Arthur Kaunang is a musician who is famous for his bands AKA and SAS, which were popular in Indonesia in the 60s and 70s. He is also the father of Tessa Kaunang, a singer and actress. Arthur Kaunang has a remarkable life story, from being a rock star to becoming a pastor.
Biography
Arthur Kaunang was born in 1950 (age: 73 years, as of 2023), in Surabaya, East Java. He came from a musical family. His father was a piano and violin player, and his mother was a singer. He was introduced to music by his parents when he was five years old, especially classical piano. He had a strong musical foundation and talent.
Arthur attended SMA Negeri 1 Surabaya, where he developed his interest in rock and roll music, which was trendy among the youth at that time. He was influenced by bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and more. He also learned to play guitar, bass, and drums.
Arthur Kaunang Wiki/Bio
| Name | Arthur Kaunang |
|---|---|
| Birth date | in 1950 |
| Birth place | Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia |
| Death place | Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia |
| Occupation | Musician, pastor, producer, composer, arranger |
| Genre | Rock, gospel, jazz, funk, soul, pop |
| Instruments | Guitar, bass, piano, vocals |
| Years active | 1967-1984, 1986-2019 |
| Associated acts | AKA, SAS, Arthur Kaunang Band, GBI Rock Ministry |
| Spouse | Julie Kaunang (m. 1972-2019) |
| Children | Genesy Kaunang, Mecko Kaunang, Tessa Kaunang |
| Ethnicity | Indonesian |
| Nationality | Indonesian |
| Links | Wikipedia- @Arthur_Kaunang Homepage- Newsunzip |
| Religion | Christianity (formerly Islam) |
AKA: The Birth of a Rock Legend
On May 23, 1967, Arthur Kaunang and his friends formed a rock band called AKA (Apotek Kali Asin), which means “Salt River Pharmacy” in English. The name was inspired by the location of their rehearsal studio, which was near a pharmacy by a river. The original members of AKA were:
- Ucok Harahap: vocals, guitar
- Arthur Kaunang: guitar, vocals
- Sonata Tandjung: bass, vocals
- Sjech Abidin: drums, vocals
AKA was one of the pioneers of rock music in Indonesia. They had a distinctive style, combining hard rock, psychedelic rock, progressive rock, and blues rock. They were known for their energetic and wild performances, which often involved smashing guitars, jumping off the stage, and setting fire to the drums. They also had a loyal fan base, who called themselves “AKAnatics”.
AKA released several albums, such as Do What You Like (1969), Reflection (1970), Crazy Joe (1971), and Hard Beat (1972). Some of their hit songs were “Do What You Like”, “Shake Me”, “Reflection”, “Crazy Joe”, “Berjalan di Hutan Cemara”, and “Kebyar-Kebyar”. They also participated in various music festivals and competitions, both nationally and internationally.
One of the most memorable moments of AKA’s career was their performance at Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) in Jakarta in 1973. It was a charity concert for the victims of the earthquake in Bali. AKA was the headliner of the show, and they delivered a stunning performance that left the audience in awe. However, things took a dramatic turn when Ucok Harahap, the lead singer, started to act strangely on stage. He seemed to be possessed by a spirit, and he began to scream, curse, and spit.
Arthur Kaunang also tore off his clothes and threw them to the crowd. He then grabbed a knife and stabbed himself in the chest, causing blood to gush out. The band and the audience were shocked and terrified by this incident. Ucok was rushed to the hospital, and he survived. Later, he claimed that he was under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and that he had no memory of what happened. Some people believed that he was cursed by a rival band, while others thought that he was trying to imitate Jim Morrison, the lead singer of The Doors, who died in 1971.
SAS: A New Chapter
In 1975, AKA disbanded, as Ucok Harahap joined another band called Duo Kribo, with Achmad Albar, another famous rock singer. Arthur, Sonata, and Sjech decided to form a new band, called SAS, which was an acronym of their names. SAS continued the legacy of AKA, but with a more mature and refined sound. They also experimented with different genres, such as jazz, funk, soul, and pop. They released several albums, such as SAS (1976), SAS II (1977), SAS III (1978), and SAS IV (1979). Some of their hit songs were “Sekali Lagi”, “Kau Harus Tahu”, “Cinta Pertama”, and “Kembali”.
