Wang Feng: The sole survivor
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Rocker Wang Feng will start a 15-city tour on Saturday, which a mainland record 300,000 people are expected to attend. |
Rock singer and songwriter Wang Feng follows his own star, despite accusations that he is too commercial.
Some rock fans think Wang Feng has sold out, while his peers accuse him of betrayal. None of which bothers the singer-songwriter.
When the 42-year-old performed I Love You, China at CCTV's 2013 Spring Festival Gala he was the first rock musician to perform on the world's most watched TV program - but it didn't make him friends in rock circles.
"My original intention was to be just a rocker, singing my own songs," Wang says. "I had been invited on the Spring Festival Gala before, but I refused because I was asked to perform with other singers and to sing silly lyrics. For me, that's betrayal. But this time, I was allowed to sing my own song and perform it in my own way."
"Chinese rock fans firmly believe the music is a minority taste. But Cui Jian's Nothing to My Name was sung by millions. Would you say that's not a rock song?"
Wang's national tour, Existence, will play in 15 cities, starting in Tianjin on Saturday.
Tour organizer Rock Forward Entertainment Company estimates about 300,000 will see the concerts, which would be a China rock record.
Wang has released nine albums since 1997 and is renowned for his live shows. In 2012, he held a concert for 40,000 fans at Beijing Workers' Stadium.
Wang spent 4 million yuan ($645,500) on producing his double CD Life Asks for Nothing in 2011 and he made the money back within four months.
"He is a rare Chinese rock star, a box office guarantee in both northern and southern cities," says Li Hui, CEO of Rock Forward Entertainment Company.
Veteran music critic Li Wan once said: "Wang is a very confident musician. He has not been influenced by suspicions or negative reviews. He knows what he wants."
For Wang, being able to write and sing his songs makes him feel alive and content.
"There are no boundaries for rock music, which can be about love for one's father, hope and struggle," he says, adding he writes all the time.
"One month last year I held 25 performances. It was also that month that I wrote 17 songs. I don't feel tired, I feel refreshed after completing a song."
Wang attributes his musical vitality to studying the violin from the age of 5.
"It's torture to keep repeating the same sounds for four hours. Compared with that, writing songs is much more relaxing."
Born to a musical family, Wang studied at the Central Conservatory of Music, majoring in violin and viola.
At 17, he listened to Michael Jackson, The Beatles, and Pink Floyd, which inspired him. In 1994, when Chinese rock music was in its heyday, Wang and his friends formed the band No 43 Baojia Street.
Like any other young rock band, they were overshadowed by legends like Cui Jian, Tang Dynasty and Dou Wei.
Now, those rock stars have either retired or appear to work part time, while Wang seems to be the sole survivor.
"I have never forgotten why I decided to be a rocker," Wang claims.
To begin with, his band was backed by Xiao Wei, an alumnus of Central Conservatory of Music, and their breakthrough came in 1997 with the debut album No 43 Baojia Street. Songs like Little Bird and Good Night Beijing became instant hits.
In 2000, Wang left the band and two years later released one of his most popular tunes, Flying Higher.
While Wang was commercially successful the rock press and his peers turned against him. He says this hurt.
"I once thought that as long as I could sing my own songs, I would be happy. But when I realized my dream, I was not happy at all.
"I cannot control others' views. All I can do is write my songs, because that is the only way I feel comfortable and secure."
He used to love sitting on Chang'an Avenue drinking a bottle of beer while people-watching, which inspired him. But he no longer drinks, though he does admit smoking a pack of cigarettes a day "helps me think".
After recently watching the Rolling Stones' concert on Brazil's Copacabana Beach, attended by 1.5 million people, Wang was inspired.
"The huge number of people proves the value of rock stars, let alone their music. I was so amazed. I believe I can still rock and come up with new songs at the age of 60."
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