SINGAPORE 60's: ANDY's POP MUSIC INFLUENCE IS A PERSONAL MUSIC, MEMORY TRAIL. BLOGGER DOES NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO VIDEOS, AUDIO TRACKS AND IMAGES. THEY ARE UPLOADED FOR FUN, EDUCATIONAL, ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES AND HAVE BEEN CREDITED. BLOG IS NOT SPONSORED NOR ADVERTORIAL IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER. INFORM BLOGGER OF COPYRIGHT ISSUES AND POST WILL BE DELETED IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT COPY THE POSTS; GET PERMISSION N CREDIT ME IF YOU DO. ANDY LIM LA (NOVEMBER, 2008) -
(新加坡六十年代安迪的流行音乐影响力), SUDI MAMPIR !
When the lights shine to lead the way from ignorance to knowledge and a peaceful, harmonious and safe existence in this world, Deepavali begins. The festival is all about renewal.
Diwali is the “Festival of Lights,” celebrated yearly with the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. The joyful 5 days is highlighted by worship, lighting oil lamps (diyas), worship, much feasting and family traditions. The Hindu, Jain, and Sikh communities are in revelry.
Comments are welcome. Thanks.
Din Din Diwali - Diwali Anthem
Ft. @YashrajMukhateOfficial,
Sarang Sathaye & @Moti-Soap
YouTube Video from: Bharatiya Digital Party.
About 250,000 Hindus, Jain and Sikh communities celebrate this
public holiday in Singapore but all Singaporeans join in the festivities too.
L to Rt. Gus (pianist/leader); Caesar Alano (trombone); Joachim Suares 'Joy' (double bass); Reynaldo Lachica (alto sax/clarinet); Ahmad Jaafar (tenor sax/clarinet/flute); Val Ortega (alto sax/clarinet); Olympio Galaura (trumpet); Rufino Soliano (drums, vibraphone). Photo taken at Studio A Radio Singapore.
The Expatriates
The island’s ambience at the shipping crossroads was certainly a lure for many visitors to stay. Slava Tairoff a White Russian, came via Peking China. He was the bandleader at then exclusive British Tanglin Club as well as the President of The Musicians Union in 50/60s. After many years he left for Australia. Louis Moyser a Hungarian, played in the Radio Malaya/Singapore orchestra and gave violin lessons at his flat in Eu Court. So did Dirk Kalf a violinist and Dutchman who lived at then distant Serangoon Gardens. Dan Hopkins was a drummer who also worked in the Radio Orchestra
Filipinos also came and many were prominent in music circles. The Anciano family formed The Far Eastern School of Music successfully teaching many students. There was also Fred Libio, Villanuevas, Buenaventuras, Bacsafras, Lachicas and music powerhouse the Solianos. Others such as trumpeter Olympio Galaura’s family were apparently from a visiting circus.
Ahmad Daud and Peggy Tann.
The guitarist Ike Isaacs worked here and subsequently left for London/Europe where he worked as a studio musician. He spent his latter years playing with jazz violinist Stephan Grappelli’s band.
Dick Abel, a guitarist of Dutch descent, hailing from Indonesia led the Radio Malaya (Singapore).Orchestra after the previous leader Cor Rife. He moved to London, after which Gus Steyn a pianist and Dutchman who also came via Indonesia succeeded Dick Abel as the orchestra leader.
Famed local musician Charles Lazaroo [right], with Tony Scott,
the American jazz clarinetist, whom the author was acquainted with.
Gus Steyn moved to Kuala Lumpur and led the Radio Malaysia Orchestra for a number of years before passing away. Ahmad Jaafar took over the leader’s baton until his retirement. Caesar Alano a Filipino and Les Weddell from Britain both held successively the trombone chair in the radio orchestra. Caesar left for Thailand and Les returned to the UK. Johari Salleh a local trumpet player eventually became the music director for Radio Television Malaysia. Trudy Connor and Eddie Gomez were a piano playing couple popular at hotel lounges.
Saloma, Kartina Dahari and Tony Castillo, trumpetist and screen actor.
