For years in the late 1970s you couldn't turn around in Thailand without hearing "Still in Love with You" or "If You Walk Away" playing on someone's radio. The Australian pop band Sherbet was a phenomenon here.

So, a lot of people are going to be on pins and needles for Wednesday night's "Sherbet Returns" concert at Bangkok's Royal Paragon Hall.

Vinij Lertratanachai, chief executive officer of Fresh Air, which is putting on the show, reckons the band was able to communicate more directly to Thais than many other bands of the time.

"Perhaps it was because their lyrics are easy to catch for non-native English speakers. Sherbet were never a global hit, but their songs were all over the radio stations here."

Sherbet's Thai success might be compared to that of Michael Learns to Rock, the Danish duo that found a huge following here in the '90s. Again, easy-to-follow lyrics on songs like "Sleeping Child" and "Out of the Blue" grabbed attention across Asia.

"Ask any non-Australian farang about Sherbet and they'll just shake their heads and ask if you mean the flavoured ice treat," says one local fan, now in her 40s.

"But it was Sherbet's songs that inspired a lot of musicians here to play English songs. If you formed a band at that time, whether you were amateur or professional, you'd have to be able to play at least some Sherbet songs."

Veteran DJ ML Rujyapa Apakorn is a fan for whom Sherbet never "walked away". He urged Vinij to bring them to Thailand after hearing that they'd regrouped and were touring Australia.

"Many people like Rujyapa still love Sherbet songs, and they'll be glad to see the band back onstage," says Vinij.

"Howzat" was Sherbet's only record to hit charts overseas, reaching the top 10 in England in 1976, but most of their tunes are well known here, having lingered on the radio for years. The band toured the Kingdom twice and made a non-performing visit as well.

All of which means the song list for Wednesday's show will be a repertoire of back-to-back favourites.

Founding member Clive Shakespeare left Sherbet in 1976 but is back with them now, along with original vocalist Daryl Brathwaite.

They'll be joined by guitarist Harvey James, bassist Tony Mitchell and drummer Alan Sandow.

"They haven't got back together again just to make money," Vinij says. "They enjoy performing and want to do this for their loyal fans here, having rehearsed and done well on their Australian tour."

Veena Thoopkrajae

The Nation

Tickets cost between Bt1,000 and Bt2,500 at ThaiTicketMaster.com.