Andy 60's Music, Movies DVDs: Tarzan's Yell n Elvis' Scream: Writes John Cher

Hi Fabian Foo,

Thanks for sharing your stories with us. I enjoyed reading them and the stories brought back some fond memories to me as well. The "threat" to terminate the Rediffusion audio service sounds really familiar. We have to live with "threats" all the time during our younger days. 

Wow! Never knew you were such a good student. Being "first boy" is way out for me. Never thought of achieving it as I know it is beyond me! Ha-ha! My granddaughter, who did her Primary One at St Nick's, told me she was "fifth girl" and I told myself that was better than your grandfather ever did. Then I realized she was "fifth girl" in the entire Primary One cohort! Quite embarrassing! 

Anyway, I remember fiddling around with my Rediffusion set [image above] and added an extra speaker to the system. It was very loud and sounded "shiok". The only problem was that I cannot control the volume! And therefore, it was a real nuisance to everyone at home. So I was "threatened" to get rid of my "invention", or the service will be disconnected!

Elvis Presley: “His Latest Flame” Remix. Hot girls shuffle dancing. YouTube video by RANDY HARGIS.

Your recollection about saving pennies and dimes to buy records was familiar too. One record I purchased through this method was His Latest Flame by Elvis. I remember a place selling vinyl record too but for a different reason. A friend of mine shared with me that when he was in secondary school, he was giving tuition to one of the daughters of the company. He told me that she was really pretty, and he would have willingly gave her tuition for free!

By the time other record companies came into the scene, my interest was looking for old movies, rather than music CDs. One of my prized collections was a four set Johnny Weissmuller Tarzan classic. The titles were Tarzan Finds A Son, Tarzan's Secret Treasure, Tarzan's New York Adventure and Tarzan the Ape-man. It costs $200! Two Westerns I was always looking for were The Proud Ones and Warlock but never found them there.

Keep your stories coming Fabian!

Cheers!

AUTHOR: JOHN CHER.

2ND DECEMBER 2015.

Comments are always welcome.

John Cher’s dream. When Elvis meets Tarzan. Who screams loudest? Don’t forget; Tarzan doesn’t need backup music. Elvis does!🐒🙊🎸🥁

CLICK BELOW TO WATCH:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2013/08/movie-memory-orh-eee-orh-audience.html

The Tarzan Yell: YouTube video by DisneyAnimationFan173.

Andy's 60s Music Checks Out Volunteer James Kwok @ SingHealth Patient Advocacy Network [SPAN]

Author James Kwok [left], with his 1962 

Physics teacher Mr. David Hwang.

While chatting with James Kwok, an old friend, I asked him why he volunteered for the SPAN GH, Eldercare Program and other activities. Thank you, James.

"While I was undergoing physiotherapy rehabilitation at St. Luke's Eldercare, I was recruited as a volunteer to chat with new patients to help integrate them into the treatment program; I have been discharged, but I am still going back as and when needed. 

The SingHealth Patient Advocacy Network [SPAN] 

where James Kwok [3rd left] helps out.

I am also active as a member of our Wesley Methodist Church senior service, chatting especially with new members as an act of welcome: last year while in this role I met up with Mr. David Hwang, who was my physics teacher when I was in Victoria School Secondary 3, 1962 [image 1].

As a volunteer in SingHealth Patient Advocacy Network (SPAN) I chat with dialect-speaking elderly male patients, to facilitate their communication with their health-care providers [image 2]; in that role, I also appear on stage as patients or as caregivers to illustrate the problems that miscommunication can create in hospital and clinic settings. 

I am also acting as patients in the training of medical officers and residents, while they are being assessed: these are video recorded for training purposes. Having fun while actively aging: all part of my dementia-delaying efforts ."

Comments are welcome. 

Do volunteer if you can. You're helping yourself too.

Author: James Kwok.

Images: Copyrighted.

These 3 images show videos recorded for the training of 

medical officers and residents where James 

and other volunteers act as patients.

Johnny Cash: Amazing Grace

YouTube: The Johnny Cash Channel.

Simon and Garfunkel: 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'

(Live at Carnegie Hall, NYC, NY - November 27, 1969 - Audio)

YouTube Video: Simon and Garfunkel.

JAMES KWOK.

Andy's 60s Music: Singapore British Band: The Dee-Tee's: Vinyl Records.

Here's a group that was pretty hot in Singapore 60s. Consisting of Caucasians who were with the British Services on our island, a group of five guys formed a band called The Dee Tee's, spotted by Philips Records and produced a vinyl under the label.

