Sundah's musical career began at a very young age. His father, Alfred Sundah, is known as one of the most important cultural figures in North Sulawesi especially for his efforts to preserving
Kolintang and bamboo music. He began playing for his father's recordings at the age of 8. In 1977, Sundah got his breakthrough for winning the "Listeners' Favorite Choice" Award in the Youth Songwriting Competition (Lomba Cipta Lagu Remaja – LCLR) hosted by Prambors Radio. The competition and the song are often credited as the turning point of the pop era in the Indonesian music industry. "Lilin-lilin Kecil" was on top of the Indonesian charts for more than one year and sent
Chrisye to prominence. In the late 1970s, Sundah collaborated with
Yockie Soerjoprajogo on
Jurang Pemisah (The Severing Abyss). The album is considered a collectible and a high value item for Indonesian collectors. He is credited for discovering the talents of
Vina Panduwinata,
Ruth Sahanaya,
Krisdayanti, all of whom are considered Indonesian divas. He has worked with a wide range of musicians throughout his career including Vina Panduwinata, January Christy,
Sheila Majid (Malaysian),
Ismi Azis,
Fairuz Hussein (Malaysian),
Blue Diamond (Dutch),
Victor Wood (Philippines),
Ruth Sahanaya,
Krisdayanti,
Chrisye,
Yockie Soerjoprajogo, Erwin Gutawa, and many others. Sundah was instrumental in the formation of the group Suara Persaudaraan (Voices of Brotherhood) in 1986, which, according to a Rolling Stones article, is considered as the largest "jamboree" of musicians of all times. Sundah participated in Pacific Harmony in 1995, and collaborated with artists from the US and Europe including
Lois Walden and
Cathy Dennis. With
Titiek Puspa,
Ahmad Albar, Bimbim Slank, Nicky Astria,
Iwan Fals,
Doel Sumbang,
Franky Sahilatua and the
Scorpions, he wrote "When You Came Into My Life", on their 1996 album
Pure Instinct. The song was later re-released as a Single and was produced by the award-winning producer
David Foster. ==Activism==