Fantastic four
With a collective career in music spanning over 120 years, four legendary singers reunite for an evening to remember, writes Tahir Alhamzah
NAMES like Datuk Jamal Abdillah, Datuk Khadijah Ibrahim, Datuk Ramli Sarip and Francissca Peter need no introduction. Each singer has more than three decades of singing experience and numerous hits, some of which have become classics such as Kekasih Awal Dan Akhir, Ku Pendam Sebuah Duka, Sekadar Di Pinggiran, Kamelia and Doa Buat Kekasih.
For the first time, they will take centre stage together to perform their popular hits at a concert at Desaru Coast Conference Centre in Johor on July 6.
Titled A Night With Legends, the singers will be backed up by Belle Fatah and his team of eight gifted musicians.
SHARING EXPERIENCES VIA SONG
Making her comeback, Peter who is affectionately known simply as Fran to fans, is ready to wow with her greatest hits including Aku Hanya Pendatang and Aku Kehilanganmu.
A timeless and sought-after vocalist, the winner of the inaugural TV3’s Juara
Lagu 1986 (now known as Anugerah Juara Lagu) has over 20 hits under her belt. “I’m touched to be given this opportunity to perform at this concert.
It is an honour to not only be able perform on a big stage stage again but also to share it with big names in the music industry here. I’m really proud to be part of this project,” she says.
Datuk Jamal Abdillah was her duet partner for the song Kehebatan Cinta, released in 1988.
Peter, 57, adds: “While we still haven’t finalised the setlist, I’m sure fans will be in for a good show.”
Ramli is equally excited at performing at the two-hour concert with his contemporaries, who incidentally were all from the same record label back then in the late 1970s and 1980s.
After gaining popularity in the 1970s for his band Sweet Charity, Ramli is known to experiment with different music genres.
“Each of my songs has its backstory. I share my experience and feelings through the lyrics and melodies,” he says.
Ramli is also happy that the four of them will be backed by a live band, instead of minus one music accompaniment.
“I’ve nothing against minus one. It’s just not for me,” says the 66-year-old from Singapore who is also known as Papa Rock.
SURPRISES
While it is understood concert-goers will expect hits including duets such as Peter and Jamal’s Kehebatan Cinta, and Khaty and Ramli’s Doa Buat Kekasih, Ramli says that may be surprises for the audience, “like a cross-over duet, with me singing with Fran, and Jamal with Khaty. That’d would be interesting, no?”
Joining him on stage will be his longtime friend, Khaty, one of the nation’s leading singers of their generation.
Multiple versions of her duet with Ramli, Doa Buat Kekasih, have been recorded in the last three decades as it is one of the power ballads in the 1980s.
Khaty, 60, looks forward to serenade the audience with her hits such as Ku
Gembira Disampingmu and Ku Pendam Sebuah Duka.
Peter adds: “If this turns out successful, my dream is for the organiser to arrange for us to perform together in other parts of the country where Hard Rock Cafe chains are located.”
The concert also aims to raise funds for the Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation.
MELODIC DINING
From rock and ballads to traditional Malay classics, concert-goers are in for a treat as they unwind and dine on flavourful dishes prepared by the kitchen team of the newly opened The Westin Desaru Coast Resort.
“The concert is part of the Desaru Coast Live Series, a curation of special events exclusively for Desaru Coast.
“Our aim is to nurture this place as a hub for signature events, therefore, we have an array of upcoming curated events focusing on sports lifestyle and entertainment.
“We thank our partners, Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort and Best FM for this collaboration and we look forward to hosting this event,” says Roslina Arbak, chief executive officer of Desaru Development Holdings One.
Tickets will be sold per table starting from RM8,000 according to tiers. The price includes dinner and other surprises.
For details on the concert, visit www. desarucoast.com or go to Desaru Coast Malaysia’s Facebook page.