Benyamin Sueb was an Indonesian comedian, actor, and singer. He released 46 studio albums and starred in more than 50 films. He received two Citra Awards for Intan Berduri in 1973 and Si Doel Anak Modern in 1975.
Early life
Benyamin was born in Kemayoran, Batavia, on March 5, 1939. His parents were Suaeb and Aisyah. His father real name was Sukirman, but changed to Suaeb since he lived in Batavia. At the age of two, Benyamin's father died. Later on, he was permitted to be a street performer. In 1946, he studied at Bendungan Jago Elementary School. When he was in the fifth or sixth grade, he moved to Santo Yusuf Elementary School in Bandung. After graduating, he continued his studies at Taman Madya Cikini Junior High School, and then Taman SiswaSenior High School in Kemayoran. He later studied at the Jakarta Academy of Banking for one year, but did not finish. He originally wanted to become a pilot, but his mother forbade him; he eventually found work as bread seller, then as a bus conductor.
Career
Music
In the 1950s, Benyamin joined the Melody Boys, who played calypso music, rhumba, cha-cha, jazz, blues, rock n roll and some keroncong. The band performed some famous songs including "When I Fall in Love", "Blue Moon" and "Unchained Melody". They also performed their own songs, like "Kisah Cinta", "Panon Hideung" and "Si Neneng". He also played jazz with Jack Lemmers and Bill Saragih. In 1963, the Melody Boys changed their name to Melodi Ria. In the late 1960s, several songs that were composed by him were sung by Bing Slamet, including "Nonton Bioskop", "Hujan Gerimis", "Endeng-Endengan" and "Ada-Ada Saja". From the late 1960s until the early 1970s, he was influenced by John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers' blues and James Brown's soul. In 1977, Benyamin wrote "Pungli", a critical song to government. In 1992, he formed a new group named Al-Haj. The band released the albumBiang Kerok. In "Ampunan", he sang seriously. However, in "I'm a Teacher" and "Kisah Kucing Tua" he sang humorously. Style-wise, "Dingin-Dingin Dimandiin" is rock. "Ampunan" influenced by Genesis' Watcher of the Skies. The album was also influenced by The Beatles' "Lady Madonna". Benyamin used music as a medium of reflection and contemplation, to critique the current socio-political situation. His music is a portrait of the marginal. Many of his used the theme of the "tukang", such as "Tukang Solder", "Tukang Becak", and "Tukang Kredit". His musical style was various. He used some blues, soul, and funk musics in his works. Other genres he used in his songs were rock and dangdut.
Film
In 1970, Benyamin made his debut in Banteng Betawi. In 1972, he starred in his eighth film as Jamal, the main character in Intan Berduri. He was paired with Rima Melati. In 1973, he collaborated with Bing Slamet on Ambisi and Bing Slamet Setan Djalanan. He also collaborated with Sjumandjaja on Si Doel Anak Betawi. After starring in Si Doel Anak Betawi, he appeared in the sequel, Si Doel Anak Modern in 1975. As a producer, he formed the movie company Jiung Film, which created Musuh Bebuyutan, Benyamin Koboi Ngungsi and Hippies Lokal. He also starred in eleven films which featured his name in the title, including Benyamin Biang Kerok, Benyamin Brengsek and Benyamin Jatuh Cinta. In the 1980s, after releasing Betty Bencong Slebor, he decided to stop producing his own films and closed his movie company due to his revenues being less than production costs. He played in more than 53 films, as the main character or a supporting character.
In 1959, Benyamin married Noni. He proposed to her, but was rejected by her stepfather. After that, he proposed to Noni's biological father and was accepted. One year later, Beib, his first son was born. He divorced Noni on July 7, 1979 and reconciled in the same year.
Awards
In 1973, Benyamin received a Citra Award for Intan Berduri. In 1975, he won another for Si Doel Anak Modern. In 1995, he received a special award from the committee of Festival Sinetron Indonesia for his contribution to the development of Indonesian soap operas.
