"He sang my songs so passionately like there was no one watching him. Whether he achieves something as a singer or not, he enjoys the moment," Wu says.

Born in Chiayi county in southern Taiwan, Wu moved to Taipei and worked at a musical instrument store in the early 1990s. He says he never planned to become a rock musician. He played the guitars at the store and sang at bars to make ends meet.

"I always feel confident and comfortable writing music. It makes me feel free and expressive," says Wu, who has written songs for a number of pop singers, such as Karen Mok Man-wai, Jacky Cheung Hok-yau and Faye Wong.

"But singing is another thing. Even now I am still nervous and shy while performing in front of thousands of people. That's why I like wearing sunglasses onstage," he says.

In 1992, Wu formed his current band, Wu Bai and China Blue, with Zhu Jian-hui on bass, Dean Zavolta on drums and Xu Da-hao on keyboards. Thanks to their guitar-driven rock tunes and meaningful lyrics, Wu and the band soon became a big name in Taiwan's rock world, known for energetic live shows.

In the early days, they performed at pubs throughout Taiwan. In 1996, they made their successful debut in Hong Kong.

The legendary band has never split up. Wu says the members express their individuality equally through their music.

"Rockers are rebellious and eager to show their personalities. But when rockers are united with firm friendship, which is built on years of touring together and great moments on and off the stage, they become family," he says.

"And families stay together."

If you go

7:30 pm, June 20. Mastercard Center, 69 Fuxing Road, Haidian district, Beijing. 400-610-3721.

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