A night to remember with Legends

It was a celebration to mark the grand launch of the all-new Desaru Coast and the auditorium of the Desaru Coast Conference Centre was transformed into a concert hall to host a charity dinner-concert headlined, A Night with Legends.

Fans clapping and cheering at the close of the concert,
A Night with Legends, a night of celebration at Desaru Coast

Four Malaysian legendary performers, Dato’ Jamal Abdillah, Dato’ Khadijah Ibrahim, Datuk Ramli Sarip and Francissca Peter, would share the stage for a special show with the proceeds from ticket sales channeled towards the Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation.

Earlier that day, I had the pleasure to meet with the legends in an event where they presented their memorabilia to the Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast collection of rockstar exhibits.

The mock-cheque presentation from Desaru Coast to
Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation

Seated among the guests in the auditorium, I was more than ready to enjoy the evening which started with a delightful dinner, catered by the culinary team of The Westin Desaru Coast Resort.

As the elegant dinner was being served course-by-course, we were entertained with instrumental music performed by a live band and later, a male vocalist sang in Malay.

I may not understand the lyrics nor recognise the songs but I could certainly appreciate the young man’s strong vocals because, Music transcends all languages.

While dessert was served, the event Master of Ceremony announced that the concert was about to begin…

Francissca Peter opened the entertaining show

But before that we witnessed a mock-cheque presentation from Desaru Coast in the sum of RM39,000 to a representative of the Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation.

With the formalities behind us, it was time to enjoy our promised Night with Legends.

Backed by the live band, Francissca Peter led the show with her hit songs, Ku Keudara Lagi and Sekadar Di Pinggiran.

She wore an eye-catching Red top designed with shiny sequins and as her rich voice filled the auditorium, I knew that it was going to be a most entertaining show.

Dato' Jamal Abdillah kept his signature shades!

Her third song, a ballad entitled, Step-by-Step, was an encouragement dedicated to those who were dealing with loss.

Her set concluded with Kehebatan Cinta, a song which she performed in a duet with Dato’ Jamal Abdillah.

The audience roared with appreciation when Dato’ Jamal took over the stage to perform his hit song, Aku Penghibur.

Dressed in a bright Orange suit and his cool signature shades, he thrilled his fans with strong vocals and dance moves.

With fans cheering and clapping with glee, I thought that Dato’ Jamal has still “got it” as he oozed with charm and drew louder applause with each gesture.

Dato' Jamal was momentarily stunned into silence by
a fan's ecstatic and enthusiastic response!

For his next song, Kau Lupa Janji, Dato’ Jamal stepped down from the stage and his fans went wild with excitement.

He moved among the banquet tables to shake hands while fans compelled him to stop (numerous times!) to pose for we-fie photos.

When a thrilled female fan accosted him, Dato’ Jamal paused in his singing probably because he was momentarily, simply stunned by her spontaneous, ecstatic reaction!

With both arms thrown up in the air, it was probably a dream come true for her!

Back on stage and well warmed-up by the enthusiastic response, he continued to elicit much excitement with his cool performance of his next song, Kekasih Awal dan Akhir.

In his final song, Seniman Menangis, Dato’ Jamal introduced his son, Osama Amani, whom I recognised at the young vocalist who gave us the pre-show performance.

Dato' Jamal [Right] accompanied by his son,
Osama Amani [Left] on electric guitar

“No wonder, he had such a strong voice,” I thought to myself.

He was the son of Dato’ Jamal and blessed with similar vocal abilities!

In this duet, Osama did not sing with his father but accompanied him on the electric guitar.

He had our undivided attention as he played the opening bars in a blistering bluesy riff, not unlike the haunting tune of Gary Moore’s Still Got The Blues [For You]…

While the applause continued for Dato’ Jamal and Osama when they ended their performance, the audience was taken by surprise when the crystal clear vocals of Dato’ Khadijah Ibrahim filled the auditorium but she was not seen on the stage.

Dato' Khadijah Ibrahim surprised the audience by
entering the auditorium by its rear door!

Instead, she had entered the auditorium by the rear door while singing, Ku Sangka Siang Kiranya Malam, walked among the guests, paused for photos and stopped to chat with several individuals – while the professional live band, paused along with her.

This evergreen performer certainly knew how to entertain and “play” with her audience as she made each of them reply to her lively banter and even coaxed them to sing-along with her!

Dressed in a cobalt Blue gown with flowing sleeves, this was her outfit designed in 25-metre long fabric which she would later donate to the Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation, to auction off and raise funds for the foundation.

Dato' Khadijah sang a beautiful duet with her daughter

When she went on stage, Dato’ Khadijah was joined by three back-up singers, dressed in uniform Red glittering gowns, to present the song, Ku Pendam Sebuah Duka.

Dato’ Khadijah whom her fans fondly call Kathy, gave credit to veteran producer Ahmad Nawab for his special touch on these two hits from the 1970s and 1980s.

For her next song, Dato’ Khadijah introduced her daughter who stepped forward from among the back-up singers, to sing a duet in, Ku Gembira Di Samping Mu.

Datuk Ramip Sarip entertained in his inimitable style

Then she was joined on stage by Datuk Ramli Sarip to sing a duet, Doa Buat Kekasih.

Finally, Datuk Ramli, who’s dubbed Papa Rock, rocked the stage in his inimitable style with signature hits like Perjalanan Hidup, Zakiah, Jangan Tunggu Lama-Lama and Teratai.

Fans clearly appreciated the raspy live renditions of his popular hits and could not get enough of him. 

And when the band struck up the opening chords for, Kamelia, there was literally a roar of approval that erupted from the audience!

Then our Night with Legends came to a comfortable close with two songs performed in English.

While Dato’ Jamal sang a mellow, Help Me Make It Through the Night, Francissca and Dato’ Khadijah performed an upbeat duet in the inspiring anthem, I Will Survive!

Enthralled by such an entertaining evening of good music, guests filed out of the auditorium with renewed interest in these legendary performers who proved (once again!) that they’ve still got what it took to charm and entertain.

The four legends were ushered into the foyer where VIPs and fans met them to capture photo mementoes to treasure a most memorable and (for die-hard fans!) an unforgettable Night with Legends at Desaru Coast.