勇於求變及接受新的挑戰，可說是劉詩敏青商的主要成功要素。白羊座的Sylvia 笑言自己對號入座，完全符合自己星座的特性—「做嘢會衝埋去」，以及「坐唔定」。當然Sylvia正面與樂觀的性格亦幫她在工作和社會服務上克服不少困難。

 

曾當過唱片騎師的Sylvia是獅子山青年商會2005年的社會發展董事。她現在是創藝傳訊的執行董事。創藝傳訊是她在2004年時自資開辦的，主要為其他公司統籌活動。而公司在這三年中所統籌的活動也愈來愈大。

 

在工作上，Sylvia笑言自己常常都想「去遠啲」。「有些人去到A的時候，就會停留在A裡，享受在A的感覺。但當我去到A的時候，就會想去B。」

 

其實Sylvia選擇開PR公司，與她做DJ的經驗有很大的關係 -做ＤＪ其實三分二時間開咪, 三分一時間用在舉辦活動。跟隨家人移民到澳洲，Sylvia在那裡讀High School，而在讀大學的時候，為了賺取零錢，Sylvia到了一間華人電台做DJ。之後1997年跟隨家人回流香港，到商業電台做DJ，是《開心看天下》的其中一個主持人。

 

「我做電台其中一個抱負是我很想將一啲正面的訊息帶出去。因為我是一個很正面的人。我覺得人是應該互相幫助。有時我看見有些人自殺、虐兒等……我會想電台可不可以帶出一些正面的信息呢?」

 

劉詩敏與青商的緣份則是她轉到新城電台時結下的。當時新城英文台想開一個節目幫新移民，但當時未能找到DJ主持。「我當時是新城的Operation manager，但我看到如果找不到DJ，這個節目便做不成，我認為這節目的理想和我做DJ的理念基本是一樣的，所以我就主持這個節目。」

 

正因為這樣，在2002年Sylvia參與了獅子山青商旗艦project義不容「遲」 (GIGV)。當年GIGV主題是幫助新移民，由前會長Gloria領導。03、04年GIGV司儀亦是由Sylvia擔任，到2004年，Sylvia正式加入Lion Rock。

 

「青商擴闊了我的人際網絡，在青商真的可以認識很多人。」

 

今年年初，Sylvia、Gloria及副會長Eric及Wayne組成了一個非牟利機構--- Givers,旨在聯合其他私人機構和年青人，為社會服務。

 

除了自己的公司，青商和傑出生命計劃外，Sylvia還要兼顧教會工作及未來一年讀有關counseling的碩士。「就是因為這樣忙，才需要讀個counseling的碩士來輔導自己。」Sylvia笑說。

 

當國際青年世界會長Scott Greenlee第一次在工作時扮演管理的角色時，他認為自己需要在工作各階層上都要事事過問，以收管理之效。

 

「The biggest problem I had in leadership as a person in my mid-20s was the desire to do everything myself. I was a very bad delegate.」

 

「I had trust in people, but not that much trust.」

 

希望將每一樣工作做到最好，Greenlee說自己卻忽略了同事的感受，結果令他們感到沮喪。當時24歲的Greenlee在美國一間跨國電訊公司初次擔任領導的工作，幸好得到上司和同事的提點，才發現自己越界做了同事應做的工作。

 

現在，作為一間political consultancy firm的老闆，Greenlee呼籲年青的管理或領導人要把權力及責任下放，因為這才是專業的管理。他說自己可以很早發現這個問題，是較幸運的一個，希望可以與他人分享自己的經驗。

 

Greenlee認為青年商會是一個很好的平台，給年青的管理人員嘗試把權力和責任下放。透過參與不同的工作計劃和擔任董事，青商可以試驗逐步把權力和責任下放，而把有關的經驗應用在自己的工作上。

 

在領導方面，Greenlee笑言自己在求學時期已是一位領導者，是校中football team的隊長。當時的他已懂得激勵隊員士氣。

 

「I try to motivate them to work harder and practice...motivate them that even though we’re 10 points down and we have 30 seconds to go, we might still win if we can get the right shots」

 

在24歲那年，在一位同事的介紹下，加入了他美國家鄉密西根州的青年商會。他慶幸加入了青商，擴展了他的人際網絡，對他的工作有很大的幫助。

 

加入青商大概十年後，Greenlee找到了一個新的目標 — 做JCI世界會長，而在他加入青商15年後，他達到了目標，成了2007年度世界會長。在上月，他來到香港馬不停蹄，連跑很多活動。

 

被問及下年卸任後會忙些什麼，Greenlee 說他會幫美國共和黨總統候選人競逐明年總統大選, 而自已亦可能踏足美國政冶舞台, 但未有具體計劃。

 

Greenlee早在美國的電訊公司任職，其後自己開辦了私人電訊公司，但由於要準備成為JCI的世界會長，兩年後即2005年，Greenlee選擇了成為自顧人士，成為political consultant。

 

對香港的感覺，Greenlee說：「Hong Kong is great. I am very impressed that it seems like the business spirit is always in overdrive, is always very excited to learn more, to meet more people and to take the business opportunity very seriously.」

 

堅持履行企業的責任及取之社會，用於社會是獅子山青年商會前會長梁美儀的成功之道，亦可說是她做人的座右銘。

 

Gloria笑言自己來自小康之家，又是家中十個兄弟姊妹中最年輕的，自己沒有家庭財政上的負擔，所以什麼事情都可以放膽去試。亦是因為這樣，她可毫無顧慮地在1989年創立了人力資源公司ExcelNet Recruitment Services (HK) Ltd，並踏上企業家的道路。

 

曾在跨國獵頭公司工作的Gloria，看到自己並非native speaker，工作發展的空間有限，便毅然創立自己的公司，專門幫其他公司尋找一些較低職位的職員如秘書。

 

「當時我的opportunity cost很低，公司的start-up成本，包括租金成本都比較低，就算真的失敗了，我們還可以再出來打工。」

 

Gloria認為自己的真正考驗是1997年的金融風暴。「那時候，整個行業都在萎縮。我亦常常跟下屬開會，叫他們要有心理準備，要勒實褲頭。」

 

