Blasts from the past

Leading music company RS Public promises a wealth of happy memories with its upcoming back-to-back shows “RS Meeting Concert Return 2013” being staged next weekend at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani.

Fourteen artists who made their names in the 1990s will take turns entertaining their legions of fans.

“It’s been hard getting all these singers together as they all have different commitments so we are holding just two rounds of the themed concert” says chief executive officer Surachai Chetchotisak. “I’m confident that |all loyal fans of RS will be there to |have fun.

“This show isn’t about making any money. Its value is in rewarding the loyalty of those who have followed us since they were young and who are now in their 30s and 40s,” he adds. “We’re investing more than Bt10 million in paying the artists and the production. Most of the contributing artists are now free of contract.”

Taking part are Touch Na Takuathung, Ruangsak “James” Loychusak, Somchai “Tao” Khemklad, Bazoo featuring Deborah see Vejjajiva, Akpraphan “Kampan” Phanitphong and Suradej “Joey” Tubtimsai, Lift & Oil featuring Supoj “Lift” Chancharoen and Thana “Oil” Arjariyangkul, Boyscout featuring Thanat “Joe” Chimtoum, Winravee “Tar” Yaisamoe and Songpol “Dip” Klaipongpon, Raptor featuring Joni Anwar and Louis Scott, and |Anan Anwar. Many have drawn large crowds to their reunion shows over the years.

“This concert runs for several hours so will be a real test of our strength,” says Touch Na Takuathung, who made his debut on the music scene in 1990 with the album “Sampas Touch”. He shot to the top of the charts the |following year with “Touch Thunder”, which saw him focusing more on dance and rap.

“It’s been a while since we quit the music scene these days but we’re really proud to be taking part in the show. We don’t worry about dancing,” says Winravee of the trio Boyscout, who released four successful albums – Wai Lai Mai Chai Len”, “RS Unplugged Dontri Nok Wela”, “Gang Jai Ngai” and “Super Teens” – between 1993 and 1996.

“We’ve had two reunion concerts over the last few years and this time we’ll be adding new colour to our sound,” says American-Scottish singer Louis Scott, who together with Joni Anwar formed the leading rap duo Raptor. Their best-selling album was 1996’s “Waab Boys”, which spawned the hits “Mai Care” and “Ya Phud Loei.”

Tao Somchai made his debut the same year as Boyscout, scoring a hit with “Bodyguard”, a track off his debut album.

Lift-Oil, featuring Supoj “Lift” Chancharoen and Thana “Oil” Suthikamol, have also staged a reunion in recent months, showing that they can still remember how to sing and dance. They too released four albums from 1994 to 2002: “Sapoysien”, “Zoo A-Ha”, “Play Boys” and “Der-Taa”.

James Ruangsak emerged in 1995 with “Dai Wela … James”, following up with “Siren Love” in 1997. His ninth and last album on RS was “Saeb Story” in 2006.

Thai pop trio Bazoo made a name themselves with “Tho Aoey”, a cut off their 1997 self-titled debut, which went on sell more than a million copies. They remained popular though neither of their follow-up releases, “Ho-Le Ho-Le” and “Phi Fah Party”, achieved the same success.

Rounding out the 14 is Anan Anwar, the younger brother of Joni Anwar, who appeared on the music scene with “Ding Dong” in 1999.

    IN FINE VOICE

<< “RS Meeting Concert Return 2013” takes place at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani on May 18 and 19.

<< Tickets cost from Bt1,000 Bt3,000 at Thai Ticket Major outlets. Call (02) 262 3456 or visit to www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.