The Gypsies
The Gypsies Musical Group started off in 1970 as a family affair, comprising 4 brothers and 3 cousins. Having successfully launched the Gypsies band wagon on the road, the 3 cousins subsequently quit due to business and other personal commitments. Another younger member of the family then joined the Gypsies bandwagon to make it a five piece musical outfit, and the Group continued performing together regularly enjoying a very high rate of success.
Through the following years, marriage and other business partnerships demanded the departure of one, two, three brothers, and eventually the Gypsies with new horizons grew to even greater heights.
The band has always been conscious of its public image, performances, and standard of the music it delivers. In keeping with the need to enhance its image and performances, the band engaged the services of a female vocalist.
The recording of many cassettes became a regular routine, it was the demand at that time. However with the advent of new technology in the music world, the production of CDs became grew in importance as opposed to other performances. The first ever CD released by the Gypsies includes some of the best material produced by the Group.
Next came the demand for foreign tours. Australia, the Middle East, New Zealand, Japan, United Kingdom, U.S.A. and Canada, Singapore and Hong Kong have repeatedly accommodated the Gypsies and yet clamour for more tours.
Having won for itself many musical accolades, it became natural for the Gypsies to be chosen to represent Sri Lanka for the “Masters Band Festival” in early 1995, which was held in Malaysia, organized by the East West Entertainment network. Unfortunately, the invitation to tour had to be declined due to a prior contracted musical engagement in Bahrain.
The Gypsies band provides both Sri Lankan and Western music, which allows the Gypsies to tour Sri Lanka catering to its many fans, s well as to tour foreign countries, where patronage by Sri Lankans is unbelievable, as exceedingly large crowds of foreigners enjoy the music and performances of The Gypsies.
Accommodating the many foreign tours, which include dinner dances, stage shows, and weddings, the Gypsies are yet able to cope with the heavy demand on the local scene, which undoubtedly is based on the commitment and loyalty of the members of the band.
The Gypsies has upheld its status as the leading band in Sri Lanka, for years, based on two principal concepts, i.e. the number of occasions at which the band performs, and as the highest paid band in Sri Lanka. This has continued progressively through recent years.
The equipment owned by the Band is of the highest calibre. The Gypsies own their own sound system which is rated about the best in the country, and compares closely with foreign standards. Maintaining musical contacts around the world, with agents for leading brand names, the system is regularly updated with advance equipment and fitted with improving technology in keeping with the demands of the music industry.