但性格樂天的Gloria在危難中亦看到了機遇。「Human resources這一行一向都是良莠不齊，金融風暴其實可以淘汰一些不夠專業的人力資源公司。」

 

當時Gloria只在想如何與員工共渡難關，並沒有想過結束公司。「我覺得公司的情況還未到要關閉的地步。我亦需要考慮我的員工。」

 

「我有一個vision — 只要市場有一個職位空缺，ExcelNet就有存在的價值。」

 

面對危機，Gloria認為公司要轉型 — 從以往只攻中下階層的職位，延伸到包括高層聘請。而公司亦會找緊MPF推出機遇而提供外判聘請服務和接一些operational的project，不只限於聘請。

 

在管理方面，Gloria採用了friend management 的方法，自己和員工一起工作。「我的管理手法可能和書本所講的不同，書本說的是由上而下一層一層的管理。」但事實證明Gloria的管理成效顯注，員工流失很少出現。

 

在2002年，當Gloria還清在97年前置業而衍生的債務及把公司推向正軌後，她希望找個喘息的機會。當時Gloria其中一個客人是半島青商前會長並向她介紹了青年商會，這使她與獅子山青年商會結下不解緣。對於Gloria，加入青商的主要目的是參與社會義務工作及回饋社會。當年的義不容「遲」計劃是幫助新移民來港的青少年，是Gloria的一個難忘及美好的回憶。

 

「當我見到他們在台上做interview的時候，我真的很開心，我的開心是在這裡講不出來的。」從義務社會工作，及她姐夫患上癌症而逝世，Gloria深深體會到金錢並非生命最重要的東西。

 

「我們不能控制生命的長短，但我們可以使生命豐盛。」「我希望做到如果我的生命在任何一刻完結，我亦會無憾。」

 

Gloria說她未來的挑戰包括要把公司的業務衝出香港，到世界更多地方。而她亦擔任了一些義務機構的董事，包括康復力量。最近Gloria和Sylvia、Eric和Wyne組成了一非牟利機構 Givers, 旨在聯合其他私人機構和年青人，為社會服務。

 

但對於充滿passion的Gloria來說，應付這些挑戰應是遊刃有餘吧!

 

專訪蕭若元 - 管理, 戲劇和閱讀人生

 

對於蕭若元, 相信大家都會想起才子, 因為他博學多才而且想像力豐富, 創作了很多經典劇集如天蠶變, 唐伯虎點秋香。 而他又主持電台鋒煙節目, 曾和鄭大班打對台。但唔講唔知, 其實蕭公子也是一位成功的企業家! 短短三十分鐘的訪問, 蕭公子道盡他的管理哲學, 事業路途和對追求知識看法。

 

“有三種人不能用。” 蕭若元一講到管理哲學就侃侃而談。

“第一是唔教聽的人，第二是一憤世疾俗的人: 對所有嘢都negative, 第三就是太懶的人。”

五十七歲的蕭若元現在是一間美容公司的主席, 每天工作八至九小時, 並業餘兼任一網上電台的主持。

他認同General Electric 的主席Jack Welch 的見解: “人是不能managed 的, 物件才可以managed。 人是要lead 的, 要motivate 的。”

除了管理外, 一向擅長度橋的蕭公子, 最近在生意上想到一條絕橋 – 用藝人作整容代言人, 相信大家都知道是那一位了。目的是要改變公眾對整容的看法。

  

蕭若元的事業道路充滿傳奇。 他早年曾到日本接受證券訓練, 其後回港創辦東泰證券。 在1972-1976, 蕭公子分別創立了地產和雲石公司, 上市後獲收購。

在1974, 他伙拍劉家傑在無線電視作新聞主播, 五年後轉到麗的電視作新聞主播。

1980-1993 可说是蕭若元在電視劇和電影業的颠峯時期 – 他編的800集電視劇包括天蠶變和大地恩情, 60部電影包括最多中國人着的唐伯虎點秋香, 法內情和省港奇兵等。

回歸後, 蕭公子選擇到新城電台開咪, 論盡家事國事, 和鄭大班打對台。 2003-2004年倒董後專注美容公司業務。

 

由於現在工作較忙,蕭若元減少了看書的時間。 “以前除了工作和睡覺, 其他時間都在看書。” 他一天睡六至七小時。

蕭公子說他的閱讀是 “無目的和無追求的, 只是為了興趣”。而所得的知識很的時都用不着。中二的他已看紅樓夢. 中三便看李敖和殷海光。 與書分不開的他用了五十年來看歷史, 亦用了6年時間鑽研術數。 最近他则醉心於evolution psychology 和quantum physics.

雖然博學多才, 蕭公子仍認為自己的知識不夠“深”, 蕭公子也真的太謙了。

 

Commemorating the death of John Lennon on December 8 is like commemorating June 4, or going to the Lunar New Year fair at Victoria Park, no matter how busy you are, you still squeeze time to do something for it.    

 

Around this time every year, it’s natural to feel unease. This moment in December - such an important month, apart from Christmas and farewell for the year, John Lennon is certainly a theme as well.

 

The story of The Beatles is rich in content and much more interesting and … sad, compared with what you can see in a movie or TV program. But to visualise the band's journey, you have to listen to their songs, read their books, understand the rock and roll culture some five decades ago, particularly in schools and clubs.

 

And Liverpool.

 

John Lennon will not be John Lennon if he was born somewhere else. The depression-hit Liverpool had profound impact on Lennon’s subsequent productions during and after the late Beatles. I always want to go to this city, maybe someday when I have enough money, I will land to the Liverpool John Lennon Airport, which has a slogan – Above us only sky.

 

Some background: Vocalist and rhythm guitarist John Lennon, playing in clubs in England in early 1960s, met bassist and vocalist Paul McCartney who later introduced guitarist George Harrison to the band. Drummer Ringo Starr later joined the band after the original drummer fucked up.

