Amy Search 'Godfather' Of Local Rock Music Scene, Says Awie

By Bernama Lifestyle Reporter

KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 (Bernama) -- After more than four decades of riding the highs and lows of the music industry, Malaysian rock icon Datuk Awie remains characteristically humble. Awie, who is often referred to as Malaysia’s “King of Rock”, insists that the honour rightfully belongs to Datuk Amy Search.

Awie, 58, whose real name is Ahmad Azhar Othman, said the Search vocalist is not only a key figure in the music industry but also one of the pioneers who laid a strong foundation for local rock music and helped bring the genre into the mainstream.

“Titles aren’t something to dwell on. Whoever wants to be number one or number two can have it. But to me, the person who truly deserves the number one spot in the local rock scene is Amy Search.

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“He’s the one who started the rock scene in Malaysia and deserves to be recognised as the godfather of the local rock music industry,” Awie told reporters here yesterday after a press conference on the upcoming ‘Awie Rock King: The Last Man Standing 2026’ concert.

The Wings vocalist emphasised that throughout his career, he has never pursued titles as a goal, choosing instead to focus on being more disciplined and improving the quality of his performances.

Speaking about his large-scale concert, Awie described it as a significant milestone that encapsulates his career spanning more than four decades.

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The ‘Awie Rock King: The Last Man Standing 2026’ concert, set to take place at Stadium Merdeka here on Sept 12, will serve as a platform for him to express the experience and maturity he has built since the early days of his career.

The ‘Tragedi Oktober’ singer said each performance in the concert will carry its own significance, reflecting different phases of his career.

“This concert is a reflection of my journey. What I want is to share the experience and fulfillment I’ve gained with my fans who have always supported me,” he said, adding that the continued support of his fans has been the driving force behind his endurance and commitment to giving his best in every performance.

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Meanwhile, concert organiser Bombbay Legend Worldwide executive director Zamberi Shaari said their nearly four-decade collaboration with Awie forms the backbone of the event’s strength.

“From the Wings era to his solo journey, we’ve consistently worked together, and this collaboration has built a strong synergy in elevating the quality of every performance,” he said.

He added that the title “Last Man Standing” symbolises Awie’s resilience in weathering the ups and downs of his career, changes in eras, and his transition from a band member to a solo artiste, all without compromising his identity.

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Zamberi also said the title “Rock King” given to Awie by his fans reflects his significant contributions to enriching and expanding the rock genre in Malaysia.

The upcoming concert will feature more than 25 accomplished musicians and nine guest singers from both local and international scenes, including performers from Indonesia, who will be announced at a later date.

He said the repertoire has been carefully arranged to take the audience through the evolution of Awie’s music, blending nostalgic elements with fresh approaches to create more dynamic performances.

Tickets are priced between RM98 and RM5,998 and are available via the iLasso Tickets platform.

-- BERNAMA