Itti Balangura

Itti Balangura (Thai: อิทธิ พลางกูร; born Ekachaiwat Balangura; 30 January 1955 – 11 November 2004) was a Thai singer, musician and record producer. Known as "Guitar Ballad".

Itti Balangura
Birth nameEkachaiwat Balangura
(เอกชัยวัฒน์ พลางกูร)
Born(1955-01-30)30 January 1955
Bangkok Noi, Bangkok, Thailand
Died11 November 2004(2004-11-11) (aged 49)
Bangkok, Thailand
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • musician
  • record producer
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
Years active1981–2004
Labels
  • RS
  • Music On Earth
Spouse(s)Chanda Liyawanich

Career

Balangura began his career with The Bless, a band with many future famed musicians as members, such as Surasee Ithikul, Paiboonkiat Kiewkaew, Yuranunt Pamornmontri. At that time he was still studying at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang.

After 8 years with the band, he became a partner and sound engineer of Jam Studios recording studio with his brother Ukrit Balangura.

He was persuaded to release a studio album as a solo artist by Surachai Chetchotisak CEO and chairman of RS Promotion. In 1988, he debuted with a song Keb Tawan (เก็บตะวัน, "collect the sun") that contains content that encourages living, with lyrics by Thanapol Intharit. It became his signature song.

Apart from Keb Tawan, his hit songs include Guy Cham (กายช้ำ, "bruised body"), Hai Man Laew Laew Pai (ให้มันแล้วแล้วไป, "let it be"), Pai Tor Pai (ไปต่อไป, "keep going"), Young Cham Wai (ยังจำไว้, "still remember"), Rao Sam Kon (เราสามคน, "three of us"), Din Sai (ดินทราย, "soil and sand"), Jeb Krao Nee (เจ็บคราวนี้, "hurt this time"), Rai Sara (ไร้สาระ, "nonsense"), Kan Vela (กาลเวลา, "time"), Roy Rao (รอยร้าว, "hiatus"), Nam Nai Ta (น้ำในตา, "water in the eyes"), Mue Dai Chan Rai Rak (เมื่อใดฉันไร้รัก, "when I'm out of love").

He was also an advocate for those who later became famous singers, including Suraphan Jamlongkul of the duo Two and Arisman Pongruangrong.[1]

On 26 August 1994, Balangura performed Keb Tawan with Thanapol Intharit at the Short Charge Shock Rock Concert.[2]

He left RS Promotion in 1997 and set up his own label called Music On Earth. He released a special album with Thierry Mekwattana from Carabao. However, his label was not very successful.[3]

Illness and death

Around 2002, Balangura was rumored to be terminally ill. He was taken to hospital after neighbours found him unconscious in front of his room. The doctor examined him and found that he was suffering from colon cancer. He returned to work with his former label RS Promotion and performed in his own tribute concert on 30 October 2004. In the show, he sang and played the piano with his wife and 3 daughters.[4]

Balangura died on 11 November 2004, at the age of 49.

Discography

Studio albums
  • Hai Man Laew Laew Pai (1988)
  • Pai Tor Pai (1989)
  • Itti 3 Vela (1990)
  • Itti 4 Pai Daeng (1992)
  • Itti 5 Kamlang D (1993)
  • Itti 6 Pok Kao (1996)
  • Unplugged Shades Of Love (1998)
  • Itti & Guitar Mai (1999)
  • Vela Ti Lue (2004)

Special albums
  • Heart & Soul feat with Thierry Mekwattana (1997)

Compilation albums
  • Ongsa Fai (1991)
  • Ruam Hit Keb Tawan (1994)
  • The Best of Itti (1996)

References
  1. ""ปิดฉากชีวิต…"อิทธิ พลางกูร"" ["End of life..."Itti Balangura"]. Manager Online (in Thai). 7 December 2004. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  2. rsfriends (7 May 2021). "เก็บตะวัน l เสือ ธนพล - อิทธิ พลางกูร [ SHORT CHARGE SHOCK ROCK CONCERT เสือ อำ พัน ]". YouTube (in Thai). Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  3. อาจารย์คง (11 November 2004). "--- ขอไว้อาลัยให้ คุณ อิทธิ พลางกูร ----" [--- My condolences to Khun Itti Balangura ----]. Pantip.com (in Thai). Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  4. MusicBand เพลงเก่ายุค 90' (10 October 2020). "ไม่ธรรมดา - อิทธิ พลางกูร (คอนเสิร์ต เก็บตะวัน)". Facebook (in Thai). Retrieved 28 June 2023.
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