A leather jacket was a must for all male and female Rockers or Rock & Roll singers. I wanted one
so badly. Basically, I was influence by my Idol, HE was an Icon and the most Amazing man that walk the face of earth. He was larger than life itself.
He is JOHN LENNON
Dear John, A DREAMER lives FOREVER. To you John, From Rahim Maarof
He is and will always be my favorite BEATLES. He touched many lives in his very short life and still never a day passed by without me looking at his poster in front of my office. --------->I collect whatever souvenirs, posters, paper articles, books or anything that connects to John Lennon.
When I was just a young boy in the late 60s at my hometown, Kota Bharu. I will wait for my favorite BEATLES CARTOON
that was shown once a week. Of course, it was in Black and White and the theme song was "Hard Day's Night".
I have to go to my neighbor's house to see that cartoon, as my family was poor and couldn't afford to buy a television that time. It was great when I saw it in black and white. NOW I could see it in color and its better. I know what color guitars and drums they were using! It was a luxury to have a television in a home. Nowadays almost every house have more than one. Flat Screen with remote control. BIIIIIIIG and HD. Such a joy when it comes to watching football.
Coming back to the Leather Jacket. DO any of you know that it was JOHN LENNON who was the very
first person that wore a Leather Jacket AND a Leather Trench Coat in the early 60s? Not the ROLLING STONES OR ELVIS PRESLEY OR EVEN CHUCK BERRY.
He was a trendsetter with a huge attitude that do not give a damn. What others would or may say of him, about him or blamed him. HE WAS THERE TO MAKE MUSIC and I AM HERE TO DO THE SAME.
JOHN LENNON was a BIG name then and now. I cherished every moment I remember of John Lennon. HAPPY THOUGHTS of a Man that touched many lives and continues to inspire many younger
music makers, followers and I hope my younger readers will appreciate John Lennon the way he have
inspired my early life to be in the music industry.
So the black leather jacket was a must for me. Why? because ITS DASHINGLY ROCK-ISH. When my "Kristal Album" was to be released, Obviously, the recording label again needs to change my Image to more demure or the more Richard Marx look alike. They actually engaged an "Image Consultant" for me. Why the hell should I need an Image Consultant, in fact. Why do Image Consultants exist?!
That was new in the 80s, A so called Image Consultant was to change my Image with her professionalism. I find that a bore, who needs one when it is YOU to image yourself. She wants to re brand me the way she wanted. Oh god, are you my mother? Sadly to say she couldn't dress to impress herself either with those horrid shoes of hers. She would want to dress me up in checker jackets with pastel colors. No I am not joking. Maybe she was lost, maybe she do not understand my music because I believe in package.
I was SHOCKED!
In the KRISTAL ALBUM, I wore my own clothes, my own co ordinations and with that RICHARD
MARX hair do which I hate so much but happy with my own clothes and have the Photos of the Album taken and printed to be release the song CINTA KRISTAL.
I dare say, I did what I wanted, I went looking and spending my own money for the clothes I favor even when I do not have much those days but the so called "Image Consultant" got her pretty named printed in the Album. Oh, how lucky. She must've jumped for joy.
BUT THAT PISSES ME OFF. LIKE THE SAYING IN ENGLISH. THE TOOLS THAT GOT THE NAME AND NOT THE CARPENTER. AND IN BAHASA MALAYSIA...LEMBU PUNYA SUSU, SAPI DAPAT NAMA.
As time goes by, I managed to get used to ALL those shitty stuffs, looking at those photostat copies of myself, being gossiped at, being blacklisted over and over again. Its always like a school and I'm always the bad student.
During those days, there were so many rules to follow to. There were ruling against long hair, leather jackets, pants, revealing clothes and ear rings for male or any assesories. I cannot even remember some of their rules. Too "rebel" to follow remember? But I do remember one particular excruciating program that I personally was so happy to be involved in.
I worked so hard and never missed one rehearsal. I was on time, punctual and discipline. I was driving my Old Volkswagen. My most precious car even though it often broke down. I used to speak to that dear car of mine. Like as if he was Herbie, remember that movie? So he was like my Herbie.
"Please be co operating not to break down as I am having an important show to do". Silly of me, but I chose to not break "his" heart. As if he was alive, so I thought of talking to him because I know he understood me! Even if I cursed, he would break down. - AND IT HAPPEN!
