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Godfather of rock
The older, the stronger
T
he older, the stronger. They may be the right words to describe Ahmad Albar aka Iye, vocalist of Indonesia’s legendary rock band God Bless.
He is the only band member who has never left the group and the country’s only rock singer from the 1970s who keeps on performing and going into the recording studio. Proof of his tenacity? Just recently Iye performed in concert at Bengkel Cafe in Jakarta.
Ahmad Albar helming God Bless JP/PJ Leo
As God Bless finished the third song in the concert and was about to sing the fourth Rumah Kita (Our Home), featuring Gigi band vocalist Armand Maulana and guitarist Dewa Bujana, Iye was surprised to hear his colleagues and audience sing Happy Birthday.
“Woooww….. somebody has leaked the news of my birthday,” said Iye, smiling and eyeing the birthday cake brought by the show promoter to the stage. Last Friday, July 16 was his 64th birthday. His age has never dampened his perseverance and creativity in God Bless.
After blowing out the candles, cutting the cake and giving it to his son, actor Fachri Albar, who was also present at the concert, Iye and God Bless continued with his rendition of some of the band’s legendary songs.
The concert, “Bersama Kita Bintang”, was part of the nine-city tour across Indonesia organized by beverage company PT Multi Bintang Indonesia Niaga. The theme for the show is friendship and unity.
Previous concerts were held in five cities in the country; Bandung, Medan, Malang, Surabaya and Yogyakarta and other than God Bless, other bands performing in the concert are Gigi, Nidji, Naif as well as Andra and the Backbone.
The choice of bands for the concert tour is based on the concept of friendship. The organizer is convinced that the groups survived in the industry especially because of the spirit of friendship they continue to foster.
Camaraderie within God Bless has led the group to maintain its longevity and win its legendary position in Indonesia’s musical scene, and the hearts of fans across generations. God Bless is an idol of all ages and serves as a model for the country’s younger-generation musicians.
Representing true friendship, God Bless has gone through different periods of joy and sorrow until the band reached its stardom. Passing the test of time, it is entering its 37th year this year, with its members embodying the value of friendship and togetherness.
“Spectacular works have often come out of friendship and togetherness. Music is one such achievement. As music is a universal language, particularly among the young people, it can unite them in the bond of friendship and serve as a means of creating great works,” said Iye.
Maria Soepin, marketing director of the sponsor, expected that with the theme “each city visited during the tour will have a blast.”
After the Jakarta gig God Bless, with its original line-up of Ahmad Albar on vocals,
Ian Antono on lead guitar, Donny Fatah Gagola on bass, Abadi Soesman on keyboard and Yaya Moektio on drum, is again ready to rock the crowd of “Bersama Kita Bintang” Makassar and Palembang. The tour is expected to wrap up in Bali on Aug. 6.
The selection of God Bless as headliner in the tour once again validates the legendary status of the band whose reputation looms large over brand new bands in the scene. In late 2009, the band graced the cover of Rolling Stone Indonesia magazine, a token of recognition from the mainstream music industry.
From its heyday in the 1970s, God Bless has proven that it can compete with younger rockers. After all, there are not many bands in the country who could open for legendary heavy metal outfit Deep Purple. God Bless did just that in 1975, when the Brit rockers performed in the capital.
