Effective period / Period of releases: 1973

Members: Darma Purba, Radja Muda Nasution, Mawi Purba, Gunari

The Purba brothers formed Rhythm Kings in Medan, North Sumatra, in 1967, at a time when performing rock music in provincial towns was a novelty. Yet, given that their father served as the town's mayor, they managed to perform at various school-sponsored events. With the decidedly un-rock 'n' roll principles of the 3M's -- "Menjaga nama baik / Menjauhi narkotika / Mengutamakan sekolah (Preserving an honorable reputation / Avoiding narcotics / Prioritizing scholastics)" -- the band toured venues in Medan and nearby Aceh performing renditions of Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Santana and Bee Gees tracks with its first full line-up. Shortly thereafter, the group relocated to Jakarta, where it cut its first rock album, Maafkanlah Beta, in 1970 for the Indra label