Veteran Malaysian musicians shine on

The Star

a day ago

One Saturday in early July, at the Kelab Golf Negara Subang's Dewan Tunku, time seemed to stand still as the rhythms of decades past echoed into the present. From 3pm until midnight, more than 500 fans, friends and family members gathered for the Musicians for Musicians (MfM) Benefit Showcase, a marathon of nostalgia and live music featuring 17 bands and over 70 musicians, many of them stalwarts of Malaysia's golden age of live music.
The jovial atmosphere was as much a reunion as a concert – old friends embracing, the clink of glasses, and an endless stream of familiar tunes that brought smiles and the occasional tear. Musicians in their 60s and 70s – among them the likes of Datuk David Arumugam and Jimmy Loh (Alleycats), Bala, Michael Veerapen, Billy Chang and Hussein Idris (Strollers), The Revolution Band from Penang and Straits Kambradus from Melaka – proved that age is no barrier to artistry, keeping the crowd on its feet well into the night.
Younger bands were also on hand to liven things up including the Thompsons Country band, KAYA and Sofa Sundays.
Organised by the Musicians for Musicians Association, the showcase was more than entertainment – it was a statement of solidarity. Since its inception, MfM has sought to assist local musicians in crisis, uplifting their well-being and empowering them to continue pursuing their creative passions. In line with that, part proceeds from the show will go in aid of 17 local musicians who are in need.
For 74-year-old emcee extraordinaire and former Blue Network radio deejay A. Radha Krishnan, the event was a heartening experience. 'People are already asking when the next show will be,' he laughed and said. 'It was nostalgic to see so many old friends, and encouraging to hear the new generation of musicians.
'I particularly enjoyed the younger, newer bands like the Thompsons Country Band,' he said referring to the eight Thompson siblings and cousins and their brand of Country & Western music which got the whole crowd dancing. 'They were so good!'
For Radha, who shared emceeing duties for the concert with Simon D'Cruz, it was great meeting up with old fans, many of whom were radio listeners. 'There were a lot of nostalgic moments – seeing the people and listening to all the music from yesteryear,' he shared.
'I was also so pleased to see the new talents who have rallied around MfM. Musicians go through so many tough times, and it's good that we have a strong team like the MfM, with Francis Danker at the helm, doing all they can to support the musician community.'
Radha said he will keep doing what he loves for as long as he can.
Radha remembers that back in the 1970s and 80s when impressarios like Mike Bernie Chin, and associations like the Musicians Union of Malaysia, were also instrumental in uniting musicians.
'In the last decade, however, it had become sad to see many musicians going through tough times; even during the Covid pandemic, things were really difficult for many of us. But thankfully, MfM did its best to keep us all afloat, and thankfully the Government has begun to pay attention to our plight. MfM is determined to bring back a sense of professionalism to being a musician.'
Radha has been in the entertainment business since finishing his Senior Cambridge in the late 1960s. 'Even during my school days, I was always called up to be the emcee during our school Sports Day and other events. I just loved the arts and entertainment,' said the Sentul-born vocalist, who's sung for bands like the Four Ways and Cellar High-5.
The septuagenarian, who was once known as the 'Black Stallion' said he has no plans of slowing down. 'I quit smoking and drinking in 2009, and I do a bit of walking these days. But to be honest, it's the performing that keeps me healthy! Some stand-up comedy, a bit of vocals with the bands, emceeing jobs.... I will keep doing what I love for as long as I can.'
Playing with heart
At 73, former national athlete and drummer Ruzlan Omar continues to lead Sons of Adam, one of the oldest names still active in Malaysia's club scene, now in its 56th year in the business.
Ruzlan, who began his music journey in 1969 with a band called Gypsies before it evolved into Sons of Adam, fondly recalls playing at events like the 'Cheras Woodstock' in 1972.
Taking the stage at the MfM Benefit Showcase was a meaningful experience for him, not just because of the crowd – 'it was great performing in front of such a diverse audience,' he said – but also because of the chance to reconnect with fellow senior musicians from the 1970s and 80s.
'People don't always realise how much discipline it takes. After 50 years in this, we're still passionate about the craft,' said Ruzlan.
'We aren't here to show off,' he said, 'we just bring what we've learned over the years ... whether at big concerts or small functions, we have learnt over the decades that if you play with heart, the audience feels it too.'
He believes discipline and constant practice are what set veteran musicians apart, noting: 'People don't always realise how much discipline it takes. After 50 years in this, we're still passionate about the craft.'
A man of many talents, Ruzlan also excelled in athletics during the late 1980s, representing Malaysia alongside names like Datuk Rabuan Pit, Datuk Mumtaz Jaafar, Datuk Zaiton Othman, S. Silvadorai and the late Harun Rasheed Othman. Among his proudest moments on the track were clocking a personal best of 10.8 seconds in the 100m at Stadium Merdeka during the Pesta Antara Bank, and winning a gold medal in the 4×400m relay at the Jakarta Open in Senayan Stadium.
