Jamal Abdillah - Di Penghujung Rindu

Introducing a local favorite and a legend in his own right.

Who cannot forgave his drug addiction episodes? Who cannot forgave and forget his naked stunt at Jalan Parliament? I forgave him and whole of Malaysia forgave him repeatedly. He repent. We embraced him.

Jamal Abdillah who was discovered from a local musical talent program, Bintang RTM 1979. He came out as the champion when he performed Alleycats, Senandung Semalam.  He was confident throughout his performance and everyone knew he would win the moment he fell on his knee coming into the chorus of the song...than the rest is history.

I like Jamal and I have acknowledged his powerful voice which never failed him in every performances. I forget his past whenever I listen to him singing. He has an aura that is quite difficult to explain in simple English.....something like a tingling sensation that gives you the goosebumps....sort off.  Ha Ha Ha! Jamal is in his own class.

Penghujung Rindu has no impact what so ever on me. This my favourite among Jamal's songs. I just loved how the lyrics compliment the music. Kena sesangat. How every words came out so organized, one at the time. Memang betul2 feeling bila dengar lagu ni.

Credit You Tube and WarnerMusicMalaysia

Jamal plays the guitar but in 2006 at Istana Budaya he revealed his talent when he sang Seniman Manangis on the piano. Sadly to say, it was also at the highlight of his drug addictions.  He looks like a living skeleton, sweating profusely and as though he was going to slip from the piano stool. Out of tune on several occasion but nevertheless, he gave a commendable performance. An entertainer is never afraid to learn new things. Even the audience in the video clip tolerated the off key tune.

Credit You Tube and WarnerMusicMalaysia

However my respect to Jamal as he has maintain his popularity for almost 35 years. I salute you!

Andy Gibb - Shadow Dancing

Those who grew up in the 80's fell in love with this guy.  He was the good looking and sexiest of the GIBBS brothers! His trademark, he likes to bare his hairy chest.

Credit to You Tube and gibbtvofficial

Being the youngest of the Gibbs, he has always looked up to his brothers especially Barry, who natured Andy into becoming an artist in his own right. A high school dropout at the age of fifteen he decided to pursue his love for music.

Andy was independent financially. Some said he lived well because of his brothers. He was energetic, hardworking and of course talented. He put 110% in everything he did. Three singles from his first album went to #1 in Music Billboard. But much later he had doubts and felt insecure thinking that his brothers influence his success.  

Kadang-kadang kalau kita tak bersyukur dengan pemberian Allah, macam tu la jadinya. Andy sepatutnya berterima kasih to Barry who created the path for his success.  So what? He should be grateful that he had the Bee Gee to back him up. There is nothing wrong for Andy to accept the reality that the success of his three brothers contributed to his own celebrity status.

Married at 18 and successful at an early age brought toll to Andy's career when drugs became his silent partner.  I may not understand the level of stress these artist fell into, but sure hell must have been extreme at certain point in their lives. But when things crash and fall apart,....he crumbled.  Depression hits him. Picking up back pieces was tough but Andy gave his shots. His mental weakness was what killed him.

The most memorable song that I first relate to Andy Gibb was Shadow Dancing. It was from his second album. Other hits includes Love is thicker than water, I just want to be your everything, and An everlasting love.

It was reported that in the late 80s Andy was free of cocaine but his depression remained. Quoting Robin Gibb, " paranoia associated with cocaine abuse shattered Andy's confidence and he became scared of people.".

He died due to inflammation of the heart muscle caused by the long cocaine abuse on 10 Mar 1988.