• Music
    • Artists
    • Albums
    • Archives
  • Events
  • Sooriya Blog
  • Contact Us
  • About Us

The Super Golden Chimes

සිංහල
தமிழ்
  • Biography
  • Albums
  • Video
  • Events

Biography

It was 1973, three years since Clarence and Annesley broke up from their original band ‘The Moonstones’. Clarence went onto form The Golden Chimes whilst Annesley led The Moonstones, both sought after bands of the era. Yet, all it took was for an invitation by Clarence for Annesley to attend one of his shows, a casual drink between them arranged by their lead guitarist and friend Dixon and the power of creating music together tugging at heart strings, giving life to a new band. Again, it was Gerald Wickremesooriya who baptized them as ‘The Super Golden Chimes’.

“Clarence-Annesley reunion great day for Sinhala pop” by W.R.W., 1973
“Clarence-Annesley reunion great day for Sinhala pop” by W.R.W., 1973

Debut

Clarence and Annesley shared vocals with Dixon on lead guitar joined by Paul Perera on Keyboards, Sri Kantha Dasanayake on Drums, Rohan Gunawardane on Bass Guitar. In 1973, the band released their first EP on Sooriya label: “The Super Golden Chimes at KATARAGAMA” bearing the catalogue number CHB 032 including songs “Kandasurinduni”, “Seetha Sulangak”, “Satuta Senasuma” and “Pena Bubula”. They became an instant hit.

https://www.sooriya.lk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/44-Katharagama-Kandasuriduni.mp3

Their evergreen hit “Kandasurinduni” was written & composed by Clarence on request by Sri Kantha’s father as a prayer in praise of Lord Murugan, wishing Sri Kantha who was recovering from an accident.

The Super Golden Chimes
The Super Golden Chimes

Journey

Their next EP was again with the Sooriya label including the song “Sihina Pathum Vimane” written by Clarence for Lankika’s new born child.

The band released an LP under Lotus label including hit songs “Gamen Liyumak”, “Vanabambaro”, “Ha Ha Hore”, “Sudu Menike”, “Udarata NIliya”, “Kiri Muhuda” and “Amma” including Indrani Perera and Anil Bhareti. This also includes hit song “Kiyanna Sulange” by Lilanthi Karunanayake in duet with Annesley Malawana which is a household song even today.

Conrad Gunarathne (Bass Guitar), Rukshan Perera (Keyboards), Layasing De Silva (Bass Guitar), Nimal Perera (Drums), Chandral Fonseka (Bass Guitar), Cumar Peiris (Keyboards), Sunil Malawana (Bass Guitar), Sooriyakumar Weerasinghm (Keyboards), Peter de Almeda (Bass Guitar) and Nimal Punchihewa (Drums and Conga) joined the Super Golden Chimes from time to time.

In 1976, the band released an instrumental on the Sooriya label: “Kataragama Instrumentals by the Super Golden Chimes” including the songs “Kataragama”, “Moratuwa”, “Ase Madura” and “Duwani”.

The Super Golden Chimes family get-together at Nelu Fernando’s (manager) residence, 1976
The Super Golden Chimes family get-together at Nelu Fernando’s (manager) residence, 1976

In addition to creating music for themselves, the Super Golden Chimes provided music for many a reputed artiste’s including Milton Mallawarachchi, Dalreen Suby.

In 1978, the group released two singles with Sooriya including songs “Dileepa”, “Komala Lathawo”, “Vikasitha Hadamal” and “Samawanna”.

Later in 1978 Clarence decided to go solo at the same time when Annesley Malawana announced his plans for marriage and thus bidding farewell to the music field. Annesley left the group in 1979 to pursue a career in the garments industry. Chandral Fonseka took over the leadership from then on.

In 1982, The Super Golden Chimes consisting Chandral, Dixon, Cumar, Nimal and Mike toured Switzerland and performed with their name shortened as “Super”.

Their songs remain popular to-date with their ever sold-out performances of the reunion concerts held around the world.

