Royston Sta Maria
Encyclopedia
Royston Sta Maria
Royston Sta Maria (b. 24 November 1951, Malacca City, is a Malaysian singer-songwriter
.
Roy's interest in music started from a very early age and the only cup he won in school was from a talent-time contest, where we won for Best Group. Upon finishing high school, Sta Maria had the opportunity to develop his musical interests when he was offered to join his father's band as a bass guitarist. At 19, Sta Maria was performing every night in a hotel called the New Straits View in Johor Bahru
.
After 2 years of playing in the nightclub scene and backing floor-shows, Sta Maria then decided to leave the band and move to greener pastures in Kuala Lumpur
. In Kuala Lumpur
, Sta Maria decided to study for a management course in the hotel industry. To support himself, Sta Maria would work as a waiter in a coffee-house at the Fitzpatrick's building in Jalan Raja Chulan. Roy, however, did not end up finishing his hotel management course as he was more interested in music.
He subsequently joined a local band called the Electric Organism and started work at the Tomorrow Disco at the Merlin Hotel on a nine month contract, then a top discotheque at that time. The musicians in the band included Fauzi Marzuki, Nasser Abu Kassim, Francis Danker and Radha Krishnan.
After the band broke up, Sta Maria continued working in the Merlin Hotel for 5 years performing in different groups - playing everything from country music to backing international floor-shows. It was also at the Merlin Hotel in early 1980 where Sta Maria met the young singer Francissca Peter
.
offered Sta Maria and Fran a recording contract and they subsequently released their first debut album in 1982 titled "Siapa Dia Sebelum Daku
".
This was followed by "Bersama Pertemuan Ini
" in 1983. However after the success of the second album, Fran decided to go separate ways and develop a solo career. By this time, Roy's interest in songwriting was developing and decided to write his own songs for his first solo album titled "Berakhir Kemarau Nan Panjang", followed by "Perkenalan Pertama" in 1985.
From writing and recording his own songs, Sta Maria then proceeded to produce albums, starting with his own two solo albums and later for other artistes including Fauziah Latiff
's first album and Bibiana Peter's debut album.
who was in Perth several years ago with 100 of her fans on holiday.
In 2011, Sta Maria was invited to perform with Fran at her biggest solo concert titled "Konsert Keunggulan 33 Tahun Francissca Peter
". His dream for the future is to do another nostalgic album with Fran and to perform all of their classic hits in Malaysia.
Second Place for "Berakhir Kemarau Di Hati" performed by Fauziah Ahmad Daud. The song went on to represent Malaysia at the 3rd Asean Song Festival held in Singapore.
Second Place for "Babak Cinta Terakhir" performed by Zainal Abidin.
Second Placing for "Mulanya Di Sini" performed by Freedom
. The song also helped propel the Freedom
band who performed it to stardom. Not long after, Malaysia Airlines
adopted the song as their jingle and theme song in their promotions.
Royston Sta Maria (b. 24 November 1951, Malacca City, is a Malaysian singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
.
Early life
Royston attended the St. Francis Institution where he obtained a Grade 2 in the Overseas School Certificate and the Malaysian Certificate of Education.Roy's interest in music started from a very early age and the only cup he won in school was from a talent-time contest, where we won for Best Group. Upon finishing high school, Sta Maria had the opportunity to develop his musical interests when he was offered to join his father's band as a bass guitarist. At 19, Sta Maria was performing every night in a hotel called the New Straits View in Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru is the capital city of Johor in southern Malaysia. Johor Bahru is the southernmost city of the Eurasian mainland...
.
After 2 years of playing in the nightclub scene and backing floor-shows, Sta Maria then decided to leave the band and move to greener pastures in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
. In Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
, Sta Maria decided to study for a management course in the hotel industry. To support himself, Sta Maria would work as a waiter in a coffee-house at the Fitzpatrick's building in Jalan Raja Chulan. Roy, however, did not end up finishing his hotel management course as he was more interested in music.
He subsequently joined a local band called the Electric Organism and started work at the Tomorrow Disco at the Merlin Hotel on a nine month contract, then a top discotheque at that time. The musicians in the band included Fauzi Marzuki, Nasser Abu Kassim, Francis Danker and Radha Krishnan.
