KUALA LUMPUR: Pop legend Datuk Jamal Abdillah is known for his down-to-earth demeanour admits that he “could have been a better dad” to his sons.
The 59-year-old singer is dedicating a special song Kisah Ayah Dan Anak to his boys — Osama Yamani, 17, and Ahmad Zaki Yamani, 11, — and will perform it for the first time at Istana Budaya here on Dec 20.
“This new song is a message from the heart to my sons, that I tried my very best to give them a happy family, but unfortunately I failed. It’s my message of regret that I didn’t steer my ship well, and I blame myself that my three marriages failed,” he said in a news report yesterday.
Jamal also said that Kisah Ayah Dan Anak was his apology to his sons, for not being a better parent and a confession that he did his best to save his marriages.
From Dec 20 to 23, Jamal will team up with another music legend, singer, lyricist, composer and producer Datuk M. Nasir in Konsert Duo Legenda at the national theatre.
They will be serenading the audience with a collection of their greatest hits, and the duo will be joined by Australian singer Cassidy Anderson.
In addition, there will be a VVIP Night on Dec 22 where Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali will play the violin to accompany Jamal and Nasir for the song Gubahanku.
Jamal said Osama might play the guitar in the concert. “I cannot confirm this, since he is also studying for his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination. If he does, it will be on the last night.”
Jamal is married to 24-year-old Datin Zai Izatti Khiruddin on April 1 last year.
He was previously married to Basariah Abdul Latiff, Noraina Mohd Yusof and Fatimatuzahrah Samad.
Osama is his son with Noraina, and Ahmad Zaki is from his marriage to Fatimatuzahrah.
Tickets to the concert are priced at RM158, RM358, RM458, RM558 and RM1,500. They are available at www.ilassotickets.com. For more details, call 03-21706333.