Seventeen (Indonesian band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | January 17, 1999 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia |
| Founder | Yudhi Rus Harjanto, Herman Sikumbang, Zulianto "Zozo" Angga, Windu Andi Darmawan |
| Defunct | December 22, 2018 |
| Headquarters | Yogyakarta , Indonesia |
Area served | Indonesia |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Seventeen was a pop rock group from Indonesia established in 1999 in Yogyakarta by classmates Yudhi Rus Harjanto, Herman Sikumbang, Zulianto "Zozo" Angga, and Windu Andi Darmawan, all aged 17 at the time. Later additions included vocalists Yohan "Doni" Saputro and Riefian "Ifan" Fajarsyah, along with bassist M. Awal "Bani" Purbani.
On 22 December 2018, during a live performance at the Tanjung Lesung resort, the band was devastated by the 2018 Sunda Strait tsunami, triggered by an Anak Krakatau volcanic eruption, resulting in the loss of nearly all members. Fajarsyah survived as the only member alive; following this tragedy, the band disbanded. As of 2024, Fajarsyah, Harjanto, Saputro, and Angga are recognized as the last surviving members.
History
The inception of Seventeen traces back to Harjanto, Sikumbang, Angga, and Darmawan—high school friends from Yogyakarta. They invited M. Awal "Bani" Purbani to join before officially forming the band on January 17, 1999. The group's name symbolized their shared age at formation. A year later, Saputro joined as a vocalist.
Their first album, Bintang Terpilih ("Selected Stars"), was launched on July 17, 2003 via Universal Music Indonesia and achieved sales reaching 75,000 copies. The album featured a duet titled "Jibaku" with MTV Indonesia VJ Arie Untung and included tracks that were featured in soap operas. After Universal Indonesia's local branch closed following the album's release, Seventeen was without a label for two years until Universal resumed operations locally and re-signed them. Their sophomore album Sweet Seventeen (2005) featured the single "Jika Kau Percaya" ("If You Believe").
In 2008, Saputro, Darmawan, and Angga departed; after conducting auditions, Riefian "Ifan" Fajarsyah was brought on board as vocalist. This transition marked a stylistic shift from rock towards pop for Seventeen. Their third album Lelaki Hebat ("Great Man") reflected this evolution and was released during concerns about music piracy prevalent in Glodok market. Darmawan eventually returned to his role as drummer. The fourth album Dunia yang Indah ("The Beautiful World") (2011) included the popular track "Jaga Slalu Hatimu" ("Always Keep Your Heart").
In 2013, guitarist Yudhi Rus Harjanto exited due to creative differences shortly before their fifth album Sang Juara ("The Champion") was released; this album contained singles such as "Sang Juara" and "Sumpah Ku Mencintaimu" ("I Swear I Love You").
Seventeen's sixth album Pantang Mundur ("Persistent") was unveiled on March 31, 2016; it marked their first collaboration with professional music directors. The record comprised eleven songs including four singles: "Cinta Jangan Sembunyi" ("Love Don't Hide"), "Bukan Main Main" ("Not Kidding"), "Aku Gila" ("I'm Crazy"), "Menunggu Kamu" ("Waiting for You"), and "Kemarin" ("Yesterday").
In 2018, the band released the single "Jangan Dulu Pergi" ("Don't Go Away"), composed in memory of Fajarsyah's late father. Its accompanying music video premiered on June 10 of that year. This single became their final release prior to disbandment.
Sunda Strait tsunami
While performing at the PLN Family Gathering held in Tanjung Lesung, Pandeglang, Banten, Seventeen was struck by a tsunami caused by an eruption from Anak Krakatau volcano at approximately 9:30 PM local time. The wave swept away all band members present. Replacement bassist M. Awal "Bani" Purbani and road manager Oki Wijaya lost their lives immediately at the venue. The body of guitarist Herman Sikumbang was recovered hours later, followed by drummer Darmawan’s remains found the subsequent day. Crew member Rukmana "Ujang" Rustam and vocalist Fajarsyah’s spouse, actress Dylan Sahara, also perished in the disaster.
Fajarsyah emerged as the sole surviving member and has since pursued a solo career. Although Seventeen officially disbanded following the tragedy, he continues to perform under the band's name to honor those who passed away, designating them as permanent members in their original positions. On November 13, 2022, Fajarsyah declared he would neither establish nor join another band to preserve Seventeen’s legacy within Indonesia’s music scene.
Documentary Film
In 2019, Mahakarya Pictures together with Mahaka Radio Integra revealed plans for a documentary centered on Seventeen, entitled Kemarin ("Yesterday"). Although scheduled for release earlier, the film premiered on December 3, 2020, after encountering postponements, including those linked to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Band Members
- Final Lineup
- Windu Andi Darmawan – drums (1999–2018; deceased)
- M. Awal "Bani" Purbani – bass guitar (1999–2018; deceased)
- Herman Sikumbang – guitar (1999–2018; deceased)
- Riefian "Ifan" Fajarsyah – vocals (2008–2018)
- Former Members
- Zulianto Zulkifli "Zozo" Angga – guitar (1999–2008)
- Yudhi Rus Harjanto – guitar (1999–2012)
- Yohan "Doni" Saputro – vocals, guitar (2000–2007)
- Timeline
Studio Albums
- Bintang Terpilih (2003)
- Sweet Seventeen (2005)
- Lelaki Hebat (2008)
- Dunia Yang Indah (2011)
- Sang Juara (2013)
- Pantang Mundur (2016)
Singles
- "Jibaku" (feat. Arie Untung) (2003)
- "Jika Kau Percaya" (2005)
- "Selalu Mengalah" (2008)
- "Untuk Mencintaimu" (2008)
- "Lelaki Hebat" (2008)
- "Jalan Terbaik" (2008)
- "Jaga Slalu Hatimu" (2011)
- "Hal Terindah" (2011)
- "Sang Juara" (2013)
- "Sumpah Ku Mencintaimu" (2013)
- "Cinta Jangan Sembunyi" (2016)
- "Bukan Main Main" (2016)
- "Aku Gila" (2016)
- "Menunggu Kamu" (2016)
- "Kemarin" (2016)
- "Jangan Dulu Pergi" (2018)
External Links
- Seventeen at GP Records (Indonesian)