Its importance as a critical cultural space and attractiveness to visitors since Nov 9, 1991, until the pandemic struck in 2020, resounds through pop culture to this day.
There will be no party this time, no live music, to commemorate its longevity as a leading restaurant as well as tourist and entertainment spot because it is operating at 50% of its capacity under Covid-19 SOPs.
After close to two years of nightlife being almost entirely sofa-based, there are only memories of the mix of humanity that came through the door, the way they dressed, the way they walked and talked and posed.
People of all genders, persuasions, and ethnicities partied the night away to music, drinks, and good food.
It was the “second home” to many expatriates, a hangout for Harley Davidson bikers and where recording companies launched albums. Many marriage proposals took place on the stage as well.
Over the years, thousands of US navy crew from various aircraft carriers that arrived at Port Klang made HRC KL their hang spot.
Celebrity sightings were endless: superstars included singers Michael Jackson, Gloria Estefan, Olivia Newton-John, Tony Bennett, James Ingram, saxophonist Kenny G and actress Catherine Zeta Jones.
Among the sports legends who visited the café were Manchester United players, former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, Sebastian Vettel, Nico Rosberg, Kimi Raikkonen, Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard (all F1 drivers) and Moto GP riders like Valentino Rossi.
One evening in May 2013, British business magnate Richard Branson walked into the outlet and stood at the corner of the bar.
It took a while before the customers around the bar realised the presence of the flamboyant owner of the Virgin Group that comprises numerous brands and companies.
Railway consultant, John May, noting that Branson had made himself open to conversation, approached him.
He said: “The preceding weekend I had passed the test to become a Malaysian pilot and I wasted no time in saying that to the CEO of Virgin Atlantic and he joked, “You can start on Monday”.
Four years earlier, May was among the many lucky customers who had several Manchester United players for company at the bar.
The Red Devils, including Gary Neville, his brother Phil, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Edwin van de Sar, Ryan Giggs and Michael Owen held court for about an hour after playing a match against Malaysia XI at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.
Alex Ferguson’s side, then the Premier League champions, played two quickly arranged friendly matches against Malaysia XI, winning 3-2 and 2-0 respectively, after they called off the Indonesia leg of their Far East tour following the terrorist attacks in Jakarta.
May, 80, who has been a regular customer at HRC KL since he came to Malaysia in 1994 said he also held dear the chat he had with Formula One great, Sebastian Vettel, on the eve of his first win at Sepang in 2010.
He said several expatriates, including himself, adopted the phrase, “Hard Rock My Second Home,” because of the “caring and friendly” staff and the frequent presence of multi-ethnic customers.
The introduction of another diehard, Aminudin Saidin, to the café was a strange one.
In 1991, while he was working as a senior Customs officer at the Import Section of Subang International Airport, he approved the import of a replica Harley Davidson bike to be placed on top of the entrance to the outlet.
“Since no other Customs officers wanted to approve it because there was no approved permit (AP), I green-lit it as the bike was just a replica for promotional purposes even though it had an engine,” said Aminudin, 70.
Months later, he was invited for the soft opening and later on for the grand opening. It has been his “second home” since then.
He recalled that the original bar was the shape of a guitar and that his favourite spot was the Rolling Stones corner.
HRC KL was opened on the same day as the birthday of its director, Syed Mohd Yusof Syed Nasir. He turns 74 today.
Thirty years ago, he cut a huge electric guitar-shaped cake and made the Australian-English soft rock band, Air Supply, the first international act to perform at the venue.
Through his company, Jojo Events, Syed Yusof brought in numerous big names over the years to promote the rock ‘n roll sensibility, a Hard Rock Café birthright, at the outlet at Wisma Concorde on Jalan Sultan Ismail.
The likes of Michael Jackson, Sting, James Taylor, Gypsy Kings, Gloria Estefan, Linkin Park and Earth, Wind & Fire and Ricky Martin did stadium gigs.
Others such as B B King, Buddy Guy, Steve Vai, Stephen Bishop, Johnny Tillotson, Three Degrees and the bands, Scorpions, Toto, and America held audiences spellbound at HRC KL.
In 1996, through the vision of then general manager, Michael Leow, HRC KL hosted the country’s first live-streaming of a rock concert by The Lost Souls. It happened at a time when the internet was just emerging in Malaysia.
Leow, who is now HRC country manager, has been credited with many ground-breaking events that thrust the café into national limelight.
Syed Yusof said: “We cannot underestimate the importance of our nighttime culture, the pull of concerts and the support of international and local customers, as they are all integral to the success of Kuala Lumpur as a city.”
“Considering what we have done to promote Kuala Lumpur through food and entertainment and quality service, there is a great sense of pride, plenty of faith in our plans and excitement for the future.”
HRC general manager, Ranjit Singh, acknowledged the hard work and commitment of the staff and management, saying they “have become like a family.”
He singled out chief stock-keeper Mohd Yunus Ali Akbar who has worked with HRC for 30 years. “He is a fine example of one who believes in our motto, love all-serve all.”
Yunus, 53, said the working environment and the chemistry with his colleagues motivated him to stick with the company.
“Things may not be the same but we have to put the dark days behind us and keep Hard Rock rocking,” he said.
Today, HRC KL will donate 500 food packets to Kechara Soup Kitchen for the homeless. It is also offering all guests a 30% discount on food, beers, cocktails, and merchandise.