Sixties rockers take up old Sai Gon Hotel residency

Nuts about their music: One of the most famous rock bands in the country in the late sixties and seventies, Peanut, return to the stage at the Palace Sai Gon Hotel's Calibre Charner restaurant, every night from 8.30- 11.30pm. — VNS Photo

HCM CITY — The Peanut is back. The band of four brothers that began rocking Sai Gon audiences more than four decades years ago has reached an agreement to perform every evening at the Palace Sai Gon Hotel under their first name.

Forty-four years ago, the four brothers created a psychedelic pop/rock band called Peanut. The band featured Bernard Tam (guitar/vocals), Francois Thien (drums), Michel Chi (bass/vocals) and Patrick Trung (keyboard, vocals).

Along with CBC, Crazy Dogs and Hammers, they were among the most famous rock bands nationwide during the 1960s and 1970s.

In 1975, the band changed its name to Sao Sang (Bright Star) and began performing for international hotels and diplomatic representative offices in the country. They continued to perform over the years in local clubs and bars.

The band, with members in their sixties now, will reassume its first name now and remain faithful to the classic pop/rock genre in its performances, said Phan Ngoc Thanh Tam, marketing executive for the Bong Sen Corporation, which manages the hotel.

She said the band will perform popular classics including: Don't Let Me Down (Beatles); I Started a Joke (Bee Gees); We Gotta Get out of This Place (The Animals); I Can't Get o Satisfaction (The Rolling Stones); and Hotel California (Eagles).

Peanut will perform every evening from 8:30-11:30pm at the hotel's Calibre Charner Restaurant. — VNS

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Music bashes to celebrate New Year in Hanoi, HCMC

Several music performances are being readied in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to entertain the locals and usher in the New Year on January 1.

The Springtime Rendezvous will take place at the outdoor stage at 19:30 on January 1 at 23/9 Park, District 1’s Pham Ngu Lao Street, with performances of pop stars like Quang Linh, Thanh Thao, Quang Ha, Khanh Ngoc, Quang Vinh, and Bao Thy.

Rock lovers will have a chance to immerse themselves in electrifying performances of various rock bands, including UK rock band The Lost Souls Club and two local rock bands Unlimited and Microwave.

The event takes place at Tiger Translate 2011–Metropolis at 20:00 on January 7, District 1’s Nguyen Du Stadium, promising to rock up the city.

Also in the pipeline is Charming Vietnam Gala organized by Thanh Nien Daily Newspaper, at 20:00 on January 8-9 in Tuy Hoa City of Phu Yen Central province to raise money for the Nguyen Thai Binh Fund for poor students and the Vietnamese Talent Fund.

The event will feature famous singers, beauties, and models from across the country and the two emerging stars of Vietnam Idol 2010, Lan Nha and Uyen Linh.

The 23rd gala will witness the return of Bolero music which is expected to be a special cultural and art event in the South Central Coastal National Tourism Year 2011.

“A day of wind & haven” is also a good choice for music lovers. The event will feature French artists (Pierre Diaz, Trio Zéphyr), French performers of Vietnamese origin (singer Huong Thanh and artist Alex Tran), and Vietnamese violinist Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy. They will perform at Idecaf at 20:00 on January 12.

In the northern hub, Hanoi Cultural Friendship Palace will present the “Wise wife teaches foolish husband” drama directed by Meritorious Artist Xuan Huyen and scripted by People’s Artist Doan Hoang Giang, with the participation of a group of artists from HCMC like Hong Van, Duc Hai, Minh Hoang, Trinh Kim Chi, and Van Anh.

In other news, well-known musician Le Minh Son’s evening performance, themed “Guitar for me”, will take place on January 1 at Hanoi Opera House, in collaboration with famous local artists in the north like Tung Duong, Thanh Lam, and Ha Linh.

The capital city will also feature a children’s music show from 15:00 to 20:00 the following day at Hanoi Opera House, and “Prosperous Spring”, a music program, on 20:00 on January 4 at the Hanoi Cultural Friendship Palace, with the appearance of famous local artists Hoai Linh, Hong Van, Thanh Bach, Quang Dung, Thanh Thao, Anh Tho, Thanh Thanh Hien.

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