Pioneering Sri Lankan Musician Herb Fernando Passes Away in London

One of Sri Lanka's pioneering musicians in the UK, Herb Fernando has passed away in London. His funeral service was held at the Sacred Heart Church, Quex Road, in Kilburn, North London on Friday 19th October at 12:15pm.
 
 Herb Fernando was the drummer and leader of the Sri Lankan pop group 'Family Affair'. The group was fronted by singer Noel Cream.The group was based in London and was in demand in the 'Swinging Sixties.'
 
 Their biggest hit was a track titled 'Hanging Around.' The song was featured by BBC Radio 2 on the Brian Matthews Saturday Morning Show 'Sounds of the 60s' on 3rd July 2004.

Herbert was an unassuming man, he had a thirst for music. The group recorded several CDs in London. When Sri Lanka won the World Cup of Cricket in 1996, Herb Fernando and Family Affair recorded a song called 'Hail Sri Lanka, Champions of 1996.' The song was played by BBC TV News and Sky News in the UK and featured in the British media as part of Sri Lanka Today Magazine's 3 test campaign in the United Kingdom. Herb also met with Arjuna Ranatunga and the cricketers when they visited London on an unofficial tour in 1997.

"Family Affair" compositions by Noel Cream and Herb Fernando can be freely downloaded from the Albums section of the "Family Affair" Band Website :

www.familyaffairmusic.com and other websites : www.myspace.com/familyaffairmusiconline, www.myspace.com/srilankacricketbaila, and www.myspace.com/famaf.

More information at: www.myspace.com/familyaffairsounds.