Melky Goeslaw

Melky Goeslaw was an Indonesian singer and boxing manager. He was the father of singer and composer Melly Goeslaw. His song, "Pergi untuk Kembali" ("Leave to Return"), was chosen by Rolling Stone Indonesia as the 117th-best Indonesian song of all time in 2009. Goeslaw became active in music in 1964, when he formed a band called Octa Nada as lead guitar and leader. He later joined other bands as bass and toured with Bob Tutupoly. He also sang rock songs at various nightclubs during the early 1970s. He participated diligently in song festivals and won the National Popular Song Festival in 1975 with the song "Pergi untuk Kembali". He also came in second place at the National Singers Festival in 1977, pairing with Diana Nasution. He recorded several hit singles, such as "Hiroshima dan Nagasaki", "Tuhan Semesta Alam", and "Dansa Yo Dansa", in pop and rock genres³. In 1987, together with fellow musician Enteng Tanamal, Goeslaw became the manager of former International Boxing Federation champion Ellyas Pical. He chose Goeslaw after having a falling out with his former managers. Goeslaw was glad that he could manage Pical and selected Wiem Gomies to be Pical's trainer³. In 1989, Goeslaw suffered from a heart attack and cut back on his smoking and drinking. He also attended church more often. In 1995 he won the Kawakami Prize for his life's work. Goeslaw was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 and died on 20 December 2006 in Jakarta. His wife had died several years before³.