The Indonesian music scene has lost one of its brightest stars with the passing on Friday of legendary singer Yon Koeswoyo. He was 77 years old.

“He [Yon] died this morning,” confirmed renowned music reporter Bens Leo, who was also a close friend of Yon, as quoted by tribunnews.com.

Ben added that he received the news about Yon’s death from the late singer’s brother, Nomo Koeswoyo.

Yon had been in and out of hospitals due to complications of an illness he had been suffering for the last two years.

“I visited him at Eka Hospital in BSD [South Tangerang, Banten] recently. He was feeling a little better then,” Ben said.

Meanwhile, Yon’s oldest son, Gerry Koeswoyo, said his father had had trouble breathing since coming home from the hospital several days ago.

He tried to bring his father back to the hospital the night before he died, but Yon rejected the idea.

“He said, ‘Why would you take me to the hospital? I am going to die anyway,’” Gerry said.

“My dad’s last wish was to stay at his home with his family.”

Born in Tuban, East Java, on Sept. 27, 1940, Yon first stepped into the spotlight in 1958 with the Koes Bersaudara (Koes Brothers) band, which he founded with his brothers, Jon, Tonny, Nomo and Yok, and his friend Jan Mintaraga.

The band, with Yon and Yok as the main vocalists, recorded its first album in 1962, but failed to achieve great financial success and went through several personnel changes before becoming Koes Plus in the
late 1960s.

Following the transformation, the band began to gain commercial and financial success.

Koes Plus reached its peak in the 1970s, releasing 24 albums in 1974 alone — which meant it launched two albums a month on average.

Yon’s distinct vocals along with the band’s easy-listening tunes and catchy lyrics became a staple of Indonesian music throughout the decade.

Even today, songs such as Bujangan (Bachelor), Muda-Mudi (The Youth) and Kembali ke Jakarta (Back to Jakarta) are still often played and covered by musicians from different generations.

Condolences from Indonesian musicians poured in after the news about Yon’s death became public.

Singer Glenn Fredly wrote “Rest in Love” on his official Instagram account beneath a photo of Yon performing.

D’Masiv vocalist Rian said Yon had been one of his biggest influences since he was a kid dreaming of one day becoming a musician.

“I have all the original vinyl [records] of Koes Plus,” Rian said.

Popular

RI urges umrah pilgrims to avoid Singapore, Malaysia transit flights

Prabowo begins third year with tighter grip as public support slips

Indonesia's gas export cuts: A costly blow to trust and regional leadership