Many local musicians and performers made their mark. Violinists Susheela Devi, Clara Verghese, Alphonso Anthony, Julai Tan, pianists Theresa Filmer (nee Khoo), Charles Lazaroo and trumpeter Tony Castillo were among them. Singers Saloma, Julie Sudiro, Kartina Dahari, Peggy Tan and Ahmad Daud were popular during those days.
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More than a dozen comments below. Do click n check.
Author: Horace Wee.
Jazzistics - Tony Castillo - POSB Show 1985.avi
YouTube Video from: JazzisticsSingapore.
Comments are welcome and photographs too of expatriate musicians. Any reader out there who wishes to 'donate' pictures please write in...
Google Images:
[Article and photographs in this series, as in other postings on this blog, are Copyrights Reserved by the author and photographers.]
Here's Herb of Mike and Herb, 60s Malaysian Beatles, who actually hails from Australia, enjoying a rest with two of his good friends, after enjoying a Halloween lunch. It's just fun and games!
HELLO, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
👺👽👹💋🎃👻🍬🦇💀🧡🎃👻🦇💀👽
To all our wonderful readers, contributing writers and friends out there, Herb, sister Barb and myself, wish you all the best of ghostly wishes. Enjoy the day with skeletons, pumpkins, ghouls, witches, etc.
Comments are welcome.
Rolling Stones - 'Paint it Black' 2006 Live Video HD.
YouTube Video by: NEA ZIXNH
64 Million+ Views.
The late Michael van Dort [right] with Herbert during
one of the shows that they performed in Singapore
as The Beatles of Malaysia.
Comments are welcome!
The Asian version of this mythical creature is called a
Pontianak but there is no special day to celebrate
since it was only a movie creation from the 1960s.
I did not meet Merlin Lim for many years after Covid struck in 2019 so I suggested that we should since we are old friends in a pop guitar group during the 60's. He agreed and the revelations and his philosophy in life today struck a note in me.
When I thanked him for the chat, advice and his gift of exquisitely boxed mooncakes, he wrote to me. With his permission, as he speaks from his heart, the letter is produced below. Thanks again Merlin.
"Sharing An Afternoon, With My Dear Old Long-Lost Friend, Andy Young.
This Meeting Was Planned for Mid-September at Novena Square. After A Hug n Warm Greeting, We Went Looking For A Place To Sit, Chat n Some Lunch. Most Eateries Were Packed At That Moment In Time.
While Eating, We Spoke About Those Good Old Days n I Mentioned To Andy, When I Was Driven Out From My Home By My Dad, He n His Parents Offered Me Shelter For A Couple Of Days. Though Andy Could Not Recall, From My Side, I Did Not Forget Their Kindness n Protection For My Troubled Mind n Body.
Gradually Our Conversation Covered Life in General n How To Live n Be A Meaningful, Virtuous Person n This Leads To The Topic Of: 1 ) No Killing, 2 ) No Stealing, 3 ) No Lying, 4 ) No Intoxication, n 5 ) No Unlawful Intimacies or Misconduct.
As For Killing, It Mainly Refers To: Killing A Human or That, Which Is To Be Human, i.e. 'Abortion'. No Stealing: Taking Something That Was Not Given, Regardless Of The Value. Eg, If I Go To Your Home, Open Your Fridge n Take A Drink Without Informing U, That Could Be Termed As Stealing. Lying, Is To Say Something That Is Untrue. No Intoxication, Refers To Alcohol, Drugs or Substances That Hinders Your State Of MIND. Unlawful Intimacies n Misconduct, Is Having Intimacies At A Holy Place, Intimacies Between Father n Daughter, Mother n Son, etc.
All Those Above Are My Humble Understanding n In No Way Is There Any Intention To Harm Other People's Point Of View. Please Accept My Sincere n Humble Apologies With Love n Compassion.
Peace n Bliss To All Who Read or Come In Contact With This Lunch Talk I Had With My Dear Old Friend, Andy, Who Is More Dear To Me Than Life Itself. Love,
Merl. "
Comments are welcome.
Merlin Lim [left] with Andy.
When I asked Merlin for his favourite song, he replied in all sincerity:
There Are Quite A Few Bro. During the Band Boy Days With Veronica Young, It Was, "Nina Bobo." With Shirley Nair, "Let It Be Me." With Dickie, "A Whiter Shade Of Pale."
