Sinn Sisamouth

Sinn SisamouthTemplate:Efn (c. 1933 – c. 1976) was a Cambodian singer-songwriter active from the 1950s to the 1970s. Widely considered the "King of Khmer Music", Sisamouth, along with Ros Serey Sothea, Pen Ran, Mao Sareth, and other Cambodian artists, was part of a thriving music scene in Phnom Penh that blended elements of Khmer traditional music with the sounds of rhythm and blues and rock and roll developing unique sounds. Sisamouth died during the Khmer Rouge regime under circumstances that are unclear.

Early life

Sinn Sisamouth was born in Stung Treng Province, he was born to Seb Bunlei (mother) and Sinn Leang (father). He was the youngest of four siblings (one older brother, two older sisters).<ref name ="DTIF">John Pirozzi and LinDa Saphan, liner notes, Don't Think I've Forgotten, soundtrack, 2015.</ref><ref name="Cole">Jeff Cole, liner notes, Cambodia Rock Spectacular!, 2011.</ref><ref name=":0" /> One source claims his father was of Khmer-Chinese descent while his mother was of Lao-Chinese descent.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> However, general consensus accepts Sisamouth was Khmer with partial Lao descent.<ref name="DTIF" /><ref name="Cole" /><ref name=":0" /> Most sources list his year of birth as either 1935,<ref name="Nariddh">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="KSothea">Template:Cite web</ref> 1932, or 1933.<ref name="Jackson">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":6">In the documentary film Don't Think I've Forgotten an interview subject states that Sisamouth was born in 1935, but the booklet for the film's soundtrack album contains a biography stating that he was born in 1932.</ref> However, 1933 is often given as the correct date, as some people that had been alive during Sisamouth's era state that he was born during the year of the Rooster which would translate to 1933 in the Gregorian calendar.<ref name=":5">Template:Cite news</ref> Sisamouth's father was a soldier during the French Protectorate period and also served as prison warden in Battambang Province. His father died when he was a child and his mother then remarried.<ref name="Nariddh" />

After moving to Battambang at the age of 7 or 8 he learned to play stringed instruments such as the guitar and showed a natural singing talent. He also enjoyed playing soccer (football) and flying kites for recreation. He was often invited to perform music at school functions and became well-known throughout his school for his talents.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":0" /> At about age 16 he graduated from secondary school and moved to Phnom Penh for post-secondary studies in medicine; this plan was meant to please his parents when his true goal was to become a musician.<ref name="Nariddh" /> He began composing his own songs around this time.<ref name="Nariddh" />

Sisamouth graduated from medical school around the time that Cambodia gained independence from France in 1953. He became a nurse at a Preah Ket Mealea Hospital in Phnom Penh,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":0" /> and was hired by Thas Chamrieng Reach Seiha (Lion Records), which operated for the National Radio of Cambodia, around that time.<ref name="Nariddh" /> According to a prominent Khmer statesman of that time, he had hired Sisamouth along with a band to perform at his wedding in 1953 indicating that Sisamouth’s earliest recorded public performance was possibly around the age of 20.<ref name=":0" /> Around this time, Sisamouth married Keo Thorng Gnu in an arranged marriage, and they eventually had four children.<ref name="DTIF" /><ref name="Cole" />

