Lilian & Manon, "The Zlamal Sisters", are two dynamic multi-talented musicians, daughters of renowned Slovak poet and writer Miloslav Zlamal (The Partisan Captain) and Jaroslava Zlamal who have been captivating audiences with their golden voices for years. Their unique vocal blends mesmerize their listeners ,while their compositions touch their hearts. As young teenagers Lilian & Manon toured with "The International Stars of Europe" in Canada who referred to the sisters as the "ABBA Girls" due to the similar blend of their voices together.They recorded in Warsaw Poland with Anna Jantar opening the Polskie Nagrania Recording Studio and Muzak Records under the direction of Jan Kukulski .Their Polish musical peers were very enthusiastic and wanted the girls to represent Canada at "The International SOPOT Festival", but sadly to the girls, that never did materialize. After their return home, a major highlight was recording their self-titled debut LP "Lilian and Manon" in Hendersonville / Nashville, Tennessee at The Oak Ridge Boy's Studio backed by the Ronnie Milsap’s Band. On the Toronto circuit, Lilian & Manon were the lead singers of the renowned Country band "Skyliner" and in 1982 they recorded the single, "The Same Mistake" on the Mercey Brother's MBS label and were their opening act at the famous CNE Bandshell in Toronto. Their single rose to the 30th position of the Top 50 Country singles of 1982 which was listed in the Canadian Industry publication of RPM Magazine. In Toronto they went on to headline in many of the Top Country Clubs on the circuit, touring forty-nine nights straight with weekend matinees and after-hour appearances at the famous "Matador Club" before eventually receiving one night off, just to start right back at it again. Skyliner was even one of the Top Country bands invited to perform for the Farewell Show of Live Country Music at "The Horseshoe Tavern" in Toronto, when the venue chose to change their format.They continued to perform extensively throughout the US and Canada with some highly notable mentions,such as a guest spot with "The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra", appearing on local TV and Radio spots, such as Hamilton's AM 820 CHAM and Toronto's AM 1320 CFGM Radio Stations, the Toronto Press Club , the CBC Radio show with Milan Kymlicka, the United Nations celebrations,as well as the aforementioned CNE Bandshell, and an ultimate dream opportunity in proudly having their very own "TV Special" recorded and aired at Toronto's famous CFMT TV studios. The girl's success had now given them the privilege to share the stage and to perform along such artists as; Lucille Starr, Jeff Healey, Ian Tyson, Carroll Baker, The Mercey Brothers, and Stompin' Tom Connors, just to name a few.
Lilian and Manon became more popular and busier in the Toronto scene and the ongoing creativity they both shared as sisters inevitably led them in two different directions with both of them taking on solo careers as well.For Lilian,an already active ACTRA member she was a welcomed addition to the established roster of "Backstage Productions" with Ronnie Hawkins, under the personal direction and management of Steve Thomson from the late eighties to the early nineties .
Lilian proudly shared the floor in 1985 with some of Canada's Top Artists who gathered at Toronto's Manta Studios to make the famous Canadian recording for African Famine Relief entitled, "Tears Are Not Enough" for which has become a prominent staple in Canadian Music history. As a solo artist, Lilian has had the privilege to perform alongside;Patti Jannetta, Anne Murray, Frank Mills, George Segal, Patrick Cassidy, Kelly Preston and Gary Lalonde of Honeymoon Suite. With having her adult career and balancing a family life, Lilian also ventured into the children's field and simply became known as "Lil" with the Juno Nominated CBS Recording Artists, "But I'm Just A Kid" (BIJAK)- a Canadian Pop/Rock Children's Group who travelled all over Canada doing live shows and TV Specials. The BIJAK Production was so successful and became pioneers in the "Children's Entertainment" category in Canada.In between Lilian's non-stop performances and studio recordings for the BIJAK camp, Lilian, aka "Lil" or "Miss Lilly"(as the kids would address her)-also wrote her very first children’s Audiobook entitled "Sky Blue", which was released through Golden Book Music and became very well received. Lilian still performs and writes children's material under her maiden name (Zlamal) and her latest project entitled "Baby Polar" has now been released which includes narration and a video storyboard. Lilian also remains an active part of well known Juno Nominee, Singer/Songwriter and Treehouse TV Personality, "Markus" -and still works together with him on occasion.
Currently Manon is immersed in her newest projects which are soon to come, on her own, with her sister Lilian and surprisingly enough, from her multi-talented son Xavier (Javy Kane) who is doing quite well in the Toronto Independent scene. Both Lilian and Manon continue to write, sing ,record and perform to this day and treasure their collaborations together. Most recently their very own composition was released on a CD compilation of Canadian Christmas Songs.** Influenced highly from the famous Christmas movie "It's a Wonderful Life" , and the idea of angels receiving their wings when a bell is always heard. "Young For Christmas" written by (Lilian Zlamal /Manon Zlamal/ RS Johnston)
EUROPEAN INDIE TOP 100 CHART
In closing -Lilian and Manon have come from the greatest generation and have heard the greatest musicians of all time. They say the greatest gift to receive or to give is Music! and both Lilian and Manon did receive their gift of Music a long time ago and wish now to share and return their gift to the world,--their music, and they will continue to do so as long as the sun comes up tomorrow.They wish to express a sincerest Thank You to all the people who believed in them and put them in front of the stage-They would also like to send the deepest Thank You to all the people who brought them behind the stage--and finally last but not least the most honest and heartfelt Thank you to all who put them ON the stage. ........Thank you so much to all! **
*We are so very grateful for all who have been with us, both past and present ,on our continuing musical journey and want to sincerely say, We'll never forget!
"Thank You for the Music and Thank You for Believing!" ...and may we always be blessed to give the gift of Music .*
