ME AND LIZAWATI

As I sip to my morning coffee while thinking of what to blog? I am NOT going to blog about how upsetting this year Final of EuroFootball 2012.

Its has been a very tiring weeks for me waiting and not getting enough sleep.  Thanks to the remote control, I can flip the channel without moving myself.  Coincidentally, I flip to the radio channel, that when I heard the song 'LIZAWATI'. 

I smile to myself, as that song brings back so many memories from the past till today.


Well the thought of it is clear, I shall blogged about it!  Mainly because many have been misunderstood with my song LIZAWATI. So, how do I begin this "grandfather" story of mine. 



A song I wrote the lyrics in the early 80s with a dear friend the late Osman Ghani. Im sure most of you know who he is.

My 3rd album, The title of the album TETAP MENANTI ( was the targeted song )
"LIZAWATI' was not even focus to be the Number one song..

Strangely, I only realize that many fans and radio DJ's will always connect me with that song. ALWAYS. I do not understand but I guess I could just be so full of myself  for a moment. That song is a One hit Wonder don't you think? Even though it was such a long time ago. How times flies. Thirty years just flew through the keyhole and still that song is being played over and over again.

The titles they give, the trademarks. I would just deliver a warm smile back when they start to say.


RAHIM MAAROF!!!!! AND HIS POPULAR SONG -  L I Z A W A T I !!!!!!!!

Yes, I have not sang this song for a very long time, even by special request, I just turn it down.

...or maybe that I'm the most well known person for that song. I must say a Big Thank You to all the radio stations. Please do remember I do have other songs as well.

I am not denying that the song gave me a BIG BREAKTHROUGH in my early career.

Since that song was always attached to me and my name for the last three decades. I was so often asked during  the radio interviewed and in the Press. I am sorry to say that I was pissed off with the same question. Don't blame me, how will you feel, if you were to be asked the same question for so many years. Its like asking when the red light shines do we go or stop? - Figure of Speech.

Indeed it was a hit song. I also have it done in different versions, in Salsa later in the early 90s. Maybe I will remake it again in rockish version. - Then again, I will. Because you know why? I am versatile.

*drum rolling* Terrrrrr...! the moment you all have been waiting for.  WHO WAS LIZAWATI?? 

Good question. LONG ANSWER. Care to read more?

Yes, there was a LIZA in my life but not with a Wati.


I always remember her face when I sing that song in the past. Always, its like the sound of angels that kept coming through my mind with the ease of the symphony.

NOW, I GOT YOUR ATTENTION. Everybody likes a love story, yes?

I want to reveal her. She is as real as you and I.


LIZA was her name. A girl I knew from my hometown. She is a very amazing person. Ohh how she sparked my life when I was just a boy. I could say, she was my first crush, she was staying not far from my house at Kota Bharu, KELANTAN.

She is so beautiful, with long black hair, I could say that her hair is so divine that even if you touch, it felt so sinful to do so, and her eyes? Ohh, those perfect set of eyes with long lashes. It sparkles like the stars at night, only brighter and better and when she looked at me, her eyes were the size of the moon. So beautiful I could just die of happiness inside. Her skin was so fair and the surface of her skin just looked so porcelain. I adore her dimples when she smile. Oh that smile that melt my heart every time I take a glimpse at her. Those pink luscious lips. Can you all imagine how Beautiful LIZA IS?

I will blush in front of her when we met eye to eye. I could feel all those red hearts coming out from my herat, that wonderful feeling of what they called LOVE. Kind of a puppy love thing when you are in the early teen.

I would wait for her to pass by my house in the evening after school and my friends will be teasing me or  making fun of me. What to do, you have a packed of foolish friends when it comes to them knowing you have a crush on someone.  I do notice at time, when she tries to steal a look at me. I get all shy and I just smile at her.

( The dream magazines of every teenagers those days )

We spoke casually, We share about our interest on books, music, movies, collecting Pin-up posters of stars. Just like most teenagers do those days. Slight conversations can be just as amazing than now days. There were no dating, holding hand or any indecent activities. Most of our meeting was co incident or impromptu in the market or in town.

