Yaacob Bakaar, bassist of Orkes Teruna Ria, passed away at the end of March. He was such a sweet, kind person and he had a "heart of gold" in my humble opinion. When I met him in KL, Malaysia in 2014, Encik Bakaar invited me to meet with him at Saloma Bistro with his wife June Izzudin and several other members of Orkes Teruna Ria, who started out in Penang Malaysia back in the 60s backing singer L. Ramli on vocals. June Izzudin (who passed away a couple of years ago) was also a singer and recorded a few incredible EPs backed by various groups like The Wanderers with songs co-written by Yaacob Bakaar.
Encik Bakaar treated me with such kindness, I am sorry that I wasn't able to keep in touch with him better in the years since I last met him. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a warmth that made me like him immediately. He was also a fabulous bass player who truly loved music.
I will keep my promise to share the interviews with Yaacob Bakaar and his band-mates some day soon. Hearing the stories he told about the golden years of Pop Yeh Yeh was a dream come true. Thank you Encik Bakaar. Rest in Peace.
Me, with Mamu Abbas (top row - 2nd from left), Pop Yeh Yeh historian Ghaz, Yaacob Bakar (top row - far Right), Mrs. Abbas bottom left, and June Izzudin (bottom Right) at Saloma Bistro - 2014.
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