Awie

Dato' Ahmad Azhar bin Othman (born 24 November 1968), better known by his stage name Awie, is a Malaysian singer, musician, actor and comedian.

Born in Datuk Keramat, Kuala Lumpur, Awie's music career start in 1985 with a rock band called Wings, which he became a lead vocal at age 17. Their First Studio Album Released in 1987 called Belenggu Irama that sold around 180,000 units. After Belenggu Irama, he records another four hit albums with Wings in five-year span between 1988 and 1993, while he also played flute for Metallica’s opening concert in Florida. Awie ventured into Acting and starred in Pemburu Bayang alongside the future Queen of Rock Ella in 1993. Awie then starred in many movies in the 1990s. While Wings was at the very peak of its career, Awie had a disagreement with then Wings manager Ali Bakar and left the group in 1993. As a solo artist, Awie became one of the best selling artist in Malaysia and became a millionaire in 1995.

Awie's career slowed down in early 2000s but he still appeared in many movies - mainly comedies. He rejoined Wings to record two more albums and became one of few artist in Malaysia to record studio albums in four different decades (80s, 90s, 00s, 10s). In 2017, he has been given Knight Companion The Esteemed Order of the Crown of Pahang that carries the title Dato' by Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Ahmad Shah. Now, he is called Dato' Ahmad Azhar Bin Othman or Dato' Awie.

Career

Early Involvement At the early age of 17, Awie worked at Panggung Anniversary, Kuala Lumpur. His work enabled him to accompany several popular rock bands at the time such as Search, Bloodshed, Ella & The Boys, Sweet Charity.

Wings

Along with bassists Eddie, Awie co-founded the band Wings in early 1985. By Eddie who was the leader of the band, Awie was immediately appointed as the lead vocals from the beginning of the band's formation. They debuted with the album Belenggu Irama. Their subsequent album Hukum Karma features successful singles "Misteri Mimpi Syakilla" (composed by J.S. Kevin) and "Taman Rashidah Utama" (written by a producer Bob Lokman). Various albums followed, including Teori Domino, Jerangkung Dalam Almari and Bazooka Penaka. A number of Wings's hits are composed by singer-songwriter M. Nasir.

Awie left the band in 1993 after reported disagreements with Ali Bakar (Wings manager), and pursued a career as a solo artist and actor. He re-joined Wings in 2002 after lukewarm fan response to his replacements Mus (formerly from May) and Mel (a club singer). The band is still active. Their recent concert appearances and recordings include Wings Alive 2006 and Wings Live in KL 1991. On top of that, Awie had joined the band Samudera Astana.

Solo career During his departure from Wings in 1993, Awie recorded his first solo album called Awie (1994) which sold around 220,000 units, a record for the highest selling album for male solo artist in Malaysia to date. Followed by couples of successful Albums such as Awie Unplugged (1995), O-Tak (1996) and Satu (1998). His compilations album Best Of Awie (1999) sold around 300,000 to 600,000 units.

Film career Awie began his acting career in 1992 with the film Pemburu Bayang. Other locally-successful films followed, the more prominent ones being Bara and the Sembilu series. Recently Awie has concentrated on comedic roles.

Personal life Awie was engaged to Miss Malaysia Erra Fazira, his co-star in Sembilu. Due to reported infidelity, the engagement was called off.

Months later, he was caught by several Islamic law enforcers in a hotel room with Arni Nazira, his co-star in Nafas Cinta. Their obligated marriage produced two daughters. In October 2006, Arni Nazira filed for divorce after 8 years of marriage. The reason for the divorce was claimed to be due to Awie's marriage to Rozana Misbun in a secret ceremony in southern Thailand.

Awie married again in 2016 to Sharifah Ladyana Syed Samsuddin at Songkhla, Thailand.

In November 2021, Awie was ordered by the Malaysian Court of Appeal to pay RM80,000 in damages for the assault and battery of ex-wife Rozana Misbun.

