Reunion concert postponed
By Minderjeet Kaur
news@nst.com.my
They had planned to get together again after more than two decades in a mammoth concert at Stadium Merdeka here on July 9.
The Konsert Raksasa, a reunion bash organised by Netzah Productions Sdn Bhd, will showcase classics from both bands, such as Teratai (1979) by Sweet Charity and Apo Nak Di Kato (1982) by Blues Gang.
Fans were waiting eagerly to watch the legendary bands perform and rock to the beat of their favourite songs. But that's not going to happen now.
The "once-in-a-lifetime" concert, as one fan described it, was abruptly called off yesterday. The reason -- the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) 2.0 rally planned on the same day.
Blues Gang vocalist Ito said he was really disappointed that the concert, which was planned with Sweet Charity vocalist Ramli Sarip four years ago, had to be postponed.
"We thought July 9 will be a good date to perform. But it is not to be."
He said the concert was organised to fulfil the wishes of fans.
"Thousands of our fans from around the country want to see us perform."
Ito said he had been practising for the concert every day.
"I was confident that our fans would have returned home after the concert saying 'What a night'. But the show has now been postponed. What a shame, really."
He said his fans were looking forward to the night and he understood their disappointment.
"Hang in there. Hold on to your tickets," Ito urged the fans.
It is learnt that thousands of tickets costing RM73 each have been sold.
Hundreds of free tickets have also been given out through radio shows to allow fans to watch both bands performing.
Netzah Productions Sdn Bhd promoter Shiraz Karim said a press conference would be held on Tuesday to announce the new date of the concert.
"We will seek the view of police on the matter," he said, adding that the concert was postponed following police advice.
Blues Gang, which was formed 35 years ago, had planned to feature its full line-up, with Ito as vocalist and on the blues harp and Ghani on keyboards. The others are guitarist Julian Mokhtar, bass player Jim Madasamy and drummer Shaik Karim.
Sweet Charity was formed in Singapore in 1967. Its original band members were Ramli, Rosli Mohalim, Joe Salim, Wahid Warren, and Rahman Sarbani.
Three guest musicians will replace band members who have died.
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