Accompanying Jhonny Iskandar

Dangdut singer Jhonny Iskandar died at the age of 64. He is the founder and former vocalist of the Moral Orchestra for Introduction to Drinking Poison (OM PMR).

KOMPAS/MOHAMMAD HILMI FAIQ

Vocalist and motorbike of OM PMR, Jhonny Iskandar alias Jhonny Madu Matikutu, performing at Borneo Beerhouse, Jakarta, Tuesday (28/10/2015).

The music industry must sing a sad tune today. One of the popular singers of the 1980-1990s, Jhonny Iskandar, passed away. Instantly, the soft sound of the flute seemed to fill the air.

Jhonny breathed his last breath in a hospital in Cikaret, Bogor, West Java, on Friday morning, May 10, 2024. He passed away at the age of 64. Jhonny was laid to rest at a funeral home in Leuwinutug Village, Bogor District, and buried in the family cemetery.

This sad news was surprising for fellow musicians. Remembering that the day before he died, Jhonny was still alive on social media. According to his wife, Nurhayati, Jhonny complained of shortness of breath, but refused to be taken to hospital. However, the family still took Jhonny to the nearest clinic and referred him to hospital. However, Jhonny finally breathed his last breath.

With a strong identity, he has played a big role in reuniting generation Z with joyful dangdut music.

Jhonny is a dangdut singer who is famous for his eccentric appearance. Curly hair hung past her shoulders. Glasses complete with a chain are always attached to his face, which is said to have been inspired by the painter Tino Sidin. The hat almost always covers the crown of the head. To quote Jhonny, a singer must have a distinctive character.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

The stage performance by Jhonny Iskandar (center) with Orkes Nunung Cs at the Synchronize Festival 2022 at Gambir Expo, Kemayoran, Jakarta, on Friday (10/7/2022).

Jhonny is the founder and former vocalist of OM PMR. According to Kompas records, OM PMR has been present since 1977 and often accompanies the comedy group Warung Kopi Dono Kasino Indro (Warkop DKI) broadcasts on Prambors Radio.

Referring to Rolling Stone Indonesia, OM PMR was discovered by broadcaster Prambors and then regularly appeared on Prambors Radio to accompany Warkop DKI's program. No wonder, OM PMR's humorous songs, some of which were written by Jhonny, secretly have their own message through their eccentric style. In fact, the song "Title-judulan" was banned by the Ministry of Information under Harmoko at that time.

Also read: OM PMR – Generation of Poison Friends

OM PMR, with its comical image, gained popularity after the song "Judul-judulan" from the album of the same name was released in 1987. It was so famous that people knew the song more than the singer. Within three months, the album sold up to two million copies.

"Neng, come on, come on, let's play mating/ rather than actually getting married/ my mind is going crazy//"

A snippet of the lyrics from the popular hit song "Judul-judulan" above is one of the popular hits of OM PMR. Even so, every time the song is heard, the image that comes to mind is the figure of a long-haired man with his characteristic chain glasses, Jhonny Iskandar.

As a result, the personnel survive on their own. Only in the last decade have they become active again.

KOMPAS/MOHAMMAD HILMI FAIQ

Jhonny Iskandar (right) performing with OM PMR at Borneo Beerhouse, Jakarta, Tuesday (28/10/2015).

OM PMR's creativity remains alive even after a long absence. They are known for their skill in making parodies of songs from famous groups, such as Efek Rumah Kaca, Naif, and Seringai. In 2017, the group parodied Kunto Aji's song, "Terlalu Lama Sendiri", and turned it into "Too Long to Alone". Interestingly, in the music video for this song, Kunto Aji played the role of Jhonny.

​​Joyful

OM PMR has a unique musical style called alternative dangdut by some music observers. Jhonny once said that their music combines gambus, Malay, rock, and pop music. Basically, all types of music are included.

"If we talk about Jhonny and the Moral Orchestra, his contribution to the industry is very big. "With a strong identity, he has played a big role in reuniting generation Z with joyful dangdut music," said Rizky "Ucup" Aulia, festival designer and founder of Boss Creator.

KOMPAS/MOHAMMAD HILMI FAIQ

OM PMR celebrated their 38th anniversary when performing at Borneo Beerhouse in Jakarta on Tuesday, October 28, 2015. They have successfully rejuvenated their fan base among the younger generation.

Ucup met Jhonny about ten years ago. At that time, OM PMR started to get busy again. "The person likes to joke, is not serious, and has not been updated with the technical conditions of production at that time. However, his charisma is still there," he said.

Ucup has expressed regret for not inviting Jhonny to perform at the Pestapora festival. In fact, he had planned to invite Jhonny to participate this year.

Also read: Writer of "Karmila", Marga T, Passes Away

Meanwhile, Jhonny's fan from Wonogiri, Central Java, Tutik Lestari (42), said that Jhonny's music with OM PMR has given her sweet memories since elementary school.

"It's sad, Jhonny has passed away. I like his song titled 'Bukan Pengemis Cinta'," she said. The song has been a source of strength for many heartbroken people who have had their love rejected. The high-pitched notes in this song make it something special to her.

This uniqueness and ability to combine satirical lyrics full of humor with lively dangdut music made Jhonny easily recognizable. His career was long-lasting since founding OM PMR in 1977 until he passed away today.

Not only teenagers from the 80s and 90s know him, Jhonny who is full of humor is able to break through the times, both personally and as Jhonny Madu Matikutu with OM PMR. This was proven in 2016 and 2017, when Jhonny and his orchestra won the attention of audiences of all ages at Synchronize Fest.

“The audience continues to regenerate. One of them was when they released Orkeslah If You Bergitar (2015). "Songs such as Efek Rumah Kaca's 'Cinta Melulu' were composed and they succeeded in winning the hearts of young people at that time," said Synchronize Fest Communications Director Aldilla Karina when contacted.

He also shared about the figure of Jhonny, who was very enthusiastic and enjoyable. "In 2016, the first time at Synchronize, even though he was not young anymore, his passion was still high and never faded. Uncle Jhonny also continues to provide fresh things for us as organizers," explained Dilla.

He also acknowledged Jhonny's significant influence on the development of Indonesian music. "His influence is extraordinary. Folk dangdut with lyrics that are very relevant to the majority of Indonesian people who enjoy cheap entertainment. His iconic performances and creative music also leave an impression," said Dilla.

Together with this orchestra group, 22 albums were born. The latest album is PMR Not Dead (2022). Meanwhile, as a solo singer, Jhonny has at least four albums, namely Yogya-Bandung (1990), Best Album (1999), Black Spider i> (2000), and Godain Dong (2000). Now Jhonny has rested in peace. Goodbye, Johnny.