Benyamin Sueb
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Benyamin Sueb (5 March 19395 September 1995) was an Indonesian comedian, actor and singer. He released 46 studio albums and starred in more than 50 films. He received two
Citra Award The Indonesian Film Festival ( Indonesian: Festival Film Indonesia, 'FFI') is an annual awards ceremony organised by the Indonesian Film Board and the Ministry of Culture to celebrate cinematic achievements in the Indonesian film industry. Duri ...
s for ''Intan Berduri'' in 1973 and ''Si Doel Anak Modern'' in 1977.


Early life

Benyamin was born in
Kemayoran Kemayoran is a district (''kecamatan'') of Central Jakarta, Jakarta in Indonesia. It was best known for the former Kemayoran Airport and it has been transforming as a new central business district. As of 2023, it consists of numerous four and fiv ...
, 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 Bandung is the capital city of the West Java province of Indonesia. Located on the island of Java, the city is the List of Indonesian cities by population, fourth-most populous city and fourth largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta, Surabay ...
. After graduating, he continued his studies at Taman Madya Cikini Junior High School, and then Taman Siswa Senior High School in Kemayoran. Later, he studied at the Jakarta Academy of Banking for a year but did not complete his studies. He initially wanted to become a pilot, but his mother forbade him; he eventually got employment as a bread seller, and then as a bus conductor.


Career


Music

In the 1950s, Benyamin joined the Melody Boys, who played
calypso music Calypso is a style of Caribbean music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago from Afro-Trinidadians during the early- to mid-19th century and spread to the rest of the Caribbean Antilles by the mid-20th century. Its rhythms can be traced back ...
,
rhumba Rhumba, also known as ballroom rumba, is a genre of ballroom music and ballroom dance, dance that appeared in the East Coast of the United States during the 1930s. It combined American big band music with Afro-Cuban rhythms, primarily the son cub ...
, cha-cha,
jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...
,
blues Blues is a music genre and musical form that originated among African Americans in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues has incorporated spiritual (music), spirituals, work songs, field hollers, Ring shout, shouts, cha ...
,
rock n roll Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll, rock-n-roll, and rock 'n' roll) is a genre of popular music that evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It originated from African American music such as jazz, rhythm and ...
, and some ''
keroncong Kroncong (pronounced "kronchong"; , ) is the name of a ukulele-like instrument and an Indonesian musical style that typically makes use of the kroncong (the sound ' comes from this instrument, so the music is called ''kroncong''). A ''kroncong'' ...
''. The band performed some famous songs including "
When I Fall in Love "When I Fall in Love" is a popular song, written by Victor Young (music) and Edward Heyman (lyrics). It was introduced in Howard Hughes' last film '' One Minute to Zero'' as the instrumental titled "Theme from One Minute to Zero". Jeri Southe ...
", "
Blue Moon A blue moon refers either to the presence of a second full moon in a calendar month, to the third full moon in a season containing four, or to a moon that appears blue due to atmospheric effects. The calendrical meaning of "blue moon" is unc ...
" and "
Unchained Melody "Unchained Melody" is a 1955 song with music by Alex North and lyrics by Hy Zaret. North wrote the music as a theme for the prison film '' Unchained'' (1955), hence the song title. Todd Duncan sang the vocals for the film soundtrack.Robert ...
". 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 1963, the Melody Boys changed their name to Melodi Ria. In the late 1960s, several songs that were composed by him were sung by
Bing Slamet Ahmad Syech Albar (27 September 1927 – 17 December 1974), 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. Shortl ...
, 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 John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers were an English blues rock band led by multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter John Mayall. The band has been influential as an incubator for British rock and blues musicians. Many of the best known bands t ...
'
blues Blues is a music genre and musical form that originated among African Americans in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues has incorporated spiritual (music), spirituals, work songs, field hollers, Ring shout, shouts, cha ...
and
James Brown James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, musician, and record producer. The central progenitor of funk music and a major figure of 20th-century music, he is referred to by Honorific nick ...
's
soul The soul is the purported Mind–body dualism, immaterial aspect or essence of a Outline of life forms, living being. It is typically believed to be Immortality, immortal and to exist apart from the material world. The three main theories that ...
. 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 Genesis may refer to: Religion * Book of Genesis, the first book of the biblical scriptures of both Judaism and Christianity, describing the creation of the Earth and of humankind * Genesis creation narrative, the first several chapters of the Bo ...
' Watcher of the Skies. The album was also influenced by
The Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The core lineup of the band comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are widely regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatle ...
' "
Lady Madonna "Lady Madonna" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, written primarily by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. In March 1968 it was released as a mono non-album single, backed with " The Inner Light". The song was recor ...
". 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 Indonesian is anything of, from, or related to Indonesia, an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. It may refer to: * Indonesians, citizens of Indonesia ** Native Indonesians, diverse groups of local inhabitants of the archipelago ** Indonesian ...
), such as "Tukang Solder", "Tukang Becak", and "Tukang Kredit". His musical style was various. He used some
blues Blues is a music genre and musical form that originated among African Americans in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues has incorporated spiritual (music), spirituals, work songs, field hollers, Ring shout, shouts, cha ...
,
soul The soul is the purported Mind–body dualism, immaterial aspect or essence of a Outline of life forms, living being. It is typically believed to be Immortality, immortal and to exist apart from the material world. The three main theories that ...
, and
funk Funk is a music genre that originated in African-American communities in the mid-1960s when musicians created a rhythmic, danceable new form of music through a mixture of various music genres that were popular among African-Americans in the ...
music in his works. Other genres he used in his songs were rock and
dangdut Dangdut () is a genre of Indonesian folk music that is partly derived and fused from Hindustani, Arabic, and, to a lesser extent, Javanese, Malay, Minangkabau, Sundanese and local folk music. Dangdut is the most popular musical genre in Indon ...
.


