Bing Slamet
Encyclopedia
Ahmad Syech Albar, better known by his stage name Bing Slamet, was an Indonesian singer, songwriter, comedian, and actor. During his career, he acted in 17 films and released "dozens" of albums. Shortly before his death, he received a lifetime achievement award from the Governor of Jakarta. Three of his songs were chosen by Rolling Stone Indonesia as some of the best Indonesian songs of all time.
, West Java
, on 27 September 1927 to R. Achmad and his wife. As a child he was known as a class clown, often joking and winking. Although his father wanted him to be a doctor or an engineer, Albar decided to be an entertainer. At the age of twelve he began singing in the Terang Boelan orchestra in 1939. In 1944, he joined the Pantja Warna stage group and travelled through Yogyakarta, Malang
, and Surabaya
.
Albar took the name Bing Slamet in 1948 as a tribute to Bing Crosby
, whom he respected; Bing was a reference to Crosby, and Slamet was his own nickname. Aside from singing, he also began to participate in comedy, forming the "Los Gilos" comic group together with Tjepot and Udel. On 29 July 1953, he won a comedy competition in the Jakarta Art Building
, which gave him the nickname "Bintang Pelawak" ("Star of Comedians"), and two years later he was chosen as the best radio entertainer by the Radio Republik Indonesia
branch in Jakarta. He eventually came on friendly terms with then-President Sukarno
.
Aside from comedy, Slamet also was active in acting and songwriting. In 1950 he performed in his first film, Menanti Kasih (Waiting for my Love). His first starring role was in 1955's Di Simpang Jalan (At the Intersection). His later movies were mainly comedies. After founding Safari Sinar Sakti Film, he used his power as a producer to become one of the first Indonesian actors with his name embedded in a film's title; this became a trend during the 1970s.
He also formed the band Eka Sapta with Yamin Widjaja, the founder of Musica Studios
; together they were one of the dominant Indonesian bands in the 1960s and 70s.
During his career, he played in 17 films and "dozens" of albums. His most popular film was Bing Slamet Koboi Cengeng (Bing Slamet the Crybaby Cowboy), which was seen by 530 thousand people during its initial run in 1974.
Slamet died on 17 December 1974 at his friend's house in Jakarta of liver cancer
. His funeral procession stretched for more than 4 kilometres (2.5 mi), and was attended by thousands. He is buried in Karet Bivak cemetery, Central Jakarta
.
wrote "Bing" in 30 minutes on the airplane she was riding as a tribute to him. Rolling Stone Indonesia noted that Puspa was clearly emotionally devastated by his death. In 2003, Slamet was awarded the Budaya Parama Dharma medal. It was accepted by his son Hilmansyah.
In 2009, Rolling Stone Indonesia listed three of Slamet's songs on their list of the 150 best Indonesian songs of all time. His cover of Ismail Marzuki
's song "Payung Fantasi" ("Fantasy Umbrella") was ranked 70th, with the magazine praising Slamet's vocals. His cover of "Gendjer-Gendjer", written by the Lekra-affiliated M. Arif, was ranked 105th; it was noted as being popular during the later years of Sukarno's rule, but deliberately ignored during Suharto's New Order
regime. "Nurlela", the title track from Slamet's film Bing Slamet Tukang Becak (Bing Slamet the Pedicab Driver), was ranked 118th. "Bing" was ranked 41st.
Slamet has been noted as directly or indirectly influencing numerous entertainers who followed him. His frequent collaborators Puspa and Benyamin Sueb
learned from his experience and used it to further their own careers; Puspa has noted that meeting Slamet was the reason she entered singing, and Sueb is buried not far from Slamet. His songs have been covered by singers such as Glenn Fredly
and Ruth Sahanaya
.
Biography
Ahmad Syech Albar was born in CilegonCilegon
Cilegon is a major coastal industrial city in Banten province, Indonesia, covering 175.51 sqkm and has an official intercensal estimated population of 338,027 for 2007...
, West Java
West Java
West Java , with a population of over 43 million, is the most populous and most densely populated province of Indonesia. Located on the island of Java, it is slightly smaller in area than densely populated Taiwan, but with nearly double the population...