Consisting of Walter [Brad] Bradbury on vocals, Peter Crane on lead guitar, Texas [Tevan] Scott on rhythm, Peter Crowley on bass and Antony Greenwood on percussion. This band made it good at The Golden Venus, dishing out weekly Rhythm and Blues numbers. 

Out of the usual four songs on the Extended Play [EP] vinyl, they had one original called, 'Just Because', [different from Elvis’] and sung by Brad. The one on YouTube, below, 'Got Love - If You Want It'; repeats the title and it sounds typical R&B with lead guitarist Peter Crane. Another hit, 'She Belongs To Me', a Bob Dylan original, with Side Two's, 'Big Boss Man', an Elvis hit.

The Dee Tee's, 'Got Love If You Want It'. 

Garage from Singapore, original 45 EP: 1966

YouTube Video by: Rocking Soho

Their manager G.N. Anastasi penned a back-cover write-up. He said, "It was originally a quiet afternoon. Then the peace was irrevocably shattered. The Dee-Tee's had moved in the studio, and what turned out to be a memorable occasion was under way.

After many hours a great deal of sweating [for the benefit of the ladies, after copious perspiration] this masterpiece came to its fantastic conclusion.

It was sheer madness from the start, but if fellow souls exist in this world of ours, I vow that they will join us in raving about this group of joy bringers."

Below: The Golden Venus hotspot in the 1960's where folks explore the bottles galore and also listen to the pop groups playing there. [Pix from: coconuts.co]

Click below to check Horace Wee's story:

.: Golden Venus True Story A Parallel Universe Horace Wee

If there's anyone out there who's familiar with this group, please write in. All comments are welcome.

The Dee-Tee's - 'Just Because'.

YouTube Video by: David Oldman.

Latest News!

REGISTERED BY BLOG

FROM 15 NOVEMBER 2025.

Andy 60s Music Blog: Singing Contest @ Singapore Conference Hall: By Author, Artist: Richard Tham.

Pamphlets promoting the event 

and the teenager decided to participate.

Author RICHARD THAM wrote this story and 

sketched the picture of Johnny Mathis above.

UP TO 400 VIEWS, 18 COMMENTS

I asked my unassuming and quiet friend Richard if he could write a story for this blog. His response was positive and immediate but said he'd rather draw than write. I asked if he could do both; so here he is, with his very unique story. Why is it unique? Figure it out dear reader and write to us. 

Thank you, Richard. You're really special... 

It's Not For Me To Say:

"During his Pre-U days, a teenager, walking down Shenton Way, saw an advertisement for a singing contest. His friends encouraged him to enter the competition.

The year was 1966. The most talked about music event, the Eurovision Song Contest 1966, originally known as the Grand Prix Eurovision de la Chanson had ended in March in Luxemburg. It was believed that a local Sikh entrepreneur hit upon the idea to hold a singing contest in Singapore. He named it the Euro-Asian Singing Contest.

The teenager sailed through the preliminary rounds. He was very excited as he entered the Singapore Conference Hall to participate in the semi-final.

Singapore Conference Hall: 1960's

Backstage he met fellow contestants and they exchanged greetings. He started chatting with Mr. Lim, a schoolteacher. Mr. Lim said he would be singing 'On the Street where You live'. Looking at the young man, Mr. Lim said it would be more presentable to have a jacket on. However, Mr. Lim's jacket was far too large for the schoolboy. Mr. Lim managed to have a Malay contestant who is of similar build to the boy to lend his jacket. After his performance, the Malay man lent the boy his jacket.

When his turn came, the boy walked confidently on stage. He scanned the packed hall. His gaze drifted to a group of four men in the front row. They were pointing at him and laughing away. The boy froze! 

Literature taken from Archives of 

The National Library Board Singapore.

The Master of Ceremony (MC) introduced the teenager to the audience. He then asked him for the title of his song.

There was a long silence. Still dazed, the boy was unable to reply. The seasoned MC took a quick look at his queue card and joked.

"That's a good one! Ladies and gentlemen, our contestant here is bringing you one of Johnny Mathis great hit! The title of the song? 'It's Not For Me To Say!' Take it away, young man!"

The teenager courageously delivered his song. After the applause died, the young man left the stage, returned the jacket to his fellow contestant and headed straight home..."

Did you participate in one?

All comments welcome...

Author: Richard Tham [Copyrights Reserved]

Huge and colorful posters were not common in the 60's. 

In today's Singapore this poster could've been out on 

the streets and on the internet of course. 

