SUDIRMAN ARSHAD

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

Contents

Biography

Early life

Career

Death

After Sudirman's Era

His achievements

Famous quotes

Films

Albums

Major albums

Compilation albums

Songs

See also

Biography

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.

Career

He was named 'Malaysia's Singing Ambassador' by Malaysia Tourism Development Board. Singing the famous tune "To know Malaysia is to love Malaysia" that was promoted with famous American Hollywood singer and songwriter Carol Connors (Emmy, Grammy and Oscar nominated). Referred to as the Singing Dynamite by Singapore journalists. His singing brought him everywhere in the world from Australia (standing ovation in Sydney and Melbourne) to Japan, Kuwait and was given a standing ovation before a 100% foreign crowd paying table at Hawaii, U.S. at Waikiki Hotel. In Melbourne Hilton the 500 guests packed the ballroom screaming More! More! More! renting the air. Being patriotic, Sudirman uttered, "Come to my country and we'll show you that we are a kind and hospitable people".
His singing 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 includes S.Atan, Manan Ngah, Michael Veerapan and Syed Harun
1st local singer to be allowed to perform in The Paddock at The Hilton KL and was singing ambassador for companies such as Proton, Malaysia Airlines, Honda Cup and honoured pioneer card member with Hong Leong Bank. Known for his versatility, he sang Malay, Indian and Chinese songs with outstanding choreography and at times he could even draw a portrait of his fan while singing
Musicians who have played for him seems to be the best in Malaysia too. They include people like Boon, Jay Jay (singer guitarist), Mac Chiew and Jenny Chin. Many young beautiful women from models to Miss Malaysia then had dreams of working for Sudirman to perform as his back up dancer. The successful ones 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).
Many Muslim leftists however detested his concert performances. Some even threatened and distributed warning pamphlets of "something would happen" during his Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Bangi performance concert to deter people from attending. The concert was even postponed following protests from UKM students Union, its academic staff association and the dean of the Islamic Studies faculty and six other student body. This incident was even captured by Datuk 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 however turn up in force crowding the hall leaving some of those overflowed, crying from outside. One would expected a somewhat inhibited performance but Malaysia's top entertainer went about every corner of the crowd crooning his hits. The final verdict: One campus resident said "At last something alive has come here". (Irony is that a couple of years after he died, UKM made 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.
Produced an album for his nephew Razman Azrai or also known as 'Atai' under Sudirman Productions of which Atai himself made a couple of hit songs that topped the charts then 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 1st singer to be in a cover of Malaysian Business and Asian Business magazine. His office then was on top of the UBN Shangrila Tower and Sri Hartamas. He was also a champion for Malaysian music industry taking on the role as Vice President for Singers, Musicians & Composers Association of Malaysia - PAPITA, calling out veteran singers and rumored to fought EMI to have great composers such as M. Nasir to work with him.
One of his exploits in cinema include a rather beautiful film, "[Kami]" (Malay meaning "Us") which was released in 1982. He played the lead in a heart-rending tale where two destitute orphans find 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 is acknowledged as an iconic song in Malaysia's music industry even today.
His 1986 open air concert in Chow Kit Road was Malaysia's one and only attempt having 100,000 crowd to the street on Monday night. It jammed the stretch of Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Raja Muda to Jalan Raja Alang. Several 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.
His song came out top of the charts every time an album is released. At one point, his song "Merisik Khabar" went up as no 1 for 2 months while his second song "Milik Siapa Gadis Ini" from the same album came in second and then went up as 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 Hong Kongites 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 Risk Astley) for world market and he recorded an album but time was not on his side.

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 Dato Syeikh Radzi (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.

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.
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]

His achievements

★ Penghibur TV Terbaik, Anugerah Seri Angkasa, RTM 1978

★ "Malaysia's Singing Ambassador" MTDC 1985 ("To know Malaysia is to love Malaysia")

★ Persembahan Terbaik Anugerah Juara Lagu TV3 1987

★ Penyanyi Lelaki Popular, Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian 1989

★ Asia's Number One Performer 1989 . Salem Music Award London

★ Malaysia Guinness Awards

★ Ahli Mangku Negara by Yang di-Pertuan Agong 1988

★ Ahli Mahkota Pahang by Sultan of Pahang 1990

★ Johan Mangku Negara by Yang di-Pertuan Agong 1992

★ No. 1 Malaysian singer (from New Straits Times )

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 lost of someone that 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

Films

★ Kami (1982)

Albums

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)

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

Songs

# Tanggal 31 Ogos
# Tegakkan Bendera Kita
# Apa Khabar Orang Kampung
# Adat Berkasih
# Ayah dan Ibu
# Antara Hujan dan Air mata
# Air Mata Kasih
# Anak Dagang
# Aku Pengangur
# Basikal Tua
# Berpisah Akhirnya
# Balik Kampung
# Berdendang Anak Dara
# Biarlah ku sengsara sendiri
# Bila wajahmu kubayangkan
# Bimbang Terluka lagi
# Cinta
# Chow Kit Road
# Dilema Dunia Cinta
# Dia Tiada Lagi
# Dari Jauh Ku Pohon Maaf
# Di manakah nilai cintamu
# Gadis Impian
# Gerimis
# Hujan
# Hujan Semalam
# Hanya Nyanyian
# Hati Rindu
# Hilang Berganti
# Image
# Jali-jali
# Jauh di sudut Hati
# Jangan Kau Curiga
# Joget Kenangan Manis
# Kasih
# Ku Pandu Laju (Bersalah)
# Ketenangan Jiwa
# Kerana Mata
# Kuala Deli
# Kehadiranku
# Kau akan Kembali
# Kul It
# Sebuah Cinta dan Harapan
# Sengsara Sendiri
# Mari Bergembira
# Merisik Khabar
# Mat Disko
# My Morning Star
# One Day in Your Life
# Orang Muda
# Patah Hati
# Pujaan Hatiku
# Pelita Hati
# Pelangi Petang
# Pesan Abang
# Punch Card
# Salam Terakhir ''(Last songs)''
# Sepetang di Pinggir Bukit
# Selamat Malam Sayang
# Sengsara Sendiri
# Sri Sarawak
# Terasing
# Tetapkan Hatimu
# Tak Perlu Diucapkan
# Teratai Menjelma
# Toyol
# Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
# Warisan
# You Walk away with Nothing
# Untukmu
# Namamu Seindah Wajahmu
# Hari Itu Dalam Kenangan

See also

★ Siti Nurhaliza

★ Temerloh

★ Pahang