Film

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. 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 Sjumandjaja ( Perfected Spelling: Syumanjaya; 5 August 1933 – 19 July 1985) was an Indonesian director, screenwriter, and actor. During his career he wrote numerous films, directed fourteen, acted in ten, and produced nine; he also won ...
on ''Si Doel Anak Betawi''. After starring in ''Si Doel Anak Betawi'', he appeared in the sequel, ''Si Doel Anak Modern'' in 1975. As a producer, he formed the movie company Jiung Film, which created ''Musuh Bebuyutan'' (''Arch-Nemesis''; 1974), ''Benyamin Koboi Ngungsi'' (''Benjamin the Refugee Cowboy''; 1975) and ''Hippies Lokal'' (''Local Hippies''; 1976). He also starred in eleven films which featured his name in the title, including ''Benyamin Biang Kerok'' (1972), ''Benyamin Brengsek'' (''Benyamin the Asshole''; 1973) and ''Benyamin Jatuh Cinta'' (''Benyamin Falls in Love''; 1976). In the 1980s, after releasing ''Betty Bencong Slebor'' (''Betty, the Frightful Transvestite''), he decided to stop producing his films and closed his movie company due to his revenues being less than production costs. He played in more than 53 films, as the main character or a supporting character.


Death

He died of a heart attack on 5 September 1995 after playing
football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...
.


Personal life

In 1959, Benyamin married Noni. He proposed to her but was rejected by her stepfather. After that, he proposed to Noni's biological father and was accepted. One year later, Beib, his first son was born. On 7 July 1979, He divorced Noni and reconciled in the same year, but did not last long because in 1981 they divorced again. In 1983, He remarried to Alfiah.


Awards

In 1973, Benyamin received a
Citra Award The Indonesian Film Festival ( Indonesian: Festival Film Indonesia, 'FFI') is an annual awards ceremony organised by the Indonesian Film Board and the Ministry of Culture to celebrate cinematic achievements in the Indonesian film industry. Duri ...
for ''Intan Berduri''. In 1977, he won another for ''Si Doel Anak Modern''. In 1995, he received a special award from the committee of Festival Sinetron Indonesia for his contribution to the development of Indonesian soap operas. Benyamin was celebrated in a
Google Doodle Google Doodle is a special, temporary alteration of the logo on Google's homepages intended to commemorate holidays, events, achievements, and historical figures. The first Google Doodle honored the 1998 edition of the long-running annual Bu ...
on 22 September 2020, on the occasion of the commemoration of a park with his name in East Jakarta. * : ** Star of Budaya Parama Dharma – (8 November 2011)


