Koes Plus concert revives past splendour<\/p>\n
By Rita A. Widiadana<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): \"What is Koes Plus?\" a teenager asked when she
\nwas told about the band's recent show at the Plenary Hall,
\nJakarta Convention Center, Wednesday night.<\/p>\n
For this 18-year-old girl and her peers, who prefer to listen
\nto rock and rap music, Koes Plus may mean nothing. But ask any of
\ntheir mothers, fathers, uncles or aunties, they may be one of the
\nband's faithful fans.<\/p>\n
The band's admirers are mostly adults in their 30s to 50s;
\nMany of them hold important positions in the government, as well
\nas private sectors. Minister\/State Secretary Moerdiono, business
\ntycoon Sudwikatmono and businessman Ibnu Sutowo are among the
\nband's faithful fans.<\/p>\n
During Wednesday's concert, Moerdiono joined Koes Plus on
\nstage and they sang several songs together.<\/p>\n
\"I have a complete collection of Koes Plus' albums and I can
\neven sing most of their songs by heart,\" Moerdiono added proudly.<\/p>\n
Wednesday's unusual show was a nostalgic musical trip for most
\nIndonesian music lovers. The show staged three legendary music
\nbands, Koes Plus, Panbers (Panjaitan Bersaudara -- the Panjaitan
\nBrothers), and D'Llyod, who rarely performed together during
\ntheir golden years in the l970s.<\/p>\n
\"The show was mainly aimed at reminding local music fans that
\nthese bands have given significant contributions to the
\nIndonesian music scene,\" Ais Soehana, the concert's organizer,
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"The revival of Koes Plus and other old bands could affect the
\ncurrent local music scene, which is now dominated by western
\ncultures,\" Moerdiono added.<\/p>\n
Music arranger Yonki Sumarno said that Koes Bersaudara (Koes
\nBrothers), later Koes Plus, is part of Indonesian music history.<\/p>\n
\"Whether you like their music or not, the band has helped
\nshape the current local pop music culture,\" Sumarno said.<\/p>\n
Established in l961, Koes Bersaudara injected fresh air into
\nthe local music scene, which was heavily influenced by western
\nmusic.<\/p>\n
Musician Yanuar Ishak recalled that there were actually a
\nnumber of bands, including El Dolores Combo, Zaenal Combo, and
\nGumarang. However, they mostly played songs by Elvis Presley, Tom
\nJones, The Everly Brothers and Pat Bone.<\/p>\n
Koes Bersaudara -- comprising Tonny, Nomo, Yon and Yok
\nKoeswoyo -- provided new alternatives, by confidently playing
\ntheir own compositions. Young generations of the l960s and l970s
\nwould remember their hits like Dara Manisku (My Sweet Young
\nGirl), Telaga Sunyi (Lonely Lake), and Di Sekolah (At School).
\nUndoubtedly, the music of Koes Bersaudara was also influenced by
\nforeign musicians, such as The Beatles, The Bee Gees and The
\nEverly Brothers. Yet their musical strength lies in simple but
\ntouching lyrics and harmonious musical arrangements.<\/p>\n
According to music researcher Franki Raden, most of Koes
\nBersaudara's compositions have modest melodic structures and
\ncontours. But that does not make their music run dry and shallow.
\nTheir musical simplicity is capable of stirring people's emotion.
\nMany of their songs have now become evergreen hits, such as
\nCintamu Tlah Berlalu (Your Love Has Already Passed By), Ke
\nJakarta (To Jakarta) and Kisah sedih di Hari Minggu (Sad Story on
\nSunday).<\/p>\n
The band's career was halted in early l965 when President
\nSukarno charged Indonesian musicians with acts of subversion
\nbecause they played and adored western music.<\/p>\n
\"We were sent to jail for l00 days. The Old Order government
\neven called us the CIA's people,\" Yok Koeswoyo, the youngest
\nmember of the band, recalled.<\/p>\n
Despite their harsh moment in the jail, Koes Bersaudara tried
\nto remain creative and productive. They wrote a number of
\ncompositions such as Balada Kamar 15 (Ballad of Room 15), Dalam
\nBui (In Jail) and Voorman (Foreman).<\/p>\n
Koes Bersaudara were finally released from prison, but one of
\nthe band's members, Nomo Koeswoyo, decided to leave music. The
\nband broke up in late l965.<\/p>\n
It was their oldest brother, the late Tonny Koeswoyo, who
\ninsisted that the band continue performing. Four years later,
\nTonny discovered a talented drummer, Murry, who was an enthusiast
\nof Koes Bersaudara.<\/p>\n
Because Murry was an \"outsider\", the name Koes Bersaudara was
\nchanged to Koes Plus, for Koeswoyo Brothers plus Murry.<\/p>\n
In the l970s Koes Plus released its maiden album entitled Deg
\nDeg Plas, which became a very successful album. Another album,
\nHidup yang Sepi (The Quiet Life), produced several hits. Until
\nthe middle of the l970s, Koes Plus successfully monopolized
\nIndonesian pop music. They released 14 albums, many were best
\nsellers.<\/p>\n
Koes Plus' new music was a fusion of pop, country and ballad.
\nQuite often, they inserted various ethnic musical elements, from
\nCentral Java, Malayan, and keroncong (popular Indonesian music
\noriginating from Portuguese songs).<\/p>\n
The success of Koes Plus inspired many youngsters to establish
\nmusic bands. Among them were Panbers (Panjaitan Bersaudara), The
\nMercys and D'Llyod.<\/p>\n
During the early years of the New Order government, the public
\npreferred rock music which was dominating the world, to local
\ncompositions. Teenagers loved the music of famous international
\nrock groups, such as Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and
\nThe Rolling Stones, and although the influence of western bands
\nwas very vivid, local bands had their own place among the public.<\/p>\n
Musician Abadi Soesman said that it was quite interesting to
\nnote the music scene at that period.<\/p>\n
\"This was a very healthy environment for musicians,\" Abadi
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Compared to other bands, Koes Plus did incredibly well. With a
\nvery limited musical background, the band created amazing works.
\nUp to now, they have released 127 albums. This is incomparable to
\nany other music group in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
With the band 's new formation, Yon, Yok, Murry and Najib,
\nKoes Plus could still enrich Indonesia's music scene. (raw)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/koes-plus-concert-revives-past-splendour-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}