During mid 70’s the band hit the number one slot in the Sri Lankan music charts on both the Sinhala and English Services of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. Super Golden Chimes was also certificated as the “most popular Sinhala pop band in Sri Lanka” for the year 1976 by a pop poll conducted by Pop and Teen Fanfare.

The Super Golden Chimes, 2003 L to R: Standing - Nimal, Rukshan, Annesley, Sunil, Sri Kantha, Chandral Seated - Cumar, Dixon, Paul
The Super Golden Chimes, 2003 L to R: Standing - Nimal, Rukshan, Annesley, Sunil, Sri Kantha, Chandral Seated - Cumar, Dixon, Paul
The Super Golden Chimes re-union concert, 2003
The Super Golden Chimes re-union concert, 2003
“Super Golden Chimes dazzle Mebourne fans”, The Island, May 9, 2010
“Super Golden Chimes dazzle Mebourne fans”, The Island, May 9, 2010
“Api gedere yanne naa” by Avon, The Island, May 4, 2010
“Api gedere yanne naa” by Avon, The Island, May 4, 2010

The Super Golden Chimes came together at the farewell concert on 10th April 2015 at the BMICH auditorium compered by Vijaya Corea.

Albums

album-art

The Super Golden Chimes At Kataragama

By The Super Golden Chimes
Release date: 1973
Available now on:
album-art

Moratuwa by The Super Golden Chimes

By The Super Golden Chimes, Clarence Wijewardena, Annesley Malawana
Release date: 1974
  • Stream Now
  • Stream Now
  • Stream Now
  • Stream Now
Available now on:
  • iTunes
  • Amazon
album-art

Colomba Sanniya

By Eddie Jayamanne, Clarence Wijewardena
Release date:
Available now on:
album-art

Kataragama Instrumentals

By The Super Golden Chimes
Release date: 1976
album-art

Clarence Wijewardena With The Super Golden Chimes

By Clarence Wijewardena, The Super Golden Chimes
Release date:
  • Stream Now
  • Stream Now
Available now on:
  • iTunes
  • Amazon
album-art

Clarence Wijewardena With The Super Golden Chimes

By Clarence Wijewardena, The Super Golden Chimes
Release date: 1978
  • Stream Now
  • Stream Now
Available now on:
  • iTunes
  • Amazon
album-art

The Sooriya Show Vol. 2

By
Release date:
Available now on:
album-art

Super Golden Chimes & Golden Chimes Original Recordings 1970 – 1975

By The Super Golden Chimes, The Golden Chimes
Release date: 1985
Available now on:
album-art

Sooriya Golden Oldies

By The Super Golden Chimes, The Three Sisters, Eranga & Priyanga, The Golden Chimes, M.S. Fernando, Shiromie Fernando, H.R. Jothipala, The Moonstones, Indrani Perera, The Dharmaratne Brothers, Paul Fernando
Release date: 1985
Available now on:
album-art

Kandayam Gee (Hits In Harmony)

By Annesley Malawana, The Dharmaratne Brothers, ධර්මරත්න සහෝදරයො, The Three Sisters, Priya Peiris, The Golden Chimes, La Bambas, The Super Golden Chimes, Los Flamencos
Release date: 1985
Available now on:
album-art

Super Golden Chimes & Golden Chimes Original Recordings 1970 – 1975

By The Golden Chimes, The Super Golden Chimes
Release date: 1995
Available now on:
album-art

Kandayam Gee (Hits In Harmony)

By The Moonstones, The Golden Chimes, The Super Golden Chimes, The Three Sisters, The Dharmaratne Brothers, Los Flamencos, La Bambas
Release date: 1995
Available now on:

Video

Events

  • No upcoming events scheduled yet. Stay tuned!

The Super Golden Chimes

Formed in – 1973

Original line-up –
Clarence Wijewardena
Annesley Malawana
Dixon Gunaratne
Paul Perera
Sri Kantha Dasanayake
Rohan Gunawardane

Genre – Sinhala pop

Previous Artist
The Moonstones
Next Artist
The Three Sisters

Newsletter

Grab our Monthly Newsletter and stay tuned

Follow Us

 
 
 
 
 

Copyright © 2021 Sooriya Records –  All Rights Reserved