  I NEVER UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE CAN FELL IN LOVE IN THE INTERNET 

" My  most cherished moment was when I was walking with her one day after school. We spoke about our classes and how annoying a teacher was back then. Because just the same day I got public canning. The embarrassment I feel by portraying what a bad student I was, as she was a good student from educated family. Her family were lawyers "

I told her that I was going to Kuala Lumpur soon. She was surprised. How could I live so soon? I was 14 back then and I barely have the right to choose my ways. She tells me to have a good journey and life in Kuala Lumpur. But her eyes were denying how happy she was. I knew she was about to cry. That moment I just couldn't bear knowing that I broke her heart.


When the day came for me to leave, I waited for her to say Goodbye, because I told her that I want to see her for the last time. Sadly, she did not show up. I hope and believe that she would, but there were no signs of her anywhere So, I left. Heavy heartened I felt. I just have to go.

I did go back to Kota Bharu for holidays and during Hari Raya, hoping to meet her again. But she was not there anymore. I've heard the family migrated to oversea and she further her study there. I regret, I did not asked her where. I often wonder where is she. Why must our live crisscross to a path that way?

Composing the song with Osman and humming to his guitar at a park, trying to finish the last song for my 3rd album. Due to the melody, spontaneously came out the word Liza.  At that moment, I suddenly remember one girl back at my hometown Liza as we ( me and my friends ) know her but don't know her full name.

Osman knew that I can go with any melody so he kept on strumming the guitar and joining me by humming to the song. Once, roughly almost complete that song call 'Liza'.. But my mind kept asking me should I add another name that suit the lyric to described a beautiful girl

So it was called LIZAWATI.

THAT YEAR WHEN LIZAWATI WAS NO. 1 song, many baby girls was named LIZAWATI. 

To all you Lizawatis, my fans  and to all that have not heard this song. I personally edited the video and the lyric from the original version. Especially to Liza of Kota Bharu with the message ' you are my inspiration'. THANK YOU.

Did I met her again?....................................well that's another story.

                                             

Aku meneguk kopi pagi itu sambil aku memikirkan apa yang akan aku blogkan …

Aku naik malas nak blog tentang bolasepak yang mengecewakan tahun ini, Satu pertandingan akhir perlawanan bola sepak Piala Euro 2012 yang membosankan.

Minggu yang sangat memenatkan bagi aku menunggu dan tidak mendapat tidur yang cukup dan bukan aku saja ..tentu juga pada semua peminat peminat bola. Dalam boring menunggu game final pada pagi itu..aku tekan sana dan tekan sini dengan remote kontrol aku. Ahh..terima kasih kepada alat kawalan jauh itu, Aku boleh ‘flip siaran tanpa mengerakan badan. Kebetulan, aku ‘terflip ke satu saluran radio,  tiba tiba aku terdengar lagu 'LIZAWATI' berkumandang. Hah? DJ mana tu yang mainkan? Atau memang sudah di programkan siarannya begitu?

Aku tersenyum pada diri sendiri, mengingati kembali sebuah lagu yang membawa kenangan yang begitu banyak daripada masa lalu hingga kehari ini

Dalam fikiran aku ketika itu aku terus focus memikiran..Hah! dah ada! , Ini lah tajuk yang akan aku blogkan.. LIZAWATI.

Ramai yang telah salah faham dengan lagu LIZAWATI. ni. Jadi,  bagaimana aku nak  memulakan cerita  "datuk nenek ni"?

                              Lizawati.  Aku masih ingat bagaimana lagu itu tercipta dan aku yang menulis liriknya di awal 80-an dengan saorang rakan ku. Aku pasti kebanyakan anda kenal dengan arwah Osman Ghani.

Dari Album 3 aku yang bertajuk ‘Tetap Menanti ( lagu ini adalah lagu yang disasarkan menjadi hit untuk album itu )

Lagu "LIZAWATI sebenarnya sebuah lagu ‘menyelit’ kebetulan pula penerbit kekurangan sebuah lagu, apa lagi aku ambil peluang untuk mencipta satu lagu bersama rakan aku untuk memenuhi 10 lagu dalam LP itu.

