Mignonne Composed and recorded Coconet Man in London UK In 1965, Mignonne along with her group The Jetliners became an instant success under the guidance of manager Tony Fernando who would later become her husband, and their popularity grew. Radio Ceylon, introduced her music not only to a local audience but across South Asia. During the early years of the group the Jetliners enjoyed star billing at the Coconut Grove nightclub situated in the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo
In 1969, she became the first Sri Lankan to be signed up by EMI Records UK, and Music London. Keith Prowse Ceylonese The song ‘Wedding Song’ (Mangala Mohotha) was her first song to be copyrighted by KPM.
Her song “Love Don’t Let Me Down” won the Embassy Award at the World Popular Song Festival. Another original composition “Someday My Love” won the Matsushita Award and Special Jury Award for Composer and Performer at the Festival of Song.
A Sinhala composition “Oba Nisa” was selected for the finals of the 5th Olympiad of Song in Athens, Greece in 1972 where it won the gold medal. “Coconut Man” made the finals of the World Popular Song Festival in Tokyo, the first time a female singer/composer had ever done so.
You are welcome to pass this on.
Regards
Patrick
