Malaysian tour with my compadre

MANILA, Philippines - John Ford Coley has been one of my closest artist friends since 2006. Thanks to fellow RJ jock/promoter Renen de Guia who introduced me to him. I do at least two Asian tours with him every year and he became my compadre last year. I have to admit I practice favoritism when it comes to John Ford. It’s not only because I love his songs but also because he’s humble, flexible and so easy to get along with. No star complex at all. My friends and staff all love him.

Recently, John was booked by one of Malaysia’s top rated entrepreneurs and foremost music aficionado Jojo a.k.a. Tan Sri Syed Yusof Syed Nasir (I wonder how long his signature is on checks and documents). Jojo owns several prime real estate properties in Malaysia including the Concorde Hotel chain where we stayed in Kuala Lumpur, Hard Rock Hotel Penang and Hard Rock Café Kuala Lumpur. Jojo is so simple and down to earth despite his social status and billions. He intimated to me that he was one of late Michael Jackson’s closest friends. Michael used to stay in his mansion in Malaysia whenever he visited and upon his death last year, Jojo named the room Michael occupied the “MJ” suite and filled it with the king of pop’s memorabilia. He told me Michael was a total insomniac and couldn’t sleep so he spent countless sleepless nights keeping him company. Michael had a habit of making caricatures and doodles and would throw them in the trash can later. Jojo had the foresight of picking his trash and keeping it. He recently had them framed and displayed in his mansion.

John together with yours truly and the all Pinoy back up band arrived at the Kuala Lumpur Airport Terminal close to midnight of Sept. 30 and were immediately whisked to the Concorde Inn. What a well-appointed hotel with lots of creature comforts. Located beside Hard Rock Café, the hotel was smack in the middle of KL near the Petronas tower and my favorite shopping area Bukit Bintang.

…and the Crown Prince II.

Next day, John was the guest of honor at the inauguration of Jojo’s latest baby; an italian restaurant aptly named Jojo. We were fetched at the hotel by the only stretch limo Hummer in Malaysia and all necks craned wherever we passed. The limo could sit 18 persons in plush comfort while sipping champagne from the built in bar.

I was kind of embarrassed when we arrived at the venue because I was only wearing a T-shirt. Almost everyone came in their Sunday’s best with matching bling blings, birkins and pradas. After John cut the ribbon, all the guests rushed in and were served classic Italian fare. I couldn’t keep track of all the VIPs Jojo introduced to me except for the Prince of Selangor Tengku Sulaiman Shah who sat on our table. We had a nice chat and told me he hasn’t been to the Philippines in decades. He was a friend of the Marcos family and I graciously invited him to visit anytime. John indulged in lots of pasta and pizza before he was interviewed by the Malaysian press with matching photo ops.

As soon as the press were through, we returned to the hotel, John and the band did a sound check at the concert venue (The main ballroom of the Concorde hotel). My pal promoter Andrew told me the show was sold out which put a wide grin on my face. By the time the sound check was through, people have started to queue at the venue entrance. The show was opened by the Diva of Malaysia Datuk KatijahIbrahim who sang with gusto Donna Summer’s version of McArthur Park and a couple of Malay hits. Unfortunately, she was unable to stay after her set and do a Sometimes When We Touch duet with John because she had to make lagare (rush) to another gig. Typical of Pinoy artists, too.

That’s me and a friend beside the Hummer…

John opened with his signature Gone Too Far and churned hit after hit to the delight of the predominantly Malaysian crowd. Sometimes When We Touch was dropped from the set because John refused to duet with his male back up. He later told me just the thought of singing the song with a guy makes him cringe. At the end of the show John graciously obliged to photo ops and autographs. Copies of his new CD Timeless Love Songs featuring all the biggest hits of England Dan & John Ford Coley, Dan Fogelberg and some of his favorite singers were briskly snapped by the crowd.

John will return to Malaysia for a Valentine show in Genting on Feb. 12 2011.

John Ford Coley’s Timeless Love Songs CD is locally available from MCA Universal. It also features duets with two of the country’s best female singers Faith Cuneta and Ciara Sotto.