Filmography

Feature films Year Title Role Notes 1993 Pemburu BayangAwie Debut film appearance 1994 Sembilu 1995 Sembilu II 1996 Tragedi Oktober Merah Merah 1998 Maria Mariana II Sazali 1999 Nafas Cinta Amir Bara Amri 2001 Getaran Awie 2003 Iskandar Karl Iskandar 2005 Sembilu 2005 Zambri Baik Punya Cilok Bob KP 2006 Diva Popular Faizal 2007 Brave John Zombi Kampung Pisang Husin Sumolah Harris 2008 Cuci Jojo Duyung Kordi Antoo Fighter: Amukan Drakulat! Drakulat Van Listerbooy Cinta U-Turn Faiz Apa Kata Hati? Sophi 2010 Andartu Terlampau... 21 Hari Mencari Suami! Aziz Al-Biruni Kapoww! Astromen Hantu Kak Limah Balik Rumah Husin2012 Baik Giller! Kimie Berani Punya Budak John Leftwings Himself Special appearance 2013 Husin, Mon dan Jin Pakai Toncit Husin Bikers Kental Eddie Guardo Lemak Kampung Santan Abu 2014 Zombi Kilang Biskut Husin Dollah Superstar Dollah Rimau Ribbit Kulup (voice) Malay dubbed 2016 Warna Cinta Impian Himself Upin & Ipin Jeng Jeng Jeng! 2017 Lebuhraya Ke Neraka Bob 2018 Hantu Kak Limah Husin Operasi X Belut 2019 Bikers Kental 2 Eddie Guardo 2020 Rock 4: Rockers Never Dai Himself 2021 10 Tips Tipu Bini Brother Love Also as producer Kampong Pisang Musikal Raya Istimewa Husin Kampung Latah Kena Kuarantin Dukun PalermoCameo appearance 2022 Seratus 2023 Didi & Friends The Movie Tok Chip (voice) Sue-On Mat Dosa As producer 2024 Rebel Pak Long Biring Also as director, original idea and executive producer

Telemovie Year Title Role TV channel 1992 Wajah Di Sebalik Tirai Mokhtar TV1 2010 Buta Warna Amri Astro Ria 2013 Malaikat Di Pintu Zai TV3 2014 Takhta 3 Ratu Astro First Exclusive 2015 Aku Benci Raya Amir Astro Warna 2016 Dari Kerana Mata Ramzi HyppTV 2017 Kalut Nak Raya Bobby Astro Warna2018 Studio Awie Himself TV3 Berani Jadi Papa Sani Joned Astro First Exclusive 2021 Rumah Tok Wie Tok Wie Awesome TV

Television series

Television

Discography Album studio (With Wings) Year Title Sales 1987Belenggu Irama Album studio Released : 1987 Label : ASP 180,000 Unit 1988 Hukum Karma Album studio Released : 1988 Label : ASP 180,000 Unit 1990 Teori Domino Album studio Released : 1990 Label : Fly Wings & BMG 200,000 Unit 1991 Jerangkung Dalam Almari Album studio Released: 1991 Label: Fly Wings & BMG 200,000 Unit 1993 Bazooka Penaka Album studio Released: 1993 Format: Kaset Label: Fly Wings & BMG 200,000 Unit 2002 Naga Kramat Album studio Released: 2002 Format: CD & Kaset Label: BMG 50,000 Unit 2014 Menakluk Kosmos Album studio Released: 2014 Format: CD Label: KRU Records 15,000 Unit

Album solo studio Year Title Sales 1994 Awie Album studio Released: 1994 Format: CD, Kaset Label: BMG Music 220,000 unit 1996 O-Tak Album studio Released: 1996 Format: CD, Kaset Label: BMG Music 150,000 unit 1998 Satu Album studio Released: 1998 Format: CD, Kaset Label: BMG Music 50,000 unit 2000 Rentap Album studio Released: 2000 Format: CD, Kaset Label: BMG Music 25,000 unit 2005 Santai Album studio Released: 2005 Format: CD, Kaset Label: EMI Music

Honour