BORN A SINGER?
I was born in Singapore, in 1970, the 2nd in a family of 4 boys. My father is a retired fireman and my mum used to be a teacher. My uncle once told me that I loved to sing even before I could talk; I could see that now in my son , Norman, who since 15 months has been singing "ai ya ya ya" from celinto lindo every other day.

MY FIRST GUITAR
My first guitar is a toy requinto which my father bought for me when I was about 3. I seriously picked up the guitar when I was 11 with the influence from my elder brother, Munir. As I'm lefthanded, I had problem playing the "normal" right handed guitar. Munir was so frustrated with me that he gave up teaching me. I forced myself to learn to play "right handedly" with a friend's help. The first tune I played was "Hotel California"; from then on, if you didn't see me with my skateboard or breakdancing, I would be singing and strumming my folk guitar.

DO IT MY WAY
Like any other teenager, I began to experiment with the electric guitar. I started to perform in school and would compose songs, with Munir and friends. In 1990, our band - "the criteria" took part in the Big O competition and managed to clinch a place in the final with our own composition "do it my way". I would say I had gain some popularity during those days with all those performances (and of course when I was 30 kg lighter).