Three decades after a road accident, Zaiton Sameon is soldering on, releasing an album and a new single
AFTER taking part in Bintang RTM in 1980, Zaiton Sameon started gaining popularity in the local entertainment scene and began performing at various stage shows.
However, it was not until few years later when she was signed up by BMG and recorded her debut album with composer A. Ali (whose real name is Hamdan Atan), former member of bands Sweet Charity and Kembara, that her star shone.
The album, Menaruh Harapan, was released in 1987. Her track of the same title went on to become the Best Song at Juara Lagu 1987 (the original name for TV3’s Anugerah Juara Lagu) in the same year, which was also the second year the annual competition was held.
While the melody was composed by Ali, the forlornlyrics werewritten by renowned lyricist Habsah Hassan.
Prior to winning, Zaiton, who was known for a sexy image, created a stir in the local entertainment scene when the music video for the song was deemed too racy for the public.
The singer with big and tousled hair released her second album Kabut Serangkai Mawar the following year and Diriku Yang Tersingkir in 1989.
By then, the singer had already become a household name. Zaiton was busy performing across the country, travelling with her entourage.
“At that time, I received a lot of singing invitations. However, during the fasting month, I took a break, except when I was invited to perform fordignitaries. Otherwise, I’d spend more time observing the month with my son and my parents,” says Zaiton recounting her heyday.
FATEFUL TRIP
On Feb 21, 1990, en route to Kuala Lumpur with her entourage after a performance in Kuala Ketil, Kedah, a lorry crashed into the van that they were travelling in near Batang Kali, Selangor, killing her only son, Azirwan Abu Bakar, 13, and one of her musicians, Ismail Shaari.
“My son was a rather quiet child. However, before the accident, he and Ismail had sung Headwind’s song Kita Serupa. Who would have guessed that it was a harbinger of their end?” she says of that fateful trip.
Zaiton herself was comatose for three months after the accident. Upon regaining consciousness, she asked for her son, only to find out the tragic news.
It took quite a while for her to fully recover from the accident.
In 1992, her record label BMG, together with fellow recording artistes, recorded Kami Bersamamu Zaiton Sameon, a special album dedicated to her as moral support.
Those involved in the project include Ramlah Ram, Zur Eda, Wings, M. Nasir, Lilian, Ziana Zain, Search and 4U2C. The album was produced by Rahim Othman, M. Nasir and Man Senoi.
“After the accident, Irecorded albums such as Kembali Lagi (1997), Menadah Impian (2003), Album Ratu Sensai (2004) and Cinta Sepanjang Masa (2004). In fact, I recorded another album last year, which had not been released until now,” says Zaiton.
There were reports that she had also been mentally unwell, as well as of other sad episodes of her life which she prefers to put behind her.
“Some of my songs including hits as Menaruh Harapan, Kabut Serangkai Mawar, Berendam Airmata and Kisah Pahit summarise some sad parts of my life.”
INVITATIONS ACROSS THE CAUSEWAY
Zaiton, who finally fully recovered from the accidentfive years ago, is grateful that she still gets invitation to perform these days, including one from Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan who was pleasantly surprised to find out that she could still sing her old hits well.
Zaiton currently receives a lot of invitations to perform by her fans from across the Causeway.
She recently released hersingle, Rindu Pelukan Bonda, composed by veteran composer S. Atan, with lyrics by Siso and Syed Yusof Wafa a.k.a. Wafa.
It is a duet between Zaiton and Wafa, a former music school teacher who is also a close friend.
Zaiton is happy that she finally collaborated with the composer who was supposed to work with her before she ended up working with Ali.
“Who knew that after more than 30 years, we finally get the chance to do so. I’m glad we did it.”