The Quests: 'Mr. Rainbow' 1968 from 'Teenage Opera'

         Mr Rainbow (1968). Video by Adobo Coral:

Allan Thompson, a regular writer on this blog, wrote to me a few days ago after reading the last posting about the SS 50th Anniversary gig: 

"Congratulations on the great success of the Orchard Road and Silver Strings concerts.  You really do have a great music scene in Singapore and it is good that the veteran artists receive such a wonderful reception."

NB: It is a learning experience for me and I am guilty again of not finding out the origin and composer of some songs that I am aware of.  Again, a big thank you Allan for providing this piece of information.

About the song: Mr. Rainbow.

Dear Andy,

I have recently realised that The Quests have a connection with my friend, John Alder, better known as Twink, who was the drummer with Tomorrow.  

The Quests covered Mr. Rainbow which was one of the songs recorded by Tomorrow for Mark Wirtz's ill-fated Teenage Opera project.  Twink himself recorded a version of the song several years later. 

The version by The Quests is very good and comes close to the original.  Mark Wirtz actually resurrected the Teenage Opera on CD a few years ago by bringing together all the recordings of the original music which had been made by various musicians back in the 1960s. 

                     Mark Wirtz: A Teenage Opera recorded in 1967.

It is a great shame that after the success of Grocer Jack and, to a lesser extent, Sam, the opera did not materialise at the time.  I have much more information on Twink/John Alder if it is of interest to you.

Congratulations once again on the successful reunions.

Best wishes, 

Allan Thompson.

U.K.

(Allan Thompson: Information Copyrights Reserved).

You Tube Video: tonysclafani.
Recording/Poster from EMI Music.

Active Ageing Well Supported: Pioneer Generation Package Posted @ Orchard: Silver Strings Delivered

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                               The Late Bobo n Rickie: both lead or rhythm

             The capacity crowd at RELC International Hotel, Singapore.

Inspired by the forthcoming Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) 2014

Dear Andy,

Last Saturday evening was memorable for all members of the Silver Strings including the resident singers. My congrats to Audie Ng and the organizing committee for a wonderful effort in bringing back lots of memories of our younger days. I do admire some of the guests in the audience showing so much energy by rocking and rolling to the good old music.

I am sure many of us will strongly support the revival of local 60's music and we do hope to have more performances in the years ahead.

For others who could not attend last week and for those overseas, they may wish to view some videos uploaded by me.

Fabian Foo.

           (View Mr Foo's videos above and on the right side-bar of this blog.)

 

                            Below: Audie bass and Danny Boy drums.

                 Young Ones in the audience who, "Live while the flame is strong..."

                                     Andy Young: Blogger and Singer

Keyboardist Nick.

                        Another young 'un with Herb (Beatle of Malaysia).

Hey Singapore, we've got a community here. The army of seniors from 60s pop culture was back to conquer Orchard Road last night. And the turn out of followers for Silver Strings Night was a good full house at the RELC Auditorium on 16th August, 2014. 

                      Below: Larry (MC), Audie and Jerry (MC).

                         

                  Herb and Mike with Elvis impersonator Mustapha              

"RELC rocked tonight with Veronica Young, Ernesto and Greg, Mustapha, Mike and Herb, Andy Young and company at the Silver Strings 50th Anniversary Concert ... (from Alice Chong FB)"

                 Seniors seeing Silver Strings swing Sixties songs.

Photos put up are the clearest I could get on FB from dear friends Irene Yap, Richard Toh, Tan Soo Khoon, Veronica and Marissa DC:

1. From left the Silver Strings group at RELC International Hotel in Orange Grove Road: Nick, Herb, Mike, Ernesto (guest artiste), Andy, Danny Boy, Audie, Veronica, Bobo, Mustapha and Rickie. 

           2. The audience and supporters made the show possible. 

                          3. Tan Soo Khoon, former MP and music-maker.

Larry and Ernesto.

                               Mustapha, Herb and brother Mike

                                           Veronica and Andy

Audie (bass/leader) and Nick (keyboard).

                                   Rickie and Bobo (on and off stage).

                    Danny Boy, the percussionist, interviewed by journalists.

          Sound engineer Patrick checking the system before performance

           "I'm sending you a big bouquet of roses, Andy..." Thank you.
           "Nice bouquet for a gentleman," from Lim Kuan Min.
            

                Mike and Herb rocking the house with Wooley Bully.

