Mbak Rita

 

That silver haired gentleman is Yok Koeswoyo of Koes Plus Band, an Indonesian real “Beatles” for its eternally phenomenal songs. It was a little hard for me to recognize him when I tuned on Empat Mata TV show where he was invited to accept such “legend award” last week. Yok is known for his very rare public appearance and it helps me to keep him staying young in my mind, like any other childhood heroes.

Well, as a faithful squad from an “old school”, Koes Plus belongs to my heroes list… heh heh heh.

Somehow, the show brought back memories…

As a journalist I once happened to conduct an interview with the defunct Koes Plus band, about…errr…years ago. At that time I only met with lead singer Yon Koeswoyo, Yok’s brother, and his in law, Murry the drummer. Yok wasn’t available because he was officially left the band.

Yon and Murry gave the impression of being “not so old” at that time.  It was a casual meeting in a Bogor resort owned by their former music producer. To my surprise, the always- look- shy Murry turned out to be the most talkative and very funny. His endless jokes kept me and my dear pal and mentor, Tuti Gintini, then was editor for Suara Pembaruan Daily, who went with me for the interview, being fully entertained. 

There is something very personal with me with Koes Plus song, I have a strange routine when heading home from traveling anywhere, I will automatically hum a refrain from their song titled Kembali ke Jakarta. It was funny how I will always slowly hum, “Ke Jakarta aku kan kembali, walau pun apa yang kan terjadi” before stepping on the aeroplane to Jakarta. Silly eh? Heh heh heh…

I don’t mind people laugh at me, because Kembali ke Jakarta is a warm and sweet song.

Watching Yok on TV made me eager to call Tuti, it’s been a while I haven’t talk with her. And then I realized another setback. Tuti has gone last year after months of battle with cancer. I remembered hugging her daughter, Lala, who sang a very moving song in the funeral. I believe Tuti has her own beautiful home with Kolam Susu in the Kabut Biru now.

 

Many things linger with Koes Plus’ songs….