I've Lost A Dear Friend And Mentor - Xerra On Seha

Seha & Karissa
(thestar.com.my)

Terengganu pop princess Tengku Zaharah Zaimi or Xerra is shocked and saddened by the death of an old friend, 1980s pop sensation Norsehah (Seha) Abu Bakar.

Seha succumbed to lung cancer on October 11, 2006 aged 44. She had been suffering from cancer for the last decade.

Xerra said: "She was a dear friend who taught me a lot about making it in the recording industry. I will miss her greatly, and cherish all that she taught me."

The Malaysian Idol 2 finalist was not alone in lamenting the loss of Seha, the original lead vocalist of 1980s band Freedom.

Zamil Idris, a finalist of Malaysian Idol 1, said: "She was simply great. I loved her music back then.

"Seha had a great voice, great showmanship and great beauty. I'll miss her dearly."

Atie Abu Bakar and Azza Suaymi of Akademi Fantasia 1 also expressed shock and sadness on hearing of Seha's demise.

Atie said: "Kak Seha was a true beauty. She had a heart of gold, and was always humble. The music industry has lost an icon."

Azza said: "Seha defined women in pop throughout the 1980s alongside her peers Fauziah Latiff, Sheila Majid, Fauziah Ahmad Daud and Ramlah Ram, among others.

"Her passing is a tragic loss to entertainment in Malaysia."

Seha, the pop princess of the 1980s was sometimes nicknamed the Malaysian Belinda Carlisle and Debbie Harry by fans.

To many men who grew up in 1980s Malaysia (this blogger included), she was THE Native Malaysian Sex Symbol of that era.

Seha's former band, Freedom, had a monster hit "Mulanya Di Sini" ("It Begins Here") which was also used by Malaysia Airlines as its advertisement campaign song in the late 1980s.

She later went solo and released an album produced by One In A Million and Malaysian Idol judge Paul Moss, the "Malaysian Simon Cowell".

That album spawned a hit song "Seloka Cinta Remaja" ("The Song Of Teen Love").

She also hosted entertainment shows on Radio Television Malaysia (RTM).

Seha leaves behind two children, Misha, 15, and Karissa Lund, 10, from her marriage to Danish expatriate Chris Lund. They divorced in 1998.

Freedom's current lead singer is Dianne Soliano Guerzo, who made it to the Top 24 of Malaysian Idol 2 in 2005, and is the cousin of Malaysian Idol 2's 11th-placed contestant Tricia Soliano De Cruz.




BAHASA MALAYSIA VERSION
Seha Sahabat Sejati Dan Mentor Ku - Xerra

Puteri pop dari Terengganu Tengku Zaharah Zaimi atau Xerra berasa terkejut dan sedih atas pemergian kawan lamanya, penyanyi pop sensasi 1980an Norsehah (Seha) Abu Bakar.

Seha meninggal dunia akibat barah paru-paru pada 11 Oktober, 2006. Beliau berusia 44 tahun. Penyakit itu telah diperanginya untuk hampir 10 tahun.

Xerra berkata: "Allahyarham seorang sahabat sejati dan mentor yang banyak memberi nasihat untuk saya menjadi artis rakaman yang berjaya. Saya takkan lupakan Allahyarham dan sentiasa merinduinya."

Finalis Malaysian Idol 2 itu tidak keseorangan meratapi pemergian Seha, bekas vokalis utama kumpulan sensasi 1980an Freedom.

Zamil Idris, finalis Malaysian Idol 1, berkata: "Allahyarham seorang penghibur yang hebat. Saya amat sukakan persembahannya masa itu.

"Seha memiliki suara hebat, karisma dan kecantikan. Saya akan sentiasa merinduinya."

Atie Abu Bakar dan Azza Suaymi dari Akademi Fantasia 1 juga berasa terkejut dan sedih atas pemergian Seha.

Atie berkata: "Kak Seha jelitawan luaran dan dalaman. Dia seorang yang berhati mulia dan sentiasa merendah diri. Industri muzik tanah air kehilangan seorang ikon."

Azza berkata: "Seha telah mendefinasi penyanyi pop wanita di tahun 1980an bersama rakan seperjuangannya seperti Fauziah Latiff, Sheila Majid, Fauziah Ahmad Daud dan Ramlah Ram.

"Pemergiannya adalah kehilangan besar kepada dunia hiburan Malaysia."

Seha, puteri pop 1980an kekadang digelar Belinda Carlisle dan Debbie Harry Malaysia oleh peminat.

Ramai lelaki yang menempuhi zaman remaja pada tahun 1980an di Malaysia (termasuk blogger) menganggap Seha sebagai Simbol Seks Bumiputera Malaysia masa itu.

Seha dan kumpulan popnya, Freedom, telah menghasilkan sebuah lagu hebat tahun 1980an
"Mulanya Di Sini" yang telah digunakan sebagai lagu kempen iklan Malaysia Airlines (Penerbangan Malaysia) di hujung tahun 1980an.

Seha kemudiannya menjadi penyanyi solo dan menghasilkan album terbitan pengkritik One In A Million dan Malaysian Idol Paul Moss, iaitu "Simon Cowell Malaysia".

Album itu mengandungi lagu hit "Seloka Cinta Remaja".

Seha juga menjadi pengacara rancangan hiburan di Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM).

Seha meninggalkan dua orang anak iaitu Misha, 15, dan Karissa Lund, 10, hasil perkongsian hidup dengan bekas suaminya Chris Lund, seorang warga Denmark. Mereka bercerai pada tahun 1998.

Penyanyi utama Freedom sekarang ialah Dianne Soliano Guerzo, peserta Top 24 di Malaysian Idol 2, dan sepupu kepada pemenang tempat ke-11 Malaysian Idol 2 Tricia Soliano De Cruz.