Now

"love is not forever..."

The talented Kevin Almeida is a member of the popular band X-IT. Kevin is a shy guy who claims if there was one thing he would change, it would be to turn back the hands of time. Describing himself as hot tempered but yet shy, this guy has one aim in life - to pass on his talent to the next generation. This week Now caught up with Kevin for an interview in which he talks about the importance of honesty, what he looks for in his soul mate and what he would do to change the world. The Q&A follow:

By Jamila Najmuddin

Q: What qualities do you look for in a soul mate?

A: Well there are a lot of qualities that I look for in a soul mate but the quality that attracts me the most is honesty. Without honesty a person is not complete. My soul mate should also have natural beauty both inside and out.

Q: If you could have one super power, what would it be?

A: I would choose a power that would enable me to get back everything that I have lost. I was married for 12 years and I messed up a lot in my marriage. If I had a power I would choose to turn back time where I could avoid making the mistakes that I made in my life. This way I could get back the people I love.

Q: What's the best advice your parents ever gave you?

A: Never to lose my head. There are a lot of people today who have lost their heads just because they are celebrities. I appreciate the advice my parents have given me and they have also told me to be good at whatever I do and give it my best.

Q: Do you believe that love is forever?

A: No, love is not forever but I wish it would be that way. Today love is considered 'just another thing' in this world.

Q: If you could give anything, what one gift would you give and to whom?

A: If I could give one gift it would be to pass on my talent to someone else. I have learnt a lot about music over the past years and my one dream in life is to pass it onto someone else. My fans like what they see on stage and I have achieved a great deal. I would obviously want to give this gift to a talented person who is also willing to learn what I am offering to teach.

Q: If you had three kids, what would you name them?

A: Well if I have a boy I would name him Julian and if I have a daughter then I would name her Shanice. I have only decided on two children so I do not know what I would name my third child.

Q: What's the first thing you notice in the member of the opposite sex?

A: Well I notice a lot of things but what I get most attracted to is a woman's figure.

Q: What would you rather do than anything else?

A: Sing. My passion is to sing and play in my band. If I could, I would sing the whole day.

Q: The most romantic moment in your life?

A: Well my most romantic moment is when I had gone to a nightclub once and saw a beautiful girl on the dance floor. She was so beautiful that I gathered all my courage and went and asked her out on a date. A few years later that woman became my wife.

Q: What is the quality you envy in the opposite sex?

A: A woman's patience.

Q: Who's your favourite international celebrity and why?

A: Larry King. He's my role model and I like him a lot. He's a very weird person who has a very strong personality and the way he gets the crowd's attention is amazing.

Q: How do you feel about your career?

A: Boombastic. I love my career as I love my music. I have lived my career to the fullest and my career is the best thing that has happened to me.

Q: If there were one thing you could change in the world, what would it be?

A: Corruption. Today the world is full of corruption and if I could free the world from this menace, it would be the best thing that I have ever achieved.

Q: If love were just a colour, which would it be for you?

A: Purple. I love this colour and it my favourite. Although I never wear it, it is always in the back of mind.

Q: What do you indulge in?

A: My music.

A special evening!

By Dr. Thushara Senanayake

On the evening of June 11, I beat my path to Water's Edge Grand Ballroom, Battaramulla to experience the most talked about event of the year so far.  A pair of purple coots and a lesser whistling teal with its ducklings in a shallow lake at Water's Edge welcomed me and the sight of these lovely birds elevated my spirit.

I was in high spirits already as I was on my way to see the King Of Romance, Engelbert Humperdinck in flesh, performing live on stage. A Mercedes Benz CLS, which was on display outside the hall, stole my heart  (as they predicted) and I entered the Grand Ballroom with much enthusiasm and a lot of excitement.

As I entered the hall, a lady ushered me to my designated seat. A few moments later came the band, followed by Englebert's Music Director for 30 years, Jeff Sturge.

