- A special on the C&K 35th Anniversary concert on August 23rd

C and K. Two letters that separately, may not mean much to many ... but together ... for those who know who C&K are, the aforementioned musical duo has built legacies in contemporary Hawaiian music that has passed from generation to generation.


Henry Kapono Ka`aihue and Cecilio David Rodriguez (referred to in this article as "Cee") met through mutual friends ... performed ONCE for an audience and it was the beginning of one of the most successful, talented and respected musical pairs to grace the music scene on this side of the Pacific Ocean. Now, 35 years after the birth of what is today known as "C&K," they celebrate their history and success at a huge 35th anniversary concert happening this month at the Waikiki Shell. A night to remember, Saturday, August 23, the excitement starts at 6 p.m. Featuring Kalapana and Summer, the concert is definitely something you won't want to miss, with surprises all evening long . . . typical C&K style. Its headliners can only describe it as, "The greatest C&K concert ever . . . we are so excited about it and the response is overwhelming!" says Henry. Of course it would be good, so I thought, but I also wanted to know if attendees would be privy to anything new. Never a group to let down, Cee replied, "We will perform all the favorites and a brand new song from C&K called 'Back in the Day.'" (*hint: for a FREE download, www.cnk35.com -- an awesome song!)

I caught up with C&K and was able to get their thoughts about the upcoming, much anticipated concert. Themed "Back in the Day," (as is a brand new song which the duo will perform for lucky fans that night), the concert is a definite must-attend for fans and pretty much anyone in Hawaii who wants to see history stop for a moment in time ... hits from C&K have pretty much been timeless since their releases and have been passed down from generation to generation. The fan base that they have had has been amazing, as Henry relates, "We had people that would follow us to every gig in the mainland and just dig every show as if it were their first. To see three generations enjoying C&K is pretty above and beyond." There have been endless stories of fans throughout the years that C&K has been together, and one that stands out to Cee is one with a happy ending. "One story that stands out to me is the one about the man who said to me one day, "my girlfriend and I were about to break up and I sat her down and played "About You" for her and we have been together ever since. Your music touched her heart, as I knew it would and I want to thank you for that," remembers Cee. Yet, no matter how old or young the fan, both Henry and Cee are truly grateful for those that have stuck with them from the beginning. "It amazes me to meet someone who says they were at our first performance before we were popular," says Henry.

Yet with all this success, the two are still down to earth, and truly deserving of all the awards and honors they have received over the years. In my own youth I have seen many groups come and go; musical groups that have lasted anywhere from a few months to a few years. I wanted to know what each of these possessed in the duo, separately. Says Cee of Henry, and the duo's electric presence on stage, "Henry and I have learned how to support each other on stage and listen to each other and I think that is where the magic occurs with our music. If one of us is a little "under the weather", vocally speaking, the other one picks up the slack and that is how it has always been. I think that is what makes it endure, we listen to each other and there is mutual support there. I truly believe he is musically the yin to my yang and vice versa." "We both love music. We both care about C&K. We both naturally know how to make C&K music. Cee is a very talented musician and he has a unique style. I have my own style and together it creates something beyond ourselves. It's hard to explain. We just let it happen," adds Henry.

I always wanted to know which songs, of all of their hits, the duo loves to perform. "We love performing all the C&K songs for everyone and our favorite is the one our fans like, we don't pick them, our fans do, and we are happy to sing them!" says Cee. C'mon guys ... I KNOW there's a few songs in that huge collection you LOVE. Henry didn't let me down. "All the songs have a special meaning to us and to have so many songs that people like is quite an accomplishment. If I were to pick a song 'Friends' would be one because they have been so genuinely supportive. And 'Sailing' because it was written for a great man, my father," says Henry. I knew that there had to be a few favorites. It was nicer now, to know the reasons behind the favorites.


The two also have a lot of gratitude to those who have made their success possible all these years. "I give thanks to my family the Kaaihue's. My wife Lezlee who does an awesome job of managing C&K and an amazing mother of our children twins, Kapono and Cassandra. Also to them (twins) for making me so proud to be a father again. And my older children Momi and Kaleo from my first marriage who have been there for me always. All my friends who have been so supportive throughout the years. And to the C&K friends who have stuck by us through thick and thin. We love you all and thank you sooooooooooooooo much!" exclaims Henry. Cee, not far behind, agrees. "Thanks to all our fans and friends out there, without you we couldn't have come this far, thank you, thank you, thank you...we love you!" says Cee.


So as a perfect end to your summer, bring the entire family to the Shell on August 23rd for an unforgettable night, capturing some of Hawaii's greatest music from then, and now. I know I'm definitely looking forward to an awesome night of music and fun. But hear it from Henry Kapono, as his excitement should definitely be a catalyst for an spectacular concert, as he says "We're looking forward to August 23rd and we're gonna let out all the stops! Let's have a 'good time together!'"


For more information on the concert, and for free downloads, go to the concert website: www.cnk35.com


Getting people to talk about C&K was the easiest task I've done. Anyone and everyone I asked, was more than happy to talk about C&K, and memories their songs have created. Personally for me, memories of C&K start from as early as I can remember. My dad, a musician, kept C&K music on constant replay in the house, and sang along with his brother, my uncle, for many many years. When dad and Uncle Wayne sang C&K songs, it brought me back to that warm safety net as a child, filled with tons of wonderful memories. Of course as a child, knowing my dad serenading my mom with "About You" prompted me to make funny faces and gagging motions, but I realized on my own just how special their music was.

Still to this day, hearing songs like "Friends," "About You," "You and Me," and "Sailin'" brings me back to the happiest days growing up of hearing my uncle and dad jam till the wee hours of the morning, with friends and family at parties and the like. Then years later as an adult, I developed my own appreciation for C&K. Hearing "About You," listening to the words, the meaning, truly touched me. I began to truly appreciate C&K for the musical wonders they are. There aren't many groups in Hawaii who can say they span generations, and will continue to do so, for as long as music is around ... their style, their legacy, their imprint on the people of Hawaii ... is priceless. Congrats on 35 years, guys!

Please be short and to the point, and respect the other voices in the discussion. You may edit and delete comments for up to three days after date of post. We reserve the right to edit or delete inappropriate comments. For more information read our site policies »

In order to comment, you must be logged in. Login | Register | Help

Comment

Denotes required fields.