Almost everyone over 40 grew up with Grand Ex as the soundtrack of their lives. Three decades after disbanding, one of Thailand's most popular pop groups of the disco era will have another reunion bash this Saturday at Muang Thong Thani. Not only will they shake up Impact Arena, the nine members, now in their late 50s and 60s, will follow the much-awaited concert with a national tour to meet up with fans in Hat Yai, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen and Hua Hin.
"Rather than for any particular occasion, we've reunited because of the readiness to go on stage and perform together," band leader, Nakorn Vejsupaporn said of the upcoming "Grand Ex Grand Concert" hosted by BEC-Tero Entertainment.
With their first album Luk Thung Disco released in 1979, the pop legend reached its peak of popularity in the 1980s with an updated sound that turned old-school tunes into something modern and danceable. Their string-combo style corresponded with the country's embrace of new-found optimism and expansion of taste, and they attracted frenzied fans to their performances, dancing to the disco beat and sometimes getting so excited they destroyed concert venues.
Grand Ex's catalogue of more than 20 albums and 200 songs -- mostly composed by the band members themselves -- revived the popularity of Thai songs after the dominance of 70s Western hits.
"In the 70s, we didn't have Thai artists as role models, so we developed our musical skills by playing international songs," Nakorn recalled. "At that time, Thai bands had to cover the Western hits in an exact copy. The more it sounded like the original, the higher the listeners' appreciation."
Nakorn co-founded the band with Prasit Chaiyato in the early 70s, when they were high school students at Borpit Pimook College. Their music-making was inspired by Grand Funk Railroad and The Jimi Hendrix Experience -- they took the names of these two American rock groups and made it Grand Ex.
Donning school uniforms while belting out rock numbers, the band came second in the student category of a national string-combo competition.
The beginning of their professional music career had Grand EX doing gigs at nightclubs, where they surprised guests on the dance floor with upbeat songs. Their alchemy worked like this: the intro usually sounded like Western hits but then it turned out to be luk thung classics rearranged with flair.
"We sold surprises. People loved the surprising twist on familiar tunes such as Poo Kai Gai Long and Chantana Thee Rak that were compiled for Luk Thung Disco," Nakorn said of what made Grand Ex the first Thai band to ever sell one million copies of an album, a phenomenal number at that time.
The luk thung reinventions, however, didn't impress former folk and country artist Danuphol "Jae" Kaewkan. Later the band's frontman, Danuphol began his career crooning songs by Peter, Paul and Mary, John Denver, and Simon & Garfunkel.
"Frankly speaking, I didn't like the Luk Thung Disco album," said Danuphol. "We were of a different 'species'. I was more into donning denim, while Grand Ex sported slacks." Despite the conflicting music preferences, the singer/composer lent his silvery voice to hits such as those on the Grand XO album (a contemporary interpretation of luk krung songs), which sold more than 1.5 million copies. Danuphol's silky rendition of hits would come to define the musical experience of those growing up in the 80s.
"As a member of Grand Ex, I could reach out to a mass audience, whereas singing folk songs catered to a niche audience. It also made my songwriting worthwhile, as more people get to hear my songs," said Danuphol, whose compositions included Pieng Sob Ta and Chuea Chan.
Apart from the band's musical prowess, Nakorn and Danuphol owe their sensational success to the vision and professional management of Nadphop Nopharat, who employed various marketing activities such as an official fan club as well as Grand Ex's own radio programme and magazine, titled IQ.
"His strategic management was like a sharp-edged arrow that hit the target," said Nakorn. "He was instrumental in setting new standards for music professionals. In the past, parents didn't want their children to become ten kin ram kin musicians. Nowadays, it's an honourable profession, and we see how parents support kids in taking music lessons."
On stage, Grand Ex uniquely put each member in the spotlight, as everyone got the chance to sing their own song.
"The audience would be bored if I solely sang throughout a concert," said Danuphol. "This is one of the approaches to create an entertaining variety show. Likewise, just like cooking, we constantly added new flavours to our music during the seven to eight years of our heyday."
The split-up had members forming their own bands: Grand Ex Family; Puen; and Jae and Ploy. Many of them actively remained in the music industry in supporting new generations of artists. Nakorn's son, Tor Saksit, is now a pop idol and pianist, who may make a guest appearance in the Grand Ex Grand Concert.
Other members teaming up for the reunion concert include Prasit Chaiyato (drums), Sarayout Supunyo (keyboards), Thanongsak Arphornsiri (bass), Wasan Sirisukpisai (keyboards), Saney Suparat (trumpet), Phanas Hirunkasi (saxophone), and Chokdee Pakpoo (trombone).
"As the one and only Grand Ex, we will not disappoint our fans, who want to hear the original versions of our songs," said Thanongsak.
"Some songs, however, will be refined. It's like painting a picture -- 30 years ago it seemed perfect, but when looking at it again in 2016, we can dab a little colour for a perfect finishing touch."
The Grand Ex Grand Concert will take place on Saturday at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani. Tickets (from 1,500 to 5,000 baht) are available at ThaiTicketMajor outlets.
For information, call 02-262-3838 or visit www.thaiticketmajor.com or www.facebook.com/bectero or call 0-2262-3838.
Grand Ex, past and present.
