Chrisye’s 70th Birthday

Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Yogyakarta-based guest artist Antares Hasanbasri, celebrates the progressive Indonesian pop singer and songwriter, Chrisye. Born Chrismansyah Rahadi in Jakarta on this day in 1949, Chrisye won many awards in his 40-year career and is widely considered one of the greatest Indonesian musicians of all time. 

Chrisye’s parents had hoped he’d become an engineer. To their surprise, he fell in love with music early, starting a band with his brother Joris and later playing bass with his neighbors, eventually forming a band named Gipsy. Chrisye’s early recordings with Gipsy, as well as a number of other solo albums, solidified his place as one of Indonesia’s most popular recording artists. 

Gipsy’s breakthrough occurred when they collaborated with Guruh Sukarnoputra in 1976 through the album Guruh Gipsy, blending contemporary rock and traditional music of Java and Bali, in a style called called gamelan.

A 1977 film soundtrack, Badai Pasti Berlalu (The Storm Will Surely Pass), birthed two of his most critically acclaimed works, including "Lilin-Lilin Kecil" (“Little Candles”) written by James F. Sundah. His smooth vocals on the song, emanating hope from an older generation, made the uplifting memorial song a favorite—and was also what inspired the art in today’s Doodle. The success of the soundtrack album led to a solo career with Chrisye’s first solo project, Sabda Alam, in 1978. 

Chrisye appeared in the 1980 film Seindah Rembulan (As Beautiful As the Moon) and eventually married Yanti, former singer born G.F. Damayanti Noor, raising four children. He won numerous accolades, including Anugerah Musik Indonesia awards for Best Male Pop Singer and Best Album.

“Semangat bermusik saya tidak akan pernah mati,” Chrisye once wrote. “My musical spirit will never die.”

Guest Artist Q&A with Antares Hasanbasri

Today's Doodle was created by guest artist Antares Hasanbasri who is based in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Below she shares her thoughts behind the making of the Doodle:

Q: Why was this topic meaningful to you personally?

A: Chrisye has always been a part of my childhood. My parents used to play his songs whenever we were driving around. His soft voice and catchy songs always captured that ’90s nostalgia. I'm sure persons of my generation have listened to at least one of his songs if they’re not Chrisye fans! 

Q: What were your first thoughts when you were approached about the project?

A: I was surprised to even be invited to collaborate on a Google Doodle project! As soon as I knew that this was about Chrisye, a surge of childhood memories came in torrents, playing out in my mind. For weeks I listened to every one of his songs that I could find. His soft voice and mellow lyrics are windows to a nostalgic era of Indonesia's ’80-’90s pop music scene.

Q: Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle?

A: The Doodle is inspired by one of his songs, "Lilin-Lilin Kecil" or “Little Candles”. The song speaks about hope and growing up. The candles that we often associate with hope also fit the theme of a birthday celebration commemorating our beloved musician.

Q: What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle?

A: I want to celebrate Chrisye's birthday with a hopeful spirit as symbolized by the candles. As we commemorate this beloved musician, may we too grow up with fond memories of those we cherished!

Early concepts and drafts of the Doodle