[Pix above is just an illustration.]

Author, Artist and dog lover too.

Richard Tham.

The original singer and song of, 

'It's not for me to say,' Johnny Mathis.

YouTube Video by: hcapgolfer.

What is Talentime?

Click below:

.: Singapore 60s Music Talentime For The Masses

Images: Google; WA/AI.

Andy's 60's Music International Mail From UK, Canada, India, Malaysia, Singapore: "It's You Who've Rekindled My Feelings!"

"Didn’t we all break out and join in the final giggles and laughs with the singer? I’m chuckling to myself already!" says reader Sonny from Canada.

7 Letters From UK, Canada, India, Malaysia, Singapore:

1. Hi Andy and everyone,

I was looking for this song and decided to Google. Listened to it as a child and stayed in my memory till now. Since dad gave away all his records and record player, never heard it again. 

Thanks, Andy, for posting. Rekindled memories. No one knew how much I had missed listening to this song.

Fauziah

2. Dear Andy,

I make innumerable attempts - all in vain - to desist from getting tender-hearted and teary-eyed, whenever I play this glorious song. I end up listening to it on a loop and brimming with climaxing emotions.
Thank you very much, Andy, this time it's you who've rekindled my feelings!

Muradi.

3. Hello Andy,

Wow. I just happened to look for this song when reminiscing of my childhood years spent in Singapore. What a coincidence to find this uploaded by a sixties kid from right there!! Thank you very much Andy for the shared memories.

As a toddler, this song would play on a continuous loop and was the sweetest memory that I cherish to this day. Didn't we all break out and join in the final giggles and laugh with the singer!! I'm chuckling to myself already!! 

Sonny (Canada) 

Papa and mama dance the Cha Cha .

4. Rohit D'Almeida says:

When I was like 4 years old, I heard this song for the first time. (I'm 35 now). Coming from a family of singers, at that time, I thought this was sung by my uncle, Uncle James, and my cousin Lara. 

We live in the suburbs of Mumbai, India. The audio cassette was brought by my uncle from the gulf. And so was the audio cassette recorder/player. We sang and recorded several songs back then. 

It brings back such good memories. The lyrics are so beautiful. I'd love to go back in time and just dwell in that time in a loop forever. I guess heaven must be like that and much more! 

Thanks Andy.

5. Fiona says:

I was brought up in Singapore, and this song was the first I remember my parents playing - there was a 'B' side, but I am not sure what it was. We moved back to UK in the early Sixties, and I have never found anyone else who remembers it. The fact you have placed it as Singapore 60's make sense to me - I have now downloaded it and it brings back happy memories of childhood. Thank you <3

6. Vineet Gupta says:

Thank you for posting this song. I've grown up on this, and God knows since when i was looking for it. It is a wonderful song to be played to kids. I play it for my son now. Thank you once again. 

7. M.B. Salke says:

I live in Pune, Maharashtra, India. I grew up with this song. It is a very beautiful song which I always remembered. I was very happy to find it and hear it after so many years, nearly 40 years. This song brings fond memories of my childhood. Thank you so much. 

And the song?

'Papa He Loves Mama': 

Donald Peers and Janet Osborne. 

YouTube Video by:

The little boy and girl who love to see their grand papa and mama! Singapore 60s teenagers used to cha, cha, cha to this song when it was played during T-Dances.

Images: Google and AI generated.

Comments are welcome.

Andy 60s Music: Sippin' Soda, Singing The Blues, Heartaches... 50's Guy Mitchell

Singapore scene in the 50's.

A 'Milk Bar' Or 'Restaurant' in town.

Singaporeans call them 'cold drinks'.

In the US they are 'sodas'.

Th3ee songs by a guy called, Guy Mitchell, that combine to create a neat love theme.

In 1950's Singapore, when there were well-known drink shops selling cold, sweet, fizzy beverage and coffee, tea and ice-cream like A&W, Magnolia Snack Bars and Ice Cream Parlours, the U.S. had what they called, soda shops selling the same.

A song, weaving around these items, became an instant hit when teens those years heard it. Sippin' Soda, simple and sophisticated topped the charts with Guy Mitchell describing his instance with:

The prettiest girl I ever saw

Was sippin' soda through a straw

I asked her what she sat there for

Just sippin' soda through a straw

So they became friends and he described the happy ending with the young lady:

I held her hand and she held mine

We sipped and sipped and sipped some more

This is the end, there is no more

Of sippin' soda through a straw.

We knew the chorus well.

Sippin' Soda by Guy Mitchell. 