Music career

While performing with the National Radio of Cambodia, Sisamouth became a protege of Queen Sisowath Kossamak, mother to the Head of State, Norodom Sihanouk. The Queen invited Sisamouth to join the Vong Phleng Preah Reach Troap (Classical Ensemble of the Royal Treasury) with which he would perform at royal and state functions.<ref name=chambersletson>Template:Cite journal</ref> Some of his discography became popular around this time, first writing and performing songs based on traditional Khmer music. In the mid-1950s, the romantic ballad "Violon Sneha", composed with musician Has Salan, catapulted Sisamouth into stardom across Cambodia.<ref name="Cole" /> Sisamouth became known for his crooning voice, which has been likened to that of Nat King Cole,<ref name=smh>Template:Cite web</ref> while his stage presence has been compared to that of Frank Sinatra.<ref name="Woolfson">Template:Cite web</ref> By the late 1950s, Sisamouth had established himself as the leading figure in an expanding Cambodian pop music scene. King Norodom Sihanouk, a musician himself, encouraged the development of popular music in Cambodia. Initially, pop records from France and Latin America were imported into the country and became popular, inspiring a flourishing music scene based in Phnom Penh.<ref name="Sisario">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="columbusalive"/> Any tape recordings or records of his music between 1953-1963 are rare. In 1963, Sisamouth began recording under the record label, Wat Phnom.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /> His debut album under Wat Phnom titled, លាហើយហុងកុង “Goodbye Hong Kong”,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> released that same year on October 23, 1963 and features soulful melancholic balladry, bossa nova, etc.<ref name="DTIF" /><ref name=":1" />

Music by Sisamouth and his contemporaries had become popular throughout the country. According to an interview in 1971, Sisamouth's song, “Champa Battambang", recorded in 1963, was the first content aired during the inauguration of the National Television of Cambodia, a subsidiary of the pre-existing National Radio in the mid-60s.<ref name="Cole" /><ref name=":0" /> By the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Cambodian music scene was further influenced by Western rock and roll and soul music via U.S. armed forces radio that had been broadcast into nearby South Vietnam.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> This resulted in a unique sound in which Western pop and rock were combined with Khmer vocal techniques and instruments.<ref name="smh"/> Sisamouth was considered a pioneer of these trends,<ref name=chambersletson/> moving from traditional Khmer music and romantic ballads to Latin jazz, cha cha cha, a go go, and eventually psychedelic rock in which he employed younger rock musicians.<ref name=newsday>Template:Cite web</ref> Sisamouth also made use of bossa nova and doo-wop influences.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Sisamouth had become established as Cambodia's most popular singer and songwriter. Nevertheless, his popularity did not eclipse that of other singers such as Im Song Seum and Huoy Meas. He collaborated directly with Mao Sareth and Chounn Malay, among others. He also wrote songs for, and duetted with, other popular Cambodian singers to nurture their careers. For example, starting in the mid-1960s he recorded many popular duets with Pen Ran.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Sisamouth’s most notable duet partner was Ros Serey Sothea, and he is credited with launching her career. Sothea had been singing at weddings and other functions, later becoming the leading female singer in the Cambodian rock scene.<ref name="chambersletson" /><ref name="smh" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Sisamouth and Sothea recorded many popular duets from the mid-1960s into the early 1970s.<ref name="Saphan">Template:Cite journal</ref> In later years, Sisamouth contributed songs to the soundtracks for a number of popular Cambodian films, such as Orn Euy Srey Orn, Tep Sodachan, and Thavory Meas Bong.

Sisamouth's highly prolific songwriting became well known during this period; he is confirmed to have sung and written more than one thousand songs for himself and others (see Sinn Sisamouth discography). The true total may be considerably higher. His son, Sinn Chanchhaya, believed that Sisamouth sung/wrote roughly one song every day during his career as a professional musician, a period of nearly 20 years.<ref name="DTIF" /><ref name="Cole" /> In 1973 the music publisher Kruorch Bunlyhe issued A Collection of Sentimental Songs, which contained 500 of Sinn Sisamouth's songs.<ref name="KSothea" />

He was also known to adapt popular Western pop and rock songs with Khmer lyrics, such as a song based on Santana's "Black Magic Woman" called "Srolanh Srey Touch" (translated as "I Love Petite Girls" in English-language compilations);<ref name=adventures>Template:Cite web</ref> plus covers of "Hey Jude" by The Beatles (titled "Always Will Hope"), "A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum (titled "Apart from Love"), and "Love Potion No. 9" by The Searchers (titled "Other Than You"). By the 1970s, Sisamouth’s fame reduced the time he had available for writing, so he began to work regularly with lyricist and composer Voy Ho. Most of his discography between 1970-1975 was written by Voy Ho.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":0" /> During this time, Sisamouth had also adapted some traditional and popular Thai songs into his repertoire when localizing film soundtracks (e.g. "Promden Jet" with Ros Serey Sothea).<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

