Malaysian Rock Drummer Dies Onstage During Festival Performance

Malaysian rock drummer Raja Azreen Raja Talib died onstage during a performance at the Teruntum Rock Festival in Kuantan, Pahang, on July 18, 2026. The 56-year-old musician collapsed over his drum kit after playing the second song of a 10-song set with his band, Meditasi.

Band frontman Bakaruddin Daud, known as Burn, recounted the moment to the Malaysian newspaper Berita Harian. "I rushed towards him, but I could feel that he was gone," Burn said. "I called and patted him, but there was no response. His body was already cold." Burn added that the fans were alarmed by the sudden incident.

Talib was transported to the nearby Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital, where he was given respiratory assistance but did not regain consciousness. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. His older brother, Raja Azman Raja Taib, confirmed the cause of death was reportedly heart complications.

Both Burn and Talib's brother revealed that the drummer had recently been diagnosed with diabetes. Taib shared that Talib had been hospitalized twice in June due to heart issues, with one stay lasting two to three weeks. He suggested that extreme fatigue may have contributed to the tragedy, noting that Talib had...