Bobby Willem Tutupoly (13 November 1939 – 5 July 2022), better known as Bob Tutupoly, was an Indonesian singer, host, and actor. He started his recording career in Jakarta in 1965 with Pattie Bersaudara. He was known for his songs such as "Lidah Tak Bertulang", "Tiada Maaf Bagimu", "Tinggi Gunung Seribu Janji", and "Widuri".[1] He is widely regarded as one of the most iconic Indonesian singers ever.[2][3]

Bob Tutupoly
Tutupoly in 1967
Tutupoly in 1967
Background information
Birth nameBobby Willem Tutupoly
Born(1939-11-13)13 November 1939
Surabaya, East Java, Dutch East Indies
Died5 July 2022(2022-07-05) (aged 82)
Jakarta, Indonesia
Occupation(s)Singer, host, actor
LabelsBlackboard, Arco Studio, Golden Hand, Aroma Records, Tropidana Records, Tanama Record dan Gita Virma Record
Spouse(s)Rosmayasuti Nasution (1977–2022)

Early life edit

Bob Tutupoly was the second child of five siblings, born to Adolf Laurens Tutupoly and Elisabeth Wilhemmina Henket-Sahusilawane, who were migrants from Negeri Ouw, Maluku. He was born at William Booth Hospital, Diponegoro Street, Surabaya on 13 November 1939.[4] Bob had an older brother named Christian Jacobus Tutupoly and three younger siblings named Alexander Bartjes Tutupoly, Hendrika Laurensia Tutupoly, and Adolf Tutupoly Jr. (who died in 1947 during the struggle for independence in Yogyakarta).[4]

Career edit

Singing career edit

Bob Tutupoly showed his talent for singing since he was young. He sang at hotels and joined several bands and vocal groups, such as Kwartet Jazz (Jazz Quartet) on Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) in Surabaya. He then recorded popular songs like "Tiada Maaf Bagimu" and "Tinggi Gunung Seribu Janji" with the famous Pattie Sisters. After performing in neighboring countries like Malaysia and Singapore, Bob moved to the United States in 1969 at the invitation of the Los Angeles-based Indonesian group Venturas to record some music. But nothing materialized, and Bob eventually became a singer at nightclubs in Las Vegas.[4]

In 1976, he returned to Indonesia and recorded the now-classic song "Widuri", written by Slamet Adriyadi. The song became very popular and is considered one of his signature songs.[5]

Hosting career edit

Bob Tutupoly also built his career as an iconic host of quiz shows on TVRI, such as Pesona 13 and Ragam Pesona. He was known for his charismatic and humorous personality.[5]

Acting career edit

Bob Tutupoly also tried his hand at acting. He appeared in several Indonesian films, such as Gli Innamorati Della Becak (1958), Penasaran (1977), and Sebelah Mata (2008).[6] In Penasaran, he played a singer who was involved in a love triangle with two women.[7] In Sebelah Mata, he played a retired singer who was reunited with his old bandmates.[8]

Discography edit

Albums edit

  • Hush-Not A Word To Mary (1968) with The Pro's
  • Salah Duga (1970) with The Comets
  • Bob Tutupoly Vol. 3 (1975)
  • Bob Tutupoly Vol. 2 (1976) with De Meicy
  • Bob Tutupoly Vol 1 (1977) with Panca Nada
  • Penantian Tak Bertepi (1982) with Purnama Sultan
  • Yang Mempesona (1988)
  • Satukanlah (1999) with Yuni Shara
  • The Best Of Bob Tutupoly (unknown year)
  • Antara Bulan Dan Bintang (unknown year)
  • Broery Pesolima Bersama D'Lloyd (unknown year) with Broery Pesolima and D'Lloyd[9]

Singles edit

  • "Tiada Maaf Bagimu" / "Tinggi Gunung Seribu Janji" (1965) with Pattie Bersaudara
  • "Lidah Tak Bertulang" / "Kau Yang Kusayang" (1966)
  • "Widuri" / "Kerinduan" (1976)
  • "Kau Yang Terindah" / "Kisah Cinta" (1977)
  • Symphoni Yang Indah (1980)
  • "Aku Tak Percaya" / "Kau Yang Terindah" (1988)
  • "Widuri 2000" / "Widuri 2000 Remix" (2000)[9]

Guest appearances edit

  • This Conversation and Swing it Bob (2004) on Mocca's second album Friends[10]

Family edit

Bob Tutupoly married Rosmayasuti Nasution, a dancer and Miss Jakarta 1972, in 1977. They had one daughter, Sasha Karina Tutupoly.[5]

Death edit

Bob Tutupoly died of complications from a stroke on 5 July 2022 at Mayapada Hospital in South Jakarta. He was 82 years old.[5] He had suffered a stroke and had been receiving treatment at his home before being hospitalized.[11]

Filmography edit

Films edit

Year Title Role Notes
1958 Gli Innamorati Della Becak
1977 Penasaran A singer
2008 Sebelah Mata A retired singer

Awards and nominations edit

Year Award Category Result Ref.
2015 Anugerah Musik Indonesia Legend Award Won [12]

References edit

  1. ^ "5 Best Songs From Bob Tutupoly". VOI – Waktunya Merevolusi Pemberitaan. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  2. ^ "Indonesian singer Bob Tutupoly dies aged 82". Reuters. 6 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  3. ^ Ng, Scott (6 July 2022). "1970s Indonesian singer Bob Tutupoly has died, aged 82". NME. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  4. ^ a b c "Bob Tutupoly Meninggal Dunia, Ini Riwayat Hidup Penyanyi Legendaris Asal Surabaya". Tribunnews.com. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d "Bob Tutupoly Meninggal Dunia". Kompas.com. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  6. ^ "Bob Tutupoly Meninggal, Om Bob Bukan Hanya Biduan Tapi Juga Aktor Film". Tempo.co. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  7. ^ "Penasaran (1977)". IMDb. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  8. ^ "Sebelah Mata (2008)". IMDb. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Bob Tutupoly". Discogs. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  10. ^ "Mocca (2) Friends". www.discogs.com. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  11. ^ "Famed singer Bob Tutupoly passes away". The Jakarta Post. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  12. ^ "Bob Tutupoli dan Erwin Gutawa raih penghargaan AMI Awards 2015". Antara News. 23 September 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2022.

External links edit