Thursday, May 26, 2011

If you are in S'pore this weekend, don't miss: "Khmer Rock 'N' Roll from the 60s and 70s"

Singapore Arts Festival 2011:
I want to remember



Khmer Rock 'N' Roll from the 60s and 70s

28/29 may
Main Stage, Festival Village

John Pirozzi/ The Drakhar
  • 8pm (30mins) Film screening of excepts from Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten
  • 8.45pm (60mins) Panel discussion with John Pirozzi, Linda Saphan, Jason Jones & The Drakhar
  • 10.15pm (60mins) Performance by The Drakhar
  • 11.30pm (70mins) Film screening of Sleepwalking Through The Mekong
Free


Cambodia’s independence from France in 1953 ushered in a powerful period of growth and prosperity for the Kingdom. Lasting from independence in 1953 to the Khmer Rouge takeover in 1975, this period saw a blossoming of a new post-colonial Khmer identity that, in addition to its political manifestations, was readily expressed in a range of creative media including architecture, dance, film, theatre and popular music.

Join us on a weekend of psychedelic discoveries, as we unveil popular music of that era which was influenced by western rock & roll music, re-cast using Khmer lyrics and melodies. Get seduced by the hypnotic music of seminal Khmer rock & roll group The Drakhar as they reunite after more than 3 decades for this special occasion. Catch unseen footage from filmmaker John Pirozzi’s upcoming film on the history of Khmer rock, Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten, as well as his full-length documentary Sleepwalking Through The Mekong. The Festival also convenes a panel of exciting speakers, including Pirozzi, Linda Saphan PhD, researcher Jason Jones and members of The Drakhar, who will uncover and discuss personal and research experience on the subject of Cambodian rock music – from its beginnings in the Twist era of the early 1960’s to the fall of Phnom Penh to the Khmer Rouge in 1975.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am so glad that Westerners take notice of our rich cultures including the ever so popular music back in the 60s and 70s. Great job Khmer people.

Anonymous said...

Thanks to whoever post this photo.
The year was around 1963 we were so crazy about the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.

From the left:
My little buddy Chattany (Shorty)was so dedicated to playing solo guitar, damn near flunk out of high school.

Sitting down center: the ever troublesome boy on Rue Pasteur, and my comrade in arms Khoun Chunn (passed on 2 years ago in LB, CA)played bass. Khoun was an Army officer with the Khmer Republic, and a kick-ass artillery commander, and a close air support coordinator with the US airstrike, we fought the VC and KR together in those eternal days and nights down the big river south of PPenh. We stopped singing in English but we call for bombs in English to save PPenh and the rest.
R.I.P buddy we miss you!

The guy with the mustache is Thol the drummer (who took my place as I moved on from the Drakhar to play with other notorious bands).

My memory just failed me I do not recall the name of the boy on the far right, he must be the singer for the group.

Memory..like the corners of my eyes... misty watercolor memory... of the way we were...!

Scattered pictures... of the smiles we left behind...smile we gave to one another... for the way we were.....!

Chattany I know you are still alive, this is your classmate from Class de sixieme, Lycee Sisowath, remember, we originated the idea of a band together back then.

Be happy and stay out of Jail you hear me!

Ah Khmeng Wat!

Anonymous said...

Great Khmer Empire is now Called Great Khmer Expired.

Great Khmer Expired is now offical name called Nambodia province of wonder.

Welcome! Welcome to Nambodia The Province Of Wonder!

Anonymous said...

11:04 AM
What else you want to blame Cambodia or give a bad name of my country ?

In case you are a real man, you should call other countries, like Germany as a US province. Because Germany still have US Army in their county.

Anonymous said...

Welcome! Welcome!

Great Vietgook Empire is now Called Great Vietgook Expired.

Great Vietgook Expired is now offical name called Chinaviet province of wonder.

Welcome! Welcome to Chinaviet The Province Of Wonder!

LOL

Anonymous said...

Learn world history,look at Roman
empire,Mongolia,and Soviet Unions.
One day these ethnic groups:Champa,
Hmong,Montagnards,and Khmer Krom wake
up,stand up,and rise up against
Vietnam.All these are UNPO members.
Look at East Timor,Kosovo,and etc...
became independent states.
If China and Russia can't support you,you'll be dead.Time has been
changed,not still the same.Don't be
a dull man.