12 Facts About Melky Goeslaw

Melky Jannes Goeslaw was an Indonesian singer and boxing manager.

Melky Goeslaw is the father of singer Melliana Cessy "Melly" Goeslaw.

Melky Goeslaw was born in Morotai, an island off Halmahera in the Maluku Islands, on 7 May 1947.

Melky Goeslaw became active in music in 1964, when he formed in band Octa Nada as lead guitar and leader; he later joined the bands Nada Anda and Nada Buana as bass.

Melky Goeslaw toured with Bob Tutupoly and sang rock songs at various nightclubs during the early 1970s; during this period, he participated diligently in song festivals.

In 1974, Goeslaw was a finalist in the National Popular Song Festival ; the following year, after placing third in the Jakarta-level festival, Goeslaw rose to fame by winning the National Popular Song Festival with the song "Pergi untuk Kembali", beating other singers such as Berlian Hutauruk and professional singer Hetty Koes Endang ; he was immediately put on the same level of popularity as established singers such as Broery and Hetty Koes Endang.

In 1977, pairing with Diana Nasution, Melky Goeslaw came in second place at the National Singers Festival.

Two years later, during an increase in the popularity of dangdut music, Melky Goeslaw attempted to record some dangdut songs.

In 1987, together with fellow musician Enteng Tanamal, Melky Goeslaw became the manager of former International Boxing Federation champion Ellyas Pical.

Pical chose Melky Goeslaw after having a falling out with former managers Simson Tambunan dan Anton Sihotang, and short-term managers Dali Sofari dan Khairus Sahel.

Melky Goeslaw died in Jakarta at 16:00 local time on 20 December 2006 while waiting for an ambulance from MMC Hospital in Kuningan, South Jakarta, after collapsing at his home in Petukangan Utara.

Melky Goeslaw is buried at Tanah Kusir cemetery next to his son, Tansa.