Last Updated: 2/1/2005
Here's a little information about Paradise: we are Paradise, a Hmong-American pop band from Fresno, California. We've lived in our hometown of Fresno since the beginning. Most of the original members are still with Paradise today. How long ago was that? We can't even remember. Actually, we've been together for over 15 years. We're pretty sure some of you were still babies at that time.
Paradise was formed in 1989 by brothers Ko Yang & Phong Yang. The purpose of forming the band was to keep all Yang brothers from joining the gang. There was not much done on our first 5 years. After that, music then became our #1 hobby. We all had the same passion and dream in music: to become the best we can be in what we liked to do. We then prioritized music as our #1 hobby and worked hard at it. We practiced hard for many years and never once have we ever thought about giving up nor quitting our love for music. After those many years of hard work and patience, we finally broke through in the late 1990's after making a drastic change in our band. Most of the band members had different music background and experience prior to joining Paradise. If you saw us back then, you would have thought we were a rock band. We released our first album in 1995 entitled "Nrhiav Tus Hlub or Looking for Lover". At that time, rock was still a trendy style. However, we were not recognized during that period of time, and didn't get the support we looked for during our debut concerts.
In early 1997, Derek came back from a 2 years absent(was a keyboard player before Long Her), and he made a few important changes after becoming Paradise new manager: New management, new looks and image for the band, new type of music, new goals and new ideas. After four and a half years of hard working, and after releasing three more albums and a music video; we feel that we finally found our true style of music. This made our band stronger, and at the same time fed the demand of our fans. In short, that's how long it took us before being recognized by anyone. Still, under no circumstances are we anything extraordinary yet. We worked hard around the clock with very little social life and fortunately things turned out good. We give thanks to the alpha and the omega for giving us life and the will to take on our journey. Finally, we thank God for being with us and protecting us day & night from the beginning til now, and the years to come. Most of all, a big thank you to all you fans for your supports. We love you all and God bless you. PEACE OUT!
1989
Ko Yang - vocals & keyboards
Phong Yang - bass
Xue Lee - vocals & guitars
Fong Vang - guitars
Tou Lee - drums
Davone Yang - manager
1991
Ko Yang - vocals& keyboards
Phong Yang - bass
Fong Vang - guitars
Xue Lee - vocals & guitars
Derek Xiong - keyboards
Pao Lee - drums
Davone Yang - manager
1993
Ko Yang - vocals & keyboards
Phong Yang - bass
Fong Vang - guitars
Derek Xiong - keyboards
Haget Yang - drums
Davone Yang - manager
1994
Ko Yang - vocals & keyboards
Phong Yang - bass
Fong Vang - guitars
Derek Xiong - keyboards
Haget Yang - drums
Davone Yang - manager
1995
Ko Yang - vocals & keyboards
Phong Yang - bass
Lilian Yang - vocals &keyboards
Fong Vang - guitars
Derek Xiong - keyboards
Haget Yang - drums
Davone Yang - manager
1996
Ko Yang - vocals & keyboards
Phong Yang - bass
Blia Vang - guitars
Fong Vang - guitars
Long Her - keyboards
Haget Yang - drums
1997-98
UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT & IMAGE
Ko Yang - Vocals
Phong Yang - bass
Lue Vang - guitars
Long Her - keyboards
Kou Thao - keyboards
Haget Yang - drums
Derek Xiong - manager
1998-99
Ko Yang - Vocals
Phong Yang - bass
Lue Vang - guitars
Long Her - keyboards
Kou Thao - keyboards
Haget Yang - drums
Derek Xiong - manager
1999-2000
Ko Yang - Vocals
Phong Yang - bass
Lue Vang - guitars
Long Her - keyboards
Kou Thao - keyboards
Haget Yang - drums
Derek Xiong - manager
2000-2001
Ko Yang - Vocals
Phong Yang- bass
Nao Vang - guitars
Long Her - keyboards
Kou Thao - keyboards
Haget Yang - drums
Derek Xiong - manager
2001-2002
Ko Yang - Vocals
Phong Yang- bass
Nao Vang - guitars
Long Her - keyboards
Cina Chang - keyboards
Haget Yang - drums
Derek Xiong - manager
2002-2003
Ko Yang - Vocals
Phong Yang- bass
Nao Vang - guitars
Long Her - keyboards
Cina Chang - keyboards
Haget Yang - drums
Derek Xiong - manager
2003-2004
Phong Yang- bass/vocals
April Vang - vocals
Nao Vang - guitars
Long Her - keyboards
Cina Chang - keyboards
Haget Yang - drums
Derek Xiong - manager
2004-2005
Phong Yang- bass/vocals
Ko Yang - vocals
April Vang - vocals
Nao Vang - guitars
Long Her - keyboards
Cina Chang - keyboards
Haget Yang - drums
Derek Xiong - manager