                  Full house at RELC International Hotel Auditorium.

                 Audie on guitar and Mustapha wooing with roses.

                                   Veronica, young on screen.
  

                       Larry Lai, MC with the most distinctive voice.
                             
                             Click to read the 50 plus comments below.

Images from FaceBook of:
Irene Yap, Marissa DC, Veronica Young, Richard Toh, Tan Soo Khoon and Audie Ng. Thank you all.

Pop Group Anniversary: By Eddino Abdul Hadi

         Image: From The Straits Times Press: 16th August, 2014.

A three-hour, 45-song reunion gig – that is how Singapore band The Silver Strings, a familiar name from the 1960s music scene, are celebrating their 50th anniversary. The show will be held tonight at the RELC International Hotel. Bass player and...

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Article by Eddino Abdul Hadi (Music Correspondent) and photograph are Copyrights Reserved.

(This space has been reserved before the actual posting - thus the difference in the blog date.)

TODAY Newspaper, "You Really Should Go." By Christopher Toh

Line-up for RELC Anniversary: Andy, Nick, Mustafa, Bobo (the late), Mike, Danny Boy, Herb, Audie, Veronica, Rickie.

TODAY newspaper on-line extracts:

Article by Christopher Toh:

"Singapore’s Silver Strings have another anniversary do — and you really should go."

Last year's show in November 2013

"To be honest, only three of us are from the original group from 1963/64: *Myself, Andy and Veronica. The rests are the so-called second or third-generation members of the band,” (Audie Ng, right) explained. “I didn’t think it was appropriate to call it our 50th-anniversary show because I couldn’t get all the people back in. I would have to get all the singers and musicians, all seven of them. But it’s difficult to do that.”

Veronica, dubbed Singapore’s Millie Small, gave a lively performance (yes, she performed My Boy Lollipop by Millie Small), still hitting those strident notes in style as she took over the final third of the show. 

Andy Young — Singapore’s answer to Paul Anka — was more energetic than the man himself as he ran through some of Anka’s popular tunes.

But what was amazing was the crowd’s reaction. Sure, most of them were my dad’s age, but the energy at the gig was fantastic. They were fans and they did what all fans did: They sang along with all their heart, they clapped and cheered lustily when each song ended, they even asked for selfies with Veronica and Andy. 

This Year's Show on Saturday, August 2014:

This weekend, The Silver Strings are getting back together with Veronica, Mike & Herb, Andy and Mustapha Al-Johary, who are all flying in from countries as far as France, New Zealand and Australia.

This year’s show is meant to be a big affair. It will also be hosted by Jerry Fernandez and you’ve also got a popular host of the past Larry Lai and musician Ernesto Valerio (sometimes called Singapore’s Dean Martin).

*Factually Danny Boy (drummer, left) is from the original group and came before Veronica Young (left) was on the scene in 1963-1964.

Click to see the show highlights:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2014/08/an-anniversary-meet-of-60s-pop-music.html
http://www.todayonline.com/entertainment/music/oldies-goldies?page=1

 
Article: from Today Newspaper 14.08.14. by Christopher Toh (Music Correspondent).

Logo image from Today Newspaper Copyrights Reserved.
3 Photographs are displayed only on this posting.

A Comet Flash That We All Absorbed

NEWS FLASH

Robin Williams passed away on Monday 11th August, 2014, a tragedy indeed.  He was a youthful 63.  I wrote in a friend's FB: "His live shows were so intense. Must have taken a lot out of him. Like his mentor, Jonathan Winters, Williams was incomparable." 

R.I.P., Mr Williams. You're definitely in a better place.

Active Aging: Showcasing 60s Music @ RELC "Singapore’s Silver Strings have another anniversary do — and you really should go," says Christopher Toh from "Today" Newspaper



Venue: RELC Auditorium (beside Shangri-la) Saturday 14th August, 2014 @ 7.30pm. Read article on RIGHT BAR >

  

Rickie - Lead Guitar

Bobo - Rhythm Guitar

Danny Boy - Percussion

Nick - Keyboard

Audie - Bass Guitar - Band Leader

Veronica - Vocals

Mustapha - Vocals

Mike and Herb - Vocals

Guest DJ - Larry Lai

Guest Artiste - Ernesto Valerio 

Evening's MC - Jerry Fernandez

Andy -Music Blogger

 Images: Private Collection Copyrights Reserved.

(Click Comments below to read Silver Strings Short Story.)