, on 27 September 1927 to R. Achmad and his wife. As a child he was known as a class clown, often joking and winking. Although his father wanted him to be a doctor or an engineer, Albar decided to be an entertainer. At the age of twelve he began singing in the Terang Boelan orchestra in 1939. In 1944, he joined the Pantja Warna stage group and travelled through Yogyakarta, Malang
Malang
Malang is the second largest city in East Java province, Indonesia. It has an ancient history dating back to the Mataram Kingdom. The city population at the 2010 Census was 819,708. During the period of Dutch colonization, it was a popular destination for European residents. The city is famous for...
, and Surabaya
Surabaya
Surabaya is Indonesia's second-largest city with a population of over 2.7 million , and the capital of the province of East Java...
.
Albar took the name Bing Slamet in 1948 as a tribute to Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
, whom he respected; Bing was a reference to Crosby, and Slamet was his own nickname. Aside from singing, he also began to participate in comedy, forming the "Los Gilos" comic group together with Tjepot and Udel. On 29 July 1953, he won a comedy competition in the Jakarta Art Building
Gedung Kesenian Jakarta
Gedung Kesenian Jakarta , historically known as Schouwburg Weltevreden, is a concert hall in Jakarta, Indonesia, built during the Dutch colonial period.-History:...
, which gave him the nickname "Bintang Pelawak" ("Star of Comedians"), and two years later he was chosen as the best radio entertainer by the Radio Republik Indonesia
Radio Republik Indonesia
Radio Republik Indonesia is the state radio network of Indonesia. The organization is a public broadcasting service. It is a national radio station that broadcasts all over Indonesia and abroad to serve all Indonesian citizens throughout the nation and overseas. RRI also provides information about...
branch in Jakarta. He eventually came on friendly terms with then-President Sukarno
Sukarno
Sukarno, born Kusno Sosrodihardjo was the first President of Indonesia.Sukarno was the leader of his country's struggle for independence from the Netherlands and was Indonesia's first President from 1945 to 1967...
.
Aside from comedy, Slamet also was active in acting and songwriting. In 1950 he performed in his first film, Menanti Kasih (Waiting for my Love). His first starring role was in 1955's Di Simpang Jalan (At the Intersection). His later movies were mainly comedies. After founding Safari Sinar Sakti Film, he used his power as a producer to become one of the first Indonesian actors with his name embedded in a film's title; this became a trend during the 1970s.
He also formed the band Eka Sapta with Yamin Widjaja, the founder of Musica Studios
Musica Studios
Musica Studios is an Indonesian music company based in Jakarta, Indonesia. Known as Metropolitan Studios in the 1960s and then Music Studios in the 1970s, Musica Studios was founded by Yamin Widjaja, the owner of an electronics store. Musica is one of the largest music companies in Indonesia...
; together they were one of the dominant Indonesian bands in the 1960s and 70s.
During his career, he played in 17 films and "dozens" of albums. His most popular film was Bing Slamet Koboi Cengeng (Bing Slamet the Crybaby Cowboy), which was seen by 530 thousand people during its initial run in 1974.
Slamet died on 17 December 1974 at his friend's house in Jakarta of liver cancer
Liver cancer
Liver tumors or hepatic tumors are tumors or growths on or in the liver . Several distinct types of tumors can develop in the liver because the liver is made up of various cell types. These growths can be benign or malignant...
. His funeral procession stretched for more than 4 kilometres (2.5 mi), and was attended by thousands. He is buried in Karet Bivak cemetery, Central Jakarta
Central Jakarta
Central Jakarta is one of the five cities which form Jakarta, Indonesia. It had 898,883 inhabitants at the 2010 Census.Central Jakarta is the smallest in area and population of the five cities of Jakarta. It is the administrative and political center of Jakarta and Indonesia...
.
Personal life
Slamet married R. Ratna Kamala Furi on 23 April 1956. Together they had eight children, two daughters and six sons. Three of those children went on to be entertainers.Accolades and awards
In 1972, then-Governor of Jakarta Ali Sidikin gave Slamet a lifetime achievement award for his musical career. After Slamet's death, Titiek PuspaTitiek Puspa
Sumarti , better known by her stage name Titiek Puspa, is an Indonesian singer and songwriter. Rolling Stone Indonesia has selected two of her songs as some of the best Indonesian songs ever.-Biography:...
wrote "Bing" in 30 minutes on the airplane she was riding as a tribute to him. Rolling Stone Indonesia noted that Puspa was clearly emotionally devastated by his death. In 2003, Slamet was awarded the Budaya Parama Dharma medal. It was accepted by his son Hilmansyah.
