The Silver Strings - 'Mat Tiga Suku' - Keris Film

The versatility of The Silver Strings is well known. The group provided the background music for the movie, MAT TIGA SUKU when it was produced in 1964 by Cathay Keris and before the group recorded for the Philips label. It was the first of many movies that followed the crazy antics of Mat Sentol, another Malay comedian.

(Image: From Chubby Ghaz Collection.)

*****Lena Lim - Innocence Personified*****

The starry eyed simplicity of innocence captured on a record cover. Don't you believe that because Lena Lim was top of the Chinese pop in the late 60s and 70s when she appeared on TV and recorded many albums. Again the accompanying band was THE STYLERS.

(Image: From Andrew Lim Collection.)

Abang Apek & Momo Latiff

Other comedians include Abang Apek or Alias Congo and a late 50's actress turned comedienne Momo Latiff. Alias Congo appealed to the audiences in the 60's who found his antics and mimicry captivatingly funny.

His speciality was to speak in nasal tones and communicated in Bazaar Malay using a Chinese accent. For me to sing on stage after Abang Apek completed his banter was an experience in itself.

The above title translated means: "Having Lost In Gambling, Abang Apek Will Sell Durians." Grassroot humour? Where are they now? 

60's Comedians Who Appeared With Guitar Groups

As artistes on the stages of many dance halls like the SJAB (St John's Ambulance Brigade) Building at Beach Road, the F and N Hall at River Valley Road, the Capitol Cinema at North Bridge Road or even the National Theatre at Tank Road, we had the privilege of meeting some of the best comedians from the 1960's.

Hamid Bond (1st image above) was one of them. Sometimes with his side-kick Ah Leng they had the patrons on the dance-floor laughing with their jokes and rib-tickling humour. A. Hamid used Malay, Chinese, Tamil and Singlish (Singapore English) to appear and relate anecdotes in between noisy, guitar group instrumentals.

Hamid was also an MC (Master of Ceremonies) on stage, sometimes as a compere to concerts that needed a local dialect or language besides English. There was always hilarity when Hamid introduced the performers on stage.

Hamid Bond Organization had an office at Golden City Theatre at Margaret Drive, Singapore. The area is now unrecognizable with new apartment buildings in sight.

Hamid had since passed away. He was involved in a fatal scooter accident in 1979. It was his favourite mode of transport.

Other comedians include Abang Apek or Alias Congo and a late 50's actress turned comedienne Momo Latiff. Alias Congo (2nd image) appealed to the audiences in the 60's who found his antics and mimicry captivatingly funny.

His speciality was to speak in nasal tones and communicated in Bazaar Malay using a Chinese accent. For me to sing on stage after Abang Apek completed his banter was an experience in itself.

The above title translated means: "Having Lost In Gambling, Abang Apek Will Sell Durians." Grassroot humour? Where are they now? @There were other comedians then and just as popular. The names are familiar but some of them are not around. Wahid Satay and Aziz Sattar are people I remember.

Image: From Andy Young Vinyl Collection.

Thunderbirds, You Were Made For Me To Love...

The trend continued and many Singapore 60s bands composed and recorded their own songs with lyrics that had similar love theme appeals. Harvey Fitzgerald (My Lonely Heart - 1966) was one singer/songwriter who wrote lyrics that would be fondly remembered by many babyboomers.

Their second biggest hit, next to their signature song was You Were Made For Me To Love (1967). Harvey Fitzgerald, who also composed this song, sang it from deep within.

The Thunderbirds include: DERRICK FITZGERALD on lead guitar, WILLIAM WEE, bass guitar, HARVEY FITZGERALD, rhythm guitar, with vocalist IVAN FITZGERALD, The percussionist was FREDDIE TAN.

Another line-up in 1969 includes: RICHARD DANKAR, bass, FREDDIE KANG, organist and SHEDIG MARICAN, drummer.

Image from Andy Lim Collection.

Ocean Park Hotel: 60's Dinner and Dance

Ocean Park Hotel Dinner and Dance Venue 

This occasion was held at an open concert hall where the sea breeze, cool evening and great entertainment made it a memorable night for many patrons, guests and performers.

It was situated at Upper East Coast Road near the present St. Patrick's School and Jackie's Bowl, one of the first few bowling alleys in the 60s. Andy Young is seen singing to Susan during a rehearsal for an end of year dinner and dance at the hotel. It was held on December 21st, 1963.

The practice song was Paul Anka's Diana as Andy had to sing it to Susan that evening. The song became Andy's signature tune whenever he appeared during the many variety shows held in the 1960's. All this came about before he joined the Velvetones and the Silver Strings. 

Partying at Ocean Park Hotel. Image by Mun Chor Seng

For the show that evening, Andy was accompanied by Robert Suriya and his band, one of the groups that performed. Both Robert and Henry Suriya came from St. Andrew's School so they were familiar faces then. Were they known as The Boys already? Naomi wasn't present that night.

Called the Queen of Queens Grand Finale, the other guest artistes included MC Siri Perera, The Checkmates, Kiss Me Quick singer David Baskaran, Siva and James Choy better known as the Cyclones, talentime winner and jazz specialist Eunice Sim, Singapore cowpoke Henry Suriya (he came well before Matthew Tan) and the 60's version of cross-dresser Kumar, Ms Percy Leceister.

Percy could wow the crowd with his shimmy, songs and sensuality. The crowd would get very excited when Percy appeared as they would shout his name and clapped whenever he did his Latin dance routines on stage to the beat of bongo drums and the maracas.