               

Inspirations flooded in as Lennon and McCartney started to compose. The Beatlemania, highlighted by such songs as I Wanna Hold Your Hand and A Hard Day’s Night and the fab four’s hair style, swept through England and conquered America. Lennon and McCartney wrote a song in a cab when they went touring in 1963, while they wrote the Sgt Pepper album in the studio ‘eyeball to eyeball’. 

 

In 1965, the band began some musical experiments and indulged in drugs, meditation and later had a vacation in India where they found new inspirations - after being fed up with the gigs and their usual catchy tones.

 

Tensions in the studio grew gradually with the band mates heading to different music directions and Lennon’s growing indifferent attitudes towards the band after meeting his second wife Ono Yoko in her art exhibition. Not appreciated to have Yoko, a female, in the studio when they were recording songs, the other members simply ignored and humiliated her - a major reason for the band’s split in 1970. The band’s last performance was on a rooftop in Liverpool.

 

Then John began his new life in America, where he had great difficulty in gaining the citizenship and was being identified as a politician involved in treason activities when he openly criticized the America’s involvement in the Vietnam war. He also got through hassles in fighting for the custodial right of Yoko’s daughter, but their effort proved in vain.     

 

In 1980, when he finally returned to the studio, he was assassinated. After the killing, fans around the globe, with candles in their hands, mourned the working class hero.

Lennon, 40, was shot dead in Manhattan on December 8, 1980, by Mark David Chapman, who said in 1991 that he was under "total compulsion" to kill Lennon. "It was like a train, a runaway train, there was no stopping it," said Chapman, who shattered hopes for a re-union of The Beatles.

The other three ex-Beatles, together with Lennon's widow Yoko, completed his three unfinished songs, including Grow Old Along With Me and Real Love.

However rich but short his life is, ultimately it should be the lyrics and melodies that have captured the essence of the life journey and turned people on. Here are some of my favorites:  

- ‘Living is easy with eyes closed
Misunderstanding all you see’ - Strawberry Fields

 

-‘So this is Christmas,

And what have you done’ – Happy X’mas 

 ‘All these places had their moments

With lovers and friends, I still can recall

Some are dead and some are living

In my life, I loved them all’ – In My Life

Each of the songs has its background, but what appear in the songs are something universal, something that can trigger your thought about your life, the world, a generic event or a particular event. Your mind can simply follow what the songs take you to.   

Humor is the other thing that makes John Lennon a genius and stands out among other genius. Humor makes him more ‘human’ than other geniuses. John was on his way back home and was asked by a fan when the band would re-unite. John said “Tomorrow”. 

He was staging a “Bed Peace, Hair peace” campaign in which he and wife Yoko stayed in bed to peach peace. A maverick went messing around his campaign and said John did not write songs for him. John, in response, said he wrote songs especially for him. 

But talent and wealth couldn’t make Lennon happy after the release of his landmark album Imagine. His regrets included not being able to see McCartney again after the band’s split (as blocked by Yoko), not spending enough time to his son Julian Lennon.     What Lennon lacked was the courage to get things done. Indulgence in smoking, drugs, sex and alcohol, Lennon could not set his focus on anything, despite the fact that he always want to compose. 

Okay, so much history now. I would let Lennon’s lyrics to end this article.  

‘And so this is Christmas

For weak and for strong

For rich and the poor ones

The world is so wrong

And so happy Christmas

For black and for white

For yellow and red ones

Let's stop all the fight’ - Happy X’mas 

‘Grow old along with me

Two branches of one tree

Face the setting sun

When the day is done

God bless our love

God bless our love’ - Grow old along with me

 

‘Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup

They slither wildly as they slip away across the universe

Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my open mind

Possessing and caressing me

Jai Guru Deva OM

 

Nothing's gonna change my world

Nothing's gonna change my world

Nothing's gonna change my world

Nothing's gonna change my world

 

Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes

They call me on and on across the universe

Thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letter box

They tumble blindly as they make their way across the universe

Jai Guru Deva OM

 

Nothing's gonna change my world

 

Sounds of laughter shades of live are ringing through my open ears

Inciting and inviting me

Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns

It calls me on and on, across the universe

Jai Guru Deva OM

 

Nothing's gonna change my world’ – Across The Universe

 

 ‘Imagine there's no countries

It isn't hard to do

Nothing to kill or die for

And no religion too

Imagine all the people

Living life in peace’ - Imagine

 

‘People say I'm lazy dreaming my life away

Well they give me all kinds of advice designed to enlighten me

When I tell them that I'm doing fine watching shadows on the wall

Don't you miss the big time boy you're no longer on the ball?

 

I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round

I really love to watch them roll

No longer riding on the merry-go-round

I just had to let it go’ - Watching The Wheels

 

ENDS

Asian Voice

 

 

Chapter 1

 

Alex Chan had difficulty sleeping that night. A chance to meet Ono Yoko, the wife of his idol John Lennon. It is just something too remote for him a month ago. But now the opportunity is here. But even if he sees her, he has no idea what should he do. Asking for an autograph, perhaps.

 

At the age of 40, Alex is now operating a bar, Heaven Can Wait, in Wan Chai after quitting his job as an operation manager of the Hong Kong securities watchdog two years ago. His decision had met with laughter of his former colleague, but he didn’t not care. The bar, which has a stage for people to perform music, has been so far making a loss, exactly what he predicted before. But he is pleased that it has become a hub for metalheads and bands at night time. He has never questioned himself about the decision of opening the bar, nor the way it operates.

That’s just what he wants.

In the afternoon, he switches on the hi-fi and plays some oldies, 1960s - 1980s, while at night, he considers it’s time to rock and plays metal and heavy rock musics.

Since the bar’s inception, he got some interviews by local media, mainly magazines and newspapers. But he found the questions crappy - “Can you tell me what’s special about this bar?” “What happened to you and trigger your decision to open this bar”

Come on, it doesn’t need to have something happened to me to open a bar, he thought.

And what’s special? You should tell me what’s special, not the other way round. “Nothing special,” he answered duly.

 

Apart from the nuisance from reporters and the landlord coming to ask for rental increase, Alex is quite happy with the premise, where he meets his new friends.

Many of them come at late night. Occasionally after their gigs, the bands celebrate at the bar.

