Grand Ex (Thai: แกรนด์เอ็กซ์), stylized as Grand EX', were a Thai pop band that was active in the 1970s.[1] Founded by Nakorn Vejsupaporn, the band initially formed under the name "Extreme" while the members were students at Borpitpimook College. The band later renamed as Grand Ex for the 3rd Thai String Combo Championship.[2] They released their first single collection in 1977 and contributed to the evolution of Thai pop music with their music and style.[1]
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Grand Ex | |
|---|---|
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1970-2020 |
| Past members |
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Name origin
Nakorn, who the founders and band leader were fans of both Grand Funk Railroad and The Jimi Hendrix Experience, he combined the names of the two bands to form the Grand Experience.[3][4] The name was later shortened to Grand Ex after being inspired by Expo '70, a world's fair held in Osaka, Japan in 1970, which was often referred to in promotional material as "EX' 70".[5]
History
1969–1975: Formation
Grand Ex' was formed in 1969 by a group of high school students in Grade 5 at Borpitphimook College, led by Nakorn Vejsupaporn as the solo guitar and band leader. and including his fellow students, Kamthorn Kunanukul (rhythm guitar), Warawut Hiranyawan (bass), Damrong Chuencharoensuk (spokesperson and lead vocalist), Narong Phuek-hawharn (lead vocalist), Prasith Chaiyatho (drums) and Sommart Thoopjinda (organ).[6]
In 1970, the members of Grand EX' participated in the Thai String Combo Championship in the student category. Notably, "The Impossibles" won the professional category for the second consecutive year, following their victory in 1969. In the student category, the band Mummy was crowned the champion, while Grand EX' won the first runner-up prize.[4] They also won the media's favorite award, due to their modest clothing of black trousers, white shirts, and ties, in contrast to other rock bands in the competition.[6]
After the contest, some members graduated and went to study at the higher education level, leaving only Vejsupaporn, Chaiyatho, and Hiranwan, who decided to continued playing in the band and to recruit new members. Vejsupaporn became so invested that he chose to waive his right to study at a more prestigious university, so he could continue to be at the same university as Chaiyatho and Hiranwan, which was more convenient for band rehearsals.
Grand Ex became known for playing in clubs, bars and GI camps in the provinces. After about 8 months, more band members resigned, and Vejsupaporn set out to find new members and decided to transition Grand Ex to become a full-fledged string combo band. In 1974 they recruited brass musicians, namely Chay Sangcha-um (saxophone), Sanae Supparat (trumpet) and Somsak Apiwatthirakul (trombone), and a new lead singer, Wasan Taesakul (surname at that time).
1976–1980 : Couple Birds and Luk Thung Disco 1&2
In 1976, Warawut, the bassist and the band co-founder and the keyboardist left the band, making Wasan, the lead singer must came to play the keyboard. the band receive Add-Thanongsak Arpornsiri to be the new bassist. In the same year, the band welcomed Chamras Saewataporn as the new lead singer and chord guitarist.
In 1977, the band released their first official single, Couple Birds (คู่นก), a Thai translation of the Lao song Khard Ruk by William Didtavong. After the release of the single, saxophonist, Chay Saeng Cha-um resigned from the band, with Panus Hirankasi becoming the new saxophonist.
In 1979, Grand Ex released their first studio album, Luk Thung Disco, which mixed the more international disco with the more local luk thung songs that were popular at that time. The album sold well, leading to the band's increased popularity. This was followed by a second album, was recorded live at the Manhattan Club.
In early 1980, Grand Ex released their third album, Luk Thung Disco 2. After its release, Chamras and Somsak resigned from the band, and Danupol Kaewkarn and Chokdee Pak-Phu joined as new members.
1980–1984 : Golden Era and the end of Classic Line-up
By the end of 1980, the band's line-up consisted of Nakorn Vejsupaporn (guitar solo, lead vocalist and band leader), Prasith Chaiyatho (drum), Danupol Kaewkarn (guitar chord, lead vocalist), Thanongsak Arpornsiri (bass), Panus Hirunkasi (Saxophone), Sanae Supparat (Trumpet) and Chokdee Phak-phoo (Saxophone, Trombone, keyboard).
