Saturday, January 21, 2012

Singapore in 1964, Dragon Season Of Superlatives




Dragon Year 1964 was not a year to forget. During the Chinese New Year season from around 13th February, the cinemas in Singapore were showing two Elvis Presley movies simultaneously, Love In Las Vegas, with Ann Margret at the Lido at Orchard Road and Fun In Acapulco (image 3) with Ursula Andress (undress too, they say) at the Cathay. Elvis hits were heard everywhere.

Just wondering how Singapore pop fans felt because this was the same year and month when the The Beatles invasion of the US (image 5) started as they left London on February 8th for North America with their amore-y (armoury) of mop-top music. It looked like a new dragon month of superlatives.

But that month, floods were in their superlatives too. So if Singaporeans had dared to brave the rain, attractions at the cinemas in town illuminated big names like Yul Brynner and George Chakiris acting as Kings Of The Sun at the Capitol. Doris Day and James Garner were in Move Over Darling at the Odeon (read previous posting). And comedians Bob Hope and Jack Lemmon appeared in the midnight hour with A Globall Affair and Under The Yum Yum Tree.

In the smaller theatres, a Chinese movie called, The Story of Three Loves (image 4) starring Grace Chang, Lin Tsui and Chao Lei were showing at the Alhambra, Majestic and Odeon-Katong cinemas respectively. The three actors were top-notch then and the movie was a special CNY attraction.

With a similar theme, P. Ramlee as actor, director and producer was making it big in another of his movies. Madu Tiga or Mistresses Three (image 1) was showing to full houses at the Rex Cinema. It was a once-in-a-lifetime double festival as Singaporeans and Malaysians were also enjoying Hari Raya Puasa which started the next day for Muslims. So the term Kungsi Raya (coined from Kungsi Fa Cai and Hari Raya) came to be and according to the calendars, happened only once in 30 years.

For those who had preferred to stay at home and watched TV with the family during cosy rainy nights, The Kung Hee, Kung Hee Show was on and top artistes that year featured, Sugiman Jahuri, T.F. Tan, Malay comedienne Momo Latiff (of Malay film fame) and a skiffle group called Spitfire.

There was another variety show the next morning on 14th February called, Let's Get Together with The Suara Singapura Singers, The Singing Khoos, Alban deSouza, Malay comedian Alias Congo aka Abang Apek, female impersonator Percy Leicester (like Kumar without the jokes) and Terrence de Souza with his Band. The highlight of the show were The Gaylads (image 2) from the Flamingos Combo, the top most wanted band at Singapore's night-spots those years.

These were early years for Singapore pop when The Crescendos hit the headlines with Mr. Twister, The Sundowners with Malaysia Wonderful and The Quests (image 6) with their big hit Shanty. Andy and The Silver Strings got together and were playing the circuit with band engagements at nitespots, while in Hong Kong, The Fabulous Echoes became the pop Pinoy group with A Little Bit Of Soap and Dancing On The Moon.

Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Elvis, Beatles, Bob Hope, Quests, Crescendos and Flamingos. It was truly a year of superlatives.

End of Dragon tale. Back to reality. And a happy 2012 everyone!

Images: Google.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

We wish you, family and loved ones Blessed Lunar new Year 2012.
Cheers,
Anthony & Rosie.

Sent from: MobilePhone.

Anonymous said...

Wish you a very Happy Dragon CNY.
George Chew.
Lead Guitarist
Ronnie & The Burns.

Anonymous said...

Wishing u n family a Happy , Healthy n Prosperous New Year .
AhyarJ.
Sent from my iPhone

Anonymous said...

Wishing you a happy, healthy and fruitful Chinese New Year of the Dragon.

I am forwarding you one of the CNY songs which I recorded in English years ago. Hope you like it.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Danny Koh

Anonymous said...

Sal. n I wish you n the family a Happy n Prosperous Dragon Year.
EA.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thank you all.

Anonymous said...

May this Lunar New Year bring You and Your Family Good Health, Happiness and Prosperity.
PYSP

Anonymous said...

Andy,
wishing you and family a happy and prosperous New Dragon Year.
Edward.

Anonymous said...

Wishing you and family A Happy And Prosperous Lunar New Year.
From
Dannie
Thunderbirds.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thanks again to all of you for the kind wishes. A Happy CNY to you all too.

Alamak, Danny. You now under Thunderbirds wing?

What happened to Danny Boy and The Silver Strings?

Ha, ha.

exnavalbase1412: said...

exnavalbase1412 noreply-comment@blogger.com

To me: show details 11:30 AM (49 minutes ago)

exnavalbase1412 has left a new comment on your post "The Quests (Singapore)":

I heard that "The Shadows" wanted to buy their copyright!

exnavalbase1412: said...

exnavalbase1412 noreply-comment@blogger.com
To me: show details 11:27 AM (56 minutes ago)

exnavalbase1412 has left a new comment on your post "Melayu Pop Yeh Yeh 60an Swallows with Andy":

I recalled watching them practice in the good old days in the Naval Base...more specifically at the "medical quarters"!

Like most "established" bands of the day, they were a hit at "Early Bird" shows in cinemas all over the island! Lots of fun times....

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thank you sir for visiting and for your comments on The Quests and The Swallows.

I certainly recall the information.
They are, as it is known, two of the best bands on this island.

Candida --PraiseBe2God said...

Hi I know Mr Julai.
The album you have posted is available in one of the Basement CD shop at "Zhen Zhu Fang" (people's park complex) or "Zhen Zhu Da Sha" (People's Park Centre).

Sorry can't remember which one. But remember distinctively that its every near the escalator.

And yep let me know if you would like to contact Mr Julai. I can try to link up with him.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thank you Candida for visiting and recommending Julai Tan's record to my readers but you know I do not buy or sell vinyls on my blog.

If anyone wishes to contact Candida to meet Julai Tan do write to me and I shall provide the person with Candida's phone number.

I shall call you soon too as I wish to meet Mr. Tan.

Anonymous said...

Hi Mr Andy,

remember me?

I met Sugiman last year. He lives in West Coast and happily karaokeing at old age. Very humble guy.

From:
Rudy Djoharnaen noreply-comment@blogger.com to me

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Hi Rudy,
Thanks for visiting and writing again and the latest information about Sugiman Jahuri (featured on this posting).

I hope you are still at the same email address. If otherwise, please write to me again and include your new email address. I shall not publish it.

We must meet soon and I apologise for not keep my promise the last time.

I will definitely write to you.

FACEBOOK said...

THANK YOU ALL FOR LIKING AND LOVING THIS POST
Andy Nisbet
Koh Sui Pang
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THACharlie Yap Locomotion
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CHARLIE YAP [LOCOMOTION BAND LEADER] said...

Awesome pictures‼️📸🎶👍

POH HUAT TNG said...

GOOD MEMORIES

FREDA HANUM TEEPEES said...

Loved those wonderful unforgettable times of the year... Just so simple and happy days indeed... Lovely memories of our times, enjoyed reading it Andy

Lovely article with so many wonderful memories , thank you very much for this Andy

HIROSHI DEGUCHI [JAPAN] said...

1964 was a big year for me, too in a different place, though.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thanks everyone for writing in.