As new Hari Raya Aidilfitri songs begin filling radio airwaves and digital platforms, Datuk DJ Dave believes the "magic” of Raya songs from the 1970s remains unmatched to this day.
The 78-year-old singer, who is best known for the evergreen hit Menjelang Hari Raya, said that while many younger music composers are producing quality works, the melodies and spirit of songs from earlier decades possess a unique charm that continues to resonate with listeners.
"I think many of today’s Raya songs are good. There are plenty of talented new composers, but I don’t know why the magic is not quite the same as before. Last year, I released a song called Meriah Syawal, but it did not take off as expected.
"I’m not sure what ingredient is missing, whether it is the melody or the lyrics. Even though radio stations play many new Raya songs, listeners still enjoy hearing the old ones. Why? I believe there is something special about music from the 1970s,” he said when met at a breaking-of-fast event and the presentation of Aidilfitri contributions to veteran artistes, organised by Yayasan Kebajikan Artis Tanahair (YKAT) at Petaling Jaya on March 11.
DJ Dave, whose real name is Irwan Shah Abdullah and who also serves as chairman of the foundation, said the 1970s era was a revolutionary period for music, influenced by rock and roll rhythms before shifting to disco towards the end of the decade and into the early 1980s.
Recalling Menjelang Hari Raya, DJ Dave said the song, recorded in 1977, began gaining widespread popularity a year later and has continued to be played every time Aidilfitri approaches.
"The song started gaining traction in 1978. Back then, it was very exciting when three radio stations played the song, and even today, nearly 50 years later, it can still be heard on the radio and various platforms,” he said.
Touching on the welfare of artistes, he said YKAT remains committed to assisting veteran performers who are ill or facing financial hardship through various fundraising initiatives carried out in recent years.
He said the foundation is currently providing a monthly pension of RM500 to eight veteran artistes.
"There are indeed many artistes who are struggling. Some are ill and require hospital treatment, and we help as much as we can. Sometimes, if a one-time contribution is not enough, we provide assistance two or three times,” he said.
At the event, 17 veteran artistes aged 60 and above received Aidilfitri assistance of RM1,000 each. Among the recipients were singers Sohaimi Mior Hassan and Fairuz Husin, as well as actors Zaidi Omar and Farid Amirul Hisham Wu Abdullah. – Bernama
