These American Artists influenced Cui to learn to play the guitar and start his own band. He would ditch orchestra practice to rehearse with his band. Cui left the orchestra behind and began his new life as a rock musician.

Over the next 6 years Cui’s skills improved. He was now listening to the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. His new band "ADO" was said to mix jazz, afro-pop, reggae, and western rock with oriental flourishes. Their most important performance was at a concert called "100 Pop Stars" where they made their debut.

After the death of Hu Yaobang, the communist party leader, Chinese students began a protest in Tiananmen Square. For years their lives were controlled by the government and Hu’s death was said to be a catalyst in the protest. The students were joined by Chinese citizens of all ages as they protested for a democratic revolution.

Cui’s music fueled the students in their fight for self-liberation. Hou Dejian another Chinese songwriter said that rock music had an ability to "free the self from all kinds of repression". Cui Jian joined the students in their protest and gave live concerts in Tiananmen Square.

After 40 days of protesting in Tiananmen Square the Chinese government tried vainly to reason with the people. On the evening of June 3rd Chinese soldiers began firing at angry protesters. They tried to enter the square, but the people, armed with rocks and clubs stood their ground. The fighting lasted till morning. When all the dust settled, 3,000 people were dead, many more injured. This included college students and children.

[an error occurred while processing this directive] Does rock play a role in revolution? Is it a star player or just the soundtrack?

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