Singing for Nepal

ROCK STARS of the past joined today’s stars on stage last Sunday at the Muang Thai Life Assurance auditorium in an effort to raise funds for the victims of the recent Nepal earthquake.

Scenes of the destruction caused by the April 25 earthquake and the difficulties in which the people now find themselves living formed the opening backdrop for the show, the second in the “Rock for Life” series and subtitled “Play for Nepal”. 

The concert started with a upbeat performance of Thongchai “Bird” McIntyre’s song “Ther Phu Mai Phae” by 38 youngsters, who fairly shouted the lyrics that tell the listener to “keep on fighting and don’t give up.”

Nontiya Jewbangpa was next on stage with British singer Adele’s hit “Rolling in the Deep” and she thrilled fans by going out into the audience and dancing with veteran actress, Ranya Siyanon, as well as several celebrities including Ornapa Krisadee and Pennueng Wongphudon.

Susana Tasniyom, who is best known as vocal coach Kru Gong from the reality TV show, True Academy Fantasia, cracked a few jokes before launching into Surachet Sriprom’s song “Thi Rak (Ther)” then handed over the microphone to fellow coach, Watiya Ruaynirat, or Kru Nan, for “Ying Klai Kan Ying Wan Wai” from the TV series “Thas Rak Thoranong.”

Veteran actor Glos Atthaseree surprised commentator Ornapa by singing with the Banglampoo Band on Ray Charles’ “Hallelujah I Love Her So” and the timeless hit “Stand by Me.”

The audience applauded long and loud as three “The Voice Thailand” artists came out on stage. Ratchata “John” Sombatlaptrakun rocked with Amphon Lampoon’s “Ma Lek”, Pichaiyut “Neng” Chanklub showed his powerful voice on Carabao’s “Raeng Khoi”, and Pichet “King” Buakhum hit the high notes on Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing”.

 Pijika “Lookwa” Jittaputta, who will soon perform in “Paendin Khong Rao the Musical”, performed “Nid Nueng” before handing over the stage to the Na Bangchang family. That got underway with a set by Chor-On Na Bangchang, the rock guitar legend and founder of The Fox, now 69, who delighted fans by playing his guitar with his finger, teeth, tongue and violin bow on Don Williams’ “Tulsa Time”. He was joined by his latest wife and son, Chor A Na Bangchang, who recently released his first single, “Ngao Dai Aik”. The audience also enjoyed a performance by his pre-teen son, Hunter, who sang and danced to Justin Bieber’s “Baby”. The family show ended with Thapana Na Bangchang or Hack, the former Clash guitarist, rocking the crowd with new band SDF on “Tham Mai Mai Khid Dee Dee” and “Kerd Ma Phuea Rak Ther”, a soundtrack from the TV soap “Samee Tee Tra.”

 Day Freeman lip-synched his way through “I Want You” and Dr Seree Wongmontha had fun with Sirintra Niyakorn’s luk thung number “Roo Wa Khao Lok”. Before leaving the stage, he called for bids for his golden flower, which was quickly snapped up for a cool Bt10,000. 

Five katoey performers from the “Best Toey Thailand Academy Reality Show” stunned the audience with their imitations of Celine Dion, Nicki Minaj, Shakira and Christina Aguilera and brought their show to an end with Beyonce’s “End of Time.”

Mum Laconic performed the ballads “Khwam Lub” and “Term Jai Hai Kan”, while two members of ’80s gal trio Sao Sao Sao, Patcharida Wattana and Orawan Yenpoonsuk, sang “Dokmai Khong Namjai”, a number inspired by Shinji Tanimura’s “Hana” and Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend”.

Rocker Sukanya Miguel had the audience up on their feet with her hits “Rak Ther Jing Jing” and “Dee Dee Kan Wai”, while Haruthai “Au” Muangboonsri, who came out with her son Nong Khun, sang John Legend’s “All of Me” and her signature “Mai Rak Dee.”

The charity concert wrapped with Narinthorn Na Bangchang singing and dancing sexily on Christina Aguilera’s “Express” and “Puean Mai Thing Kan” and with other artists on Boyd Kosiyabong’s “Rudoo Thi Taek Tang”.

 

PLEASE GIVE

 

- You can donate money towards the Rock for Life project through Kasikorn Bank account number 993-2-12840-0.

- Follow the Rock for Life movement at Facebook.com/HimalayaVillageDevelopmentFoundation