Malaysian rock fans are mourning the sudden loss of veteran drummer Raja Azreen Raja Talib, who tragically died mid-performance during a festival appearance last month.
The 56-year-old musician collapsed onstage while playing with his long-running band Meditasi at the Teruntum Rock Festival in Kuantan, Pahang on July 18.
The group were only two songs into their set before Azreen collapsed, prompting immediate panic among the crowd and crew.
Frontman Bakaruddin “Burn” Daud told Berita Harian Online that he instantly realised something was terribly wrong.
He said: “I rushed towards [Raja], but I could feel that [he] was gone.
“I called and patted [him], but there was no response. His body was also cold. The fans were quite alarmed when they saw what was happening.”
Band members and staff carried the drummer backstage while awaiting emergency services.
Burn recounted: “We carried [him] backstage and within a few minutes the ambulance arrived. Alhamdulillah, everything was made easier.”
Azreen was taken to Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital, where he was “given respiratory assistance, but he did not regain consciousness or respond after the collapse.”
His older brother, Raja Azman Raja Taib, revealed that his late sibling had suffered heart complications in the months leading up to his tragic death.
He told the outlet: “He was hospitalized twice; the first stay lasted two to three weeks before he was admitted again.”
Despite this, the family and band were stunned by the suddenness of his passing as he appeared to be well in the run-up to the festival.
His only observation was that he looked “very thin”.
Azreen had recently been diagnosed with diabetes and was carefully managing his diet, according to his brother.
Meditasi – who formed in 1986 – had rehearsed for three days before the festival, and Burn said Azreen was in high spirits. The drummer had even eerily asked the band to wear all-black for the show and reminded them that the performance should continue “no matter what”.
Guitarist Rosli Ahmad had also been unwell.
Burn said the band will honour Azreen’s legacy by continuing to play together.
He added: “We have not yet discussed [the future], but we will continue the group’s struggle. Because as [he] said, the show must go on.
“We are no longer chasing money, we just want to find friends and fill our free time.”
