Benyamin Sueb

Benyamin Sueb (5 March 1939 – 5 September 1995) was an Indonesian comedian, actor and singer.

He released 46 studio albums and starred in more than 50 films.

Benyamin was born in Kemayoran, Batavia, on 5 March 1939.

His parents were Suaeb and Aisyah.

His father's real name was Sukirman but changed to Suaeb since he lived in Batavia.

At the age of two, Benyamin's father died.

Later on, he was permitted to be a street performer.

In 1946, he studied at Bendungan Jago Elementary School.

When he was in the fifth or sixth grade, he moved to Santo Yusuf Elementary School in Bandung.

After graduating, he continued his studies at Taman Madya Cikini Junior High School, and then Taman Siswa Senior High School in Kemayoran.

He later studied at the Jakarta Academy of Banking for one year but did not finish.

He originally wanted to become a pilot, but his mother forbade him; he eventually found work as a bread seller, and then as a bus conductor.

In the 1950s, Benyamin joined the Melody Boys, who played calypso music, rhumba, cha-cha, jazz, blues, rock n roll, and some keroncong.

The band performed some famous songs including "When I Fall in Love", "Blue Moon" and "Unchained Melody".

They also performed their songs, like "Kisah Cinta" ("Love Story"), "Panon Hideung" ("Black Eye"), and "Si Neneng".

He also played jazz with Jack Lemmers and Bill Saragih.

In the late 1960s, several songs that were composed by him were sung by Bing Slamet, including "Nonton Bioskop" ("Watching a Movie at the Theatre"), "Hujan Gerimis" ("Drizzle"), "Endeng-Endengan" and "Ada-Ada Saja" ("It is What it is").

From the late 1960s until the early 1970s, he was influenced by John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers' blues and James Brown's soul.

In 1963, the Melody Boys changed their name to Melodi Ria.

In 1970, Benyamin made his debut in Banteng Betawi.

In 1972, he starred in his eighth film as Jamal, the main character in Intan Berduri.

He was paired with Rima Melati.

He received two Citra Awards for Intan Berduri in 1973 and Si Doel Anak Modern in 1975.

In 1973, he collaborated with Bing Slamet on Ambisi (Ambition) and Bing Slamet Setan Djalanan (Bing Slamet the Street Demon).

He also collaborated with Sjumandjaja on Si Doel Anak Betawi.

After starring in Si Doel Anak Betawi, he appeared in the sequel, Si Doel Anak Modern in 1975.

In 1977, Benyamin wrote "Pungli", a critical song to the government.

In 1992, he formed a new group named Al-Haj.

The band released the album Biang Kerok.

In "Ampunan" ("Forgiveness"), he sang seriously.

However, in "I'm a Teacher" and "Kisah Kucing Tua" ("Story of an Old Cat") he sang humorously.

Style-wise, "Dingin-Dingin Dimandiin" ("Cold when Bathed") is rock.

"Ampunan" was influenced by Genesis' Watcher of the Skies.

The album was also influenced by The Beatles' "Lady Madonna".

Benyamin used music as a medium of reflection and contemplation, to critique the current socio-political situation.

His music is a portrait of the marginal.

Many of his used the theme of the "tukang" (meaning handyman in Indonesian), such as "Tukang Solder", "Tukang Becak", and "Tukang Kredit".

His musical style was various.

He used some blues, soul, and funk music in his works.

Other genres he used in his songs were rock and dangdut.