Terkejut Aku!!.. Osman dan juga syarikat rakaman aku yang lagu LIZAWATI menjadi hit dan menjadi siulan peminat peminat seni suara ketika itu. Waahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!! Hairan bin Ajaib aku dibuat nya,  mana tidak nya lagu lain yang ‘ditarget lagu lain pula yang ‘mengena.  Alhamdulillah..

Yang peliknya, aku hanya sedar bahawa ramai peminat dan radio DJ sentiasa akan mengaitkan aku dengan lagu ini. .Aku tidak faham bagaimana aku boleh menjadi begitu lengkap segala-galanya untuk seketika. Lagu Lizawati yang menjadi hit? Hm, keajaiban? Pernakah anda terfikir? Walaupun ia adalah satu masa yang begitu lama aku rasakan ia begitu cepat berlalu. Tiga puluh tahun hanya berlalu begitu sahaja.

Gelaran dan pangilan yang mereka berikan kepada aku.  ‘Rahimmmm Maaaarofff!!! Dan LIZAWATI !!!, dah menjadi Trademark aku ketika itu. Aku hanya dapat tersenyum kembali bilamana mereka mula berkata dan menyebut perkataan saperti diatas itu selalu, dan semungkin yang boleh.

Ya, memang betul aku jarang sekali menyanyikan lagu ini melainkan ia satu permintaan ‘khas’ tapi kadang kadang aku menolak menyanyikanya walaupun ia satu permintaan khas..

Atau mungkin aku orang yang paling baik dikenali melalui lagu ini? Sudah semestinya aku mengucapkan jutaan Terima Kasih kapada anda dan kepada stesyen radio yang memainkan lagu Lizawati, tapi jangan pula lupa yang aku juga mempunyai lagu-lagu lain yang sama hebat seperti lagu lizawati atau lebih hebat lagi?

Aku tidak menafikan bahawa lagu ini memberi aku satu penemuan besar dalam kerjaya awal aku.

Lizawati sabuah lagu yang sentiasa berkhidmat kepada aku dan nama aku ‘RahimMaarof’ dalam empat dekad yang lalu. Aku sering ditanya semasa di temubual oleh media elektronik mahupun di media cetak.
Aku memohon maaf untuk mengatakan bahawa aku memang bosan dengan soalan yang sama.

Jangan salahkan aku, bagaimana anda pun akan merasa, jika anda ditanya soalan yang sama selama bertahun-tahun lamanya.

Sesungguhnya ia adalah sabuah lagu hit. Aku juga ada mengubah LIZAWATI dalam versi yang berbeza, dalam rentak Salsa pada awal 90-an. Mungkin aku akan mengubahnya sekali lagi dalam versi rockish. Kenapa?, Anda semua tahu mengapa kan?. Kerana aku ada lah seorang yang ‘versatile.

* Drum rolling * terrrrrrr;;;;saat yang anda semua tunggu tunggu. Siapakah LIZAWATI?

Satu soalan yang ramai nak tahu..sila baca terus..

‘

Ya! , Jawapannya tetap menarik . Memang ada ‘LIZA dalam hidup aku tetapi tidak dengan Wati.

SEKARANG, Aku mendapat perhatian ANDA KAN?

Aku sentiasa ingat wajahnya ketika aku menyanyikan lagu itu pada masa lalu.

Semua orang suka dengan kisah cinta, ya?  Aku tidak pernah bercerita tentang dia sejak dari dulu bila ada yang bertanya Siapa tu Lizawati?. Sekarang Aku ingin mendedahkan.

‘LIZA. Dia memang wujud dan dia juga seperti Anda dan AKU. 

LIZA adalah namanya. Seorang gadis yang aku kenal dari kampung aku. Dia adalah seorang yang amat menakjubkan. Ohh... bagaimana dia mencetuskan hidup aku apabila aku hanya seorang budak lelaki. Aku boleh katakan, Liza adalah cinta pertama aku.

Dia tinggal tidak jauh dari rumah aku di Kota Bharu, KELANTAN.

