In awesome Anniversary Show
Alston Koch lifted the barriers of presentation and showmanship when he created a new standard for classic entertainment in Australia at ’the Grand’ celebration of his 50 years in music held in Melbourne.
The touch of class that only Alston Koch could muster was seen everywhere on that night of nostalgia, good entertainment and camaraderie as his special guests mingled and rubbed shoulders with a rare crowd of beautiful people entertaining while being entertained by the best.
The celebration put on by the Grand Group of Companies was helped along by the very best of friends in the music business from Alston’s past.
A very recent addition to Melbourne having spent most of the 50 years in Sydney and the flamboyant cities of the World he recently enjoyed huge success when his album ‘Don’t Funk on Me’ on Sony Records reached No 2 on the A.R.I.A Music charts.
Australian Television host and legend Donnie Sutherland with TV shows that ran through 122 nework stations, Frank Infield, who still stands in the Guinness Book Of Records for his many number one hits throughout the World, John St. Peeters, dignitaries from Hollywood such as Dame Minnie Irene, celebrity coach to the stars’ and the ‘Queen Of Beverly Hills’ and Bollywood actress and celebrity Jacqueline Fernandez popularly known as ‘The Princess Of Bollywood’ were at the Alston’s celebration Show to grace this glittering occasion.
The show was compered by his son Frederick James Koch now an accomplished actor inHollywood who surprised everyone by singing the INX’S song ‘Never Tear Us Apart’ with not a dry eye in the auditorium. The performance was so good that he was compelled to sing the song again by the VIP’s present.
Our source in Australia called it a very glamorous and nostalgic evening with many familiar faces from the professional areas of the business of music and film. Popular racehorse breeder and owner from the New Zealand thoroughbred stud John Collins presented Alston with a racehorse called ‘Miracle’ that is due to make a start soon and is being set for the Melbourne Cup in the years ahead due to his racing pedigree.
Jacqueline, Elroy and Kim Fernandez (Jacqui’s parents) together with her brothers and sisters were all present and cheered Alston on by dancing to his music although there was no space allocated for dancing being a ‘dinner show’ and later joining him on stage for the finale.
In fact Elroy Fernandez surprised everyone by creating the ‘moment of the evening’ singing while been backed by Jacqui and the family making the evening a ‘night to remember’ for all those present.
Frank Infield brought the people to their knees with cool renditions of his hits ‘I’ll Remember You’ and ‘Joanne’ to thunderous applause and was gracious to take a photo or two with everyone who wanted one.
John St. Peeters with many hit songs too to his credit made a mark seldom seen in Melbourne when he linked with legendary world famous guitaist Tommy Emmanuel in what was a memorable and rare performance of muscal artistry.
He recalled performances with Alston on the popular ABC television show COUNTDOWN and his own TV show and their great moments touring the big continent together.
TV host & legend Donnie Sutherland was gracious in his praise for Alston Koch as a unique and amazing talent that was Asia’s loss and Australia’s gain.
Jacqui Fernandez brought the house to attention with a speech dedicated to Alston & his many talents that inspired her in the past and also during the making of the film ‘According to Matthew’ film Director Chandran Rutnam too dwelled on the subject of a very rare, talented and dedicated Alston Koch.
Alston went on to have his first ‘Gold’ disc soon after and appear on almost every Television show In Australia and New Zealand and then break into the Asian territories with huge hits in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, India and Sri Lanka.