Desmond Anaclitus Rajiva de Silva was born on the 13th of July 1944, at Matara, and is recognized today as being an iconic Singer/Entertainer in Sri Lanka and within the expat communities around the world. His powerful voice and fantastic range stirred the hearts of young and old alike. He started his musical career when he was 19 years old. He was the lead vocalist with the Fireflies and then went on to be part of the Jetliners, Spitfires and finally formed his own band called Desmond & The Clan where their popularity soared when they performed to sell out audiences at the Capricorn Night club in Colombo. The band was contracted to play in Katmandu where they were discovered by an Agent who offered them a contract to tour the Scandinavian region. They performed as a band for 7 years in the region. Desmond then decided on a solo career which took him on tours around the world at the invitation of expats for a variety of community events. Desmond’s popularity soared as a solo artiste and he undertook demanding schedules of overseas engagements at SOLD OUT events. He also formed his band “Desmond & The Impressions” based in Sydney and has toured with his band in Australia, New Zealand & Indonesia. Desmond more than made his mark in the music scene in Sri Lanka and across the globe. He is arguably Sri Lanka’s greatest Singer/Entertainer. His energy and exuberance for his craft set him apart from his peers and his talent to engage with his audience in his own imitable style has won him fans across generations. From the 60’s till his untimely death in January 2022 he commanded the stage and entertained his audience. He had a knack of “feeling” the energy & pulse of an audience and he entertained them as they expected. He has been sent many videos and heard many stories from parents with young children who dance and sing along to his music videos or CDs. It always lifted his heart and brought a smile to his face. On and off the stage Desmond loved giving of his best to his fans. He was always accessible and often phone conversations were to guide them in their own musical careers or ambitions. He was well loved and respected by his peers in the music industry.

During Covid restrictions Desmond & his wife Phyllis were able to enjoy quality time together and they loved being at home, enjoying their garden and spending time with their dogs Holly & Charlie. 2021 & 2022 was also spent catching up with reading and quiet intimate dinners with family & friends. With the help and encouragement of his step children, Phyllis & Des set up a Studio at home and Des was able to entertain his fans through virtual “concerts” and also able to record and revive old favourites. His recording of the Bob Marley classic ‘Three Little Birds’ lifted the spirits of his fans around the world and especially those in Sri Lanka who were doing it tougher than others. Des wanted to encourage and inspire his peers and fans through his music. In the words of the song ‘Don’t Worry About a Thing, Cos Everything is Going to be Alright’ he wanted the words of the song to instil hope during the unprecedented time. As restrictions eased in May/June 2021 Desmond was lucky to be able to perform in Adelaide, Melbourne & Canberra. Desmond was humbly grateful to realise that his fans remained faithful as his phone ran hot from September 2021 with bookings that saw his 2022 schedule fill up with gigs Australia wide and across the globe right up to end of October 2022. His final performance was in Melbourne’s City venue for a Gala New Year’s Eve Event where he was his energetic and vibrant self as he entertained the capacity crowd that joined him in welcoming 2022. Desmond’s untimely death on 9th January 2022 devastated his wife Phyllis and family. He has left a void in their hearts and in the lives of all his fans. Des has left a vast legacy of music that will keep his memory and music alive for years to come. He has a huge body of work he was proud of and will always hope his fans will enjoy with memories of his brand of entertainment. Desmond’s wife Phyllis says that she once asked him why he didn’t do more than one encore even though his audience would yell out for more. He replied, “ I like to leave the stage with my audience wanting more”! Des certainly achieved that when he exited this Life Stage so unexpectedly and untimely. He has left his fan wanting more!

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