Awards and nominations


Discography

* ''Kancil Kesasar/Kue Onde'' (''A Mousedeer Who Got Lost / Onde Cake''; Mesra Records) * ''Si Jampang'' (Melodi Record) * ''Oom Senang'' (''Happy Uncle''; Mesra Record) * ''Brang Breng Brong'' (Diamond Record) * ''Jangkrik Genggong'' (''Barking Cricket''; Mutiara Record) * ''Apollo'' (Indah Records) * ''Tukang Tuak'' (''Tuak Salesman''; Undah Records) * ''Nonton Pecoen'' (''Watching Dragon Boats Race''; Remaco) * ''Keluarga Gila'' (''Crazy Family''; Remaco) * ''Tukang Sado'' (''Caravan Man''; Remaco) * ''Tukang Becak'' (''Pedicab Driver''; Remaco) * ''Terus Turun'' (''Keep Going Down''; Remaco) * ''Steambath'' (Remaco) * ''Dul-Dul Tjak'' (Mutiara Records) * ''Patjaran'' (''Dating''; Indah Records) * ''Ngupi'' (''Having Coffee''; Remaco) * ''Nyari Kutu'' (''Looking for Mites''; Indah Records) * ''Tukang Loak'' (''Seller of Second-hand goods''; Indah Records) * ''Ngibing'' (''Dance''; J&B) * ''Maredel'' (Remaco) * ''Mak Minta Makan Mak'' (''Mom, Food Please Mom''; Remaco) * ''Anak Sekarang'' (''Children Nowadays''; Remaco) * ''Blues Kejepit Pintu'' (''Caught in the Door Blues''; Remaco) * ''Bul Bul Efendi'' (Irama Tara) * ''Kicir-Kicir'' (''Fan''; Remaco) * ''Asal Nguap'' (''Yawning Indiscriminately''; Indah Records) * ''Makan'' (''Eat''; Remaco) * ''Main Congklak'' (''Playing with Stilts''; Irama Tara) * ''Ketemu Bayi Tabung'' (''Meeting a Test Tube Baby''; Irama Tara) * ''Soraya'' (Fila Records) * ''Telepon Cinta'' (''Telephone of Love''; Insan Record/RCA) * ''Martabak'' (Insan Record) * ''Ngibing Betawi'' ('' Betawi's Dance''; Varia Nada Utama) * ''Cintaku Berat di Ongkos'' (''My Love is Heavy on the Cost''; Virgo Ramayana Records) * ''Assoy'' (''Attractive''; Ben's Records) * ''Duit'' (''Money''; Mutiara Records) * ''Bayi Tabung'' (''Test Tube Baby''; Insan Records) * ''Mat Codet'' (Irama Asia) * ''Tua-Tua Komersiel'' (''Old but Commercial''; Gesit Records) * ''Saya Bilang'' (''I Say''; Abadi Records) * ''Telepon Umum'' (''Public Telephone''; Purnama Records) * ''Belajar Membaca'' (''Learning to Read''; Irama Asia) * ''Nostalgila'' (''Crazy Nostalgia''; Asia Records) * ''Sang Kodok'' (''The Frog''; BBB) * ''Biang Kerok'' featuring Al-Haj (''Provocateur''; Virgo Ramayana/Ben's Records) * ''Panglima Badul'' (''Commander Badul'')


Endorsements

* ''Mitsubishi Delica / Colt T-120'' (1979) * ''Mitsubishi Colt T120SS'' with Ateng, Dony Damara, Melly Manuhutu (1991) * ''King Kong'' (1994) * ''Neo Rheumacyl'' (1995)


Notes


References


General sources

* * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Sueb, Benyamin 1939 births 1995 deaths Sport deaths in Indonesia Betawi people Indonesian male comedians Indonesian comedians Indonesian male film actors 20th-century Indonesian male singers Indonesian Muslims Indonesian male television actors Entertainers from Jakarta 20th-century Indonesian male actors Muslim male comedians 20th-century comedians English-language singers from Indonesia Cause of Death Heart attack after playing football