IT was a week before his big day, and Anuar Zain was down with a terrible flu that virtually made him lose his voice.
"I was worried, and quickly saw the doctor. After getting the required medicine and taking it, I prayed hard for things to work out right and thank God they did," he said after delivering a spellbinding two-hour concert at Stadium Malawati, Shah Alam on Oct 28.
Anuar, 53, looked a wee bit tired throughout the concert, which was attended by some 8,000 guests.
They included Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin as well as artistes Ziana Zain (Anuar's sister), Ellina Razak, Misha Omar, Elvira Arul, Syamel Fodzly, Ernie Zakri, Datuk Syafinaz Selamat and Datuk Sheila Majid.
Nevertheless, the soulful crooner delivered all of his 20 songs, medleys included, with gusto, and fans sang along with him at every opportunity.
SUPER TREAT
Anuar's 8.30pm concert was titled the Anuar Zain 40th Anniversary Concert, or AZ40, and was billed as his "super treat for all ladies and gentlemen who helped make him a star".
"Nothing makes me happier than serenading Malaysians who have stayed loyal throughout the years.
"Just singing for you always makes my day," Anuar said as soon as he finished his first three songs for the evening -- Kaulah Segalanya, Sesuci Cintamu and a medley of Musim Berlalu and Jangan Bersedih Lagi.
After he gave the crowd their first sing-along opportunity with his "feel good anthem" Bila Resah, as well as the poignant medley of Permata and Suria & Siarra, and the whimsical song Mungkin, the dashing Melakan legend revealed that hitting the gym almost daily and taking long walks in the park near his Shah Alam home got him into shape.
HEARTFELT TRIBUTE
Anuar then belted out Teman Terulung, which he specially dedicated to all the people he had worked and performed with over the years.
He paid heartfelt tribute to the late singer-actress Adibah Noor as one of the "greatest and kindest" women he had ever met.
Then came the romantic and poetic medley of Sempurnakan Aku and Kerna Aku Cinta, and the hopeful song Kembalilah Kasih, after which Anuar gave fans a special segment where he performed cover versions of famous songs he had never sung in the past.
These were Saving All My Love For You by Whitney Houston, Hujan by Datuk Sudirman Arshad, Hello by Lionel Richie and Di Dalam Emosi by Sheila.
The lights gradually dimmed, and the haunting prelude of Anuar's next song was heard.
Fans quickly realised that it was Ketulusan Hati with its soaring chorus and Anuar encouraged them to sing it fully.
This was followed by another heartfelt medley of Andainya Takdir and Cinta Takkan Berakhir, accompanied by a dramatic music video in which Anuar co-starred with actresses Puteri Balqis Azizi and Sharifah Sakinah. He then belted out the painful Ajari Aku from the 2012 thriller Saya Amat Mencintaimu.
MOVIE SONGS
The energy level of fans gradually rose as Anuar performed two theme songs from popular movies, namely Perpisahan from Kabir Bhatia's 2006 film Cinta and Sedetik Lebih from Datuk Yusry Abdul Halim's 2011 Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa.
Anuar then paid tribute to fashion designer Datuk Seri Bernard Chandran for coming up with his three splendid black and royal blue suits for the evening.
"I love Bernard, he is the best," said Anuar, before continuing the show with Hanya Milikmu, Selamat Malam and Kau Bunga Cinta.
AMAZING PARTICIPATION
Anuar subsequently introduced the 25 talented musicians who accompanied him, as well as music director Lee Sze Wan, concert director Jennifer Thompson and organiser JioBuddy.
"Thank you ladies and gentlemen, for your great support and amazing participation. I love you all," he said.
The lights went off for a brief moment, and as the crowd chanted "we want more", Anuar returned to serenade them with two of his giant hits Keabadian Cinta and Lelaki Ini.
"Thank you so much for a wonderful night to remember," said Anuar as he bid everyone goodnight.