He is particularly fond of The White Elephant, a band that is weird in the eyes of other, even their music counterparts. The reason is simple - they all hold university degrees, with one even got a master.

“What the hell they get playing? They should be sitting in the office typing computers. Why should they grab the hell of the guitar and drum sticks,” Alex once heard another band talking about The White Elephant.

Alex met this band on the first week of the bar’s operation. At that time, the band members - Eden (guitar, vocal), Stuart (bass), Jessie (vocal, keyboard) and Charlie (drums) were still doing their studies. Alex had a deep impression of Jessie because she was the former president of the University of Hong Kong student union. She made a lot of noise, as far as Alex can recall.

 

Alex noticed Jessie when she stepped into the bar that day. She looked curious as she didn’t notice its existence previously. Alex greeted her and she ordered a drink. Alex saw her making some calls and three other people arrived shortly, sat down and started to discuss something. At that time, Alex thought they were all members of the student union and were planning some sort of social actions. But instead, they talked about songs and some sort of gigs.

After they came to the bar a few times later, Alex became their friend. They virtually talked about everything. 

 

A woman in her 30s came to the bar one day, asking to see Alex. “Hi, This is Alex, what can I do for you?”

“Oh, hi, this is Fion Man from The Standard,” the lady said.

Alex frowned and said: “Oh Fion, how are you? I’m sorry I didn’t return your call. I am busy these days and getting dizzy.”

Fion was obviously not convinced with what he said. “The reason I’m calling and coming is that I’m writing a feature story on the 25^th anniversary of the death of John Lennon. Someone gave me your contact number and said you might be able to help,” she said.

Alex was a bit surprised about what she said, because he thought she was just another folk coming to ask why he set up this bar and what’s so special.

“Let’s talk. Do you want a drink? Coffee? Tea?” Alex led Fion to a table.

“Ice coffee will be fine, thanks,” she said.

Alex waved a staff member to get two ice coffees.

“My friend told me you are a super-fan of Lennon and you know a lot of his fans in Hong Kong as well. At this moment, my feature story will focus on Lennon’s influence to them throughout these years and what they are going to do to mark the 25^th anniversary.”

“Sounds interesting, how can I help?” Alex asked.

“Perhaps we can start with you. Yeah, how did you get in touch with Lennon’s songs?”

“Ummm, that’s my university days. Let me put it simple. I listened to some oldies, such as Bee Gees, and one day, a friend asked ‘how about Beatles?’. Then I bought a Beatles album, the greatest hits, and became hooked with the band,” said Alex, as their drinks arrived, he continued “Then I bought a VCD, Imagine - a documentary and a biography of John Lennon. From his forming of the Beatles, marriage, then indulged in drugs, meditation, the spilt of the band and he life in The US, I just found all these fascinating. I started playing his songs again and again. That’s it.”

Fion appeared to be spellbound and it seems she found the right person.

Then she asked questions about what’s unique about Lennon, how does it change his concept of life …..

“What’s great about Lennon? I think it’s his attitudes, his behaviour. He never disappointed you when he was under the spotlight. He always showed a sense of humour, no matter how hard he lived. To him, there is no compromise. When he wanted to say something, such as his anger over the Americans participation in the Vietnam war, he just said it straight, no matter he was in front of the camera, or he was writing songs.”

The question seemed to have turned Alex on and he went on and on.

When the interview came to an end, Alex gave her the contact number of The White Elephant. “Perhaps you can talk to Eden of The White Elephant. He’s young, but try talk to him. I’m just an audience of Lennon. Eden plays the songs, he may be able to tell you what it is like playing the songs, … I don’t know, …..”

 

Two days later, Alex saw Fion coming to the bar with Eden. Alex greeted them and proceeded with their orders. Because he had an appointment, Alex assured them to sit comfortably and order whatever they wanted and all would be on the house. He then left the bar. 

 

 

Chapter 2

 

Jessie and Eden were talking to the microphone for a live interview of an on-line radio programme. They were invited by Yeah.com to talk about the band, their latest album and most important of all, to respond to some negative comments about the band imitating the music of a renowned old band – The Beatles.

“Today we have The White Elephant’s Jessie and Eden with us sharing their thoughts about their latest album and …..” the DJ carried on with a brief background of the group.

Jessie started to introduce the concept behind the album. “The theme is about Justice. We think this is a big question we all have to face. That is why it’s titled ‘A Matter of Life and Death’.

“The album starts with three heavy rocks in which we express how we loath big corporations squeeze staff wages, how globalisation results in local unemployment and destroy the uniqueness of each country… Then from the middle of the album, we start to explore how the world can be a better place to live, we deliberately inject some illusion element there, which, I don’t know, may be an irony indeed - that a better world is just an illusion,” Jessie said.

The host decided it’s time to play hard.

“Some people say your song, Share, is very similar to Beatles’ All you need is Love. A member of us even upload both songs to our website for people to compare. How do you respond to their accusations that you are copying the Beatles? Personally I found the two songs very similar too, especially the chorus,” the DJ shot to the heart of the matter.

“Let me answer this question,” said Eden. “Yes, in a way, what they say is true,” he said.

There is a stun silence as the host was waiting Eden to go on.

“We write the song base on All You Need Is Love, no doubt about it. But we believe the underlying message could be expressed in a stronger manner and more powerful. We made the sounds more compelling, we want the message to pound in people’s heart and so we choose a bass-lead and bass-dominant style. We have rewritten the lyrics a bit, adding some modern element about love. Now I think people will be interested in why we still keep the ‘shadow’ of the old Beatles song. The answer is we don’t know, we just think the basics of the song is too good to be replaced.

“We just do not want to make something different for the sake of difference. If we think this is what we think is prefect, just leave it like that,” he said.          

 

After leaving the studio, Jessie and Eden headed to Heaven Can Wait to meet the other two members.

Alex came to greet them. “I heard what you said on the web, you sound great, but a bit angry at the end.”

“Did I? I just tell what it is all about,” Eden said.

