Having tea with the icon of spiritual rock

I had an exhilarating experience this evening. I was invited to have tea with an icon of Malaysian classical rock. Former NST Editor-in-Chief Dato' Ahmad A. Talib invited me for a chat with Ramli Sharif, in Bangsar.

Right: Dato' Mat and I admiring a rock legend

When Dato' Mat called me this evening to invite, I thought it was in passing.

Left: The "twins"

Then again, when I showed up and both of them were there, I simply can't believe my eyes. I get to sit and chat up a classical rock icon, who somewhat influenced my formative adolescence years in MRSM. His music, with deep philosophical and spiritual innuendos made going through a difficult time of changing phases something slightly more meaningful. Not forgetting, landmarks to remember by.

Right: I and the "twins"

I was just starting second form when I first heard the inspiring voice of Bang Ramli rendetation and purist rock melody "Kamelia", during his Sweet Charity days. Then in third form, it was the album Penunggu. Then a year later, Batu.

A moment later, Rocky and Nuraina joined us. That brought the chat even livelier. Especially, when Rocky and Ramli looked almost like twin brothers.

Left: Nuraina and Rocky joined the chat

The chat revealed things that really unlocked some of the amazement Bang Ramli brought into my music enrichment phase of life.

Right: The legend known as 'Papa Rock'

Bang Ramli then talked about his band Sweet Charity, celebrating its 40th anniversary. They are planning a nationwide concert tour. All of us agreed that it will be a hit, especially people in our generation. Then again, Dato' Mat is also convinced that Bang Ramli's music even hit a note of people much younger than all of us at the table. Amazed and dazzled, I tend to agree with Dato' Mat. He is indeed a classical rock legend!

It was an evening to remember.