The Muruah Of The Deep Purple X God Bless Concert Is Not Tarnished By The Presence Of Rhoma Irama, The Three Of Them Are Kings

Deep Purple (Photo: Rajawali Indonesia)

JAKARTA - Meeting the two legendary rock bands on one stage after 48 years requires courage. However, adding another legendary music group as a surprise guest star is a risky act. Moreover, this group carries a dangdut genre.

Do viewers who are dominated by rock music fans want to accept? Are Caucasian viewers who come all the way and have spent a lot of money not feeling aggrieved? Rajawali Indonesia was able to answer these questions and at the same time succeeded in making everything interesting.

Friday, March 10, evening, at the UMS EduTORium, Solo, the second meeting of Deep Purple (England) with God Bless (Indonesia) since 1974 which was 'infilted' by Rhoma Irama and Sonnet Group (Indonesia) has not tarnished the concert. Although there appeared to be a slight incident when Rhoma Irama opened his appearance, the repertoar guitar oriented presented by Bang Haji - the nickname Rhoma Irama - made rock music fans sway.

The incident began when Rhoma Irama opened her appearance by playing intro the song belonging to Deep Purple, Smoke on the Water. Then, one of Deep Purple's crew got on stage and was seen stopping Rhoma Irama from playing the song. Crazy! People who are considered 'king' in this country are stopped by a band crew. This is certainly a rare event, right? The reason is, before this incident, only the New Order era (Orba) government dared to stop (disgrace, ed) Rhoma Irama is singing. Not Caucasians.

Responding to this incident, Rajawali Indonesia CEO Anas Syahrul Alimi said that the Deep Purple crew did not stop Rhoma Irama. But because there is something he has to take on stage.

"Some are left behind, paper... So taken (with the crew). The presence of Rhoma Irama at this concert is known to be Deep Purple. In fact, they know Bang Haji will play intro this song (Smoke on the Water). It's clear, yes," said Anas.

Then, the King of Dangdut poured out the song Lust Serakah which was often juxtaposed with the intro Smoke on the Water. The audience in black began to sway thinly while a little shy. However, it remains sincere so that the slogan "all rockers will dangdut in time" is not just a figment. That night. Then, the Arts, the Storm of Fitnah, and the Day of the Awakening reverberated until the King of Dangdut came down from his grave.

Anas admitted that choosing Rhoma Irama as the insurance guest star was not without reason. True Indonesian music fans also know very well that Rhoma Irama's music is greatly influenced by Deep Purple. The musician, who has been familiarly called Oma since childhood, is the person responsible for the birth of a new subgenre in dangdut. He revolutionized the Malay orchestra to dangdut with the addition of lead guitar in the composition of his songs.

The taste of distorted rock guitar scattered in several numbers belonging to Rhoma Irama. Rhoma Irama got Rhoma Irama's influence fromatur Blackmore, Deep Purple's first guitarist. According to him, the music produced by Deep Purple is rock that can be enjoyed, the sound is very melodic and matches dangdut.

However, there are things that are no less surprising than a Rhoma Irama as revealed by Anas. The Dangdut King is willing not to be named as a performer in all media promotional Rajawali Indonesia. The reason is, in order to be able to stage with Deep Purple.

"I think, for a King's caliber like Bang Haji, he will be prestige. But it turns out that he is willing not to be named until the day he goes on stage. Because this is indeed his theme to bring Deep Purple together with God Bless again after 48 years. I was amazed (with Bang Haji)," explained Anas.

Rhoma Irama's meeting with God Bless himself that night was the fourth in the history of the careers of these two music groups. First, in 1977 at a concert titled Damai at the End of the Year which was held in Senayan. Second, at the 1985 Youth Music Appreciation concert in the same place. And third, at the Re:creating God Bless - Sonnet Group concert at Bengkel Space, SCBD in December 2021.

Meanwhile, the reunion of the two God Bless rock kings with Deep Purple is truly a classy concert. Achmad Albar (vocals), Ian Antono (guitar), Abadi Soesman (keyboards), Fajar Satritama (drums), and Aditional bassist Arya Setyadi served their best repertoire which was dominated by distorted songs.

From Huma on the Hill as the opening, then Musician, Blablabla, Life, Mirror, East Bara, City Bis, Sandiwara Stage, Our Home, Black Ants, and closed with Trauma. Everything is carried away with passion. If you look at the setlist, only Adam's child will not be performed. I don't know what reason.

Then, Deep Purple opened their action with the song Highway Star. Followed by Pictures Of Home, No Need Shout, Nothing At All, Lazy, When A Blindman Cries, Anya, Perfect Strangers, Space Truckin', Smoke on the Water, Hush, and Black Night. This does not include guitar solos and keyboards.

Deep Purple, which this time consists of Ian Gillan (vocals), Ian Paice (drums), Roger Glover (bass), Don Airey (keyboards), and Simon McBride (guitar) looks stunning with the support of sound procedures and amazing lighting. Now, let's take our look at Simon McBride who replaced Steve Morse since last year. In addition to smooth guitar playing, he was also able to maintain the substantial values of iconic songs of the Blackmore era.

Simon McBride said in a press conference session, playing Licksmen Blackmore on classic songs like Highway Star and Smoke on the Water is about paying respect.

"This (Highway Star and Smoke on the Water) is iconic classic music that has been known for a long time and this (click) is part of the song. I can't just take it off and replace it with my version. For example Highway Star solo, I'm not going to change that. So, this is me," said Simon McBride.

In line with the guitarist, Ian Paice - the only original member who is still on Deep Purple - said that playing guitar solos is a song similar to the original, respecting the music that sticks to fans' hearts.

"You don't have to operate note by note. But, quite an important part that is known to many people, that's how you play it, so it's about respect," he said.

Ian Gillan added, as a professional and fan, when we replace the position of the person we idolize is to respect the idol.

"I'm not a guitar player and don't talk on behalf of Simon. But, when you play a song that's not the original version you're playing, what are you going to do? You're going to handle it professionally by including parts of the original solo that people want to hear and you're free to change shape and restore it. Maybe at the start and end of the solo, or some part in the middle," explained Ian Gillan.

"That's how Steve Morse handled it (while replacingUL Blackmore, ed). And Joe Satriani too. No one plays it exactly like the original every night (on stage), but (preserving) the part that fans want to hear is the most important."

The 77-year-old vocalist continued, playing like Simon McBride is about how a guitarist spills his heart and soul with the creativity he has.

"When Steve Morse joined the band, someone asked what it was like to wearANG Blackmore shoes. And he replied, 'I think my brother brought his shoes when he left this band'. I think that's a pretty good answer. He (Ritchie) left his legacy and the others also left their own legacy. Creating his own part in this band. That's what matters. And now we have Simon and he did a very extraordinary task. As (the late) my wife said last year: 'You got your mojo (majmat) back'. That's the most important thing."

History is the story of the winners. When Alexander Agung hit many ships, he was called Conquestadores, the Conqueror. But when an ordinary person strikes a ship, he is considered a robber. History is a record of 'controllers'. And the people 'lose', there is no place for him to tell his own story.

Deep Purple, God Bless, and Rhoma Irama are both winners. Equivalent. They don't beat each other. Because this is not a war. It's not a case for one of the genres to be better than another. Because it's a matter of choice. Nor is it a matter of local art or foreign art that must come first. Because this is not about slavery.

By placing the three kings on one stage, Anas Syahrul Alimi (Indonesian King) has created history. Not with swords or rifles, but with breakthroughs and courage. And as Deep Purple said, this is about respect.