12 Facts About Bing Slamet

Ahmad Syech Albar, better known by his stage name Bing Slamet, was an Indonesian singer, songwriter, comedian, and actor.

Albar took the name Bing Slamet in 1948 as a tribute to Bing Crosby, whom he respected; Bing was a reference to Crosby, and Slamet was his own nickname.

Bing Slamet eventually came on friendly terms with then-President Sukarno.

Bing Slamet's first starring role was in 1955's Di Simpang Jalan.

Bing Slamet formed the band Eka Sapta with Yamin Widjaja, the founder of Musica Studios; together they were one of the dominant Indonesian bands in the 1960s and 70s.

Bing Slamet died on 17 December 1974 at his friend's house in Jakarta of liver cancer.

Bing Slamet is buried in Karet Bivak cemetery, Central Jakarta.

In 2003, Bing Slamet was awarded the Budaya Parama Dharma medal.

Bing Slamet's cover of Ismail Marzuki's song "Payung Fantasi" was ranked 70th, with the magazine praising Slamet's vocals.

Bing Slamet's cover of "Gendjer-Gendjer", written by the Lekra-affiliated M Arif, was ranked 105th; it was noted as being popular during the later years of Sukarno's rule, but deliberately ignored during Suharto's New Order regime.

Bing Slamet has been noted as directly or indirectly influencing numerous entertainers who followed him.

Bing Slamet's songs have been covered by singers such as Glenn Fredly and Ruth Sahanaya.