SAS was also active in the music scene, performing in various events and shows. They also collaborated with other musicians, such as Fariz RM, Chrisye, Eros Djarot, and more. They were respected and admired by their peers and fans, as they showed their professionalism and versatility.
Solo Career and Conversion
In the early 80s, SAS broke up, and he pursued a solo career. He formed his own band, called Arthur Kaunang Band, and released several albums, such as Arthur Kaunang (1981). He also ventured into other fields, such as producing, composing, and arranging music for other artists, such as Tessa Kaunang, his daughter, who became a singer and actress.
However, Arthur’s life took a drastic change in 1984, when he had a near-death experience. He was involved in a car accident, and was severely injured. He was in a coma for several days, and he had a vision of heaven and hell. He claimed that he saw Jesus Christ, who told him to repent and follow him. He also saw his deceased father, who warned him about the consequences of his sinful lifestyle. He then woke up from his coma, and he felt a new sense of peace and joy. He decided to convert to Christianity, and he became a born-again Christian.
Arthur’s conversion also affected his music career. He stopped playing rock music, and he started to play gospel music. He also became a pastor, and he founded a church called Gereja Bethel Indonesia (GBI) Rock Ministry, which focused on reaching out to the rock music community. He also wrote a book about his testimony, called From Rock to Rock (1986), which became a bestseller. He also made a movie based on his book, called Rock (1987), which starred himself and his daughter Tessa.
Height, Weight
- Height: 5 ft 10 in
- Weight: 82 kg
- Eye color: Dark brown
- Skin color: Tan
Net Worth
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $1,000,000 |
| 2022 | $800,000 |
| 2021 | $600,000 |
Personal Life and Legacy
Arthur Kaunang met Julie Kaunang in 1971, when he was performing with his band AKA at a music festival in Jakarta. Julie was a singer and actress, who was also performing at the same event. They were both young and talented, and they felt an instant attraction to each other. They exchanged phone numbers and started to date.
He and Julie had a lot in common. They both loved music and art, and they both had a passion for their careers. They also had a similar sense of humor and adventure. They enjoyed traveling together, exploring new places and cultures. They also supported each other’s dreams and goals, and they encouraged each other to grow and improve.
He and Julie got married in 1972, in a simple and intimate ceremony. They were both 22 years old, and they were ready to start a family. They moved to Surabaya, Arthur’s hometown, and they bought a house there. They also opened a music studio, where they recorded and produced their own songs and albums.
The Pride of His Life
Arthur and Julie were blessed with three children: Genesy Kaunang, Mecko Kaunang, and Tessa Kaunang. They were all born in Surabaya, and they inherited their parents’ musical talent and charisma. They loved their kids dearly, and they gave them the best education and care. They also taught them the values of hard work, honesty, respect, and kindness.
They were not only parents, but also mentors and friends to their kids. They involved them in their music projects, and they exposed them to different genres and styles. They also encouraged them to pursue their own interests and passions, and they supported them in their endeavors.
Genesy, the eldest son, was born in 1973. He followed his father’s footsteps and became a rock musician. He formed his own band, called Genesy, and he released several albums, such as Genesy (1995), Genesy II (1997), and Genesy III (1999). Some of his hit songs were “Rock On”, “Soulmate”, and “Rebel”. He also collaborated with other musicians, such as Dewa 19, Slank, and Gigi. He was known for his powerful voice and guitar skills.
Mecko, the second son, was born in 1975. Arthur was more interested in jazz and soul music, and he became a singer and songwriter. He formed his own band, called Mecko, and he released several albums, such as Mecko (1998), Mecko II (2000), and Mecko III (2002). Some of his hit songs were “Smooth”, “Groove”, and “Feel”. He also collaborated with other musicians, such as Glenn Fredly, Raisa, and Maliq & D’Essentials. He was known for his smooth voice and piano skills.
Tessa, the youngest daughter, was born in 1977. She was a multi-talented artist, who excelled in singing, acting, and dancing. She started her career as a child star, appearing in several TV shows and movies, such as Si Doel Anak Sekolahan, Bintang Jatuh, and Rock. She also released several albums, such as Tessa (1994), Tessa II (1996), and Tessa III (1998). Some of her hit songs were “Cinta”, “Bintang”, and “Rock”. She also collaborated with other musicians, such as Ari Lasso, Ahmad Dhani, and Rossa. She was known for her beautiful voice and charming personality.
