As everyone heads for their office Monday morning, 60-year-old Peter (and if you forget his name, calling him "handsome" will do too) heads for his "office" at the underground linkway from Takashimaya and Lucky Plaza. He is a busker and has been for 10 years strumming his guitar seven hours daily, including the weekends. "It is my full-time job and I enjoy it very much," said the father of two. He has been a musician since the age of 21 and the lifestyle includes smoking, drinking and womanising, he shared. "I love playing music and I am glad I can still continue doing something I love and getting paid for it, and without any bosses."
He has a repertoire of 300 songs of 70s and 80s music and each day, he mixes them around. "My favourites are the love songs and ballads," he said. "Sometimes people approach me and tell me that the song reminded them when they were younger." He knows when to play certain songs too. He chooses up-tempo music in the morning when people are heading to work, "especially on a Monday when there are black faces!" And during lunch, he plays sing-along songs, and then ballads towards the late afternoon. "When you can make them smile, it is very satisfying." He hopes he can carry on doing what he is doing till he reaches the age of 65 as he said, doing this constantly can be very tiring. So when you are down the linkway and see Peter, do show your appreciation with some coins or a bill, or/and let's not forget ... a smile. |