Alex did enjoy the on-line interview a few minutes ago, especially when they talked about their musical career after graduating from The University of Hong Kong. Alex knew it all, but it was still refreshing to listen to Jessie going through their path again.

Jessie has some musical background but not really into it. Then it comes to her term as the president of HKU student union. She organised many social actions, protests, marches, rallies, fasting. But then she began to think about the way forward, how can the messages last longer? A protest can arouse public attention for two days, including newspaper coverage next day, but it’s just a little spark and very likely not making any difference. And the next student president can continue with the protests, no worries. As she was still finding herself at a loss, she noticed Eden and bandmate Stuart carrying their guitars very often in the campus. She saw them anchoring themselves at the centre of the piazza, singing songs to peach peace and criticising social pitfalls. Jessie felt comfortable sitting there and watched them singing. And she got her answer. She wanted to form a band. She wanted to spread her message through songs. It doesn’t matter if the message can reach out immediately, somehow, someday, the message will reach the right persons.

“Hi, you are the president of the Student Union?” Eden asked Jessie as he saw her sitting there the whole afternoon.

“Oh, that’s a few months ago, my term has come to an end and I’m a normal student now,” said Jessie, who continued: “I found it great, I mean what you are doing. Can I join you guys?”

Eden was surprised to hear what she said but he decided to see what she wanted.

They talked for a long time in the piazza, their topics range from their study majors to current affairs, to music. When they got hungry, they go get some food together.

They worked out later that they would write songs by themselves, with Eden and Jessie being the main vocals. With some background in piano, Jessie started to learn various music instruments, including guitar, keyboard and drums to enhance her music sense. But most important of all, she worked really hard on writing lyrics. She could spend hours studying others’ works and spend days to fine-tune her own creations.

While Eden’s favourite artist is John Lennon of The Beatles, Jessie was fascinated by The Cardigans, a Swedish band defining themselves to be “between Celine Dion and Pavarotti”. Jessie saw the transformation of this band. She visualised how the virtually splitting of the Swedish band resulted in some subsequent musical bombardment when they re-united 5 years later. She was especially fascinated with the group’s ability to dispatch virtually any scenario in their productions, which embedded a heavy sense of attitude. Music with an attitude, yeah, that’s her way forward.              

Throughout the two years after the formation of The White Elephant, they issued three albums. The responses were not good, mainly because of a lack of positioning of the band. They also have doubts about what there are doing. Who are their target audience? What they wanted to achieve? The problems have been bothering them since the release of their first album. What matters is not money but what exactly it is. Now they have just released their third album. While the market response is not encouraging, they somehow find it a step forward to the right path.

 

This night, Alex is sitting at the Tsim Sha Tsui Hardrock café, waiting for a band show. He saw members of The White Elephant and greeted them. “Hey you are all here. Shouldn’t all of you be somewhere selling and promoting your records? Your manager will fire you all if he knows you are here,” Alex said jokingly. “Oh come on, it’s time to rock, we have been spilling blood these days attending those fucking radio and tv shows, doing MTVs and liasing with marketing guys. It’s just time to rock,” said Jessie.

“Just kidding, I’ve waited for the show for a long time, The Puppies is doing quite well these days , ……”

 

“Hey, how are you? I have to say thank you again. The story about John Lennon is published today and here it is,” Fion greeted Alex as she sat down.

“Thank you, it looks great. Let me take a read of it,” Alex said as he took The Standard.

The first sentence went:

‘Until the sound of the last note fades away along with the wind, Eden Kwok put down his guitar and sighed. He said he had a regret similar to that of heavy-weight rocker Wong Koon-Chung. “Wong once said he had a regret. He was born so late that he couldn’t attend the Wood’s Stock concert in 1969. My regret is I can’t witness the last concert of The Beatles held on a roof top in Liverpool in 1970”’

I didn’t notice this, Alex thought.

After going through the rest of the story, Alex said to Fion “I should be the one to say thank you. You wrote such a good story for Lennon and his fans in Hong Kong.”

“As I pursue this story, I started listening to songs of The Beatles and John Lennon again. I found the feeling very different after I have talked to you guys,” Fion said.

“Oh really, the people you have talked to are kind of die-hard Beatles fans.”

Alex went on talking about local bands and his customers.

“I found it very comfortable here, I should tell my colleague to come when they’re free. Any band shows to recommend to me?” Fion asked.

“Did you go to The Puppies’ show last weekend? That one is fantastic. Um … coming … oh yes, we will have three bands making a gig to pay tribute to Helloween next Friday night, I think you should come.”

“Is it the German band?”

“Yeah, the kids say they feel sorry for the split of the band recently. They say they grew up with the band and want to have a show ….”

“I meant to ask you last time but I forgot, how do you come up with the idea of having a space for the bands to do mini-gigs here?”

“It’s just a coincidence that the neighbouring shop decided to close. The landlord approached me asking me if the bar needs some kind of expansion. I thought it was ridiculous but the landlord say rent could be negotiated. I thought about it again and gave it a go.”

“Where did you find those kids to perform here?”

“I don’t find them, they find me. It just spreads out by words of mouth. Some kids really do well, while some are bad to be frank, but I don’t turn them down, because I like band sound and I know every band has its belief and story. I believe a place like this will be good for them.”

 

Eden took out the small piece of paper and began dialling the number on it.

“Hello is it Fion? Hi this is Eden Kwok. Thanks for sending me the article, I appreciate that a lot. I’d like to post it on my website, is it possible?”

“Sure, I’ll deal with the copyright thing. By the way, I’ve heard that there will be a show at Heaven Can Wait, sort of a tribute to Helloween, will you guys go for the show?” Fion asked.

“Oh yes, we’d love to go. It must be great to get drunk there.”

 

The show turned out to be fine and they all got crazy. As Fion, Alex, and The White Elephant sat down during the break, Alex began asking how the band fared recently.

“Seems so far so good, nothing special,” Eden said.

“We are still struggling with some inspirations, we did pick up our pen to write something, but they are just all shit,” Jessie said.

“Be patient, you will be doing fine, just relax,” said Alex.

When Fion asked what’s going on, Jessie and Eden told her their puzzles and uncertainty and their lack of position and drive.

