Ros Saboeut
Ros Saboeut (c. 1942 – March 5, 2014) was a Cambodian musician activist and the subject of the 2012 documentary, Don't Think I've Forgotten: Cambodia's Lost Rock & Roll, directed by John Pirozzi.[1] Saboeut is widely credited with reuniting Cambodia's musicians and bands in the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge rule and the simultaneous Cambodian genocide.[1] The Khmer Rouge effectively destroyed the country's fledgling rock and roll scene – imprisoning, killing or scattering musicians and band members.[1] Ros Saboeut's younger sister, Ros Serey Sothea, died during the Khmer Rouge's reign of terror.[1]
Saboeut was one of five siblings born to her parents, Ros Sabun and Nath Samean. Her sister, Cambodian singer Ros Serey Sothea, who was known for a string of hits, including "Have You Seen My Love?" and "I'm Sixteen", was called "the golden voice of the royal capital" by the late King Norodom Sihanouk.[1] The era before the Khmer Rouge took power became known as the "Golden Age" of Cambodian music.[1]
Ros Saboeut survived the Cambodian genocide, which killed Ros Serey Sothea and other members of their family. In the aftermath of the genocide, surviving Cambodian musicians contacted Ros Saboeut, looking for her late sister.[1] Saboeut kept her musical contacts. She then spearheading the efforts to reunite Cambodian bands and musicians.[1] According to Youk Chhang, the executive director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia, Saboeut sought to restore Cambodian music in as a tribute to her sister, "I think she was bound by the legacy of her sister to help."[1] Her efforts were widely credited with rebuilding the country's rock genre.[1]
Saboeut became the subject of the documentary, Don't Think I've Forgotten: Cambodia's Lost Rock & Roll.[1] Director John Pirozzi had created the film to chronicle rock and roll prior to the Khmer Rouge. Ros Saboeut was interviewed throughout the documentary for her efforts to restore Cambodia's musical scene.
Ros Saboeut died on March 5, 2014, from complications of a fall at the age of 72.[1] She was survived by her daughter; her last living sibling, Ros Sabeoun; and her three grandchildren.[1]