Back to top, It was a live telecast program. How often do one Artist get that chance. That great opportunity. Why would I want to miss this chance. After being in the rehearsals for few days. Off and On with my surviving Old Volkswagen. Travelling back and forth. Rehearse to Perfection. Everything was fine until there was a BIG BANG.
THAT WOMAN.
A HUGE (so called HUGE, maybe its just her to think she is that HUGE and a total BIG of a DEAL) PRODUCER, - I hope she is reading my blog.
That POWER HUNGER woman shouted at me as if I wasn't human. As if I was her lap dog that goes DO THIS AND DO THAT. She was so rude, I still couldn't believe how she could bark at me to cut my hair. Barking like a female dog she was.
She demanded for me to cut my hair or leave the show. WHAT THE DEVILS WAS SHE THINKING. WHO THE HELL SHE THINK SHE IS?
Who gave her the power and right like as if she was Athena, one of the Greek Gods. Well more like a slimy Medusa. In my book, sad to say she just wants to feel that she is 'POWERFUL'. A POWER to overwrite a human out. Just because, she was a producer in a major tv station at that time.
That was the most mad idea she had ever gave to me. I REFUSED to cut my hair. My hair, is like my price possession. My main self to be in character. My hair brings me to who I am. Most of all, it is MY HAIR.
So Miss Medusa, who finds herself a bigger person than I am. She'd like to show others how powerful she think she was, to portray that she is the most important element. SHE SACKED ME. HARDCORE FIRED. Worst than how Donald Trumph fires his Apprentice.
Her words still lingers in my mind.
"If you do not cut your hair get out of my show".
THAT was the LAST STRAW. I was on top of my nerves. I took my clothes and go with the worst speech I have made to her. I left in the end. I was upset but never did I not chin down on this.
Many artists and people involved in that program will sure to remember that incident. IT WAS THE MAIN ISSUE OF THE YEAR. Of course, I did not gave her pride back and sorry to say I called her names, (which I think she deserves it and also to reflect her tiny attitude) Names you could not want to imagine or want to hear. (IN other words, when you're mad you'd say those words unconditionally)
Producers will always say 'THIS IS MY SHOW' - As if it was like a take it or leave it.
WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM HERE? WAS I DOING SOMETHING SO AGAINST THE LAW? I WAS PROTECTING MYSELF FROM BEING SOMEONE WHO I'M NOT.
Honestly, I DO NOT GIVE A DAMN COST ABOUT THIS.
Shameless, there were other artists that actually cut their hair in public as I remember it. You call yourself an artist but you couldn't even stand up to your own image. It was so stupid and they just lose their IDENTITY. The golden rule of being an artist. IMAGE AND IDENTITY is YOU to decide.
Young Artist today,
Take this as a lesson. DO NOT allow anyone to change you. YOU BRAND YOURSELF. YOU MAKE YOURSELF. YOU ARE YOU. FIND YOUR IDENTITY AND PROTECT IT.
Nowadays, most of the TV producers I worked with are more professional with good attitude which makes
me a happier person. Thank goodness for humanity lessons. I hope they feel the same way likewise. Old saying,
if you want respect, you have to respect others as well because courtesy is due when respect is earn.
I can see that there are a lot of changes in our music industry. How I envy the new artists in this generation. They are proud to be themselves. Dressed how they want too, and with any hairstyles will do to complete them. They were given good publicity, with unlimited sponsors in any form of advertisement, so many TV stations and programs to be in.
Any artists or performers would relax and feel at ease. EVERYTHING is easy now. Being an artist back then was as if we were to be in an army.
Be happy and respected as we always know our roles that "THE SHOW MUST GO ON"
At this moment I am trying to manage and understand the GENERATION 'Y' in their own manner and not to overwrite them off.. As this generations are actually raised by us.
JOHN LENNON would say...."WONSAPONATIME". - (John Lennon Style)
Being who you are and Keep your CHIN UP.
Even how down you are: Through the most difficult times, through the most stormy time of your life.
I could hear the sound of how he must have say: WONSAPONATIME. In his Melodic way.
TO ME....I JUST HAVE FAITH, MY FRIENDS.
I dedicate one of John Lennon song to you all and ALWAYS remember how HE WANTED TO GIVE
'PEACE A CHANCE'. Let us, put on our "Peace Button" and Imagine the WORLD WILL BE A BETTER
PLACE FOR US.
PEACE AND POWER TO THE PEOPLE.
.