“I’m not an expert in music and I know nothing about the career path of a band, but I think it needs time to develop. And don’t give a damn on what the people say, I see no problems for university graduates holding guitars and keyboards to earn a living.”

Fion seemed to have recalled something suddenly.

“Do you all fancy a meeting with John Lennon’s widow Ono Yoko? I got an e-mail from her yesterday saying she has read my article and is interested in meeting you. I have no idea how come she read my story. But why not, I mean going to Japan. It will be great if you can meet this lady, the owner of Japan’s biggest music company Apple.”

“What! Ono Yoko wants to see us?” Eden exclaimed. “That is unbelievable.”

“What do you say Alex?” Fion asked.

“Me? I also got invited? That’s interesting. I’m just a businessman, have nothing to do with music. … But I’d love to go.”

“Eden?”

“Well I need to ask our manager. I’ll give you a call tomorrow to confirm, okay?”

“Sure, I also need to check with Ono Yoko on some details. She invited me as well,” Fion said.

 

That night Alex and Eden had difficulty sleeping. Meeting John’s wife, Eden would rank it as the most important event of the year, perhaps in his life. But somewhere in his heart, he felt a little bit inferior and uncertain on whether this is indeed a good idea.

However, Eden found himself agreed next day to go to Japan.

 

Chapter 3

 

And there they go, Eden, Alex and Fion arrived the Apple Studio in Tokyo. Eden thought of bringing the albums of John and Yoko for autographs but scrapped the idea immediately when he gave it a second thought. It seemed childish. The three of them were greeted by Yoko’s assistant at the airport. The assistant, called Aiki, accompanied them to the Apple Studio by a limousine. 

Both Alex and Eden looked normal during the journey, they seldom talked and have no idea why the arrangement would be six days. At a point, Eden thought the whole thing is ridiculous but that was too late, he was in Japan now. Fion, on the other hand, seems much more relaxed. She kept talking to them, and when they don’t respond, she talked to the driver and Aiki.

Apple Studio is a two-block high-rise building with a big green apple logo outside. Inside, there are a number of studios, music libraries, entertainment zones and even sports facilities. According to the assistant Aiki, they know that Ono Yoko wants to provide an “environment” for the artists to make their albums. The libraries have an extensive collection of albums in alphabetical orders, occupying two floors. As they walked along some corridors, they found some graffiti on it. “This bit is done by Stone Roses, can’t believe it,” said Aiki. That painting is a naked girl. Along the way, they also saw, through the transparent windows of some studios, that some people were recording or playing music instruments. Some of them were smoking while there were also cans of beer and cokes on the floor.  

They finally reached the studio where they were supposed to meet Yoko.

They glanced around. It was a normal studio for a band, with all the necessary recording equipment, including amplifiers, drums and keyboards. There were also electric and acoustic guitars. After five minutes, an old lady came in.

“Hello, how are you? Thanks for going all the way here,” the old lady said.

Ono Yoko looked a bit older for her age.

“Nice to meet you Mrs Lennon,” Alex and Eden said.

“Just call me Yoko,” Yoko is a woman in her 60s, short hair carefully gelled, wearing glasses with metallic frame and light perfume.

“I enjoy very much of the feature story and I’m glad to see you all here. I’d love to have a chat with all of you,” her voice is a little bit authoritative indeed.

A chat, sounds a bit expensive and troublesome, Eden thought.

“As you know it is going to be the 25^th anniversary of the death of my husband, I’m busy attending media interviews and I’m finalising my biography. But I’m really delighted that in a place like Hong Kong, Lennon’s influence is still there and people still remember him. The reason why I’m calling all of you here is that I’d like to have you involved in some of my projects. I’ll tell you the details and ask for your opinion. But as to now, I’d love to know more about you. Eden, which song you like most? … I’m of course talking about Lennon’s collection.

“Um, it’s a difficult question. I can’t tell you a single song. But I like Real Love, Happy X’mas, Imagine, Watching The Wheels and Free as a Bird.”

“I guess you are still in your 20s, why do you like John and his song so much? You should be still a small kid when he died.”

“Oh. When I started to learn guitar four years ago, I used the scores of Beatles’ songs. As I kept practising, I started to read the lyrics and later continued to play John Lennon’s songs. I think the lyrics and melodies have a great impact on me,” Eden said.

“Good, now about you Alex. You are running a bar in Hong Kong, right? And bands can play there as well?

“Sort of, actually it’s nothing special. I got some money after I quitted my job. The bar is just business.”

“Is it? I heard you are the vice president of some kind of Beatles’ fan club in Hong Kong, can you tell me a bit more of what it does?”

“That’s a decade ago, I mean the fans club. Hong Kong did not have memorial fans club in the past. But a key member of a Hong Kong band, Beyond, died 10 years ago and then the fans set up a memorial fans club for him. And because he likes John Lennon a lot, the fans and also Lennon’s fans set up a memorial fans club for John as well. Now that two members of The Beatles have died and every year we have commemorations during their death anniversary, we have members arranged some shows and sometimes have some gatherings. But you know, the committee members are not professionals in this area and we don’t have funding, we can’t do a lot,” Alex said.

“I see, that sounds not too bad, I’m surprised that there is a Beatles’ fans club in Hong Kong. I used to think Hong Kong is a place where East meets West – which means nothing there. Forgive me for being too sceptical but that’s my perception. Before I tell you what I’ve in my mind, I would like Eden to get a guitar and sing Imagine. It’s just for fun,” she said.

Eden was quite surprised and was totally unprepared, but with Yoko’s encouragement, he got a five-string in the corner of the studio, tested the sound for a while and began singing. He tried hard to concentrate but still he found himself nervous. Yoko is quite happy to see Eden has limbo fingers and a soulful voice when he geared up singing. When he finished, Yoko led others to give applause.

“Very well, no need to be nervous,” she said and continued “Do you fancy to do some sort of recording in Japan? Now I’m having a project called Imagine – Asian Voice, which means I will have people from different Asian countries and cities to play a part in the song. I don’t want to pay celebrities who don’t know about John in this recording. Do you want to play a part? The album will be sold for charity purposes,” Yoko asked Eden.

