Published: Thursday June 18, 2009 MYT 11:24:00 AM
Updated: Thursday June 18, 2009 MYT 3:31:42 PM
It is now Datuk Sudirman Arshad
PEKAN: One of Malaysia’s greatest singing sensations, the late Sudirman Arshad, was awarded a posthumous Datukship by the Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Ahmad Shah, at Istana Abu Bakar here Thursday.
Sudirman (1954-992), burst onto the local entertainment scene when he won the local talent contest Bintang RTM in 1976 before going on to establish a lucrative chart-topping career.
He was known as the “Singing Lawyer” and the “Elvis of Malaysia,” recording hits not only in Malaysia but also in other countries around the region.
His performances brought him standing ovations in Australia, Japan, Kuwait and the United States.
He was named a “Singing Ambassador” by the Malaysia Tourism Development Board and his rendition of the To know Malaysia is to love Malaysia is still played in promotions.
One of the many high points in his career was on April 15, 1986, when he held an open air concert at Chow Kit Road in Kuala Lumpur, believed to have been the country’s first ever “street concert.”
A crowd of more than 100,000 jammed the streets, leading The Star then to report that “KL came to a standstill and it had nothing to do with the recession but with one man, Malaysia’s top entertainer,” adding that it was “an electrifying performance and a most memorable night.”
He won the title of “Best Performer” at the Asia Music Awards 1989 held at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
He died at the age of 37 on Feb 22 in 1992 after suffering a stroke as a result of a cerebrovascular disease.
More to come
News Poll
- The world just got bigger
- Man posted doctored photos of Nik Aziz
- Heartbreaking wait for mum
- Opposition leaders decry court’s ruling
- 5-0 for BN’s Zambry
- Thumbs-up for Najib
- Saiful files report over death threat
- Fleet card cloning ring busted with arrest of trio
- WWF: Orang asli being used
- Give Zambry a chance, says Najib
- 60 lose RM25mil in gold investment scam
- Man posted doctored photos of Nik Aziz
- PM to share CNY joy with folk of Kg Pandamaran
- Much to cheer in book ban decision
- Pakatan licks its wounds
- West still sees Iran nuclear offers as small change
- Why begrudge Govt the stamp duty?
- Our mosques under-utilised
- Work language classes into the school curriculum
- Pakatan licks its wounds
RSS