In July 1980, Grand Ex released their fourth studio album, Khuen (เขิน), which had entirely new songs. On March 8, 1981, they released their fifth studio album, Women (ผู้หญิง), to celebrate International Women's Day.
They released their sixth album, a live performance recording at the Chula Auditorium, in July 1981. In October of the same year, they released their seventh studio album, Grand XO, and had an album release concert at the National Theatre on 31 October, It was the first album opening concert in Thailand and the first album opening concert that was broadcast live on television. The album consisted of ten famous Luk krung songs which were rearranged and remixed. It was a huge success, selling over a million and a half copies.[4]
After this album, Grand Ex decided to move labels from Azona Promotion to TSE Group, which was affiliated with the Thairath newspaper. They released their eighth studio album, Bupphesanniwat, in March 1982. This was followed by Nij Nirand, the ninth studio album, in September 1982, and the tenth studio album, Phromlikit, in October. In this album, the band welcomed Odd-Sarayuth Supanyo, the ninth member of the band the last member of the "classic line-up". After that, they released 3 more albums, namely, live performances recording, Valentine Laser Concert, Petch, and Borisuth, after Borisuth album, which was the 13th studio album released in April 1984. Aod-Sarayuth was the first person to resigned from the band, to founded the first jazz fusion band in Thailand, Infinity, leaving 8 members remaining, later in November of the same year. The band released their 14th studio album, Duang Duean, which was the last album in the classic line-up era, because after the end of the promoted tour for this album, four members was Add-Thanongsak, Daeng-Sanae, Tee-Wasan and Rak-Phanat, had resigned from the band to form a new band. leaving 4 members left such as Nakorn, Danupol, Prasit and Chokdee, who established the band's record label company on behalf of Grand Ex Family.
1985–2019
In early 1985, they released their 15th studio album, Pink Heart (หัวใจสีชมพู), with the band Marble (หินอ่อน) as a back up band played both in the recording studio and on stage for Grand Ex. Later in July of the same year, Grand Ex released the album Sai-yai (สายใย), the 16th studio album, and welcomed a new member, Oh-Aisoon Watyanon, a fanclub of the band in the position of lead singer. After the end of the concert tour, Danupol Kaewkarn, the lead singer of the band, decided to leave from the band to become the first solo artist in Thailand. Later, the band get a new member was Arichai Aranyanat, Johnny Anfone, followed by Sutee Sangsareechon, released 2 special albums, and one studio album was Nirankarn, which was the 17th studio album, before that, Chokdee, the saxophonist, had resigned from the band and their released the 3 albums, divided into 2 studio albums and 1 special album, with the last album Dai Mai (ได้ไหม), the 19th studio album released in November 1988 before decided disbanded.
The band played a reunion concert in 2002 and June 2016.[4] The band played their final concert in August 2019.[3] Danupol Kaewkarn, Nakorn Vejsupaporn, Johnny Anfone, Thanongsak Apornsiri, Panat Hirunkasi, Chamras Saewataporn, Sutee Sangsareechon, Wasan Sirisukpisai, and Aisoon "Oh" Watayanon all performed.[3]
Discography
Singles
- Couple Birds (คู่นก) (1977)
Albums
- Luk Thung Disco (ลูกทุ่งดิสโก, 1979)[4]
- Live Performance Recording at Manhattan Club (1979)
- Luk Thung Disco 2 (ลูกทุ่งดิสโก 2, 1980)
- Khuen (เขิน) (1980)
- Women (ผู้หญิง) (1981)
- Live Performance Recording at the Chula Auditorium (1981)
- Grand XO (1981)
- Bupphesanniwat (บุพเพสันนิวาส, 1982)
- Nij Nirand (นิจนิรันดร์, 1982)
- Phromlikit (พรหมลิขิต, 1982)
- Live Performance Recording Valentine Laser Concert (1983)
- Petch (เพชร, 1983)
- Borisuth (บริสุทธิ์, 1984)
- Duang Duen (ดวงเดือน, 1984)
- Pink Heart (หัวใจสีชมพู, 1985)
- Sai Yai (สายใย, 1985)
- Nirunkarn (1986)
References
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