Saloma

Saloma's voice began to play in the local radio when her stepfather brought her to see his orchestra perform on Radio Malaya. Singer Rokiah Hanafi, also known as Rokiah Wandah, was scheduled to sing several songs with the orchestra, but did not appear that day. Mum Yusoff decided to persuade Saloma to try singing the songs that were supposed to be sung by Rokiah. Fortunately, her performance was a success. After that, she received many offers from orchestras throughout Singapore to be their main singer. One of her songs that she sang at Radio Malaya was called "Sang Rang Bulan". The song was played in the film "Rachun Dunia" (Poison of This World) and was once recorded by a local singer named Rubiah.

In 1950, Saloma fell in love with the hero of a film called 'Aloha' after watching the film for the first time. The hero was played by P. Ramlee. At that time, Saloma was only 15 years and 11 months old. Her love for him grew stronger each day and Saloma swore that she would marry the actor one day. During the film blockbuster, P.Ramlee used to walk from his house to the studio. In the middle of the road, he had to walk pass Saloma's house in Mount Emily. Every time he walked towards the house, a Chinese boy selling grass jelly would run to Saloma 's house to tell her about the presence of her beloved hero. Saloma would then tease P. Ramlee by calling out "Banjo" (the character he played in the film) and then hid when he turned around to see who had called out to him.

Salmah (Saloma) during her early film career in the movie Norma.

During the early 1950s, her dream career to become a singer did not go the way she had wanted. Instead, she started her career as a film actress, offered by Nusantara Film. Her first film was entitled Pelangi (Rainbow), which received positive reviews among the audience. After that, she received a few offers from Nusantara Film to act in other films. In that period, she had acted in two other films, entitled 'Perkahwinan Rahsia' (Secret Wedding) and 'Norma'. In January 1952, she was offered a minor role as a club singer in a film called 'Chinta Murni' (True Love) by Nusantara Film, directed by Aman Ramlie or better known as A.R Tompel. At the time, it was her fourth film.

After her last film with Nusantara Film Company, titled Sesal Tak Sudah (Lasting Regret), Saloma immediately ended her contract with the company. The reason given was that she needed a rest because of her pregnancy and her refusal to work with AR Tompel, her ex-husband, any longer. At the end of 1952 until 1953, Saloma ended her career as a performer.

After returning from her travel to Sarawak and Brunei on 23 July 1954, Saloma was offered by Pathe Company to record her voice. It was strongly supported by Syed Hamid, known as S.Hamid, who rose to fame at that time. They knew each other after acting in the film Sesal Tak Sudah. A song titled "Pandang Kasih" (Look of Love), composed by Rahmat Ali and lyrics by Ismadi, is a rumba-style while the song "Jika Tak Berjumpa" (If We Don't Meet) came from Arabic melodies which was then recomposed by S.Hussein Bagushir and lyrics by Wan Chu. Both of the songs were accompanied by Orkes Al Aishu Wal Meleh, conducted by S.Omar Bagushir. Saloma's first solo and also her first song recorded on vinyl by Pathe Company (numbered PTH 143) was "Pandang Kasih" while the song "Jika Tak Berjumpa" was her first duet with S.Hamid.

In 1955, Saloma was offered an acting role in a film by Malay Film Productions which she accepted. Her first film with Malay Film Productions was titled Empat Isteri (Four Wives). This was last film directed by B.S. Rajhans. The film also starred Daeng Haris, Normadiah, Latifah Omar and Salmah's sister, Mariam (as Mariani). During the year, Salomah also recorded several songs including "Burong Punggok" (The Owl). In February 1956, she was offered to replace actress Siput Sarawak in the film Adekku (My Younger Sibling). There were rumours said that Siput Sarawak had quit after most of the movie scenes recorded.

After her success as a singer and also an actress, Shaw Brothers studio decided to give her a more commercial name. She got her stage name based on the film 'Salome' starring Rita Hayworth. In the same year, Saloma joined Panca Sitara, a band led by P. Ramlee.

Saloma began singing at the age of seven and was a professional singer by the time she was in her teenage years. Her singing was more in the style of Ella Fitzgerald and Doris Day. While she did become an actress later on, she always said she preferred singing to acting. As a singer, she sharpened her talents with Orkes Fajar Murni, led by Yusof Osman, during the early year of her career. She was also involved with another orchestra, Panca Sitara, in the 1960s.

“EP" Albums by Saloma

• Dendang Saloma (1957)
• Dendang Saloma Album II (1957)
• Dendang Saloma Album III (1959)
• Bunga Negara (1963)
• Saloma (Damak) (1964)
• Lagu-2 Sukaramai China Di Nyanyikan Oleh Saloma (1964)
• Saloma Dan Ahmad Daud (1964)
• Sekalung Sakura Dari Saloma (1965)
• Saloma (Pulau Menghijau) (1965)
• Gadis Langkawi (1966)
• Sudah Kawin Kah Belom/Kenangan Di Padang Kota (Saloma dan Ahmad Daud)
• Guitar Berbunyi/Bintang Hati (Daripada Filem "Do-Re-Mi") (1966)
• Saloma (Menanti Kanda) (1967)
• Saloma (Aku Dia dan Lagu) (1968)
• Saloma (Entah Di Mana) (1969)
• Saloma (Chinchin Ku Ini) (1970)
• Saloma (Jangan Chemburu) (1971)
• Saloma (Aslirama) (1972)

Some memorable films acted by Saloma:

Saloma Bistro and Theatre Restaurant, named after Saloma in honour of her contribution to the entertainment industry of Malaysia.