After the band broke up, Sta Maria continued working in the Merlin Hotel for 5 years performing in different groups - playing everything from country music to backing international floor-shows. It was also at the Merlin Hotel in early 1980 where Sta Maria met the young singer Francissca Peter
Francissca Peter
Luciana Francissca Peter , also affectionately known as Fran, is a Malaysian singer-songwriter.She has had over twenty Number 1 hits in the Malaysian music charts and was awarded "Best Female Vocalist" for five consecutive years in the mid 80s. She has over 30 albums to her name...
.
Sta Maria & Fran
It was from this first meeting that Sta Maria decided to team up with Fran as a duo. They called themselves "Sta Maria & Fran". One night, while they were performing at the coffee-house, S. Atan, a Malaysian music producer, happened to drop by for supper and saw them singing. EMIEMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
offered Sta Maria and Fran a recording contract and they subsequently released their first debut album in 1982 titled "Siapa Dia Sebelum Daku
Siapa Dia Sebelum Daku
The first duet studio album by Francissca Peter & Royston Sta Maria released in 1982. -Track listing:- External links :* * * * * *...
".
This was followed by "Bersama Pertemuan Ini
Bersama Pertemuan Ini
The second duet studio album by Francissca Peter & Royston Sta Maria released in 1983.-Track listing:- External links :* * * * * *...
" in 1983. However after the success of the second album, Fran decided to go separate ways and develop a solo career. By this time, Roy's interest in songwriting was developing and decided to write his own songs for his first solo album titled "Berakhir Kemarau Nan Panjang", followed by "Perkenalan Pertama" in 1985.
From writing and recording his own songs, Sta Maria then proceeded to produce albums, starting with his own two solo albums and later for other artistes including Fauziah Latiff
Fauziah Latiff
Siti Fauziah Sheikh Abdul Latiff is a Malaysian singer and actress. Latiff first appeared to the world performing at a charity concert at Stadium Merdeka in 1987. Talent scouts from Happy Records spotted her and offered her her first recording contract...
's first album and Bibiana Peter's debut album.
Current career
Sta Maria emigrated to Perth to be with his family and have been here since 1988. He is still active in the music industry in Australia, and performs in hotels and clubs. He also had the opportunity to sing with Erra FaziraErra Fazira
Erra Fazira is a Malaysian actress, singer, fashion model, TV Host, film producer, as well as former beauty queen....
who was in Perth several years ago with 100 of her fans on holiday.
In 2011, Sta Maria was invited to perform with Fran at her biggest solo concert titled "Konsert Keunggulan 33 Tahun Francissca Peter
Francissca Peter
Luciana Francissca Peter , also affectionately known as Fran, is a Malaysian singer-songwriter.She has had over twenty Number 1 hits in the Malaysian music charts and was awarded "Best Female Vocalist" for five consecutive years in the mid 80s. She has over 30 albums to her name...
". His dream for the future is to do another nostalgic album with Fran and to perform all of their classic hits in Malaysia.
Awards
During this time, Sta Maria has also written numerous compositions for several music contests.- RTM 3rd Pesta Lagu
Second Place for "Berakhir Kemarau Di Hati" performed by Fauziah Ahmad Daud. The song went on to represent Malaysia at the 3rd Asean Song Festival held in Singapore.
- 1st & 2nd Golden Kite Song Festival
Second Place for "Babak Cinta Terakhir" performed by Zainal Abidin.
- World Peace Song Festival
- Asean Song Festival
Second Placing for "Mulanya Di Sini" performed by Freedom
Freedom
-Philosophy:* Free will, the ability to make choices* Political freedom, in the context of the relationship of the individual to the state* Economic freedom-Computing:...
. The song also helped propel the Freedom
Freedom
-Philosophy:* Free will, the ability to make choices* Political freedom, in the context of the relationship of the individual to the state* Economic freedom-Computing:...
band who performed it to stardom. Not long after, Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines
Malaysian Airline System Berhad , DBA Malaysia Airlines , is the government-owned flag carrier of Malaysia. Malaysia Airlines operates flights from its home base, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and its eastern hub in Kota Kinabalu. It has its headquarters on the grounds of Sultan Abdul Aziz...
adopted the song as their jingle and theme song in their promotions.
External links
- http://www.florasantos.com/musical-journey.php
- http://mstar.com.my/hiburan/cerita.asp?file=/2011/2/2/mstar_hiburan/20110201180524&sec=mstar_hiburan
- http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/content.asp?y=2011&dt=0214&pub=Kosmo&sec=Hiburan&pg=hi_03.htm