{
  "id": 9247119,
  "title": "#SHOWBIZ: Rocking for a cause: Keeping live music alive",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/showbiz-rocking-for-a-cause-keeping-live-music-alive",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T02:29:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/groove/2026/09/1538971/showbiz-rocking-cause-keeping-live-music-alive"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Malaysia's veteran musicians continue to perform well into their golden years, despite long-standing recognition gaps. The Musicians for Malaysia (MfM) Benefit Showcase 2026, titled \"Rocking For A Cause,\" aims to celebrate 20 musicians aged 75 and above who remain active in the industry. The event, scheduled for October 10 at Kelab Golf Negara Subang, will honor these elders and raise funds for those still struggling to make a living. Each recipient will receive a plaque commemorating their contributions to Malaysia's musical landscape. Among the honorees is 83-year-old Richard Joseph, who continues to perform as a busker. The showcase will also pay tribute to Olie, a member of Heavy Machine who suffered a stroke, with his son joining the band for a special performance. Another reunion is anticipated with Freedom, whose composer Royston Sta Maria will return from Australia to perform the hit song \"Mulanya Di Sini.\" However, the event's purpose goes beyond nostalgia. MfM hopes to generate at least RM100,000 to support medical assistance, workshops for younger generations, small-scale music festivals, and performance platforms. The organization's president, Francis Danker, suggests reopening hotel lounges as performance spaces, blending Western classics with traditional Malaysian instruments to create fusion performances. This dual purpose aims to honor the past while providing sustainable income for musicians, as traditional venues continue to disappear.",
  "summary": "FOR musicians who have spent decades entertaining audiences, stepping away from the stage is often easier said than done.",
  "key_points": [
    "20 Malaysian musicians aged 75+ perform at Rocking For A Cause event",
    "Honorees include 83-year-old busker Richard Joseph and Olie from Heavy Machine",
    "Fundraising goal of RM100,000 for medical aid, workshops, and music festivals"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Rocking For A Cause event aims to honor Malaysia's veteran musicians while generating funds to support their peers, highlighting the struggle to sustain a living in the industry.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}