Cliff Foenander

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Cliff Foenander is Sri Lanka's first ever international musician who conquered the world of popular music in South East Asia and in Las Vegas. He was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

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[edit] Early Years in Colombo

Cliff grew up in Colombo. The 1950s was pivotal to his decision to become a musician. Ceylon was buzzing to the sounds of Bill Haley, Elvis Presley and Cliff Richard. Cliff wanted to emulate his musical heroes. He started playing in clubs and sang at dances all over Ceylon. He had a strong voice and he certainly was determined to become a success. The Ceylonese audiences took to his music and his charismatic performing style. Cliff Foenander was a star performer in the world of show business.

[edit] Radio Ceylon plays Cliff's music

An early break happened when South Asia's oldest radio station, Radio Ceylon (now the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation) gave him valuable exposure, making Cliff Foenander a household name in 1950s and 1960s Ceylon. Cliff soon became very popular not only in Ceylon but right across South Asia via Radio Ceylon's South Asia beam, particularly to India. Legendary broadcasters Vernon Corea, Jimmy Bharucha and Tim Horshington played his songs time and time again and interviewed him on their radio shows, which were listened to by millions. Cliff Foenander became a runaway success on the airwaves of Radio Ceylon.

[edit] The Fabulous Echoes

Cliff Foenander's big break came when he joined a Hong Kong based group 'The Fabulous Echoes.' They took South East Asia by storm, building a huge fan base in Hong Kong, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and even Japan. Cliff was now a huge star in South East Asia and South Asia. Radio Ceylon continued to play all his hits with The Fabulous Echoes. Radio stations in Hong Kong, Philippines and Singapore continued to play the records released by The Fabulous Echoes and it helped build a massive fan base and positive reviews in the South East Asian media. People in South East Asia still recall the impact The Fabulous Echoes had in the world of popular culture.

[edit] Las Vegas

The Fabulous Echoes became international stars when they played Las Vegas in the United States of America. They performed with the rat pack - Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr, with Ella Fitzgerald and the great 'Satchmo,' Louis Armstrong. Cliff Foenander and The Fabulous Echoes always performed a tight set and were very much a part of the Las Vegas cabaret act.

The Fabulous Echoes were invited to perform on the Ed Sullivan Show after he saw them in action in the Thunderbird Lounge.

Cliff Foenander continued his music career after The Fabulous Echoes. He decided to settle down in Melbourne, Australia. Foenander passed away in Australia on the 21st of November 2000.

[edit] The Foenander Legacy

Even though Cliff Foenander is no more, his musical legacy lives on in Australia. Cliff's nephew, Robin Foenander is a rising star in Australia and has released several CDs and a hit country music song 'Further Down The Road' with the folk music legend Keith Potger, who was a founder member of the Seekers and the New Seekers.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References to the Fabulous Echoes on You Tube

You Tube, The Fabulous Echoes - The Early Years Part 1 of 3, <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWhOvRF_Njg>. Retrieved on 29 October 2007 

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