Sudirman Arshad

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Sudirman Hj Arshad
Born 25 May 1954(1954-05-25)
Temerloh, Pahang,
Malaysia
Died 22 February 1992 (aged 37)
Lucky Garden, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia
Occupation singer, actor, lawyer, writer

Sudirman Hj Arshad (25 May 1954 - 22 February 1992) was a Malaysian singer and a lawyer. He was known as the 'Singing Lawyer', the 'People Singer' and the 'Elvis of Malaysia'.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life

Sudirman was born on 25 May 1954 in Temerloh, Pahang and was the youngest child of 6 to Arshad Hassan & Ramlah Dahlan (once a Stateswoman in Pahang during the 1950's). His passion for singing and entertaining started at a very young age as his brothers, sisters and neighbours would happily let him entertain them with his singing during their pastime. After rejecting to take a scholarship to further his study in Science, he continued instead with Law and received his degree from University Malaya and was called to the Bar and became a practising lawyer. He married Kamariah Jamaluddin in 1981 and divorced her 3 years later.

[edit] Career

He was named 'Malaysia's Singing Ambassador' by Malaysia Tourism Development Board (TDB). He was the voice behind the TDB tune, To know Malaysia is to love Malaysia which was composed by American Emmy, Grammy and Oscar nominated singer and songwriter Carol Connors. He was referred to as the 'Singing Dynamite' by Singaporean journalists. His singing brought him standing ovations in Australia (in Sydney and Melbourne), Japan, Kuwait, Hawaii, U.S.. At the Melbourne Hilton, 500 guests packed the ballroom screaming, 'More! More! More!'. Being patriotic, Sudirman replied, "Come to my country and we'll show you that we are a kind and hospitable people".

He won many local competitions from Bintang RTM Best Singer (1976) to Muzik-Muzik TV3 Best Performer and Berita Harian Popularity contest Most Popular Artist. Topping Malaysian, Brunei and Indonesia charts with songs such as "Merisik Khabar", "Milik Siapakah Gadis Ini" and "Sampaikan Salam". Songwriters that have supported him in the past included S.Atan, Manan Ngah, Michael Veerapan and Syed Harun

He was also the first Malaysian singer to perform at The Paddock at the Hilton of Kuala Lumpur and was the singing ambassador for companies such as Proton, Malaysia Airlines, Honda Cup and honored pioneer card member with Hong Leong Bank. He was known for his versatility and sang Malay, Indian and Chinese songs with outstanding choreography. He was known to have sketched the a portrait of a fan while singing.

Local musicians who have played for him included Boon, Jay Jay (singer guitarist), Mac Chiew and Jenny Chin. Local famous women who have performed as his back-up singers include Joanne (Zainal Abidin's wife), Samantha Schubert and Linda Jasmine Hashim (now one of the leading dancing choreographer cum teacher in Malaysia's famous real TV program Akademi Fantasia).

However, Sudirman had his fair share of detractors as well as fans. Many Muslim fundamentalists & leftists detested his concert performances. Some even threatened and distributed warning pamphlets of "something would happen" during his Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Bangi concert to deter people from attending. The concert was postponed following protests from the UKM students union body, its academic staff association and the dean of the Islamic Studies faculty and six other student body. This incident was captured by Zainuddin Maidin (now Minister of Information) in his book "The Other side of Mahathir". He narrated that the Prime Minister (then) had called upon some ministers to his residence to review the situation as the issue reflected Malaysia's position in terms of modernization. Sudirman's fans turned up in force crowding the concert hall. Sudirman went about pleasing the crowd, crooning his hits. One campus resident said, "At last something alive has come here". The negativity surrounding the UKM incident was not long-lasting. A couple of years after Sudirman's death in 1992, UKM held a Sudirman karaoke competition.

He was also a writer (he writes book of his life "Dari Dalam Sudir", cartoons and weekly article column for magazines and some local newspapers). One of his book writing for children was recognized the Best by Mobil-Mabopa. (A Mobil Oil book writing competition). He also successfully hosted Malaysia's high TV program gameshow "Keluarga Bahagia Singer" a program sponsored by a known home appliance company then called SINGER.

Sudirman produced an album for his nephew, Razman Azrai or also known as 'Atai' under Sudirman Productions. Atai had a couple of hit songs that topped the charts in 1985. Sudirman also became Malaysia's first successful singer cum entrepreneur providing Malaysia's most famous carbonated drink SUDI (which broke 5% of carbonated drink market within 6 months operation - with business magazines and TV programs from Australia to Hong Kong featuring the drinks) and opened a franchise of Sudi Shoppe apparel and Sudi restaurant. He was Malaysia's first singer to be on the cover of Malaysian Business and Asian Business magazine. He had a business office atop the UBN Shangrila Tower and Sri Hartamas. He was also a champion for Malaysian music industry, playing the role of Vice President for Singers, Musicians & Composers Association of Malaysia - PAPITA.

