Pop’s the word: Yeah, yeah!

A. Rahman Hassan is still a passionate purveyor of Pop Yeh Yeh, writes Dennis Chua

AMAJOR name in Pop Yeh Yeh, Datuk A Rahman Hassan remains true to his craft even today. He continues to perform at government events and corporate dinners around Malaysia. One of the “big daddies” of the genre, the Johor Baru-born musician has been rocking with his band, Orkes Nirwana, for over four decades. Better still, Nirwana was even listed in the as the oldest Pop Yeh Yeh group in the country in 2005.

Not only is Rahman the group leader, guitarist and vocalist, he is also its composer and lyricist. His most famous songs include

and

Some songs, most notably

were performed by his late wife and bandmate, Datin Azizah Mohamad. Azizah died of cancer in 2013.

Other band members are B. Badron (rhythm guitar), E. Elias (bass), K. Tajudin (drums) and Rahman and Azizah’s son, Ilmi (percussion). Ilmi replaced the late A. Rozi Ashari in 2007.

Passionate about 1960s rock music, Rahman has been influenced by British pop and rock acts such as The Shadows and The Beatles. “My band added a strong Malaysian flavour to the genre and gave Pop Yeh Yeh a distinctive sound,” he said in a recent interview.

Rahman and his bandmates live by simple rules — no smoking, chewing gum and backbiting; decision-making is by consensus and responsibilities for each member are rotated.

“We always believe in being role models for fans. Our music is clean, wholesome and fun at the same time!” A. Rahman Hassan and his late wife Datin Azizah Mohamad.

RETRO SOUND

Rahman learnt the guitar when he was 13 from his neighbour in Jalan Haji Yaakob in Johor Baru, the artiste Yusof Saman.

“My decision to become a full-time musician received the blessing of my par- ents as I assured them that the band would keep a wholesome image and focus on songs peppered with life’s important lessons.”

Rahman and Azizah had been married for 44 years and their eldest son, Khir, is a successful theatre and film actor, television host and director. Khir received critical acclaim playing the piratical king Kamawas in KRU’s award-winning film,

in 2010.

Rahman is active in social work and has helmed artistes’ associations such as the Malaysian Singers, Musicians and Lyricists Association, Malaysian Artistes’ Council and Malaysian Music Council over the last decade.

In 2015, Rahman and Orkes Nirwana performed in

at Istana Budaya, Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur to mark the band’s 50th anniversary. The