In 2009, Rolling Stone Indonesia listed three of Slamet's songs on their list of the 150 best Indonesian songs of all time. His cover of Ismail Marzuki
Ismail Marzuki
Ismail Marzuki was an Indonesian composer, songwriter and musician who wrote between 202 and 240 songs between 1931 and 1958, including numerous popular patriotic songs. Among his best known works are "Gugur Bunga" and "Rayuan Pulau Kelapa". In 1968, he was honoured with the creation of Taman...
's song "Payung Fantasi" ("Fantasy Umbrella") was ranked 70th, with the magazine praising Slamet's vocals. His cover of "Gendjer-Gendjer", written by the Lekra-affiliated M. Arif, was ranked 105th; it was noted as being popular during the later years of Sukarno's rule, but deliberately ignored during Suharto's New Order
New Order (Indonesia)
The New Order is the term coined by former Indonesian President Suharto to characterize his regime as he came to power in 1966. Suharto used this term to contrast his rule with that of his predecessor, Sukarno...
regime. "Nurlela", the title track from Slamet's film Bing Slamet Tukang Becak (Bing Slamet the Pedicab Driver), was ranked 118th. "Bing" was ranked 41st.
Slamet has been noted as directly or indirectly influencing numerous entertainers who followed him. His frequent collaborators Puspa and Benyamin Sueb
Benyamin Sueb
Benyamin Sueb was an Indonesian comedian, actor, and singer. He released 46 studio albums and starred in more than 50 films. He received two Citra Awards for Intan Berduri in 1973 and Si Doel Anak Modern in 1975.-Early life:Benyamin was born in Kemayoran, Batavia, on 5 March 1939...
learned from his experience and used it to further their own careers; Puspa has noted that meeting Slamet was the reason she entered singing, and Sueb is buried not far from Slamet. His songs have been covered by singers such as Glenn Fredly
Glenn Fredly
Glenn Fredly Deviano Latuihamallo is an Indonesian R&B singer and songwriter. Entering the music industry after winning a singing contest in 1995, as of 2009 he has released 10 albums.-Biography:...
and Ruth Sahanaya
Ruth Sahanaya
Ruth Sahanaya is an Indonesian singer. She rose to fame in the late 1980s and is perhaps best known for her hit song "Kaulah Segalanya". She has toured internationally, been the Indonesian representative at many music festivals, and has received multiple awards...
.
Filmography
- Menanti Kasih (Waiting for My Love; 1951)
- Solo di Waktu Malam (Solo at Night; 1952)
- Di Simpang Jalan (At the Intersection; 1955)
- Radja Karet dari Singapura (The Rubber King from Singapore; 1956)
- Melati Senja (Twilight Jasmine; 1956)
- Pilihlah Aku (Choose Me; 1956)
- Tiga Buronan (Three Fugitives; 1957)
- Hari Libur (Holiday; 1958)
- Nurlela, Diwajahmu Kulihat Bulan (Nurlela, In Your Face I See the Moon; 1959)
- Bing Slamet Tukang Becak (Bing Slamet the Pedicab Driver; 1959)
- Amor dan Humor (Love and Humour; 1961)
- Kisah Pelawak (A Comedian's Tale; 1961)
- Bing Slamet Merantau (Bing Slamet Wanders; 1962)
- Hantjurnja Petualang (The Fall of an Explorer; 1966)
- Bunga Putih (White Flower; 1966)
- Juda Saba Desa (Juda Frequents the Village; 1967)
- 2 x 24 Jam (2 x 24 Hours; 1967)
- Bing Slamet Setan Jalan (Bing Slamet the Walking Demon; 1972)
- Ambisi (Ambition; 1973)
- Bing Slamet Sibuk (Bing Slamet is Busy; 1973)
- Bing Slamet Dukun Palsu (Bing Slamet the False Dukun; 1973)
- Bing Slamet Koboi Cengeng (Bing Slamet the Crybaby Cowboy; 1974)
Partial discography
- Menanti Kasih (Waiting for Love)
- Nurlaila
- Keroncong Moritsu
- Es Lilin / Panon Hideung (Ice Cream / Panon Hideung)
- Bing Slamet Tersayang (Beloved Bing Slamet)
- Romi dan Juliet (Romi and Juliet)