#SHOWBIZ: Non-stop musical magic from a groovy grandpa

New Straits Times

02-05-2025

WHENEVER Datuk Suhaimi Abdul Rahman steps on the big stage, he feels 'ready to rock'. And once he starts, there is no stopping the 67-year-old — at least for two hours and a half.
Suhaimi, better known as Amy of rock band Search, made history in his 44-year career by keeping some 15,000 rock fans spellbound from 9pm to 11.30pm at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur recently.
Delivering 21 of his greatest hits, both solo numbers and songs from his band, Amy sported a golden hairdo reminiscent of American rock and country legend John Denver in Amy Search Magic Konsert Solo Pertama.
The gentleman dubbed Malaysia's 'grooviest grandpa of rock' also showed many of his young fans how keeping fit, eating right and developing a positive outlook could make anyone 'young at heart'.
DANCED
Amy not only sang but also danced around the large stage, moving from musician-to-musician amongst his 10 talented 'co-stars' who were led by music director Rie Tsuji on the keyboards and veteran guitarist Edrie Hashim.
Amy arrived on the dot, dressed in an all-black outfit.
He began his concert with 'Gita Rama Sita', a song that appeared to pay tribute to wayang kulit, but actually spoke about true love and loyalty.
This energetic song, which ended with Amy's trademark whistle 'phweeet!' was followed by 'Aku', the title track of his 1999 solo album.
The song about self-love was followed by 'Apa Saja' from his 1997 album 'Camouflage', and this song also carried the message of being true to oneself.
The audience clapped along to Amy's first three songs, after which he wished them a belated 'Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri'.
Amy said: "After 44 years of creating a legacy with my band Search, I am ready to showcase a different side of myself."
EDRIE HASHIM
He then introduced Edrie to his guests, and told them that his next song, 'Suralaya Dalam D Major' was the guitarist's composition.
This bittersweet song, about a meeting which turned out to be a dream, saw many guests sing along and once it was over, Amy remarked, "Are you enjoying yourself tonight?"
Amy then sang 'Mengintai Kelawar' and 'Ghairah', from his 1994 album 'Magic', and paid tribute to his 'sifu' Datuk M. Nasir as well as the late lyricist Loloq for coming up with such masterpieces.
After 'Kau Bukan Saduran', a catchy song about staying away from "fakes", Amy presented his first Search song for the evening, a medley of 'Kau Pergi', 'Gadisku' and 'Rozana'.
'Kau Pergi' was a breakup song, while 'Gadisku' was Amy's tribute to his actress daughter Nabila Huda, and the sing-along 'Rozana' was Search's most popular "dreamgirl" anthem.
"There's a beautiful moon in the sky tonight, and it brings out love and passion," remarked Amy.
Fans automatically knew that his next song was 'Fantasia Bulan Madu', a bittersweet "must sing" in all Search concerts.
The guests waved their hands and swayed at their seats with Amy's next song 'Pawana', a cautionary tale about desire.
Amy then paid tribute to Search's longtime guitarist Hillary Ang for "showing him the ropes" in rock music.
'Hillary is the one man whom I can safely say is the founder of my band. And what I love most about him is his humility and down-to-earth ways."
As fans applauded, the musician himself suddenly appeared on stage and received boisterous cheers.
MEDLEY
Amy then sang a medley of Nasir's hauntingly beautiful 'Suatu Masa', Lefthanded's 'Ku Di Halaman Rindu' and Sweet Charity's 'Sejuta Wajah'.
Rie, Edrie and the band did a splendid job rearranging the songs to make them sound slower and more sentimental.
It was a subtle tribute to Amy's collaborators who had "left" us over the years.
"Let's all observe a moment of silence to our departed friends, we will always remember them and their music will live on," said Amy, who then sang an upbeat medley of 'Kau Kepala Sotong' and 'Hey! Apache', and 'Kongkang', songs which reflected his playful side.
Amy's upbeat moment continued with 'Rentak Laguku', a youthful song which was his 2014 duet with Klang-born pop-rock trio Bunkface.
After the melancholic but melodious 'Kalimah Cinta' and 'Tinggal Sepi', Amy told his guests that he had finally come to the end of the show.
"Don't worry, there's a few more," he teasingly said, and belted out the sing-along Search hits 'Aku Dah Bosan', 'Saat Yang Ku Idamkan' and 'Kerja Gila'.
Amy said that he wanted to "save the best for last" and delivered the operatic sing-along 'Tiada Lagi'.
"Nobody goes home without this song," said Amy as the lights dimmed once again, signalling 'Isabella', Search's 1989 monster hit about forbidden love.
Amy said: "This concert is a tribute to all the fans who have supported my artistic journey from the beginning.
"Every song I perform reflects the colours of my life."