Remembering a legend

NOW SOMETHING of an annual fixture on Bangkok’s live concert scene, “The Legend of The Guitar” returns to the stage of GMM Live House at the end of the month as a tribute to Lek Wongsawang, a popular radio DJ in the 1960s who went on to become a successful music entrepreneur and publisher.

“It will be an epic, hit-packed show where everybody can sing along,” says Piyawan Wongsawang, daughter of the late music mogul and now executive editor-in-chief of Wongsawang Publishing and Printing.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of “The Guitar”, a music magazine whose compilation of song lyrics and guitar chords has taught thousands of aspiring musicians to play covers. 

However, due to the current economic downturn, which is also affecting the magazine, the concert is being downsized this year and takes place over one day rather than two, on just stage and with a reduced number of artists. 

“We have to accept the fact that the publishing business has felt the full force of the market downturn, and we put out a specialist guitar magazine not a lifestyle magazine for the masses,” says Piyawan. 

“During my father’s day, the magazine was more of a pocketbook that guys could slip into the back pocket of their jeans and when we went to a larger format, they would roll it up and carry it in the same way. The content too has evolved over the years, with lots more columns being added though the focus remains lyrics and chords.

“The Internet has also affected sales as has the fact that we are constantly being copied by other publishers. Real musicians know that we are the only magazine to give the correct guitar chords. We have a strong team and our strong point is the compilation of songs. Also at Bt100, we are much cheaper than the Internet downloads.

“We’re the only magazine paying the printed musical copyright to music labels. You feel much prouder where you pay for the legal product.”

More than 20 Thai bands and artists are taking part in this year’s show, among them Narathip “Dang” Kanchanawat, frontman of ’70’s folk outfit Chatree and several other blasts from the past including, from the 1980s, Soonthorn “Jeed” Sujaritchant of Royal Sprites, Ronnachai “Od” Thomyapariwat of Khiriboon, Vanida “Ae” Vimonwatanaphan of XYZ, Chiang Mai’s Nok Lae and The Olarn Project. Pathompong “Pong” Sombatpibul of Hin Lek Fai Blackhead, Paiboonkiat “Pun” Kiewkaew, Thitima “Waen” Sutasunthorn and Billy Ogan. Sek LoSo, Big Ass, Paradox and Mr Team span the ‘90s while Mild, Aphiwat “Stamp” Eurthavornsuk, Singto Numchok, Jetset'er, Getsunova, and Polycat offer the sounds of the new millennium.

Jakkawal “Neung” Saothongyuttitum, who shares the magazine’s birthday, is the concert’s musical director. “I started playing music with Nok Lae and Chatree. It was such an honour for an upcountry boy to play music with these music legends,” the keyboardist says with a broad grin.

“I’m very proud to be part of this concert and perform with artists of different generations,” says Narathip.

 “I started playing guitar thanks to the magazine and later used its letter column to find a bass player for the band,” adds Singto Numchok.

“I remember transposing the guitar chords of Chatree’s songs from the magazine,” says Anon “Poo Blackhead” Saisangchan.

“I was just 10 when I started learning guitar from the magazine and a few years later XYZ was being featured,” says Ae XYZ.

Part of the proceeds will go to the “Return Happiness to Thai People with Music” project to provide musical instruments to 45 schools nationwide.

 

THE RIGHT CHORD

- The “The Legend of The Guitar” concert will take place at GMM Live House on the eighth floor of CentralWorld on July 30 from noon to midnight.

- Tickets cost Bt1,600 available at Thai Ticket Major. Call (02) 262 3456 or visit www.ThaiTicketMajor.com. 

- There are 45 guitars to be won too. Find out more at www.GuitarMag.com and Facebook.com/Theguitarmag.com.