KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 — It’s been 31 years since the release of Hong Kong rock band, Beyond's Hai Kuo Tian Kong (Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies) written by its leader and co-founder Wong Ka Kui.

Wong, who was also the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist unfortunately, never got to see just how anthemic the song would turn out, passing away after falling from a stage platform at a Tokyo Fuji television game show that same year.

Segamat-based rock band Finale, which was formed in 2010 has been organising Beyond tribute shows since 2012, with the most recent tribute show last month where they performed in front of the historical Stadthuys in Melaka.

According to leader and keyboardist Nick Yow, their band was heavily influenced by Beyond, and the tribute show in Melaka, Suara Amani, was also to commemorate the 31st anniversary of Wong’s death.

"When we first started jamming, the first song was Beyond's and over the years, we played so many Beyond songs, not only because they are popular and catchy but they convey very truthful and positive messages through the lyrics.

"Our band's vision is pretty much influenced by the lead vocalist. He previously said, ‘before you ask something from society, ask (yourself) first what have you contributed to the society’.

"That was the motivation for us to organise so many events which are open to the public for free. He also said, ‘life is not about what you gain, it's about what you've done’, and to us we can say that at least we have done something which we will never regret,” Nick said.

He added that the Suara Amani was organised by them in collaboration with local NGO Melaka Creative Arts and Cultural Association along with the Melaka City Council and featured about 150 performers involved in the event.

CSE Buskers from Kuantan, which comrpises of siblings and cousins, has been busking at the Kimstone Food Court since 2015 and Hai Kuo Tian Kong is amongst their favourites to perform.

Band member Haidir said that they were first introduced to the song by their guitarist, and it was a staple as apart from the song being easy to play, it was also a crowd favourite for the mainly Chinese patrons.

"Most of the crowd there really know this song, especially the Chinese, and all of them join in to sing along to the song.

"Our most memorable reaction from the crowd while playing the song was seeing their reaction to us playing it for the first time, many of them were really surprised at that time,” Haidir said.

He admitted that it was initially challenging for them to perform the song at first as none of them read or spoke Cantonese.

The group which has been getting attention for their improvisations of popular songs, including its most recent attempt to perform it with a more traditional Malay delivery.

Many buskers around Malaysia continue include it in their setlist, with many videos of performances featuring a variety of Hai Kuo Tian Kong covers circulating across social media.

In September last year, a local police musical band known as NEPD (North East Police Department) Band had also became a viral sensation for their attempt in a performance in George Town, Penang.