In a display of timing and dexterity worthy of the world's greatest DJ, Paul Oakenfold is said to have pocketed just over $1 million for a few hours' work last weekend.
SAR hears the incredible one-man brand (right) was paid about $350,000 for twiddling his knobs at a packed Kee Club on Friday night and another $780,000 for doing it again at a sold-out Hitec centre in Kowloon Bay on Saturday.
The tab was picked up mainly by promoter Heineken.
Oakenfold, says his press machine, is the world's greatest DJ. But after having watched him perform up close, SAR is left scratching its head.
Still, Hong Kong loves a logo and both events were total sell-outs. About 5,000 people braved police rubber gloves and sniffer dogs to hear him mix at Hitec. And the Kee was packed to its ritzy rafters. So it seems - whatever the price - Heineken has got it right.
Among those grooving at Kee were Tania Mohan, Lily Ahn, David Mok and Canary Wong, plus assorted Harilelas and models. Oakenfold's DJ booth was under siege all night long thanks to budding DJs Gilbert Yeung and Andrew Bull, who watched and learned. And others who - hearing how much Oakey was costing per minute - gazed on hypnotised. They could have been watching a small bonfire of Christian Rhomberg's cash burning sexily in the corner of the room.
