The ‘real story’ behind Clarence’s music

In reply to Lasantha Fernando's article ‘Paduru Party’ on the 25 February, I agree with the writer on all the points - the dancers, empty seats and the lack of Clarence's closest and faithful friends.

I too had the same questions. I would like to share some of the answers I got to those questions. As to why musicians were not present at the concert, it was simply because they were not invited! Unfortunately, Mrs Wijewardena has an adviser, (who pretends to be a friend of the late Clarence) who has made it almost impossible for other musicians to sing or pay tribute to a legend of our time. Most of the musicians that were mentioned in the article have been warned against singing or recording the songs. Some of them have even been issued warning letters or have law suits against them.

A case in point is when a young child, who happens to be a Clarence fan, wanted to launch a website as a tribute to Clarence on his tenth death anniversary, just three days before the launch he was issued a warning letter, from a lawyer, threatening a Rs 3 million lawsuit if he went ahead with it.

This attitude is really a pity because the only reason we still enjoy the music of world legends like Elvis Presley or John Lennon is because their fans and other musicians have never let them die. They continued singing, having websites, recording and sharing their music and paying tribute to them.

But in Sri Lanka , if musicians are not allowed to sing these songs, that genre of music will be forgotten and eventually the music icon forgotten too. I think we need some answers from TNL as well as those taking advantage of a grieving widow, making it impossible for close friends and even fans to pay tribute and continue to enjoy the great music of Clarence. Most of our friends abroad however have been able to keep the memory of the music legend alive, paying tribute to Clarence on his tenth death anniversary with large concerts but in Sri Lanka, the land of his birth, people hardly remembered him.