Sudirman also acted in a film named Kami (Malay meaning "Us"), which was released in 1982. He played the lead in a heart-rending tale where two destitute orphans found each other amidst the cold, harsh realities of Kuala Lumpur street life. This memorable film also spawned an enduring track, "Pelangi Petang" (Malay meaning "Evening Rainbow") which has been heralded as an iconic song in Malaysia's music industry.

In 15 April 1986, he held an open air concert on Chow Kit Road, which was the first time ever that a stret concert drew a 100,000 person crowd on a Monday night. It jammed the stretch of Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Raja Muda to Jalan Raja Alang. Several fans fainted, many left with fond memories, a few suffocated and were rushed to the hospital due to pack of crowd pushing and shoving. To quote a local newspaper The Star, "KL came to a standstill and it had nothing to do with the recession but with a one man, Malaysia's top entertainer, an electrifying performance and most memorable night".

Simon Napier-Bell, the manager for Wham! (George Michael's band) referred to Sudirman as the 'institution of Malaysian music industry'.

Sudirman's songs topped the charts with every new album that was released. There was a time when his song "Merisik Khabar" went up as #1 song for 2 months while his second song "Milik Siapa Gadis Ini" from the same album came in second and stayed at the top for a few weeks after "Merisik Khabar"

In 1989, Sudirman won the title "Best Performer" in Asia Music Award 1989 contest at Royal Albert Hall, London where Leslie Cheung (Hong Kong Megastar), Anita Sarawak (Singapore Diva), Epo (Japan), Kuh Ledesma s (Philippines) and many other chosen singers (based on their merit) who represented their own respective countries. An information officer at the Malaysia High Commission, Revi Pilla,i said he still remembers going to the Royal Albert Hall in 1989 when the late Sudirman Haji Arshad performed at the Salem Music Awards.“I went to see Sudir with other Malaysian friends. It was such a great atmosphere.We were so proud." The crowd that filled the room was mostly made up of Asian fans skewed mainly towards Hongkies and Singaporeans. But Sudirman won ther hearts to a point where they cheered for Sudirman as if he were theirs.

He was known by many in the 80s as "Malaysia's No 1 Entertainer". Naturally he was chosen to be the performer that closes Malaysia's SEA Games, opening ceremony of sepak takraw competition and many other national functions and competition. In most cases, he would fork out his own money to make his concert successful. He is also well known for his charity work where he helped invite veteran artists to have spots in shows. Money charity for mosque and people in need is something he would do willingly. During his life he had also adopted and brought up an Indian boy from a poor family and he actively seeks charity work through PAPITA (Malaysian Singer Association)

In Singapore he had a strong following as was evidently seen when he made a concert in Singapore's Kallang National Stadium in August 1987. Girls and even moms were biting their knuckles and people came from all walks of life a race. Excerpt Kelvin Tan Look Siew Director of Singapore Armed Forces Music & Drama company "We wanted to bring down a prominent artist from the region and Sudirman's name automatically cropped up".

Tunku Abdul Rahman: ayahanda harap anakanda berjaya selalu.

EMI London took him on to work together with Stock, Aitken & Waterman (British producer trio who took on Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Rick Astley) for world market and he recorded an album but time was not on his side.

[edit] Death

Sudirman was rumored to have died from AIDS as it was a hot topic in the 80s and others insisted that it was witchcraft (since his death cause was never registered as AIDS as it was by law then to register cause of death under the Ministry of Health). The cause of his death became a topic of discussion among the media with some speculating that his actual cause of death took place even earlier than recorded and was believed that he was buried in UK. His sister and Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad (now Minister of Home Affairs) however, announced that he died from a stroke known as cerebrovascular.

He died at 4.00 am in the morning on the 22 February 1992, aged 37, at his sister’s (Datin Radiah) house, at No.16 Jalan Taban Satu, Lucky Garden, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.

He was brought back for burial in his hometown Temerloh, Pahang and was buried at Chengal Muslim Cemetery, Temerloh near the graves of his parents.

[edit] After Sudirman's Era

His work was recognized by the industry when he was posthumously awarded an AIM (Anugerah Industri Muzik) award and a street was named Jalan Sudirman after him in his hometown of Temerloh. PAPITA created an award especially categorized under his name Anugerah Sudirman of which to this date has yet to be won by anyone.

