The Star - 29th Oct 2004

by Rubin Khoo

A walk down memory lane with Alfred Ho
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Fancy some live music from yesteryear? RUBIN KHOO speaks to the man who’ll get your feet tapping and your fingers snapping, Alfred Ho.

It was close to a decade ago that singer Alfred Ho played at the opening of The Actors Studio’s new premises at Plaza Putra, Dataran Merdeka. Ten years later with fewer jobs coming his way, the singer who lost his sight at the age of three decided to give his old friend Faridah Merican a call. That call led to Down Memory Lane with Alfred Ho, a performance that will showcase golden oldies.


“The repertoire will basically feature songs that people have grown up with,” says Ho. “I like taking people back to their childhood.” During the first show held in mid-October, Ho indulged his fans with renditions of classics like The Young Ones, Blue Suede Shoes and House of the Rising Sun. He also displayed his versatility with a couple of Chinese and Japanese numbers as well. The result was a performance that literally got the audience on their feet.

“There was a couple that even got on the stage to dance,” he says. But that has been the trademark of Ho. The self-taught musician, who shot to fame in the 70s after participating in various talent competitions like Bakat TV and radio series’ like Take Five, is well known for his infectious performances. For his next performance to be held on Oct 31, Ho promises a completely different set of songs.

“It will definitely be different,” he says. “I don’t have planned concerts. I just play what comes to mind and there are so many songs in my head.” Ho who also sings in Spanish and says he has a wide repertoire that allows him to vary his performances.

“Every show is different,” Ho says. But fans can expect to hear old favourites as he believes that oldies are the “most catchy”. Ho will be performing with two others, Theresa Ng and Amin Shariff Abdullah. Amin Shariff, who is also blind, studied at Arden College in Manchester where he received a national diploma in popular music. He will play the keyboards in this performance. Ng will play the gu zheng giving the show an “east meets west” feel. On Sunday, she will accompany Ho on a couple of numbers while she is also playing one or two solo items. This performance will hopefully lead to many more for Ho.

Recently, Ho has spoken out on the difficulties he has faced in trying to secure gigs. Until 2000, he was a part-time DJ on Radio 4 where he hosted Family Favourites until he was told that his programme was discontinued. He is now in the midst of looking for a promotions manager to help boost his career. While things may be tough, Ho, who is in his 50s, continues to remain positive. “I believe in myself,” he says. “I am looking for someone who will promote
me just like a product.”

Ho was the first Malaysian blind man to record an album, earning him a mention in the Malaysia Book of Records. While studying at the St.Nicholas School for the blind in Penang, he developed an interest in music and performed with a band called the Sharks. He continued to pursue his musical career after leaving school, performing at pubs and functions while working as a telephone operator for the Penang Municipal Council. In 1983, however, Ho decided to become a full-time musician. He has in recent years tried his hand at other jobs, even massaging for a while but had to give it up due to rheumatism.

In the 1970s, Ho cut two EP vinyl records of his own compositions. He has also recorded three cover albums, the last of which was entitled Nostalgia Gold was released in 2001.