It was organised by Hitachi and a fashion house. The night was hauntingly frightful because a Pontianak (pregnant witch) and vampire were roaming around the nightclub, disturbing the young ladies... Remember it was late 1963 and the bands and singers were just blooming.

Because there was hardly any entertainment in the evenings back then and the usual sophisticates could not adapt themselves to the crowd at the Happy World in Geylang, many Katongnites, Siglapians, the Peranakans and Eurasians would patronise these dances during the weekends. Because such an activity came few and far between, a night like this one practically drew the East Coast Road population to Ocean Park.

As Elvis would say it in one of his songs, "Such A Night!"

Image 1/original article: Andy Lim Collection.
Image 2: by Mun Chor Seng.
Image 3: by singas.co.uk

Ocean Park Hotel 60s - A Time To Dine & Dance

Ocean Park Hotel was another rendezvous for both fans and bands alike. Many commercial organisations in the 60s held their yearly Dinner & Dance at the hotel dance floor. Situated near St. Patrick's School at East Coast Road, the hotel attracted many people during its weekend dance sessions.

I remember making an appearance there for a grand show in December 1963 where Cyril Pereira was the MC for the night. The CheckMates, Cyclones, Eunice Sim, Henry Suriya, David Baskaran and other personalities were in the lineup. It was sponsored by Hitachi.

Where are these people now?

Image: National Heritage Board; Alec Audley 1; singas.co.uk

Article In Full:

Ocean Park Hotel: Rehearsal To Reality Dec 1963.

Ocean Park Hotel Dinner & Dance Venue was held at an open concert hall where the sea breeze, cool evening and great entertainment made it a memorable night for many patrons, guests and performers.

It was situated at Upper East Coast Road near the present St. Patrick's School and Jackie's Bowl, one of the first few bowling alleys in the 60s. Andy Young is seen singing to Susan during a rehearsal for an end of year dinner and dance at the hotel. It was held on December 21st, 1963.

The practice song was Paul Anka's Diana as Andy had to sing it to Susan that evening. The song became Andy's signature tune whenever he appeared during the many variety shows held in the 1960's. All this came about before he joined the Velvetones and the Silver Strings. 

Partying at Ocean Park Hotel. Image by Mun Chor Seng

For the show that evening, Andy was accompanied by Robert Suriya and his band, one of the groups that performed. Both Robert and Henry Suriya came from St. Andrew's School so they were familiar faces then. Were they known as The Boys already? Naomi wasn't present that night.

Called the Queen of Queens Grand Finale, the other guest artistes included MC Siri Perera, The Checkmates, Kiss Me Quick singer David Baskaran, Siva and James Choy better known as the Cyclones, talentime winner and jazz specialist Eunice Sim, Singapore cowpoke Henry Suriya (he came well before Matthew Tan) and the 60's version of cross-dresser Kumar, Ms Percy Leceister.

Percy could wow the crowd with his shimmy, songs and sensuality. The crowd would get very excited when Percy appeared as they would shout his name and clapped whenever he did his Latin dance routines on stage to the beat of bongo drums and the maracas.

It was organised by Hitachi and a fashion house. The night was hauntingly frightful because a pontianak and vampire were roaming around the nightclub, disturbing the young ladies... Remember it was late 1963 and the bands and singers were just blooming.

Because there was hardly any entertainment in the evenings back then and the usual sophisticates could not adapt themselves to the crowd at the Happy World in Geylang, many Katongnites, Siglapians, the Peranakans and Eurasians would patronise these dances during the weekends. Because such an activity came few and far between, a night like this one practically drew the East Coast Road population to Ocean Park.

As Elvis would say it in one of his songs, Such A Night!
Image 1/original article: Andy Lim Collection.
Image 2: by Mun Chor Seng.
Image 3: by singas.co.uk

AUDIE NG The Man Behind The Silver Strings

Producer, director, music man, business man, bass man and family man, Audie Ng has his hands full when it comes to managing Singapore's pop music scene. He has been in this tough and unstable entertainment industry since the 60s but Audie stands tall and is still at it after nearly 50 years.

He invited me to sing with his band nearly 50 years ago. That was in Idris Road near Lavender Street. I joined the Silver Strings and had a ball. We kept in touch and in October 2008 he invited me to sing again with the band. And we had 60s REUNION at VivoCity on Nov 8th 2008.

More about Audie in my later blogs.

(Image: Courtey of Silver Strings Collection.)

Beatles Of Malaysia - Mike & Herb/SilverStrings

-------------SILVER STRINGS WITH MIKE & HERB ----------------

I have always been enthralled when I listen to the guitar music of the 60s. The harmonizing of the electronic strings of lead, bass, rhythm and drums needs a lot of practice, patience and dedication to execute. Besides, the lead guitarist may have to manage the wa-wa pedal with his foot, especially when certain instrumental numbers demand the sound. Using the tremolo arm on the electric guitar also needs much practice.

Although it is only a four piece band, as compared to the larger group that makes a pop ensemble nowadays, e.g. 'American Idol' accompaniment, unseen and on the floor, the 60s guitar foursome is on stage, facing the audience, and as with most groups those days, also perform simple 'acrobatics' to the sound of their own music.

Having seen these groups practise their routine during rehearsals I realise how difficult it can be especially when guitars, cables and performers can get entangled. Furthermore most of the band boys then were not professionals and only enjoy the day off from their work during the weekend or week night to practise their skill.

Sheer pleasure and passion. Those were the days.

Image: SS with M&H in their new outfit of shimmering turquoise with turtle neck and Beatle boots.)
(Image: From Silver Strings Collection)