However, in April of 2006, the Malaysian parliamentary member from Sri Gading (Datuk Mohamed Aziz - BN) commented that he regarded Sudirman as not being that great a singer and that he could not even take on the member of parliament himself.[1]

[edit] His achievements

[edit] Famous quotes

"Title is not the measurement of a man but by his contribution" - Sudirman

"The dimunitive singer's popularity has gone from strength to strength, and he has visited almost every town in Malaysia, thrilling audiences with his dramatic stage act." - Patrick Teoh

"If Malaysia ever needs "people power", Sudirman can be counted to deliver." - Malay Mail

"He now knows where he can go if he tires of Malaysia". - The Straits Times, Singapore

"Im proud to be a part of Atai's album. He's something else and has a bright future." - Jenny Chin

"I feel very saddened for the loss of someone who has blossomed the country in the entertainment world. His loss will be felt by the whole nation because during his lifetime he was loved by so many." - Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad

[edit] Films

[edit] Albums

[edit] Major albums

  • Teriring Doa (1977)
  • Aku Penghiburmu (1978)
  • Perasaan (1979)
  • Anak Muda (1980)
  • Lagu Anak Desa (1980)
  • Lagu Dari Kota (1981)
  • Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star (1981)
  • Lagu Cinta (1982)
  • Abadi (1982)
  • Images (1983)
  • Orang Baru (1984)
  • Lagu Dari Sebuah Bilik (1984)
  • Kul It (1986)
  • Orang Kampung (1986)
  • Asia’s No. 1 Performer (1989)
  • Salam Terakhir (1992) (Last albums)
  • Sudirman - Jauh Di Sudut Hati (1992)
  • Sudirman - Balik Kampung (1993)
  • Sudirman - Setelah Kau Tiada (1995)

[edit] Compilation albums

  • Koleksi 16 Lagu-lagu Terbaik (1986)
  • Pilihan Sentimental Emas (1987)
  • Lagu-Lagu Rakyat (1989)
  • Koleksi Klasik (1991)
  • Sudirman - DwiDekad (1996)
  • Nilai Cintamu (2000)
  • Sudirman - 24 Greatest Hits
  • Sudirman No.1 (2002)
  • Sudirman Penghibur No.1 (2002)
  • Sudirman II 40 No.1 Dalam 1 (2003)
  • Memori Hit Sudirman (2004)
  • Sudirman - Memori Sentimental Hit (2005)
  • Sudirman -Dwi Intan
  • Sudirman - Timeless (2006)
  • Koleksi Emas Aidilfitri
  • Alunan Sukma Sudirman & Sharifah Aini
  • Memori Hit Melayu Deli

[edit] Songs

  1. Tanggal 31 Ogos
  2. Tegakkan Bendera Kita
  3. Apa Khabar Orang Kampung
  4. Adat Berkasih
  5. Ayah
  6. Ayah dan Ibu
  7. Antara Hujan dan Air mata
  8. Air Mata Kasih
  9. Anak Dagang
  10. Aku Pengangur
  11. Basikal Tua
  12. Berpisah Akhirnya
  13. Balik Kampung
  14. Berdendang Anak Dara
  15. Biarlah ku sengsara sendiri
  16. Bila wajahmu kubayangkan
  17. Bimbang Terluka lagi
  18. Cinta
  19. Chow Kit Road
  20. Dilema Dunia Cinta
  21. Dia Tiada Lagi
  22. Dari Jauh Ku Pohon Maaf
  23. Di manakah nilai cintamu
  24. Gadis Impian
  25. Gerimis
  26. Hujan
  27. Hujan Semalam
  28. Hanya Nyanyian
  29. Hati Rindu
  30. Hilang Berganti
  31. Image
  32. Jali-jali
  33. Jauh di sudut Hati
  34. Jangan Kau Curiga
  35. Jangan Kau Tanya
  36. Joget Kenangan Manis
  37. Kasih
  38. Kawin Lari (Ding A Ding Gale)
  39. Ku Pandu Laju (Bersalah)
  40. Ke Dunia Baru
  41. Ketenangan Jiwa
  42. Kerana Mata
  43. Kesian Dia
  44. Kuala Deli
  45. Kehadiranku
  46. Kau akan Kembali
  47. Kul It
  48. Sebuah Cinta dan Harapan
  49. Sengsara Sendiri
  50. Mari Bergembira
  51. Merisik Khabar
  52. Mat Disko
  53. My Morning Star
  54. One Day in Your Life
  55. One Thousand Million Smiles
  56. Orang Muda
  57. Patah Hati
  58. Pujaan Hatiku
  59. Pelita Hati
  60. Pelangi Petang
  61. Pesan Abang
  62. Pulang Dari Kilang
  63. Punch Card
  64. Salam Terakhir (Last song)
  65. Sepetang di Pinggir Bukit
  66. Selagi Hayatku Ada
  67. Selamat Malam Sayang
  68. Sengsara Sendiri
  69. Sri Sarawak
  70. Terasing
  71. Tetapkan Hatimu
  72. Tak Perlu Diucapkan
  73. Teratai Menjelma
  74. Toyol
  75. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
  76. Warisan
  77. You Walk away with Nothing
  78. Untukmu
  79. Namamu Seindah Wajahmu
  80. Hari Itu Dalam Kenangan

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Prahara Seni - pengumpul berita seniman M.Nasir: Isu banding P. Ramlee lucu - M. Nasir
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