Sons of Adam: From left, Mohammad Zubir Alwee, 62, Mohd Syahril Md Salleh, 46, Ruzlan bin Omar, 73, Abdul Wahab Mohamed Rashid Ghows, 72, and Asrinan Misran, 58.
Ruzlan lamented that Sons of Adam stopped performing regularly in the live club circuit two years ago due to dwindling budgets. 'They're still paying us the same rates as in the 1970s and 80s – just a couple of hundred ringgit for each musician. How can anyone survive on that in 2025? We're not demanding, just asking for what's fair.' Charity performances like the MfM showcase, he stressed, are different: 'For a good cause, we're happy to contribute. That makes it worthwhile.'
Echoing that sentiment was 77-year-old Billy Chang of the legendary Strollers, who described the night as 'overwhelming' thanks to the tremendous support and response.
'This kind of reception actually inspires us to perform better and with passion,' he said. 'I'm already 77 years old and am fortunate to be able to keep physically and mentally active.
Without a doubt, hard work and consistent practice is the key to maintaining the higher level of playing and singing skills.'
Chang added that regular weekend gigs at various venues have helped keep him sharp. 'Our congratulations to MfM, its president Francis Danker, vice president Edwin Nathaniel and their team for a truly successful event. Perhaps they would consider an encore towards year's end,' he suggested with a smile.
When the music hit during the MfM Benefit Showcase in July, every generation moved as one. It was a day and night of joy, unity and unforgettable rhythm.
Behind the scenes
The spirit of community wasn't only felt on stage but behind the scenes too, where singer Lata Latifah, 60, took on a backstage role for the first time. Known for her powerhouse vocals as part of the two-piece band Stairways, Lata found the experience unexpectedly profound.
'Working backstage for this show was a deeply rewarding experience. As a senior artist, I'm usually in the spotlight, but being behind the scenes gave me a whole new appreciation for the intricate teamwork and coordination it takes to bring a production like this to life,' she shared.
'The fact that it was a benefit show added even more meaning – we weren't just putting on a performance, we were coming together for a cause, and that made every moment backstage feel purposeful and powerful.'
The emotional weight of the event hit her hardest when the crowd erupted in applause for the senior musicians. 'I was in tears,' she said. 'It reminded me how powerful music can be – not just as entertainment, but as a bridge between ­generations. Seeing the audience light up, cheer and connect so deeply made me realise how much respect and appreciation still exists for seasoned artists. It was emotional, honestly.'
'To better support veteran musicians, we need to value not just their past contributions, but their ongoing presence in the industry,' said Lata.
Lata, who has been with MfM since 2020 and now serves as the association's ­secretary, added, 'What we do is charity from the heart for musicians. We sacrifice our time, money and sometimes even our paid gigs to fulfill responsibilities. I personally do this to pay it forward because MfM helped me during the stressful Covid times. I'm grateful to them.'
She and her husband – both former members of larger bands – now perform as a compact duo. 'We had to size down because of fewer jobs and limited pay, and now, age and the influx of younger bands have pushed us to take a step back and focus on private functions,' she said candidly.
'To better support veteran musicians, we need to value not just their past contributions, but their ongoing presence in the industry. That means ­creating more opportunities for them to perform, mentor and collaborate – not just celebrate them occasionally,' Lata emphasised.
'We've got stories worth telling. Like mine – 42 years in music – and my partner's 50 years. So much history, so many memories... money can't buy that.'
The hardworking MfM committee members (from left): Lata, Eddie Zachariah, Nathaniel, Danker, Brian Dourado, Marcus Tan and Amizan Ariffin.
As the final chords rang out and the applause faded into the night, the echoes of the MfM Benefit Showcase lingered – not just in memory, but in meaning. For all its joy and camaraderie, the event also shone a light on a sobering reality: that many of Malaysia's veteran musicians, once the lifeblood of the live music scene, are now ageing in the shadows of an industry that has largely moved on.
Gerontologist and StarSilver columnist Lily Fu, who was part of the crowd that day, reflected on the bittersweet nature of the event. 'I truly feel sad to hear of ailing musicians, especially those who've shared so much of their love for music with us. Many are now in poor health, financially struggling, and with no EPF or safety net to rely on. For some, help comes too late.'
Fu, who used to follow the local circuit in its heyday, believes the issue runs deeper than just neglect – it's systemic. 'There's ageism in the music industry. We acknowledge how powerful music is – how it lifts our spirits, unites us and heals – yet we do so little to support those who've dedicated their lives to creating it.'