Life and Leisure

Rock of ages

By Chen Nan (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-08-20 11:28

A who's-who of Chinese rock takes the stage for a celebration of rock's spirit pass and present. Chen Nan reports

The upcoming Rock Heroes Concert presents China's rock 'n' roll legends, including Cui Jian (left), He Yong (top right), Zhang Chu (above right), Ding Wu (below left) and Zheng Jun. Photos provided to China Daily

It is expected to rank among the most monumental shows in the history of Chinese rock 'n' roll. The four-hour Rock Heroes Concert is set to bring to the stage the genre's biggest names - Cui Jian, Zheng Jun, Zhang Chu, He Yong, Dou Wei, Tang Dynasty Band and Black Panther Band, just to name a few.

These giants will perform their biggest hits, paying tribute to rock's past while also pondering its present.

Nearly 50,000 fans are expected to descend on Beijing Workers' Stadium for the Aug 27 event.

The musical extravaganza will be something of a family reunion for the genre's pioneers.

An emotional highlight will be the reunion of He Yong, Dou Wei and Zhang Chu, who were called "Moyan San Jie", or the "Three Prominent Ones of Moyan Records".

Their 1994 Chinese Rock Power concert at the Hong Kong Arena stunned Hong Kong audiences and created momentum for the wave of rock that washed over the country.

The trio is still worshiped by fans, even though they have withdrawn from the limelight for years. "I had no idea how important that concert was," Zhang, now 40, says.

All he did that night, he says, was sit in a chair onstage, clad in a blue suit.

"In Hong Kong, we were nobodies, just a bunch of young people who loved rock. There were no dazzling lights or stage effects, but we had lots of fun," he recalls.

Zhang has spent the last few years traveling and making music along the way. His third solo album since 1992's Sister will be released this year. He'll sing both the band's classic tunes and his new songs at Rock Hero Concert.

He Yong agrees that it was a glorious night. "I felt so proud when the entire audience stood up and cheered for us that night," he says.

Like the other members, He also retreated from the spotlight in the following years but continued with musical experimentation.

His 1992 solo album Garbage Dump is celebrated as one of Chinese rock's most pioneering albums.

"Rock music is like a battlefield for me, and I have died in battle," he jokes. "But this concert will bring Chinese rock back to life."

Perhaps the most iconic moment will be Cui Jian, hailed as "the godfather of Chinese rock", returning to the venue to again perform Nothing to My Name. His 1986 performance of the song made him a household name and has sustained his prominence.

When the 50-year-old returned to the venue in 2008, he told the cheering crowds: "So much has changed in China since the last time we played here - and so fast. But there's one thing that hasn't changed - that is, the spirit of rock 'n' roll."

He recalls that when he took the stage at the crowded venue, "people seemed to like it".

"Few Chinese really knew what rock music was back in 1986. But they knew the music was something that was full of energy and messages."

The former trumpet player heard his first Beatles tape in 1985 and then started learning to play guitar. Little did he know that his interest in rock would translate into an important chapter for the genre in the country.

"Rock music is about telling the truth and being yourself. And that's what I have been insisting on," he says.

"I have performed at music festivals, and I can see that the music scene is thriving in China."

The former keyboardist of Cui's band and co-organizer of the show, Li Hui, says that the motivation for performing is satisfying "our rock complex".

"Rock music has been related to some negative images, such as drugs, sex and violence, and marginalized during the past decade," he says.

"As a performer and fan, I can tell you the genre is so much more than those bad things. It represents freedom, self-expression, power and persistence.

"So I want to correct the image of rock music through this star-studded concert and bring it back into mainstream culture."

Also slated to appear is 24-year-old hip-hop artist Hao Shuang, who has been active in various music festivals and live music events nationwide. Organizers say he represents the new generation of musicians who are passionate about music and determined to do it their own way.

"In the past, rockers lived very bad lives because there were few chances to perform to support themselves," Li says.

"But they loved rock and kept their faith. Today's young people are taught to be good students and work at big companies for high salaries. But we want to tell them: 'You can also realize your dream by being a rock hero'."

Rock legend Zheng Jun, who has been idolized by fans for more than a decade, ate just one meal a day and slept in the subway in the early 1990s, when he came to Beijing from his hometown, Shaanxi's provincial capital Xi'an.

"I had no idea what the future would hold. But I was happy and young, and had a rock 'n' roll soul," he recalls.

To diversify the acts, organizers have also invited Taiwan veteran rock singer Qi Qin and established Hong Kong rock band Beyond. They will also travel to Shanghai in November.

Organizer Zhai Qiang says their names would necessarily appear on any list of Chinese rockers who shaped the scene.

"We have been preparing this concert for two years," Zhai says.

"There are hundreds of musicians and bands who deserve to be named and invited. But due to time restraints, we had to make choices, which was very hard."

Zhai hopes the concert will be a "historic moment".

"There's a responsibility to have such an event to honor the Chinese rock heroes who made history and influenced later generations. It's definitely worthwhile."

Tang Dynasty Band's lead singer Ding Wu says a lot has happened since 1994, when his group performed with Moyan San Jie.

"That concert was like a bud in the ground It was really exciting and unforgettable, even though no one knew us then," Ding says.

"It's hard to predict whether this concert will surpass 1994's, which was a symbol of that era. But I believe it will also be remembered by fans."