His real name was Kassim bin Rahmat. He died peacefully at about 3.30 pm in his home in Yishun. He was 84. The songs he recorded with the group during the 60s were Nga Lompak A Go Go, Angkok Angkok Bilis and the superlative, La O Be. Some of the songs were representative of the Baweanese community and they became top-notchers in the Singapore and Malaysian Hit Parade Charts.
Unknowingly, the group was called, King Creole, after the Elvis Presley movie, before they changed it. Mr. Kassim received a Bawean Jasawan award for his achievement and tribute to the community.
Friends and fans, far and near, send condolences to his family.
May his soul Rest In Peace.
Here are a few links about Inche Kassim Selamat and The Swallows:
https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2009/04/melayu-pop-yeh-yeh-60an-swallows-with.html
https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2012/03/swallows-la-obe-decks-wall-of-8q.html
https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2010/08/carlito-meets-kassim-selamat-and-yusnor.html
Images: from Google.
8 comments:
That is sad news.
RIP Kassim Slamat
Steve
Andy Young
Thanks Jalani.
Andy Young
Thanks Jennie.
Andy Young
Thanks Roop, Rose , Charlie.
Koh Sui Pang
RIP Kassim Selamat 😢😢😢
Freda Hanum
Heard of this very popular Malay group, "The Swallow" of the 60s , sad to know Kassim Selamat had left this world, may his soul rest in peace.
Richard Paul M
Who would have thought that a Malay band from SG could achieve chart success in the West. The Swallows did it with "La O Be" in Germany. A song that is still in the playlist of Malay artists today. You are sure to hear it in Malay wedding, whether live or recorded version. Thank you Pak Kassim for an achievement that we Singaporean can be proud of.
Andy Young
Hi RICHARD, Yes, it's true and the saddest part about the group's success is: not many Singaporeans know about what happened, let alone accept it as an achievement for the country. To me, KASSIM is another unsung hero. And thank you for making your statement so clear.
Andy Young
Thanks again FREDA for your comment. KALI, JENNIE, CHARLIE and JALANI, thanks for supporting this post and the blog.
Friends of The Swallows Blog by M. Erwin.
1) Good Morning Yesterday
2) Singapore 60s: Andy's Pop Music Influence
3) DJ Carlito's Pop Yeh Yeh Research Trip
We were from the same area in Sembawang.
Swallows played at the Nelson Bar in Sembawang Road around 1966.
Many bands played at this Sembawang bar.
The boys have day jobs and work in the Naval Base.
I still remember the bassist but have lost touch with the rest.
The lead guitarist excells in playing Shadows music.
He's very good.
Swallows, all rounder, is a very good band and they are humble musicians indeed.
May Kassim rest in peace.
Andy, remember I wrote in your blog some years back that my elder bro used to listen to Malay songs in the 60s even though we are Chinese. He would buy records by the Swallows and other Malay /Indonesian singers/bands, including singer Ernie Djohan. I recall that was the Malay pop yeh yeh era. Sad to hear that Mr Kassim Selamat of the famed Swallows has left us. Condolences to his family and loved ones.
Thanking everyone who wrote on Facebook and this blog to send their condolences to Mr Kassim Selamat.
Also thanking readers like FL, T. NG, DR STEVEN FARRAM and RICHARD PAUL who have either known him personally or listened to his music, for the compliments regarding his songs and recordings with The Swallows.
I am very sure his family will read these messages and realise how wonderful a musician he was.
RIP KASSIM SELAMAT.
Hi Andy,
I am embarking on a local music project out of interest, and was sleuthing around and found your blog. Am a little disappointed to read of Mr. Kassim Selamat's demise.
I checked to see if you had been active, and found that you posted about Adrian Tan and his recent departure. I would like to meet with you in person or digitally if you are agreeable, to discuss what Adrian had also found resourceful for my project.
I can be contacted at fabiansaxophonist@gmail.com
Hi Fabian,
Thanks for the visit.
For your information,
I am not in touch with any of THE SWALLOWS
nor with their connections but we can chat.
Do leave me your phone number.
I shall not publish it but will
get back to you soon.
Please provide me with some background
about yourself too; it will be confidential.
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