Dia begitu cantik, dengan rambut hitam panjang mengurai, aku boleh mengatakan bahawa rambut sebegitu cantik kuniaan illahi.. walaupun jika anda sentuh, merasa berdosa untuk berbuat demikian, dan matanya.. Ohh..., sepasang mata yan sempurna, berkilau .. seperti bintang diwaktu malam, apabila dia memandang ku. matanya sungguh cantik, aku macam mati dalam kebahagiaan. Kulitnya cerah dan permukaan kulitnya kelihatan begitu porselin. Aku memuja senyuman nya apabila dia tersenyum. Ohh... satu senyuman yang mencairkan hati aku setiap kali aku mencuri pandang sepintas lalu pada Liza. Bibir nya merah jambu. Boleh kah anda semua bayangkan ‘betapa indahnya Liza.

Aku  menjadi  resah bila kami bertemu mata ke mata. Aku dapat merasakan 'bentuk hati merah menyala' keluar dari dada ku dub! dub!dub!dub dub!, perasaan yang indah seperti apa yang mereka panggil CINTA. Jenis cinta puppy apabila anda berada dalam awal remaja.

Dia melalui rumah aku pada waktu petang selepas sekolah dan kawan-kawan aku akan mengusik aku. Apa yang boleh aku buat, aku mempunyai sekumpulan kawan-kawan yang bodoh, mereka akan mengusik apabila mereka mengetahui aku tertarik pada seseorang.

Aku dapat rasakan Liza pun suka kan aku  dan pada masa ketika dia cuba mencuri lihat pada ku. Aku rasa malu tapi 'steady dan aku hanya tersenyum membalas senyuman yang menawan itu.

( majallah yang mesti dimiliki oleh remaja di masa lalu )

Kami pernah bercakap tapi bersahaja, tentang minat kami kepada buku, muzik, filem, mengumpul poster Pin-up bintang bintang popular luar negara. Liza juga tidak lokek untuk berkongsi dengan aku mana mana majallah yang di bawa pulang oleh  abang nya yang menuntut di luar negara.

Sama seperti mana-mana remaja melakukannya pada masa kini.? Cuma berlainannya. Tiada dating, tiada berjalan seiringan berpimpin tangan. Aku masih ingat kami cuma bertemu di kelas ugama, di bazaar itu pun dengan cara berkebetulan, kebanyakan hanya perbualan biasa yang dapat kami bualkan.

Aku tidak dapat bayangkan, bagaimana orang boleh jatuh cinta dalam internet? 

Memori usang yang aku paling ingat dan hargai.. Ketika aku berjalan dengan Liza selepas sekolah. Kami berbual tentang kelas kami dan bagaimana seorang guru yang menjengkelkan, pada hari yang sama aku mendapat public canning. Malu dan kesal tidak terhingga menggambarkan aku seorang pelajar yang NAKAL.

Liza adalah seorang pelajar yang baik dari keluarga yang sangat berpendidikan, ibu bapa nya ialah Peguam.

Aku ada memberitahu Liza bahawa aku akan ke Kuala Lumpur. Dia kelihatan macam terkejut dengan berita itu. Liza Tanya..  nok gi KL?

Aku baru berusia 14 tahun ketika itu dan aku tidak mempunyai hak untuk memilih cara aku. Liza kelihatan tenang tetapi matanya menafikan betapa gembiranya dia, aku tahu dia hampir menangis. Liza mengucapkan selamat jalan dan mendoakan aku mendapat kehidupan yang sempurna bila di Kuala Lumpur nanti. Aku dapat rasakan yang aku telah pilukan kan hatinya.

Aku  juga  ingin berjumpa Liza sebelum aku bertolak ka Kuala Lumpur. tetapi Liza tidak hadir, bila tiba hari itu. Aku terharu bercampur gembira , pertama kerana aku akan ka Kuala Lumpur,  kedua sedih kerana aku akan meninggalkan kampung halaman ku dan Liza.

Aku ada pulang ke Kota Bharu untuk bercuti dan semasa Hari Raya, dengan harapan untuk bertemu dengannya lagi. Tetapi dia tidak ada lagi. keluarganya berhijrah ka luar Negara dan Liza melanjutkan pengajian nya di sana.. Sejak dari itu aku tidak pernah berjumpa liza sehingga kehari ini dan ketika aku menulis blog ini.