With Yours Truly, Andy Young ... I Don't Remember That Indonesian or Malay Song but I Have the Tune In My Head. "Da, Da, Da, Da , Da ... Da. Da, Da, Da, Da, Da... Ah, yes, "Impian Semalam".
Procol Harem: 'A Whiter Shade of Pale'.
YouTube Official Video by FLY RECORDS.
Selected song and a favourite of the late Dickie Tan.
Thanks to Horace Wee with his eidetic memory, and a heart to share his stories with me. It's one of 7 to 8 parts in a series. So, sit tight...
A child born in the turbulence of a World War and the Japanese invasion of South- East Asia, time may have dimmed many memories. Yet I still recall short vivid flashes of vision and sound from those early years. Rose syrup sunsets at Port Dickson when my father perched me on the veranda railings and my aunt rattling a bamboo pole to chase away a “musang” (wild cat). The rumbling sounds of British military vehicles on a road in Kuala Lumpur/Malaya after the Japanese surrender and the long hot trip by rail to Singapore.
Returning to the British Colonial administration of Singapore, streets were rather chaotic. Vendors with push carts, makeshift stalls or just baskets were everywhere. The music trends were still reminiscent of the pre-war era. Crooners such as Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Dean Martin, Eddie Fisher, cowboy singers Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Rosemary Clooney, Patti Page, Doris Day, Patsy Kline, Loretta Lynn, the Andrew Sisters and many others were popular with songs like Cruising Down The River, Truly Truly Fair, Doggie in the Window.
Cruising Down The River: Connie Francis. YouTube Video by:
The professional musicians who had joined the Japanese Syonan orchestra returned to playing at live entertainment venues. For cheap entertainment, the public flocked to amusement parks like The Great, Happy World and New World where one would find stalls selling everything from household goods, snacks, and simple games such as an air rifle shooting gallery. Occasional trade fairs offered more choices. At times, a female vocalist singing in Mandarin would permeate through the crowd noise.
Rojak [Malay Chilli Salad] and a Carbide Lamp
In shopping areas such as Rochor, South Bridge Roads and Chinatown, from dingy shops, one would also hear the sounds of the Rediffusion cable radio network blaring Western and Chinese music interspersed with simple advertising jingles.
On warm evenings, with the scent of the sea along the East Coast Road, many would head for the seaside at the end of Bedok. Rows of carts lit by hurricane and carbide lamps [image] would be serving local delicacies like “rojak” [image: local shrimp paste tossed salad] and toasted cuttlefish served with spicy sauces.
In the middle of what I knew would be a pleasant eye surgery, I tried to share my joy by mumbling my thoughts during sedation at the operating table with the friendly team in the theatre. And what did I tell them? I revealed to them that I have a music blog.
"Crazy man crazy, crazy news!" [Bill Haley].
And it all happened while I was under anesthesia because that’s when the mind became relaxed and euphoric. Because of the state I was in the incident was totally out of my mind afterwards. Even forgot to tell my wife who accompanied me for the appointment.
A week later when I met my soft-spoken and charming lady doctor, TAN LICIA again for a post-surgical appointment, she mentioned that she checked this blog.
Oh my, Dr. Tan. "Goodness, gracious me!" [Peter Sellers].
I was totally surprised but thanked her for reading it. We got to talking as she revealed that she plays the piano with a family that loves music, ie: hubby and children in audience and active.
An AI illustration of eye surgery in an operating theatre.
Dr Tan is kind, friendly and as she gently snipped away the surgical stitches below my eye, she explained what I needed to do for aftercare. A professional surgeon indeed! And she mentioned, in all seriousness… “We need music in life.”
"Thanks for all the joy they're giving
Who can live without it? I ask in all honesty
What would life be?" [Abba]
Before leaving I asked for a picture together. Wait. Was it allowed? The nurse had to find out about hospital protocol. She came back with a positive smile and took us.
Again, thank you Dr. Tan for the successful surgery; your pleasant ways; for reading this blog and for being a music lover.
Here's one doctor any patient could see,"👁 to I" with.
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Currently 26 are below. Check them out.
With Dr. Tan Licia.
Disclaimer:
Post is not written to promote any medical institution nor professional.
Images: Google, Meta AI, Andy.
Johnny Nash - 'I Can See Clearly Now' (Official Audio)
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