Some 500 ardent fans of one of Malaysia’s favourite pop groups of the 1960s and ‘70s gathered for its “Just As We Were” reunion concert, featuring three original band members.

Lit in nostalgia, the free show kindled friendship, joy, and a cheerful celebration among a multiracial crowd comprising people of all ages.

Held at a packed Hangover PJ and live streamed to the adjoining, and equally crowded, Beerbook Tapas and Sports Bar, the event will go down as one that was least expected, but most warmly received.

The unlikely reunion, featuring the band’s keyboardist and vocalist Michael Magness, drummer Hussein Idris and bassist Billy Chang, had been 50 years in the making.

Organised by FMT in collaboration with a group of the band’s loyal fans, the concert saw The Strollers’ passionate fans relive their youth to songs that were once the soundtrack to their lives.

“I felt everybody’s emotion. I had to sit down to make myself feel normal,” said hockey great K Balasingam, 72.

“The atmosphere was beyond words as we shared stories and created bonds,” Balasingam added, recalling his bell-bottomed disco days in the 70s at the Glass Bubble in Jayapuri hotel (now PJ Hilton), where The Strollers were a headline act.

Helen Mok, 67, who came with four fellow seniors from Kajang, said they partied “like never before” and were happy to have made new friends.

“It was a wonderful Sunday that woke every cell in our body up and made us feel young again. That’s the miracle of music,” she said.

Othman Manap, 60, from Kota Kinabalu, said the closeness between artiste and audience offered a real sense of unity through a common love for music.

“It’s the interpersonal connections and the shared experiences that make a person a life-long fan of bands like The Strollers. They brought the nation much bliss,” said Othman, who came with three friends from Sabah.

Retiree Peter Choo and wife Evelyn, both in their sixties, brought relief to some who queued to get into the venue from as early as noon by buying them drinks.

“We did it to cheer them up,” said Choo.

“That’s how Evelyn and I met – while queuing up for a Strollers concert at the Seremban town hall in the 70s,” he said with a broad smile.

Richard Francis, 75, enjoyed many of the ancillary moments as he waited patiently, hoping to nab a spot near the stage.

“That is where the fellowship between fans shines most brightly,” he said.

The band drew much energy during the three-hour gig from its fans, many of whom had come to see Magness.

Unabashedly romantic, he sang one song, “I Still Believe”, a non-Strollers tune, after lending his vocals on the show’s opener, “Do What You Gotta Do” – probably the band’s best remembered hit.

Now 80, Magness’ voice may have lost its shine, but his mere presence was enough to charm everyone.

He was the kind of sartorial, bespoke cool figure pop music threw up regularly in the 60s, at a time when young hearts were enthralled by change blaring across the airwaves.

Until Sunday, the five-piece group, the oldest performing pop band in Malaysian music history, would likely not have realised the extent of their impact on the local music scene and Malaysians of their era.

Magness, who quit the Strollers in 1973 and now lives in Brisbane, appeared genuinely touched by the warmth of the reception the band received from the crowd.

Winding his way around to mingle with the crowd, he warmly shook outstretched hands, and autographed photos and the band’s instantly recognisable vinyl record covers which many had brought with them.

Hussein and Chang also appeared to be overwhelmed, deeply touched by the affection fans still had for them and their bandmates, Soon King, Rodney Steele and Dave Singh.

The audience lapped up every moment as they played some of the band’s 17 original songs that rocketed them into “supergroup” status, alongside hits like “Sausalito” by Western Union Band, and “Butterfly” by October Cherries.

Rockers, crooners and sweaty hugs

Radio presenter and singer from the same period, A Radha Krishnan, also rolled back the years, acting as compere and one of five guest singers who performed on Sunday evening.

A former lead vocalist for Cellar Hi-Five, Electric Orgasm and Steelyard Corporation bands who also deejayed in clubs such as Hobbit in Wisma Central, Radha showed he had lost none of his dazzle and delivery to cap a memorable evening.

Guest artistes Vernon Steele, Jason Noah, Ice and Colin Jansen livened the party with old gems, of both the fast and slow variety.

Veteran singer DJ Dave said he was pleased to see unity on show in sweaty hugs and togetherness, powered by memorable music.

“Music is a powerful force that can serve many purposes. The strongest trait of musicians is their ability to bring people together,” said Dave after delivering “To Love Somebody”, a gigantic Bee Gees hit from 1967.

Jojo Events owner Syed Yusof Syed Nasir said the concert was a shining example of what can happen when things are done with “great love”.

“It’s an old, but increasingly rare, sentiment,” he said. “When love and hope manifest, it does wonders for humanity.”

Radio personality and actor Patrick Teoh said he enjoyed being transported back to the “good old days”.

“This will, I am sure, be the last time the original members of the Strollers share a stage together. I was glad to have been there.”