturally to Clifford from a very young age. While studying at Trinity College, Kandy and later the University of Peradeniya he would clinch prizes and win competitions, although he was advised very early on that he was ‘not good enough’. But little deters the earnest Cliff, whose passion for music saw him perform anyway. But speaking on stage, he admits was an accident of sorts, when he was asked to fill in for the compere who was missing while he was singing with ‘Friends in Harmony’. Pushed by fellow musician and singer Indrani Wijesundara, and Lancelot Perera, he soon added announcing and presenting to his resume, thereafter working for radio and later television for channels such as ITN and then Rupavahini as a newsreader and presenter.
Over the past 30 years Cliff has enjoyed success both at home and abroad with his music and style of entertaining. Audiences may remember last year’s show which found the performer celebrating his love for the oldies and classic Sri Lankan pop. His two young