Aku sering tertanya-tanya pada diri ini .. Mengapa kehidupan kita ini menyilang (criss-cross ) dengan cara itu? Atau takdir?

Bebalik kepada penciptaan lagu, dengan Osman yang bermain gitar dan aku yang menyanyikan dengan beberapa melodi dan lirik yang datang ‘hinggap di kepala kami ketika itu . Aku secara spontan terkeluar perkataan ‘Liza  Pada ketika itu, aku mula teringat kepada seseorang… seorang gadis di kampung ku bernama Liza. Tetapi aku tidak tahu nama penuh nya...

Osman tahu yang aku boleh ‘berlagu dengan mana-mana melodi yang dia mainkan dengan gitarnya dan dia

menyertai aku dengan bersenandung bersama untuk lagu ini, kira-kira hampir lengkap.. Tetapi fikiran aku terus meminta... aku menambah satu nama sambungan  yang sesuai untuk melodi dan lirik lagu ini yang menggambarkan aku memuja seorang gadis yang sangat cantik

Jadi  aku namakan lagu ini LIZAWATI .

Apabila lagu LIZAWATI menjadi terkenal dan aku bangga kerana terdapat ramai bayi perempuan yang di lahirkan pada tahun itu dinamakan Lizawati.

Kepada semua anda Lizawatissss .., peminat dan kepada semua yang belum mendengar lagu ini. Aku sendiri yang mengadunkan video dan lirik dari versi asal.

Terutama kepada Liza Kota Bharu dengan mesej kau lah impirasi ku..TERIMA KASIH.

...Ada kah kami pernah berjumpa?......di lain cerita dan kesah.

Quoted by Andre Aggasi - BEING SECOND SUCKS.

                                 American Tennis player.

I have always agree with HIS quote. How true it is, being second does sound like a consolation prize .  Quotes are like Food for thoughts. For us to build motivation and to keep a positive attitude.  I am always a quote person.

Like in sports, games, competitions, examinations etc that one participates in. Being 2nd does SUCK!! .  Just imagine having all the trophies lining up on the shelf in your home that are nothing but second/silver medal all the way - That hurts.

Considering all the hard training, long hours, the “blood, sweat and tears” not forgetting all the commitments an individual put into the sport they love so much. Mainly to improve oneself, succeed a dream because it is passion but unfortunately. NOT SO LUCKY.


Being Number One is not always in a safety zone - that’s what I thought now as there will be another Number One on the way. Another quote: ‘There is always a next time and life is a climb but the view is great.’ That is what everyone is waiting for. To make your dreams come true, to do what you love doing.

In school, one may score all A's but there will always be one that will score all A+.
Of course the A+ will get the scholarship to further their studies. Not many have the golden ticket to actually have such an amazing treat like this.  Most of us would apply loans to further study but if they do not pay back, they will be blacklisted.  You just cannot be a winner.

Money still speaks louder than Knowledge.- not realizing the they might lose the best..

 Please do not quote those cliché words over and over again, 

I tried my best but my best is just not good enough.

That is BULLSHIT. The hurts are hidden in oneself and that the second just smile and waves when he or she goes and collect their 2^nd Prize. 

I am a big fan of Badminton. Never missed a game.. I’ve been watching badminton since Rudy Hartono and Punch Gunalan  Ng Boon Bee to the Sidek brothers and others. I respect Misbun Sidek, who devoted his life to the badminton.

Lin Dan is a better player?

Lee Chong Wei is a great player. Proud to say he is World No:1 ranking and a Malaysian.  My heart always skips a beat whenever he has a match with Lin Dan. Badminton tournament in this era are getting too hectic and too fast for me. Am I getting old?

When Lin Dan Quoted “Just like American Idol, the second is always the best”. 

When Lee Chong Wei won as runner up, I could                              actually feel how he felt. I guess he must be thinking he should have done better. Another  2nd trophy or a silver medal? I do envy and admire these two players.   It takes a lot of courage, stamina and guts to be able to face the whole world. 

