Sixty's a milestone and we celebrated it!

Last Friday, we partied our socks off at the One World Hotel,  putting a capper on all our previous runs of family celebrations.

Our sweet Daddy is 60. 

From the get-go, conceptualising the whole celebration was a piece of cake. Here is a man who loves to party, loves great music, loves his family and friends but production was not gonna be that easy!

Invitations were painstakingly created. Cards were specially designed to offer friends and family a sneak peek of what's to come. Despite invitation cards being distributed, each guest received a personal call from us with SMS reminders. Dad really treasures his friends. There was no other way he would have wanted us to treat them all, except like true VIPs.

That brought on the next idea to roll out the Red Carpet and how fitting this was to our theme - Rock 'N Roll Revival, Celebrating 60 years of Life, Love & Music! 

We heard later that traffic was horrendous that evening. Thank goodness it didn't dampen the spirit of our friends as they streamed steadily in and unto the Red Carpet. It was buzzing with activity as everyone put on big smiles and struck poses for that special Red Carpet moment. The cocktail hour passed so quickly and all too soon we had to usher people away from the Red Carpet and into the ballroom.

Soon, all were seated. The lights went out as large projector screens flashed the words "WELCOME" and counted down to a video montage drawing inpirations of rock concerts to Daft Punk's high octane "Robot Rock". To our relieve, the crowd cheered on, applauding and approving our invitation to rock and roll!

Ben took to the stage with his opening salvo, introducing himself as "Jack'son", him being infamously known as Kluang's Michael Jackson. The crowd cheered and we were relieved that his punch line didn't fall flat. Ben took that as a cue and continued to tickle with his comedic anecdotes of Dad's story-telling tendencies.

Then came on Mae with her fiery welcome in dual language that had the crowd hysterical with just a “Hello! How you all doing?”. But she took it down a notch with some serious business. We wanted to start the night right by thanking our friends and family for making the night possible. 

With that the lights dimmed once more as we brought on a slideshow of photographs of Dad and his friends from different phases of his life, played to the Beatles' classic "With A Little Help From My Friends". Our message was simple but profound - Tonight we celebrate because of you. Thank you for your friendship and for making tonight possible.

Soon, dinner was served and everyone was in an affable mood. Old friends were catching up and excitedly exchanging updates. At the average age of more than half a century old, there wasn't a sloppy moment. These folks looked great. 

Albert, Vijay and Bada took to the stage without introduction (not that they needed it) and wasted no time rolling out the classics. Playing tunes such as the Beatles' "Here Comes The Sun", "From Me To You", Bee Gee's "Run To Me" and the Eagles' "Lying Eyes", delivered with no hint of rote, as if the crowd hadn't heard it a thousand times before. Make no mistake about it, old school still rules.

Taking a well-deserved break midway through, Albert, Vijay and Bada left the stage as I stepped front and centre with my stellar sidekicks that included Mae on keys, Charles on rhythm and Ben rollicking the cajón for our little surprise dedication to Dad.

A rolling slideshow on either side provided comfort to quivering nerves as we played and sang "Thank You For Being My Dad". We looked like we were having a blast but it was  petrifying. What we lacked in skill and proficiency we made up with skin and balls. Still, I am glad we did it. It was such a defining moment for us all. I think we’ve all made him very proud.

Then it was the highlight of the evening as the birthday boy took the stage for his speech. It was masterfully crafted and just as masterfully delivered. With every turn of phrase, Dad had all the correct pauses and crescendos. He tickled the room in to roaring laughter with light hearted political satires. Then, calmly he honoured his friends and family. He joked about the yesteryears but edified as he acknowledged all of his blessings. We never knew Dad to be capable of public oratory but this one will last the test of time.

My favourite part of the evening is still that which was infused with nostalgia. When the band played The Stroller's "Do What You Gotta Do", it had people swaying wildly in their seats, singing along to the song they once knew all too well. The Marmalades' "Reflections Of My Life" was tender and wounded, bringing people into huddles while Herman Hermit's "Sentimental Friend" had old friends teary eyed and my Mum running around delivering heartfelt hugs. In that brief moment, the whole show was furiously on point.

Then, it was party time! Albert, Vijay and Bada had people up on their feet and hands up in the air with their blistering and  electrifying renditions of some of rock's best-loved classics. The trio had the gold tunes well paced and expertly delivered.

The finale came in the form of a medley of Queen's epic anthems, "I Wanna Break Free", "Radio Gaga" and "Another One Bites The Dust". For his part, Vijay was in fine vocal form and the band was virtually a non-stop maelstrom of rock 'n roll, spinning, dancing, prancing, and doing the whole rocker thing at peak powers with Albert ripping the joints of his guitar frets. The whole show was an unqualified blockbuster.

The crowd responded in equally power-packed fashion with collective claps and voices resonating throughout the entire room. An energetic and characteristically cheeky Vijay teased the crowd at one point, "You guys are amazing. Can we hire you for our next function?".

At show's end, goodbyes were exchanged as we received our accolades for a "Job well done!", "Best party ever!" and "Fantastic and superb evening!". 

We took our bows and curtain calls but nothing was more rewarding than the sight of Mum and Dad, and their buddies, standing side by side, smiling, sweating, singing and dancing with arms draped over each other's shoulders (Just like in the good old days, they said).

Friendship and kinship stole the show last Friday night, deserving of a standing ovation.

People are still saying what a fantastic show we put up. You're the reason we could, and we did.

Thank you all so much.

Happy Birthday Daddy!