Remembering the Legacy of the Late James F. Sundah at Blantika Musik Indonesia

James F Sundah (Ist)

JAKARTA - The world of Indonesian music is once again shrouded in a deep cloud of grief. Legendary Indonesian composer, James Freddy Sundah, is reported to have breathed his last on Thursday, May 7, at 11.28 New York time, United States.

James F. Sundah's departure at the age of 70 leaves behind a massive musical legacy, which has shaped the foundation of modern popular music in Indonesia for more than five decades.

Based on the official statement received, James died after a long fight against lung cancer which he suffered from in 2024. Until his last moment, he was accompanied by his wife, Lia Sundah-Suntoso, as well as his children and loved ones.

Even though he has been living in New York City since the late 1990s, James' inner attachment and intellectual contribution to the music industry in Indonesia has never faded at all.

Talking about James F. Sundah's legacy is impossible to separate from the song "Lilin-Lilin Kecil". Created for the 1977 Prambors Youth Song Creation Competition (LCLR), this song not only catapulted Chrisye's name, but was also named by Rolling Stone Indonesia magazine as one of the 150 Best Indonesian Songs of All Time. The song is an early proof of James' intelligence in stringing together a simple melody but has a magical emotional depth.

James' musical exploration continues through other evergreen works sung by great divas and musicians. Just mention "September Ceria" which is synonymous with Vina Panduwinata, "Ironi" which was popularized by Lydia & Imaniar, to "Astaga" which was performed by Ruth Sahanaya.

James' main strength lies in his ability to unite sophisticated pop harmonies with poetic lyrics that are still relevant to listeners. In fact, his dedication goes beyond the borders of the country when he collaborates with the world's rock band personnel, Scorpions, in the song "When You Came Into My Life".

In addition to being productive as a songwriter, James F. Sundah is an intellectual property rights fighter. He is very vocal in encouraging improvements to the royalty ecosystem and copyright enforcement for Indonesian musicians through various institutions such as WAMI (Wahana Music Indonesia) and LMKN (National Collective Management Agency).

For him, music is not just the aesthetics of sound, but a dignified profession whose creators' rights must be protected by law.

Before leaving, James had left a last gift for the music industry through the song "Seribu Tahun Cahaya" which was released on October 15, 2025.

The song sung by Claudia Emmanuela Santoso, James dedicated specifically to his wife. As the highest form of respect, the 2025 Indonesian Music Awards (AMI) Awards has also awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for his boundless dedication and contribution to Indonesian culture.

James F. Sundah's legacy is no longer physical, but in every tone that continues to be played on the radio, sung on festival stages, and studied by the younger generation.

He was a mentor, an innovator of technology in audio, and a humble person who had ensured that his "Little Candles" would continue to burn and illuminate the path of Indonesian musicians in the future. Goodbye, Maestro.