‘Sporty, soulful and sunny Dahlan’
KUALA LUMPUR: Artistes and close friends of Datuk Dahlan Zainuddin paid tribute to the late crooner, describing him as an icon of popular music who was dedicated to his work “till the end”.
Singer-actress Uji Rashid said Dahlan was “like a family member” as they both found fame in the 1970s and performed together over the years.
“We used to do lots of shows around the country, travelling in the same convoy. Most of the time we shared the stage with my longtime duet partner Hail Amir, Aman Shah, the late Latif Ibrahim and the late Azean Irdawaty,” she said at the Saidina Abu Bakar As-Siddiq Mosque in Bangsar yesterday.
Uji said Dahlan always had that “serious” look but was playful and witty.
“We acted in a telemovie called Kau Tinggi Di Awan
Biru, and we kept in touch over the years. I last met him early this year, and he was his usual jovial self. My family and I will miss him dearly.”
Singer Datuk Nassier Wahab said Dahlan gave him lots of advice when he kick-started his musical career in the early 1980s.
“We’ve been friends since 1985 and he’s always been like a mentor to me. I learnt a lot about grooming, self-image and showmanship from him, and, most importantly, he taught me to refrain from ‘showing’ fans my problems,” said Nassier.
“He was always friendly, humble and down to earth. He exuded confidence and reminded me that only confident singers will earn the applause and respect from fans.”
Nassier last met Dahlan a week ago, at the birthday party of a friend.
“He looked frail, but assured me he was all right.”
Singer and Yayasan Kebajikan Artis Tanah Air president Datuk DJ Dave said he and Dahlan had been friends since the 1970s, when they began their musical careers.
“I first met him at Garden Cafe in Ampang Park where he performed mostly cover versions of hit songs. Over the years, we shared the stage in concerts and despite his nononsense look, he was sporty, funny and ‘sunny’.”
Dave described Dahlan as a great footballer who often captained artistes’ teams.
“He excelled in football just as he did in singing. He made friends easily with his down-toearth ways.”
He said he had prayed hard with Dahlan’s wife and children for him to recover from his second stroke.
“Alas, this was not to be. Malaysia has lost a good and great man.”
Karyawan president Datuk Freddie Fernandez, who first met Dahlan in the 1970s, described him as a “cool and romantic” singer and a “fantastic” footballer.
“He was a very good footballer and led the artiste associations’ team for years.
“And during his stage performances, he socialised with fans and got them to sing along with him.”
Singer Fredo Vilenguez of Flybaits said he first met Dahlan in Singapore during the 1970s when they were based in the Lion City.
“Dahlan was not only a great singer but a devoted family man as well. We last met a month ago at Kelab Darul Ehsan in Ampang, and sang together. I’ll always cherish my memories with him,” he said.
Filmmaker Datuk Yusof Haslam said he was a big fan of Dahlan’s most popular song
Kisah Seorang Biduan, about a villager who migrated to the big city and became a successful singer.
“That song was autobiographical and from the heart. I never get tired of listening to it, and I’ll always cherish our friendship.
“We were part of the artistes’ football team and he was the ‘master of the beautiful game’ among us.”
Dahlan’s former New Straits
Times colleague and veteran sports journalist Tony Mariadass described him as a friend who used sports to keep the music industry united.
“He often organised football friendlies with artistes from neighbouring countries and worked very closely with associations like Karyawan.
“And when he was working as a marketing executive in the newspaper, he coached the company team and made us shine.”
Dahlan’s widow Datin Effa Rizan said he had been looking forward to perform at a buka puasa event in Kampung Baru yesterday.
“He was also looking forward to sing at a Hari Raya event on June 29, and we were about to start rehearsals when he suffered a stroke,” she said.
Dahlan, 78, died at 9.48pm at Selayang Hospital on Tuesday, three days after suffering a stroke at home. By Dennis Chua