Eden said after thinking for a while, “I have to talk to my bandmates before giving you the answer, you know I’m in a band and I can’t sign up any commercial deals without their consent.”

“Fair enough. Now Alex, I would like to give 1 million dollars, that means yens, to your fans club to support whatever it is doing. It’s not a big deal, but I do hope the next generations can have at least an opportunity to get in touch with John’s works, is it okay?”

“Oh that’s a huge sum, we haven’t got donation indeed so far. You are the first one. But unlike Eden, I can say yes to you now.”

“And Fion, if you have some time next morning, I will be happy to tell you a bit more about Apple’s plan for the 25th anniversary of Lennon’s death .... exclusively.”

“That will be great, I can cancel my leave after flying back Hong Kong because this will be a business trip, not a vacation,” said a happy Fion.

“Okay, it seems we are done today, should we go downstairs for some food?” Yoko said and led them the way out.

 

Chapter 4

 

The answer Eden got from his bandmates is “yes, go for it, don’t make us look bad”.

Fion and Alex told him that it was a chance in a lifetime.

But is it a good idea? What if he sings badly? What if people don’t listen to the song simply because they don’t know who the hell Eden Kwok is? If this is his own album, that doesn’t do any harm. If it’s others, he could simply say sorry if he screws up.

But it’s an album for John Lennon, his idol.

 

 

After confirming with Yoko that he would give it a go, Eden practised the song for two days for a 2 minute recording. Yoko was there watching. After five attempts, Yoko waved Eden and said “Why do you have to imitate John? If I want you to sing like him, why should I do another record? The point I’m making this album is “Asian voice”. By this, I mean Asian’s interpretation and also expression in their own way. I suggest you take a break tonight to think of singing the bit in your own way. Sometimes, just read the lyrics and feel it on your own, singing is just to express what you feel. That is what I do usually.”      

 

The bit is

“Imagine no possessions

I wonder if you can

No need for greed or hunger

A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people

Sharing all the world...

 

You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will live as one”

 

That night, Eden was upset after going back to his room. He had a sense of failure. He began to follow Yoko’s instruction to read the lyrics, close his eyes, and began to imagine...

 

“You sound great today!” said an excited Yoko. “It seems you can finally sing in your own voice. I think the recording is fine. You have achieved the mission. Congratulations!”

“I was thinking about how to sing it last night but then I slept. Kind of figuring out the way to sing in my dream, I guess. And I just rushed to the studio this morning. But I like this recording as well,” Eden said.

Yoko seems like to have remembered something and took out some papers from her bag. 

“I came up with this song last week when I was bringing my grandson to the kindergarten. I saw the gardener watering the plants and sweeping rubbish on the ground. I thought he must have done a good job. Let me share with you this,” said Yoko, who moved to a piano.

Although the song was still conceptual and that the joints between some sentences were not very good, Eden thought her musical talent was far better than all the people he met.

“My philosophy in making songs is simple, actually that’s what John taught me years ago. That is - songs tell you everything, and everything can be songs,” she said.

 

Returning to Hong Kong, Eden was so excited that he grabbed his bandmates and forced them to listen to his adventure and glance the photos in Japan. While they were all excited for a few days, their manager one day called them for a meeting to discuss the band’s future because the sales of their third album was disappointing.

“The problem, according to our survey, is that people find your songs too serious and the melodies are simply too boring,” the manager said over the phone.

After the call, the band wanted to forget all these and go out for beer. At Heaven Can Wait, they got drunk although Alex and Fion asked them not to drank that much.

Eden began to think about what Yoko said about songs. “Songs tell you everything, everything can be songs” Is it a motto? Oh come on, I’m not genius, I can’t understand this.

The other day, still three hours to go before meeting his friends, Eden decided to watch a movie by himself. The film was directed by former US vice-president Al Gore, about what he felt about pollution after he failed to get elected to be the president. Eden forgot about music as he watched, and he did share what this Al Gore say about the dark future for human being. He likes the idea of a vice-president making a movie telling people what he thinks. As the movie goes towards the end, Eden felt like being suddenly awaken. “I want to make a song for this” he told himself. Some words simply kept flowing in his mind and he immediately got a pen to write down. He called his friends to cancel the gathering and rushed to the studio to work that out, trying to fit the words into the notes he came up with last night.

Later on, with ideas keep popping into the minds of Eden and Jessie, the band began to become productive and they figured out their way forward. There is not need to find a target audience. Now need for a particular position. Just write whatever they can think of and sing it the way they like. 

 

Two years later, Eden was on the stage of the Hong Kong Stadium, giving a short speech after getting the best local creation prize from heavy-weight rocker Wong Koon Chung.

“First of all, I would like to thank all of you for supporting The White Elephant. We are happy that we still survive after four years since we formed the band. We have been in the dark, we have been at a loss. Somehow, we meet good people who keep giving us strength. In particular, we would like to thank Ono Yoko, who is not here today that …..”

 

ENDS  

Rebound

 

Joe was exhausted.

After the three-hour concert, and an hour of beer, he decided to leave. His partners were still celebrating at the bar for ending the seven-day gigs. Joe was really tired, they thought.

Yes, he was. But his mind was not resting but kept thinking … about the concerts, songs, the band’s future … and dreams.

 

‘Joe, are you okay?’

‘Yeah, I’m fine, just felt a bit uneasy last night. Ar, are you all fed up with the gigs?’

‘A bit, but saw them screaming, yelling, … yeah, it’s great.’ Gee was excited.

‘Nothing special.’ Ring hit the drum twice, ‘Bom, Bom,’ and they all laughed.

Paul smelled something wrong. ‘Joe, what is on your mind?’

‘I thought a lot last night, no sleep, and I’m getting tired, I mean, … I’m tired of the concerts, and those songs.’

‘What’s the matter with the songs? We wrote them together, they’re fantastic.’

Gee and Ring left the guitar and drums and came closer to Joe. ‘Joe, what is it?’