YouTube Video by Gray Eyes123

So you win some or lose some. After a few dates you say your goodbyes and stay...

 

Guy Mitchell

...at home listening to the radio.

Remembering those years in the mid-fifties, when I was only a teen and listening on my dad's radio, a song kept me glued to the loudspeaker. What else was there to do? 😆 

Fascinated, I faintly heard the title, but it was one of the first few songs that I loved and kept singing it all these years. Yes, a swinging song but it did keep my blues away...

Guy Mitchell: "Singing The Blues" 

on The Ed Sullivan Show. 

YouTube from: The Ed Sullivan Show. 

So, if you had a girlfriend then and she left you later, there is also a song to get you by:

Guy Mitchell: Heartaches By The Number.

YouTube Video By: John1948FiveE

That's how teens and those in their 20s, 30s and 40s pass some of their free time in the 1950's and beyond folks. No mobile phones though.

This building had a Milk Bar called, Wonderland and was situated next to the now non-existent Roxy Cinema at East Coast Road. On the ground floor was the DBS Bank. Many young ones spent their day having meals and drinks at the Wonderland.

[Updated Posting]

Blog Has 4.5 Million Views Since 20 October 2025

 

🙏

    Look for a star (1960) Gary Miles. 

YouTube video by: SVansay.

Andy 60's Music First Time Favourites Since The 50's

COWBOY SONGS

they were once called. Now it's

COUNTRY AND WESTERN

'San Antonio Rose' - Lou Baldino 

(Featuring House of Hamill and Ken Nelson) 

YouTube Video by: House of Hamill.

Here's a video on Lou Baldino's 'San Antonio Rose'. My kinda music I could listen to all day...

When I sent this song around among my WhatsApp connections, they replied with all the support and agreed with my selection of what music was like those years when we were younger. 

Here are some reactions and replies from viewers:

Eddy Eng:

This is music!

Richard Rajoo:

Yes, I really love San Antonio Rose too, because I started learning to play the guitar with an elderly neighbor of Bukit Merah. He plays with the Clan Association in Chinatown. So I sing at all their events, mainly Hank Williams and others at the music sessions. It was a real experience for me to sing to mostly vernacular speaking audiences.

Rickie Chng:

Simply nice and relaxing.

Tan Soo Khoon:

Very enjoyable. Thank you for sharing.

Vincent Tan:

Thanks for sharing.

👍👍👍👏👏👏

Merlin Lim:

Reminds me of the late, great Chet Atkins. Beautiful way of playing; all the fingers and thumb are alive. Played chords instead of single notes; makes the sound whole, complete and rich. Would have loved to learn that style of picking and playing. Had the intention to learn but lacked the motivation. Thanks Andy.

Johnny Yeo:

Nice! Nowadays I also like erhu since I have been attending weekly classes for the past two years. I love the old spaghetti Italian cowboy movies and their soundtracks.

Horace Wee:

Good to know your endorphins are working well.

Not dolphins 😅

Ronald Ho:

Thanks Andy. I listened with my bass headphones. They are excellent musicians. Yes, my kind of music too. I grew up on country music. Thanks.

Cedric Collars [Perth/Aust.]

I remember that song played by Chet Atkins and sung by Willie Nelson. Ah yes, we did enjoy them but nowadays they don’t play that style of music artistry. It has been put in the annals of music history. Sadly, it is we people who lament on their passing.

Richard Tham:

Andy, I love country music. It makes one wanna get up and dance! Thanks for sharing.

Chet Atkins, Willie Nelson.

When Music Hits You, You Feel No Pain.

Jimmy Chng:

Yup, it's all pleasure to our ears! Good morning, Andy.

Wilfred Lim:

Yes, music lingers on momentarily... then it's whisk off like a puff of smoke...  Such is our life span... we're here today... gone tomorrow! Unless our lifetime is recorded in stone or digitally... we sail into oblivion. Cheers.

Merlin Lim:

Music gives you the highs, lows and flats. Without the cravings and withdrawals...

Anonymous: 

I remember calling them cowboy songs, like Have I Told You Lately That I Love You, and China Doll. Later on, we know them as Country and Western songs. Again, lyrics today would be understood differently, "I'm tired of crying, and all your lying. That's why I'm buying a China doll. Her eyes are bluer; her faults are fewer..." Not today's China dolls! Ha! Ha!

More comments are welcome!

Slim Whitman: 'China Doll' [1952].

(Country Music Greats) HQ

YouTube: FromTheBasement.

Images: Google.