An 81-year-old Singaporean grandmother rock star will perform at the National Day Parade.
Mary Ho began playing the guitar at 60 and has now shredded all stereotypes of the elderly by becoming a true rock star and unlikely internet sensation.
The grandmother of seven will perform in front of a huge crowd at Singapore’s National Day Parade on 9 August, marking 52 years of the city-state’s independence.
She initially began teaching herself with an acoustic guitar. However, when her friend introduced her to Santana’s classic guitar track Samba Pa Ti, she sought professional tutoring to master the electric guitar.
“It was too difficult (to learn on my own) so I found a teacher,” she told AFP. “But the teacher looked at me and said‘Oh I’ve never taught anyone your age before’.”
Unable to read music, Ho practised up to three hours a day to master the Santa classic. Now, she has a collection of over 20 guitars, recorded her own album and often plays for charity gigs.