‘I don’t know, I feel … you know, we write pop songs, we talk about love, we slip away their chasing, we try to sound funny and stupid in front of them, … I’m pretty bored.’

‘Don’t be silly. We’re hot, we’re going to be great, we’re on the right track, we – ‘

‘What is it, Paul? What’s the track? What are we going to do?’ Joe asked.

‘Well, … we’re bloody hot, we’ll make good songs, and hung amount of money.’

‘I don’t want to sound different, but I simply think it’s time to do something else, some different. We can write stuff about ourselves, about people, life … whatever. I mean we can’t always get stuck with the stupid love. I know we’ve been doing great in the melodies, easy to follow, easy to remember, easy to get excited, I feel proud. But can we do something more? Try something a bit different?’

They all sat quietly for a moment. They knew if Joe had something to say, you better let him say it all. After he’s been through, they tried to digest the words, but had difficulty. 

Finally, Gee broke the ice.

‘What’s going on? I’m not going to waste time on this. We just finished the gigs, we’ve done a good job, right? Joe, don’t push us for that, okay? How about some beer now?’

‘Yeah, let’s go.’ Ring showed support.

‘Sorry about that mate, but it’s just something I feel strongly about, not only yesterday but for a long while. But, let’s go.’

 

It had been a week but Paul was struggling with the words. He didn’t want to argue with Joe, he could not figure out what’s wrong at the moment. “We are going to succeed,” he thought. But deep down, he started to feel uneasy too. 

 

‘Hey men. I wrote these in the last couple of days, take a look.’ Joe gave them his writings.

Typical Joe, Paul thought, the first song was about how a boy felt after losing his girl.

‘What’s this?’ Ring yelled, ‘What’s that, would you please define, Joe?’

‘Uh … I don’t know, just got the melody ... the notes … I think it’s a joke, but that sounds prefect to me. We’ll try.’

Paul was staring at the second song, no lyrics, but the sound was strange.

‘I wonder if we can put this in the album.’

‘We’ll try, alright? Now, I’ll show you the rhythm I want, um … just listen,’ Joe started playing with his guitar.

‘What do you think?’ Joe studied all of them. ‘Wait, can you just play again?’ ‘Sure.’ Joe did it again.

‘Hmm … Hmm I think the middle-8 is a bit weak … A song with three chords, strange indeed … It will be more interesting if we can bring in the keyboard. And the end is a bit far away, do you intend to do this? Or do we need to get it back.’

‘Good, Paul, I hope you can help me work on this. Anything else?’

‘Well, still I think it’s odd, but it’s okay, a good piece I would say, a bit different, we should try.’

‘Gee?’

‘Ah,… … the lyrics. What kind of words it’s going to take? It does not make any sense if it’s about he and she.’

 ‘What do you think, Paul, any lyrics idea?’

‘Um, it’s hard to say. I have no idea.’

‘Well, I’ve got an idea actually. I wanna express a kind of boredom in the song, I mean that sort of feeling.’

‘You kidding?’

‘Not really, it’s gonna be a big challenge for us, Paul.’

‘Huh, How nice. Beos feel bored! This will be the headline of tomorrow’s papers.’

‘Come on, Paul, I’m not saying we are bored. We just have to write something we feel bored. That can still be positive at the end, can’t it? We are going to do it now.’

They all struggled in the studio that night. But they enjoyed it. “What did you say? Fuck you” … “Come on, the world is going to call you Jesus, write this down” … “Can’t believe I can’t play the line”

The song is finally called I’m Bored.

 

In the coffee shop, they sat together.

‘What the fuck he is doing?’ Paul went straight to the point.

‘I don’t know. It’s all of a sudden. He’s not Joe London anymore. The song comes out alright, but it’s Greek.’ Ring lit a cigarette.

‘Probably, he was not feeling well these days, … I just …don’t know.’

‘I’d say he is now asking for a change, though not necessary a big one, but he just wants something different, something more. Look at the song he wrote, it’s simply unheard of, it’s creative, it’s terrific, it’s fucking good! And to be frank, in front of him, I sounded negative, but I’m glad to have worked on that song.’

‘Paul, the important thing’s you, you know, both of you write the songs, if you are getting well with each other, I believe it’ll be fine whatever the style we choose,’ Gee sounded quite serious.

‘I don’t know, it’s just all of a sudden, you know. He just came in, telling us he was tired, then gave us the song and wanted the hell of change! Jesus Christ! You see, we suddenly have a new member in our group. It’s no use to ask him to go back. We have to come to know him now, I mean really know him or otherwise, I can’t imagine, and I just don’t know what on earth should we do.’

 

A couple of weeks later, Paul sat near the piano, trying to get the picture. He thought of Joe’s words and the song. He flipped through their previous writings … oh that one, “I want to hold your hand” we wrote it in the cab immediately after the Liverpool gig …  Joe’s crazy … So far, we’re doing love songs for all these years, and maybe it’s time to go outside the loop. Our dream - to bring good music to people and to play our music, he still remembered. In fact, he really appreciated the new song, deep down he thought Joe was a genius, that he himself could never come up with such a song. It’s a long time, Paul thought, that he had not sat alone with the piano like this. In the past few years, he just wrote those lovely stuff to please others, performing them repeatedly, yeah, Joe was right, it’s not their destination. He put his hand on the keyboard, pressed the keys, wrote down the notes, press the keys again and again, then got the bass. 

 

‘Let me see, Paul. The first and second lines are good, you’re pretty excited, then, … you find something goin’ wrong, then … in the middle, you find a light there and with it, you feel safe and relieved, and … finally, you’re on your way to the Promise Land. Wow. Cool.’ With the thumbs up, Joe continued, ‘Paul, can I take the vocal?’

‘Yep.’

 

Six months later, Joe was reading the magazine, the Hammer. It went, ‘The Beos new album, Spinning, shoots top to the chart this week, it carries the usual Beos style. Worth mentioning are the two songs, ‘I’m tired’ and ‘Light’, they are not at all Beos, yet they fit the album a lot surprisingly, and both songs show a strong desire to search for something, perhaps, they mark the new direction for the Beos.’

That’s true, Joe thought.