Koes Plus Pioneer of Pop and Rock and Roll Music in Indonesia

Baca Juga

Photo Source: Instagram via Merdeka.com

FEMUSINDO.com - Formed in 1968, Koes Plus is one of the pioneers of pop and rock and roll music in Indonesia and is considered the music mecca in the country.

Koes Plus was included in the list of The Immortals: 25 Greatest Indonesian Artists of All Time by Rolling Stone Indonesia magazine in 2008.

First releasing its album in 1969. Koes Plus initially played popular western songs which at that time were dominated by The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Grand Funk Railroad and Black Sabbath.

The Establishment of Koes Plus

The establishment of Koes Plus was a consequence of the departure of two people, Nomo Koeswoyo and Yok Koeswoyo, from Koes Bersaudara because they chose to pursue careers outside of music.

This family music group whose popularity peaked in the 1970s is a continuation of the Koes Bersaudara music group.

The early music group had the formation of Tonny Koeswoyo as keyboardist, lead guitarist and bassist, Yon Koeswoyo as rhythm guitarist and main vocalist.

Then, Yok Koeswoyo as bassist and lead guitarist, and Murry as drummer, guitarist, percussionist, and other traditional Javanese percussion instruments.

Personnel Changes

As the most senior member, Tonny recruited Murry (Kasmuri) and Totok Adji Rachman (Totok A.R.) who were recommended by Tommy Darmo (former Koes Brothers guitarist).

Then, Dimas Wahab, who was not a member of the Koeswoyo family, also entered as a replacement for Nomo Koeswoyo & Yok Koeswoyo to play drums and bass guitar as well as provide vocals.

Since the death of Tonny, the leader of this band, there has been a change in band members. All members provide vocals & create songs.

After Tonny passed away in 1987, the formation on each album or "show" (when performing) always changed, especially for personnel who played the musical instruments played by the late Tonny Koeswoyo.

Furthermore, Murry was inactive during 1992 due to illness and Yok decided to leave in 1997.

On February 1, 2014, Koes Plus had to lose one of its members. Murry died at the age of 65 due to illness.

With Yon Koeswoyo remaining in it, the group continued to be active until Yon's death in 2018.

Some of Koes Plus' songs include Dheg Dheg Plas (1969), Bersama Lagi (1978), Melepas Kerinduan (1979), Berjumpa Lagi (1979), Nasib (1989), Mata Bertemu Mata (1993), Sedih (1993) and many more. (*)