Personal life

Friendships

Sisamouth was notably friends with singers Mao Sareth, Sieng Dy, Sos Math and his closest friends were secretaries Mer Bun, Sive Sun. Sisamouth was very close with Ros Serey Sothea who he viewed as a little sister.<ref name="DTIF" />

Personality

According to his publisher, Krouch Polin, and granddaughter, Sinn Setsochhata, he was a quiet and introverted person yet dedicated to his career.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5" /> When not performing, he would spend his time writing music in his backyard or studio until late evenings, and would then tune into the radio broadcasts afterwards.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref> One of Sisamouth’s other hobbies were rooster-fighting where he would bet with his friends on.<ref name=":0" />

He also enjoyed reading books at the library and watching French films.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite web</ref> Sisamouth had contracts with three restaurants in Phnom Penh to regularly perform music for customers. After performances, he would meet with friends and eat rice porridge.<ref name=":0" /> Sisamouth avoided drinking alcohol or soft beverages, as well as consuming spicy foods or smoking cigarettes in order to avoid damaging his voice in which he encouraged other singers to avoid as well.<ref name=":2" />

Faith

Sinn Sisamouth practiced Therevada Buddhism. It is said that during his childhood he was interested in Buddhist scripture and learned Pali from the monks at the pagoda.<ref name=":3" />

Wartime era

After the establishment of the Khmer Republic in 1970, Sisamouth, along with other artists, was required to record patriotic songs supporting the Republic's stance against the Khmer Rouge insurgents.<ref name=":4">Template:Cite web</ref> For a year Sinn Sisamouth worked for the Ministry of National Defense’s Fifth Bureau, and then joined its orchestra where he became a second lieutenant.<ref name=":3" /> Like many artists across the world at that time, his salary was average, not poor nor elite level earnings because of low royalties. Due to this, he discouraged his children from pursuing careers in the arts. However, his earnings were enough to own a Mercedes-Benz 220D and build a villa in Tuol Tompoung which he named Villa Socrates (named after the Greek philosopher Socrates).<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":3" /> His career would continue until the Khmer Rouge captured Phnom Penh on 17 April 1975.

Disappearance and death

Sinn Sisamouth died during the Khmer Rouge genocide and his exact fate has never been confirmed, with multiple sources making contradictory claims. Due to his ongoing popularity in Cambodia, there has been a great amount of speculation about his whereabouts after the Khmer Rouge forced the evacuation of all residents from Phnom Penh on April 17, 1975, and his apparent death at the hands of the new regime. In the film Don't Think I've Forgotten, an interview subject speculates that Sisamouth was originally evacuated to a small village but was then ordered to return to the city to work for the Khmer Rouge in some capacity,<ref name="Sisario" /> but it is unknown if he in fact followed this plan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Also in Don't Think I've Forgotten, Sisamouth's son states that many different people have given him contradictory stories of his father's death.<ref name="Sisario" /> Like many of his contemporaries, as a popular musician with Western influences, qualities widely known to be disdained by the Khmer Rouge, Sisamouth was likely to have been targeted for imprisonment or execution immediately. A popular but apocryphal story claims that Sisamouth was about to be executed by a Khmer Rouge firing squad but requested the opportunity to sing one last song in an attempt to appeal to the soldiers' emotions, but they executed him anyhow.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2006, Khmer Apsara magazine granted a long interview to a man named Keo Chamnab who claims to have seen Sisamouth's execution at a jail in Prek Ta Duong village in 1976.

Template:Blockquote In 2009, Sisamouth's son claimed to know the name of his father's executioner and that the person was still alive.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Whatever the cause, Sisamouth almost certainly died during the Khmer Rouge regime but his remains have never been discovered.

