Marshal Manengkei: Indonesia’s World Class Composer
Who remembers the worldwide hit song “Song for the Children” that was sung by Oscar Harris? Would it be a surprise that an Indonesian is the composer of it? Yes, Marshal Conradt Jules Manengkei (9 March 1949 – 25 August 2017), a tall, musically impressive man, wrote the legendary song. Born originally from Surabaya, he moved to the Netherlands in 1965 because of political unrest and the perception that Indonesia was dangerous. Being non-Dutch, prejudice and financial hardships were common. And in his early stay there, his life took a sudden and saddening turn where he had to take on a major responsibility for his family, being the breadwinner. Nine months after they arrived, Marshal’s father died, leaving him being a 17-year-old to provide for his family. From there, he worked part-time and studied at the same time for his high school diploma alongside his older brother. He was motivated to work harder by his mother’s career change from wife to government official. Having a deep passion for music, Marshal attended community events in Hertogenbosch and joined a school band. Renowned musicians like Eddie van Halen, Bob Tutupoli, Ahmad Albar, and Daniel Sahuleka were raised in this assembly. Marshal developed his musical ability through his interactions with the Indo-Dutch community in the Netherlands
In Hertogenbosch, Marshal’s musical abilities were further developed, as well as his songwriting skills. Marshal started writing songs after graduating from high school and pursuing an architectural degree at a university. Despite some opposition to his musical choices, pop and rock, which were then largely unknown in the Netherlands, he saw the love for the songs of Indo Dutch musicians. In the Dutch music scene, the Tielman Brothers, who began performing rock and roll in the 1950s, were regarded as pioneers. Marshal remembers that when young Indo Dutch performers performed and danced, everyone were in awe.
His love for music and the years of the development of his skills led to the release of his popular 1973 album “Play Me a Love Song,” by the stage name of Noby Dick. From there, he surprisingly took a turn of focus into producing music. His commitment to composing songs increased, and in 1974 he oversaw the songwriting process for The Blue Diamonds. The band became well-known across the world after releasing the track “Ramona,” which also made them the top of the US Billboard chart. He mentored the members of Tielman Brothers, a musical group whose members were also of Indonesian heritage, the next year.
Marshal’s works were not limited to the Netherlands, he also took more experiences and journeys to compose for Indonesian musicians, such as the Indonesian rendition of “Somewhere Between,” sung by Titik Sandora, and the performance of “My Love” by Rosy and Andress.
Albeit having major success with his composing career in the international scene, his father’s request for him to return to Indonesia to share his musical achievement with the nation and his regarded architect working knowledge and experience, Marshal planned to spend 10 years of his life to give back to his nation by combining both of his “skills”. His original plan soon expanded, where he made preparations to retire in Sidoarjo, where he wanted to open a waste processing facility with an emphasis on repurposing plastic trash to its original state. Along with creating a television station, he also wanted to pursue his musical career and reunite with his old friend Bob Tutupoli.
At the 25th August of 2017, Marshal passed away at the age of 68 after being unconscious for days in Medistra Jakarta hospital. Marshal’s life was marked by resilience, hard work, and a passion for music. His contributions to the music world and his commitment to giving back to Indonesia demonstrate his remarkable achievements and future ambitions. His story serves as a testament to the power of music and the potential for individuals to positively impact their communities and the world.
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