In the year  ,60s, 70s  80s many  professionals player in Badminton like Punch Gunalan, Ng Boon Bee and the Sidik brothers have won numerous International title for our country.

I read an interview by Punch it wrote:
  

Q:  Are athletes today driven by the glitz and glamour of the sport rather than for love of the game? Back then, players got a simple pat on the back for their efforts. Today, they’re showered with all sorts of rewards – cash, land, house, etc

A: You are absolutely right. But it is not their fault as we live in a world these days with endorsements and so forth.

“For the love of the game” is slowly disappearing from most sports events.

Punch Gunanan

‘ FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME’

Being 3^rd seems more promising and will always try again better but being 2^nd seems to be a rather sad case.  

As for Team play, maybe not that bad, if their team became 2^nd.  No one might be blamed fully. But still, the whole issue of being 2^{nd still} SUCKS!

Football is another one of my favorite sport. I am not an MU fan but I still watch every game they played. The same match for MU and MC were played few week ago at the same time.  Just a matter of 1 and a half minute MU lost the Barclay title to MC. Is this fated or luck?

Kelantan had a match with Sime Darby. Both teams played well but a bit slow and too careful. There were too many fans and The Red Warrior are too careful as I can see, they are not playing their normal game. Usually, they attack all the way.
 

Nevertheless, I am happy they are the WINNER OF FA CUP. You all can say,

 “A lah it was a Penalty shoot out. It’s still a GOAL.

..great to see the Stadium a “full house” again. That’s the point and energy as a football fan. I was there and how amazing to see the fans at the stadium. It was like one of the World Cup game playing in Bukit Jalil.

My personal view now is that Being 2^nd  is not a bad position to be. In fact it is a better position to be. People tend to feel pity for being 2^nd and Being 1^st will always be having that fear on how long could he or she maintain the “NUMBER ONE TITLE.”

Another quote: 'When YOUR opponent starts wearing hair gel and a fancy weird hairdo, that means you are getting old.

OUR LATE MOKTAR DAHARI  - MALAYSIA BEST PLAYER OF ALL TIME

Our late Mokhtar Dahari , Nicknamed “SUPERMOKH”. Mokhtar is still known as a Legend for Selangor and Malaysia. He was a very disciplined in his training. One of Mohktar’s famous moment was when he shook hand with Diego Maradona. I am his biggest fan. Proud to have a man with so much passion for that sport.

Sad to know. With all the special treatment with Big Organisations, imported coachs, special therapy, airconditional stadium, big fields, many stadiums and good sponsers and etc these days, our sports are still the same.

Why our Sports in Malaysia, are not moving to a higher level? By now, a least our Football team should be in the next WORLD CUP. 

Well if I will to write on football or any sports. my blog will be never ending.  As we all know being  in the players position are definitely different from sitting in the sofa at home and watching the match on TV. If not I’ll be reading the back page of the newspaper. Just to know, who is the winner and who is the loser.

REALITY SHOWS OR REAL PITY SHOW?

There are so many reality shows in all different  aspects.

I can only comment on the singing program. I am not a Chef to comment on the Master Chef series. Though, Gordon Ramsay is The Man in the kitchen. The amateur chefs must be having a “hell” of a time (Hell’s Kitchen).

I was involved in a reality singing program last year. Oh what an experience! Well what can I say, my protege, did not make it to the semi final but it was a good try. You will never know if you did not try. Proudly to say,  I did managed to make him from a nobody to a somebody today.  As the quote says “It takes a " Legend to make a Star”. That experienced made me a better person in judging another human. No regrets because I still believe in the WHOLE PACKAGE. I personally hope my protege will continue and focus in his singing.

TALENTS VS TELEPHONE VOTES

Questions again. What do you think? Is it FAIR?

Take a big show like the American Idol. Most of the 2^nd  made their name famous than the winner. If that is so, most American voters are wrong. Again it is not me to judge but it was proven. Still, American Idol have better and better singers every year. It must be difficult for the judges to pick the best one.

