Chapter 41: Must You Force Me to Put on an Act?

Zhang Tianshuo is certainly an unavoidable figure in the history of Huaguo rock, one of the godfathers of China's first generation of rock.

In the 80s, he, along with Cui Jian, Tang Dynasty, and Black Panther, carried the banner of Huaguo rock.

Even though he has basically retired behind the scenes now, starting to focus on the business of running a bar to make money, his popularity is still there, especially in Sanlitun, which is hailed as the branch office of the domestic entertainment circle.

Rebels, literary youths, and rock fanatics are everywhere here, just like the young men and women currently playing the human wave under the stage.

Li Hengli very skillfully had someone record the whole thing, which could not only serve as promotional material for his bar but also prevent any uncontrollable scenes in subsequent conflicts, so as to leave evidence.

With our country's accession to the WTO and the successful bid for the Olympics, the "Beiping Housing Demolition Notice" has been officially issued to all bar merchants on Sanlitun South Street.

He also did not want to have any friction at this time node, getting himself into trouble.

As the song ended, the audience cheered loudly; fans rarely get to see Zhang Tianshuo take the stage, and they clapped as if money were no object.

Cui Jian also came today, and under the coaxing and crowding of fans, he helplessly took the stage and picked up the microphone.

"The sauce for the noodles I ate tonight was a bit salty, so I won't be singing today, ha!"

A burst of polite laughter erupted from the audience.

Cui Jian continued: "I still want to take advantage of the atmosphere warmed up by Master Zhang to advocate that all of us singers must sing live and continue to dedicate wonderful performances to the audience!"

"Good!", "Well said!"

He is not missing any opportunity to promote his philosophy.

Starting in 2002, Cui Jian launched a "Live Singing Movement" in the music scene, virtually becoming a social activist, waving his arms and shouting to gain the support of Luo Dayou from Wan Province, Latin diva Mariana, and others.

He even blurted out in a music festival that "Na Ying just likes to lip-sync," causing great controversy, and the spearhead was also pointed directly at the "Spring Festival Gala" and "The Same Song."

This Yehenara clan member, who was labeled with a lip-syncing scandal, was also at the scene today, drinking with her sisters Wang Fei and Ke Lan on the second-floor VIP area, having been watching the fun the whole time.

Seeing that there was more and more fun today, Ke Lan raised her wine glass and teased: "Yingzi, aren't you going up to sing one to slap him in the face?"

"Who cares about him!"

She immediately pointed to Lu Kuan walking toward the stage and smiled: "I like this handsome young man; that thing about the Dunhuang murals earlier was too funny, it roasted that dead fatty so hard he was left speechless."

That's right, Yingzi had also been bullied by Zhang Tianshuo, and having just been squeezed by Cui Jian, she was quite in solidarity now.

Wang Fei believes in Buddhism, and it is said that it is even the Joyous Buddha, but she was more interested in the occult colors on him.

"It is said that this person spotted Mei Yanfang's cancer in Xiangjiang, and now it is being spread as something miraculous."

She debuted in Xiangjiang and has numerous news sources in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and because of the recent scandal between Xie Tingfeng and Mei Yanfang's manager Wang Minhui, she learned of this gossip.

Ke Lan is a second-generation with a red background and doesn't believe in these strange powers and chaos, but she has no lack of good feelings for Lu Kuan, who has a good appearance.

"Yingzi, the enemy of an enemy is a friend. I guess his song is a lost cause. Go help him out in a while to annoy Zhang Tianshuo."

Before Na Ying could answer, Lu Kuan, who had already reached the stage, picked up the microphone and cleared his throat.

"Let's get this straight: others charge money to sing, but I charge lives to sing. I won't be responsible for anything that happens later."

A burst of laughter erupted from the audience, and there was no lack of fans applauding.

Just as Na Ying said, the vulgar memes of later generations popping out of Lu Kuan's mouth were pure humor in the present, very capable of winning the favor of passersby.

Who doesn't like a prankster?

"A song, 'Heart of a Red-Blooded Dreamer,' for everyone. If I crack my voice later, please don't be stingy with your applause!"

There are many songs that can be copied, but this is the only one Boss Lu can play and sing himself.

Most of the people who come to bars at night in this era to pick up girls and have fun are post-80s, and they should have more resonance with this style of song.

Furthermore, this song is all about emotion, no technique required, which fits Boss Lu's plain voice very well.

A few sparse guitar preludes almost laughed Zhang Tianshuo to death, who was watching the show with his arms crossed; this was too amateurish.

"Where exactly is the world full of flowers? If it really exists, then I will definitely go."

"I want to stand on the highest peak there, not caring if it is a cliff or a precipice."

The entire audience did not hesitate to let out sneers; could this also be called rock?

Except for that handsome face and the ape-backed, wasp-waisted figure on the stage, such a plain, water-like melody was hard to resonate with them.

Zhou Xun and Fan Bingbing couldn't bear to look, regretting not dragging Lu Kuan away just now.

This time, the embarrassment was certain, but fortunately, the person involved seemed to have good psychological quality and didn't care about the commotion under the stage at all.

"Living hard, loving hard, even if I have to sacrifice my life; I don't ask for anyone's satisfaction, as long as I can justify it to myself."

"Regarding ideals, I have never chosen to give up, even in the days when I was covered in dust."

Lu Kuan clumsily manipulated the guitar and finished the first four lines; Zhang Tianshuo was already looking forward to the winner's settlement screen after his song ended.

Cui Jian, however, faintly tasted some meaning; he used C-key fingering, but sang in A-key, which meant...

By the chorus, the accompanist's key would fall far behind the singing key; it is difficult for a singer who is not very strong in stage strength and live control to finish the performance without cracking their voice.

Wang Fei's ex-husband was a rock master, so naturally, she easily discovered this ridiculous blunder; is this being too confident?

But from these first four lines, it is hard to hear any reason for this Lu Kuan to be confident.

Except for the positive lyrics, everything else was really unremarkable.

Fan Bingbing looked at the small number of booing audience members and felt a bit indignant: "I think it sounds quite good, and the lyrics are sunny and positive, unlike the current songs that are all about love."

This is not her sucking up; the ideals, struggles, and the willingness to sacrifice one's life in the lyrics to justify oneself fit her current state of mind and life journey very well.

From Wan Province to the mainland, and then to the Hong Kong circle, Fan Bingbing, who is still hovering between the second and third lines, felt some empathy.

Zhang Yadong was as calm as ever, giving an impartial evaluation: "The 4/4 rhythm is brisk, and the song has a strong sense of forward momentum. If you add some bass and drum beats, it would be okay."

This kind of evaluation is based on the fact that Lu Kuan is still an outsider who has almost never been exposed to music production, even though he just bragged about writing songs for Fan Bingbing himself.

But then again, being able to fill in a lyric in just 10 minutes, at least his literary literacy is not low.

"Maybe my hands are clumsy, but I am willing to keep exploring."

"Giving all my youth without leaving any regrets."

Zhang Tianshuo and Cui Jian clinked glasses, already starting to think in their hearts how to ridicule this pretty boy later.

You call this rock? It's like a monk chanting scriptures.

Suddenly, the singer's suddenly erupting vocal style on stage made his temples jump; he looked at the roaring Lu Kuan in a daze.

(End of chapter)