The Legendary Dato Shake is back in Kuala Lumpur after celebrating his 40th year (1976-2016) in show business as a Malaysian French Internatiional Entertainer with a concert in France at the Grand Rex Paris on February 19, 2016. Not just anyone can have a concert at this awesome venue.
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When pressed for a quote during an exlusive with BESTFBKL he said " Its the Greatest feeling in the world to make people happy, looking at the number of songs I sold in 3 languages in 3 continents, I am glad I entertained a good number of people and made them happy. "Shake, Wind & Fire"
With his fragile style, translucent figure, abundant ash-gray hair, unchanging physical appearance and his uncategorisable, kaleidoscopic personality he continues to draw in the crowds.
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| Legendary Dato Shake |
He made it big in the mid-1970s with a launch to stardom worthy of a fairy-tale. He was singled out in a Malaysian bar by a couple of girls who were so charmed by his voice that they sent him a one-way plane ticket to France. Spotted by Orlando, Shake stimulated French popular music with the eclecticism, open-mindedness and a breath of fresh air that had often been sorely lacking.
And success came pretty quickly. Shake is someone who, unlike other renowned vocalists of the time, their renditions artificially confined and beefed up in a studio, has a naturally sonorous and supple voice, as incomparable as it is resonant. And as a secret fan of rock and roll, he also has a powerful voice that can match the best rock frontmen.
But the epoch was marked by romanticism and the Malaysian singer created a music that is infinitely personal, comes straight at you and tells the story of a beating heart.
A whole string of catchy hits with a few memorable nuggets such as “You know I love you” which, after his appearance on the “Rendez vous du dimanche” talk show hosted by Michel Drucker, sold 40 000 units in one day.
Other hits include Quand on ne peut pas avoir la fille qu’on aime (When you can’t have the girl you love), Je chante cette chanson pour toi (I’m singing this song for you), Rien n’est plus beau que l’amour (Nothing is more beautiful than love), La fille que j’attendais (The girl I was waiting for), Soleil aide moi (Help me, Sun), L’étranger au paradis (The foreigner in heaven), Elle s’en va (She’s going away), Avec elle (With her) and, naturally, Let me be your number one.
These are real pearls whose nostalgia never goes stale and which were not only successful in French-speaking countries but also in Holland, Italy, Germany, Spain and in Asia where he was granted the title of “Dato” (Sir) and knighted by the King of Malaysia for having represented and introduced Malaysia to a European public.
So Shake was the first Southeast Asian artist after Bruce Lee to pursue such a prolific career outside his own country. And he was also awarded the prestigious Chevalier des arts et des lettres et du mérite medal for having promoted French language and culture in Asia.
In any event, Shake is open to many influences and capable of deserting the beaten paths of variety and working happily elsewhere backtracking if he feels like it. And so having spent 15 years in Europe, he stepped onto the American stage and collaborated with producers / artists such as Michael Sembello (who wrote and interpreted one of the songs in Flashdance and has worked with many internationally-famous artists including Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson). He has also given memorable concert performances like the one for Valentine’s Day in 1998.
For now we are waiting for the announcement of an event to be held in Malaysia to mark the legendary singers 40th year in show business.
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