Allahyarham Sudirman Hj Arshad (25 May 1954 - 22 February 1992) is the no 1 Asian Singer from Malaysia before Siti Nurhaliza. He is known as the 'Singing Lawyer', the 'People Singer' and the 'Elvis of Malaysia'. Allahyarham Sudirman Hj. Arshad was born on 25 May 1954 in Temerloh, Pahang. After refusing to take a scholarship to further his study in Science, he continued instead with Law and received his degree from Universiti Malaya and was called to the bar and became a practising lawyer.
He was named 'Malaysia's Singing Ambassador' by Malaysia Tourism Development Board. Singing the famous tune "To know Malaysia is to love Malaysia" that was promoted with famous American Hollywood singer and songwriter Carol Connors (Emmy, Grammy and Oscar nominated).
His singing won many local competitions from Bintang RTM (1976) to Music TV3 and Berita Harian Popularity contest. Topping Malaysian, Brunei and Indonesia charts with songs such as "Merisik Khabar", "Milik Siapakah Gadis Ini" and "Sampaikan Salam".He was the 1st local singer to be allowed to perform in The Paddock at The Hilton KL and was singing ambassador for companies such as Proton, Malaysian Airlines, Honda Cup and honoured pioneer card member with Hong Leong Bank.
He was also a writer (he writes book of his life "Dari Dalam Sudir", cartoons and weekly article column for magazines and some local newspapers). One of his book writing for children was recognized the Best by Mobil-Mabopa. (A Mobil Oil book writing competition). Produced an album for his nephew 'Atai' under Sudirman Productions of which Atai himself made a couple of hit songs that topped the charts then in 1985. Sudirman also became Malaysia's first successful singer cum entrepreneur providing Malaysia's most famous carbonated drink SUDI (which broke 5% of carbonated drink market within 6 months operation - with business magazines and TV programs from Australia to Hong Kong featuring the drinks) and opened a franchise of Sudi Shoppe apparel. He was also a champion for malaysian music industry taking on the role as Vice President for Singers, Musicians & Composers Association of Malaysia - PAPITA, calling out veteran singers and rumored to fought EMI to have great composers such as M.Nasir to work with him.
One of his exploits in cinema include a rather beautiful film, "[Kami]" which was released in 1982. He played the lead in a heart-wrenching tale where two destitute orphans find each other amidst the cold, harsh realities of Kuala Lumpur street life. This memorable film also spawned an enduring track, "Pelangi Petang" which is acknowledged as an iconic song in Malaysia's music industry even today.
In 1989, Sudirman won the title " Best Performer" in Asia Music Award 1989 contest at Royal Albert Hall, London where Leslie Cheung (Hong Kong Megastar), Anita Sarawak (Singapore Diva), Epo (Japan), Kuh Ledesma (Philippines) and many other singers who represented their own respective countries participated. He was known by many in the 80s as "Malaysia's No.1 Entertainer".
His last album ‘Salam Terakhir’ (1992) and also the tittle of his last songs, shown like he was known that he will leave us for forever.
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