With a thirty five year recording history, embracing number 1 international hits and more than eighty gold and platinum plaques, Kamahl has moved on to his own stratum in Australian entertainment. He stands as one of its great survivors; a performer of integrity and tenacity who can claim a fiercely loyal following over a period that has seen many other singers rise and fall.
Doors have never swung open readily for the rich-voiced Malaysian born Sri Lankan entertainer. In many cases his own determination has pushed and kept them open. Where opportunities have not presented themselves, Kamahl has created them, often acting alone against the advice of those around him. This indomitable spirit placed him triumphantly on the stages of the Sydney Opera House, the London Palladium, Talk of the Town and New York's Carnegie Hall. It set in chain a series of circumstances which led him to spending six weeks at No 1 in Holland with “The Elephant Song†(A release which also topped charts in a number of European countries) being afforded a standing ovation on a Bob Hope television special seen by millions of viewers world wide, keeping the “Saturday Night Fever†album out of No 1 in New Zealand, and picking up Record of the Year and Best Male performer awards in Australia against competition from major rock stars.
There is only one Kamahl – The Kamahl recently summoned personally by Prince Bernhardt of the Netherlands to perform at an environmental forum in Indonesia – The Kamahl who recorded a record breaking fund-raising album for the Freedom From Hunger Campaign in 1970 and has been active in numerous charitable causes since – The Kamahl who was encouraged by Nat King Cole, supported by a young Rupert Murdoch & befriended by Sir Donald Bradman.
