Singaporean musicians died at 55
Here are 3 famous musicians from Singapore died at 55:
John Laycock
John Laycock was a Singaporean lawyer and politician.
He was born in 1917 in Singapore and received his law degree from the University of London in 1941. Laycock practiced law for several years before entering politics in the 1950s. He was a member of the Singapore Legislative Assembly from 1955 to 1959, and then became a member of the Malayan Parliament until 1963. Laycock was also appointed to several high-ranking positions in the Singapore government, including Minister for National Development and Minister for Culture.
In addition to his political career, Laycock was also an accomplished author and scholar. He wrote several books on law and politics and was a respected voice in the field of Southeast Asian studies. Laycock passed away in 1995 at the age of 78, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and scholarship.
During his time in politics, John Laycock was known for his dedication to improving the lives of Singaporeans through infrastructure and cultural initiatives. He was instrumental in the development of public housing and the building of several cultural institutions, including the National Theatre and the National Museum of Singapore. Laycock was also a strong advocate for greater regional cooperation and played a key role in the formation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1967. In recognition of his service to the country, Laycock was awarded the Order of Darjah Utama Temasek (which later became the Order of Temasek). After retiring from politics, he continued to be a prolific writer and a respected figure in legal and political circles in Singapore and beyond.
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Margaret Dryburgh
Margaret Dryburgh (February 21, 1890 Sunderland-April 21, 1945 Bangka Island) was a Singaporean teacher, nurse and missionary.
During World War II, Margaret Dryburgh was imprisoned by the Japanese along with a group of other women and children. While in prison, she helped to keep spirits up through music, poetry, and prayer. She composed many hymns, including "Lord of the Years" and "Through all the Changing Scenes of Life," which are still sung in churches today. Margaret and her fellow prisoners were eventually sent to a new prison camp on Bangka Island. Sadly, while there, they were all tragically killed when the ship they were on was sunk by an Allied submarine, killing almost everyone on board. Margaret's legacy lives on through her music and the story of her bravery during the war.
Margaret Dryburgh was passionate about music from a young age and studied music at the Edinburgh Academy of Music. After completing her studies, she worked as a music teacher in Sunderland before moving to Singapore with her husband in 1931. In Singapore, Margaret became a nurse and missionary, working in a hospital and caring for the sick.
During her time in prison, Margaret was a source of strength and encouragement for her fellow prisoners. She would often lead them in singing hymns and reciting poetry, providing a small but significant reminder of hope and humanity in a dark and trying time. Her contributions to the small community of prisoners earned her the nickname "the hymn writer."
Following her death, Margaret's hymns gained widespread popularity as a symbol of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity. In 1958, "Lord of the Years" was included in the hymnal of the Church of Scotland, solidifying its place in religious music. In 1983, Margaret and the other women and children who were killed on the ship were memorialized in a service at St Paul's Cathedral in London, where her hymns were once again sung in tribute.
Margaret's life and legacy have been celebrated in various books and publications, and her story continues to inspire people around the world.
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Balaji Sadasivan
Balaji Sadasivan (July 11, 1955 Singapore-September 27, 2010 Singapore) was a Singaporean politician and neurosurgery.
Balaji Sadasivan was born in Singapore in 1955 to a Tamil family. He graduated from the National University of Singapore in 1979 with a degree in medicine, and later specialized in neurosurgery. He was the director of neurosurgery at the National Neuroscience Institute and a senior consultant at Tan Tock Seng Hospital before entering politics.
In 2001, Balaji Sadasivan was elected as a Member of Parliament representing the Bukit Panjang constituency. He served as the Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts, and later as the Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources. He was known for his contributions to the development of Singapore's national parks and conservation efforts.
Aside from his political and medical career, Balaji Sadasivan was also a philanthropist and a member of the board of directors for the National Kidney Foundation. His death in 2010 from colorectal cancer was mourned by many in Singapore, who remembered him as a dedicated and compassionate public servant.
In addition to his work in the medical and political fields, Balaji Sadasivan was also a published author. He wrote a book titled "Timeless Wonder: A Journey Through Nature's Four Seasons," which showcased his love for nature and conservation. Outside of his professional life, Balaji Sadasivan was a devoted family man and was married with two children. In honor of his legacy, the government of Singapore established the Balaji Sadasivan Endowment Fund for Kidney Cancer Research. The fund aims to support research and development in the field of kidney cancer in Singapore. Balaji Sadasivan's life and accomplishments continue to inspire many in Singapore and around the world.
He died in colorectal cancer.
Read more about Balaji Sadasivan on Wikipedia »