Legacy

Practically all studio master recordings by Sinn Sisamouth were either destroyed by the Khmer Rouge regime in its efforts to eliminate foreign influences from Cambodian society,<ref name=Woolfson /> or were lost due to decay. Thus, the original dynamics, fidelity, and clarity of his recordings remain unknown. Upon Cambodia’s fall to the Khmer Rouge, soldiers immediately disposed of many archives from the past era, including master recordings, reel-to-reels, vinyl records, and cassettes they could find upon looting studios, libraries, and houses.<ref>Chandler, Adam (August 17, 2015). "The Man Who Chronicled Cambodian Rock's Golden Age". The Atlantic. Retrieved June 22, 2025.</ref> However, collectors and entrepreneurs located, reproduced copies, and archived his recordings after the fall of the Khmer Rouge in 1979. The largest archival database of original Cambodian songs from that era, including nearly the entirety of Sisamouth’s surviving discography, is known as the Cambodian Vintage Music Archive.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref> Some of his songs have been covered by modern Cambodian singers, such as "Srey Sros Khmeng" by Suong Chantha in 2002.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Western listeners were introduced to his work starting in the late 1990s with the release of the Cambodian Rocks bootleg album, followed by the soundtrack to the film City of Ghosts.

Because his influence on Cambodian music was so great, Sisamouth is still a household name in Cambodia and remains popular to this day.<ref name="Bennett">Template:Cite web</ref> He is extensively profiled in the 2015 documentary film on the history of Cambodian popular music, Don't Think I've Forgotten, in which several interview subjects describe Sisamouth as the most important Cambodian musician of all time.<ref name="Sisario" /> The film takes its title from a Sisamouth song.<ref name=columbusalive>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=bostonglobe>Template:Cite web</ref> Often called the "King of Khmer music" or "the Cambodian Elvis," his lasting cultural impact is difficult to overstate.<ref name=sotheavy>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=seangly>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=allthingsconsidered>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=ocweekly>Template:Cite web</ref>

Cambodia passed its first copyright law in 2003, allowing families to claim the artists' intellectual property for the first time. In 2014, Sisamouth's family provided proof of composition and was awarded copyright ownership for over 180 songs. The event was commemorated with a celebration and tribute concert.<ref name=sotheavy /><ref name=seangly /> The Cambodian Vintage Music Archive has also gained copyright over much of Sisamouth’s discography and has allowed for the preservation of his original records while also contributing royalties to Sisamouth’s family.<ref name=":1" /> Much of his surviving recordings exist on vinyl and cassette, sometimes reel-to-reel tapes, but nonetheless the existence of any master tapes by Sisamouth have never been confirmed.<ref name=":3" /><ref name="DTIF" /> The nation of Cambodia has claimed Sisamouth's songs as state property, another indication of his popularity and influence.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Sisamouth's son Sinn Chanchhaya became a singer for the Cambodian Radio station, though he admitted he could not be compared to his father. Chanchhaya died in 2015.<ref name="Rethea">Template:Cite web</ref> A tribute concert titled "It's Time to Give Back: A Tribute to the Golden Voice of Cambodia," promoting Sisamouth's music and the need for intellectual property benefits for his family and the families of his contemporaries, was held in Phnom Penh in November 2015.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2023, former Kun Khmer boxer Bout Samrech claimed he is Sisamouth's son. According to Samrech, Sisamouth had taken his mother as a secret mistress, and he learned that Sisamouth was his "father" at the age of 14 when informed about it by his foster mother.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Singer-songwriter Sin Setsochhata, a granddaughter of Sinn Sisamouth, has gained international notice for combining Cambodian rock influences with modern pop sounds.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Documentary filmmakers Chris G. Parkhurst and Stephanie Vincenti have produced a documentary about Sinn Sisamouth called Elvis of Cambodia.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> The film is 74 minutes long and is available in Khmer and English.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

See also

• Sinn Sisamouth discography

External links

• Don't Think I've Forgotten – A documentary about the Khmer rock and roll scene.
• Sinn Sisamouth Documentary Template:Webarchive