Then came the biggest moment, it was Engelbert Humperdinck clad in a black coat and white shirt with a matching trouser. He sent shivers down my spine when he got on to stage.

Introducing the concert as his first ever performance in Sri Lanka, he started the set with his signature opener. And to the much delight of the audience, Engelbert got into the song Am I That Easy To Forget, knowing that his fans have not forgotten him through all these years.

After a couple of songs from his latest album Let There Be Love, he belted out A Man Without Love to the thunderous applause of the audience.

After another three of his songs, one member from the audience sent Engelbert a "gift" with a message on it that read I Am A Man Without Love.  A few other songs followed afterwards and then Engelbert introduced his ensemble to the crowd. This strong 12-member troupe included Engelbert's lead guitarist Leo Quintero who exhibited guitar pyrotechnics to the amazed audience.

With the Last Waltz Engelbert mesmerised the crowd and the mood suddenly shifted when he started singing Ten Guitars.  Then the air was filled with the sounds of Quando Quando Quando and the audience started singing along with Engelbert.

The eyes of the crowd twinkled with delight as Quando took them back to the '60s. A medley comprising The Way It Used To Be, Winter World Of Love, Another Time, Another Place, There Goes My Everything and Spanish Eyes gave way to his biggest hit Release Me and he left the stage but the crowd asked for an encore.

Engelbert returned to the stage to the thunderous applause of the audience and obliged with a rendition of My Way. The audience gave a standing ovation to this great man when he left the stage promising that he will return to Sri Lanka.

Altogether, Engelbert sang 20 songs including the medley and enthralled the audience with a few jokes. Quite a number of times, he took the crowd into a transcendental state with his songs and brought back memories of a bygone era where Engelbert remained a superstar along with the others like Tom Jones.

The hall was packed with about 3,500 Engelbert fans and the concert was a success. The producers of the show, Soundstation Entertainment  Ltd., did a great job and hats off to Jeevan  De Silva and the team for bringing down this legendary superstar to Sri  Lanka. I am sure this concert was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for everyone who was a part of that special evening.

Rock in Kandy!

For the first time this year rock fans in Kandy will experience a concert they have been craving! `Rock in Kandy' has been specially organised due to the numerous requests the Rock Company had received from the fans in Kandy after the very successful Rocksteady concert and compilation two CD launch that was held at My Kind Of Place (MKOP) on April 8.

Ask any rock company band that has had the privilege of performing in Kandy if it's not the experience of a lifetime. For any rock band young or old playing in front of a Kandy audience is just nothing short of divine.

The ambience, the crowd support and the atmosphere is electrifying beyond measure.

As a result, the bands are all looking forward to this concert that is bound to be the most happening event in Kandy so far this year.

'Rock in Kandy' is organised by Rock Company together with the Rotaract Club of Kandy.

The Kandy rockers can expect a mammoth concert with the thunderous display of talent ranging from Kandy's very own Paranoid Earthling and Tapas together with Rock greats from Colombo such as Stigmata, Whirlwind, Insanity and Soul Skinner in addition to Dylan Jayakody and Anil Balasooriya of Independent Square fame. 'Rock in Kandy' will feature a range of music and versatility attaining new heights with new compositions and popular cover tunes performed by some of the country's finest rock bands.

Tickets will be priced at Rs. 350 at the entrance while the stunning new Rock Company compilation two CD will be sold for the first time at the venue for rock fans in Kandy to purchase.

The CD, normally priced at Rs. 500 at CD stores will be sold at a special rate of Rs. 400, giving the fans in Kandy an opportunity to grab this CD,

Kandy has never failed to draw a crowd of less than 600 fans and 'Rock in Kandy' is bound to pack the OTSC to its full capacity on the June 25.

Since the venue is small, rock fans are advised to get there well before the start time of 7 p.m. in order to avoid disappointment!

So get yourselves ready to run to the hills, tear down some walls and break every sound barrier to be a part of the new revolution in originality sweeping Sri Lanka.