Being No: 3 in a singing competition as what I witness in American Idol this season and as for all the seasons as well, it is a very painful feeling after so much effort and hopes they put in and in the end they got eliminated because there wasn't enough votes. Is that by any chance, fair?

Your Talents are merely based on how many people without a professional knowledge in that field to vote for you. Is it a Popularity Contest? If this is the case, one must have many friends and families as every vote counts.

This year happens to be the year of the "underdog". As for the people who are not at the top ten to be more famous and better than the ones who are on top. They are much more unique and somehow they do deserve to be winners. Actually, I believe that everybody can be winners if we were given a fair chance.

A good example is Jennifer Hudson. Didn’t she win an Oscar? Even when she was not the winner of American Idol. (as above)
  

Well back again to finalize my view on whether to be NUMBER 1, 2, 3 or any number, one should not feel too great or too let down. If you truly feel,  you have the talents by all means go for it with a huge PASSION. Especially with all the modern gadgets, You tube are an example for one to be noticed, observes and learn from it. ITS A NEW ERA WITH GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

See the picture above. I always smile, when I see it. What do you think? Do looks count or FAVORITISM?

Being 3rd is the best, so what’s wrong with getting a Bronze Medal. Better than nothing. After all, 3rd is always an underdog. Not so stressful, in fact the audience will cheer for him or her for trying their best,
but if because of pity and favoritism, one still go nowhere.

Back to myself, I was born in the middle class family in the 50s where things were so backward. To me life is a learning process. In material of how old you are is the STAYING POWER AND A HUGE PASSION FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND  IMPROVE IT ALONG THE WAY.  Just to have to accept the fact that -  NO ONE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR FRUSTRATIONS.            

I am just a normal man trying to earn a living just like all of you. Only that I have a different career. I am an entertainer and an artist. I still have to pay my bills; I still have to try to make both ends. IT IS TRUE, IT IS HARD TO EARN A LIVING, I always ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES.                                                      

I am not giving up. Why  should 

 YOU.   . 

AKU SUDIRMAN

"AKU SUDIRMAN"



SUDIRMAN  HJ ARSHAD -  A NAME TO REMEMBER

He was a good singer, a good entertainer, a kind and cheerful person. As we all remember him as a
"Singing Lawyer"

I have a brief encounter with him in my early days starting out my career as a singer. That brief encounter was pleasant  even when he was a very famous person. Though, I never did get to known him better.

Like many other famous artists that have passed away, most of them are sadly forgotten but not him.

He was one of a kind, unique and bold enough to made his name well known even till today.

His achievement as a Lawyer prove his intelligence was a kind, daring to take the challenge to be an Artist.

Indeed he did made it and he was very well for a local man.Sadly his life was too short. I believe if he is
alive today, he would have taken the Music Industry to a higher and better level.

                                                                              Photo Courtesy by : Yvonne Gabriel                                     




'DIR'

When I was chosen to sing the song "DIR" that was dedicated to such a Great Man, I was honored.
A special song to a special person that still exist in our lives.

The year was 1997. Composer by Azmi Hashim and lyrics by Habsah Hassan. Great combination.

I sang the song with such great feeling, having our late Sudirman in my mind. Delivered it the best I can. One of my greatest effort and I was proud of it.

I tried to recall my brief meeting with our late Sudirman, when the song 'DIR' went to the chart for our local tv station. I want to remember him as an Artist, a person with humanity as well as a good entertainer.

So I co ordinate a segment for the song by using a Mime Artist. Not to portray him as a clown.

I wanted to portray him as a man of many talents, full of energy, full of expression and of course a man
with feeling of happiness as well as sadness. Like all of us, we are human.

"DIR" was on air and there were a lot of talks about it. Of course there were good more than bad
Eventually, the song "DIR" went into the semi-finals and the finals in a local TV program.

That was the last time I sang the song in Public.

Now, there is a Tribute to Sudirman, and I am going to sing the song 'DIR' specially for his fans and families.

A special video to you all. Please remember him as who he was. A great Artist.

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NOTE: The video quality is bad (via youtube) if any of you have a better quality video, do upload it and I will reward you with something. No, just kidding. But thank you.