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For China's early rock stars, life begins at 40
By Chen Nan (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-10-26 09:49
Zheng is not the only mainland rock star to become mellower and more family oriented.
Veteran singer-songwriter Xu Wei's upcoming concert on Nov 21 with Zheng in Zhengzhou, Henan province, has a very un-rock like title, Warm Today.
"I turned to Buddhism years ago, and meditation has made me calm," says the 41-year-old singer. "We have all experienced being rebellious, confused and sentimental. But now we have grown up and matured."
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 After years of experimentation and withdrawal from the public eyes, Dou Wei starts a new band and says he lives a simple and free life. [Wang Guan/China Daily] |
Hailed as a poet in mainland music circles, Xu became interested in music in his teenage years and chose music over enrolling in a local military medical school. His classic songs, such as Don't Cry, Baby, Persistence and Two Days, became wildly popular with rock fans.
"My early works expressed my angry and restless life, especially around 2000. Looking back today, the anxiety, heartbreaks and dreams seem inevitable," he says. "Now, my life is quiet and stable. I like reading books and playing sports. For me, this is not a symbol of getting old but a reflection of an ability to think of other people who love me."
His fans can see this change especially since his third album Time, Roam. The sense of desperation and loneliness that characterized Xu's previous works have been replaced with warm and positive lyrics, and easy tunes.
"I would like to thank all of you for joining my concert. It is like a big party and you are all my friends and family," he said, while singing It's New For Every Moment and The Blue Lotus at his concert The Day in Beijing this April.
Dou Wei, former lead vocalist for the popular rock band Black Panther, held his first show of the year earlier this month. The singer, now 40, did not sing on stage with his new band, but only played the tunes on different instruments. When some feverish women fans shouted, "Dou Wei, I love you", the singer, smiling shyly, said "Thank you, but I am sorry".
Before the show, the Beijing native, who rarely promoted himself, talked with media about his music after years of experimentation and withdrawing from the public spotlight.
"My life is simple now, staying at home, eating noodles and riding my bicycle. I feel free ... and have found my own pace for making music," he says slowly.
For those who have followed these rock stars for years, they are not just symbols of Chinese rock history but also their personal, spiritual friends.
"I collected their albums and will keep them forever. They are growing up, and so am I," said a rock fan surnamed Li at Dou's show. "It is OK that they are no longer coming out with new songs as frequently as before. There are new rock acts today to release youth anger.
"The older generation has given us great songs and memories."
"We continue to look forward to their new works with their different understandings and interpretations of life."
