“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.“
Victor Hugo (1802 to 1885); a French writer, poet, and one of the most celebrated and influential authors. He is best known for his novels “Les Misérables” and “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame”.
WITH great sadness, we acknowledge the passing of our dear friend, the talented Bidayuh guitarist Aldram, later known as Haji Mohammad Adaham. He recently lost his battle with cancer and other ailments, leaving us at the age of 64.
The last time I saw him was in 2008 at the inaugural Dayak music award held at the Riverside Majestic Hotel in Kuching.
We took a snapshot together as a lasting memento of our musical partnership and bond.
Our journey began in 1978 when he was a first-year undergraduate, and I was in my fourth year studying Humanities with Education at the University Science of Malaysia (USM) in Penang.
This was our second meeting after graduation. The first occurred when I visited him at his workplace, the Lutong Shell office in Miri.
From there, he took me to his nearby residence, where he proudly showed me his latest guitar and music gadgets.
We spent some time playing together, using two of the three guitars he had recently acquired.
These were expensive instruments, as he was part of a trio performing at the Fatimah Hotel in town.
Our journey together began in 1978, during his first year after the orientation period.
I led our band called the Revival of Elvis Presley Band, which was one of the performing groups for the evening’s orientation.
I played rhythm guitar, accompanied by the talented Penangite Edwin Khoo on lead guitar, who had recently won a national award.
Joing Mideh (now deceased) played the bass, and Sabahan chap Makibin Bodok (also deceased) was on drums.
Our band also included second rhythm guitarist Carter Ballang Kapong, a Kelabit who was my classmate in the Education programme.
Later, we were joined by another Kelabit, Idris Jala (now Datuk Seri), who entered as a first-year student alongside Aldram.
Our vocalist, August Buma (now Datuk), joined us when Aldram introduced changes to our genre and repertoire. We officially started in September 1977, shortly after the death of my idol, Elvis Aaron Presley, on August 16 of that year.
Our repertoire mainly consisted of Elvis’s rock ‘n’ roll and blues songs, but with Aldram’s arrival, we expanded to include hard rock from bands like Deep Purple, Bad Company, Hollies, Grand Funk Railroad, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Credence Clearwater Revival (CCR), and many others.
Aldram was highly skilled in playing Deep Purple songs like “Highway Star” and “Smoke on the Water,” delivering performances close to the originals. A few months after
he joined the group, we participated in a show at Penang’s Youth Park.
During our performance, Aldram played the lead guitar for “Highway Star”, with August Buma showcasing his powerful rock voice as the lead vocalist.
Edwin took over the lead guitar duties for my rendition of Elvis’ “Jailhouse Rock.” We earned second place in the competition.
During our time on campus, we performed at another show in front of an audience of over two thousand people.
Aldram played lead guitar, Idris handled rhythm guitar, Joing played the bass, and Makibin was on drums.
August and I shared the vocal duties. We were one of the four bands providing entertainment for the evening, with our Vice Chancellor, Tan Sri Hamdan Shaik Tahir (later Tun), in attendance.
After graduating, Aldram joined Sarawak Shell Berhad and was stationed in Lutong, Miri.
If I recall correctly, he had an overseas posting in Nigeria, but due to his declining health, he was called back to the state.
After 2008, we maintained regular communication through WhatsApp, but we lost touch recently when I misplaced my phone.
It was August who informed me of Aldram’s passing via WhatsApp.
His demise adds to the loss of Joing, who left us around August 2020, and the news of Makibin’s passing, which reached me through another source in 2021.
In regards to our first band.
The Saratok Playboys, which was formed when we were in Form One in 1968 at SMK Saratok, I have no updates on Daniel, our band leader who later became a penghulu.
However, our rhythm guitarist, John Timban, has passed away, and our bassist, Kenneth Sang Tuah, has also joined his ancestors.
Regarding our Elvis Tribute Artists (ETAs), several have been called home. These include popular Elvis impersonator Reynolds Gregory, who passed away in 2010; Miri Elvis Alex
Ting, who left us in 2013; Sibu’s John Siaz D King, who departed in 2016; Jimmy Adit, who passed away in 2020; Eskandar Eyaw in April 2021; Albert Blassan, who died in July 2021; and Ges Barundang, popularly known as Elges Presley, in September 2021.
Aldram, who had previously been part of a band in Serian before joining USM, will always be remembered for his exceptional guitar skills, especially his rendition of one of the most challenging songs of all time, Deep Purple’s “Highway Star.”
He was also a talented keyboardist. Despite his talent, he remained humble and down-to-earth, earning the love and respect of friends and family.
Farewell, my dear friend. You exemplified simplicity and originality in both your character and musical contributions.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the New Sarawak Tribune.
