A rockin' good time

HARD ROCK CAFE in Siam Square Soi 11, the first Thai outlet of the American burger chain, recently celebrated its silver jubilee with an exhibition of memorabilia, a rock-themed fashion show, a rock concert and party all rolled into one.

Revellers feted the occasion both inside the restaurant and in the space in front of it, which was home to an exhibition of Thai superstars’ belongings including Thongchai “Bird” McIntyre’s boomerang that gave its name to his fifth album back in 1990, a dress worn on stage by Christina Aguilar, a pair of leather gloves belonging to Pongpat Wachirabanchong whose metal “Rock Ni Wa” album cover was a global first and Carabao’s Yuenyong “Ad” Ophakul’s leather jacket. Partygoers also admired an electric guitar owned by |Chor-On Na Bangchang of The Fox, the first house |band at Hard Rock Cafe, |a cassette of Blackhead’s |self-titled debut album in 1995, and an Edwardian-style jacket owned by the late American artist, Prince.

“We played at Hard Rock Cafe six times over the years and we always sat in the corner near the stairs. Happy Birthday, Hard Rock Cafe!” said Arnon Saisangchan, Blackhead’s frontman.

 Parked alongside the exhibition, the Hard Rock Burger Truck, currently on a tour of Southeast Asia, offered a Singapore-style Satay Burger with Asian peanut sauce and a New York Big Little Italy Burger with pepperoni, fried mozzarella cheese, sauteed mushrooms and pizza |sauce.

Celebrities could be spotted everywhere in the crowd and the familiar faces included the members of Blackhead, Retrospect and The Mousses, Chor-On, Clash’s former guitarists Thanapol “Pol” Rueksompus and Thapana “Hack” Na Bangchang, Channarong “Tik Klinsee” Khantee-Thao, and Kanit Sarasin.

After the large guitar-shaped cake was removed from the stage where it had held pride of place during the official ceremony, honorary models Chatchaya “Poppy” Songcharoen of 3.2.1, Warunthorn “BamBam” Thiemsak of MilkShake, Nansinee “Nooknick AF6” Namwong, PJ Ployjun Harisawan, Wat “Mac AF11” Sudkla, and Antony Kawin Thoong from The Star 12 showed off from cool fashions before handing over to Moo Muzu for an acoustic set. That was followed by a dance show performed by Pacharapol “Vit AF1” Chantiang and a set by Potato, who rocked guests with “Thing Wai Klang Thang”, “Pad Dee” and “Thi Derm”. 

A portion of the ticket proceeds went to the Foundation for Slum Child Care.