It is with shock and deep sadness it was to Anne and I to be informed of the passing of our friend and father figure Des Kelly.
In fact our families have all interacted with him and miss him dearly, after meeting him at our home when he visited often during the days he got around.
Our interaction with him began with a phone call to me around 15 years ago. He wanted me to drop by for a conversation. It was about wanting me to contribute stories the the Lanka Times which he was the Editor of.
Knowing of my commitment to another publication in Melbourne he put it subtly to me that he would be happy if I could forward stories not used in the other paper for the Lanka Times. That meeting with Anne and I at his Victor Avenue residence in Dandenong North was the start of a friendship and our lasting interaction in journalism which continued till the end.
We had a mutual respect for each other’s different styles of writing and in fact often complemented and encouraged each other about our efforts.
Des was a great man and an entertainer par excellence, who always had our utmost respect. He was called away by the God he so revered after a memorable journey that was indelible.
Desmond Kelly was undoubtedly an icon of Sri Lanka, his musical career and acting gaining him several accolades over many decades.
His unusual talent found few parallels extending to journalism as Chief Editor of the Lanka Times newspaper in Melbourne until it ceased publication while doubling up with the very popular eLanka website as the ‘Star of eLanka’ in a similar capacity as its Editor.
He was forthright with his comments in his columns and did not shy away from letting his innermost thoughts be known to all without fear or favour. His pleasing style of writing made him popular with many, especially his anecdotes which was flavoured to deliver reader interest and mirth.
As a singer, he excelled in bands and later as a soloist, composing and producing new material that gained international acclaim.
His song ‘Dreamworld’ which he fondly reminisced was written for his girlfriend at the time, Maureen Hingert, rocketed him to fame worldwide in 1958 topping the charts in India and Sri Lanka. It was recorded under the Phillips label and was, and still is, played and sung by musicians and radio stations.
Des Kelly produced hundreds of CD’s and DVDs using his clever musical talent to create backup tracks for music he composed, and others still to be converted to music which he always confided in me he hoped young musicians would take advantage of.
His uncanny knack of interaction would always pack a dance floor when he was mobile. Spondylitis put paid to his outgoing activity and he was home bound over the past eight years or so.
But his mental capacity was unaffected helping him to continue recording music at home and writing countless stories many based on his exploits through his life journey from childhood.
He has produced numerous songs in both English and Sinhalese the latter in which his versions were second to none despite being a Burgher. His road safety song “Its you” was a telling composition that got plenty of airplay but unfortunately was not sustained despite its telling message to drivers on the road.
He would often relate how he ran away from home at a very young age and joined a circus in Sri Lanka. Music was his next pursuit joining famous promoter Donovan Andree, until he joined the Sri Lanka Navy becoming the entertainer in the force and giving them another outlet from their regular training.
There’s nothing in music and interaction he has not touched on in a life spanning 88 years.
Outside of his busy commitments he was a proud father to his children, Michael, Douglas, Michelle and Warren.
He lived a lonely life after his wife Cynthia was deceased but didn’t shy away from relating stories of his proud conquests of the fairer sex during his younger days. He recalled them with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
It is with a heavy heart I bid goodbye to a wonderful man I looked up to as a friend and father figure, and whose determination and talents, I was in awe of.
The world has lost another incredibly talented man who has made a tremendous impact on society with his wisdom and knowledge.
May his wonderful soul rest in God’s loving care.
BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE
