Legendary Tawainese bass player Paithun Wattayakorn, best known for his work with the groups The Impossibles, Oriental Funk and 4+1 died on November 17 at the age of 78 following a battle with cancer. The news was confirmed in a Facebook post by popular former singer and television presenter Pusacha Donavanik who shared a post from a friend explaining they had learned the tragic news from Pee Eed, Pee Toe’s wife, that Paithun had died.
“I felt heartbroken because we had been close since I played music at Montien School. Then I played backup music for Waen’s first album, which P’Thun was the producer for. After that, we often met at the Sri Siam recording studio. And later, we often met again at the funerals of old musicians who we were close with. P’Thun liked to joke that it would be our turn soon,” they wrote paying tribute to their friend.
“Today, you truly left us. I still feel it was too soon,” they continued. “I would like to express my condolences and sympathy to P’Thun’s family. May you rest in peace.”
The post concluded with details of the stars funeral which will take place on Saturday November 22.
Paithun shot to fame with The Impossibles who were one one of Thailand’s earliest rock bands were known for their fusion of rock and traditional Thai music.
They released their first album in 1969 and were known for their hits including Come to Love, Who Says This Would Be Remembered, Cherish Love, Waiting For You and Only One In My Heart.
The group were also known for their covers of Western rock songs and were among the first Thai pop bands to cover English-language songs.
They were also the first Thai rock band to record an English-language album overseas, during a tour of Europe.
They did two covers of Kool and the Gang tracks Give it Up and Love the Life You Live as well as a version of Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield’s Love Will Keep Us Together on their 1975 album Hot Pepper.
The band broke up in 1977, but has frequently performed at reunions over the years, and its members remain active in music in Thailand.