Andy 60s Music Meets Steadfast Friend Merlin

Merlin Lim: Pop Musician, Guitarist.

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 is 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.

Images:

 buddhistssymbols - Search Images , 

Personal photos taken by Merlin Lim and Andy Young.

Singapore Andy 60s Music: Horace Wee: Professional Musician, Intellectual, Reminisce

The long hot trip by rail to Singapore. Horace Wee remembers.

The Enigma of Departure: Remembering Singapore’s Railway Lines and Stations | BiblioAsia

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.

The playful local civet cat or 'musang'.

Author, Musician: Horace Wee

'My Truly Truly Fair': Guy Mitchell.

YouTube video by: sunryse111

Images: Google.

Andy 60s Music Visits Dr Tan Licia At SNEC: You Can See "Eye To I".

The Singapore National Eye Centre next to the

Singapore General Hospital at Outram Road.

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.

New comments are always welcome.

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)

YouTube Video By: JohnnyNashVEVO

 

Andy 60s Music Celebrates Moon Cake Festival 2026

To all my wonderful readers, friends and 

contributing writers, enjoy your mooncake cheer.

But remember to eat healthy and stay safe.

*😎

Strange though; the mooncake-presentation boxes are getting

larger but the mooncakes inside are getting smaller.

And the ones with egg-yolk inside, cost a bomb!

Beethoven (Moonlight Sonata) 2 Hours

YouTube Video by: Rain Whisper Classics.

Thank You.

Beethoven — Moonlight Sonata Adagio 432Hz | Calm Piano for Sleep & Relaxation (2 Hours)

"Do All That U Do.

Best, To Do It In Moderation.

Be It Food, Drinks, Enjoyment, or Medication.

Do We, Eat to Live or Live To Eat. 😊

Please Stay Safe, Healthy n Remain Strong 

Like The Bright Autumn, September Moon.

[Merlin Lim] 👏🏻👏🏻😘❤️"

"Andy and Family. May your blessings be as full

and perfect as the Harvest Moon. Have a lovely

Mid-Autumn Celebration. 中秋節快樂! [Tan S.L.]"

Would be a peaceful world with the US and China 

together again. Cheers to Mr. Trump and Mr. Xi.

Moonlight greetings from lunar lovers.

Thank you all very much for 

MID AUTUMN FESTIVAL greetings:

Merlin Lim 

Fabian Foo

Chen Jen Tock

Steve Ho

Joey Koh 

Mark Quek

Jerry Saram 

Jimmy Chng

Chew Hee Hong

Ivor Lesslar

Cedric Cork

Vincent Tan

Anna Law

See Chun Sung

Richard Tham

Dr Phil Chan

Michael Bangar 

Jenny Bangar

Tan S. L.

Lim Kuan Min

David Wong 

Tan Soo Khoon

and thanks to many readers and friends who 

have been keeping in touch on SMS via WA daily.

.: Mooncake Festivals

Click connection to read.

Andy 60s Music Blog Reaches 6 Million+ Views In September, 2026

VIEWS

@ 1.31pm on 23 September, 2026

but now...

andy 60s music blog 

has reached

6 MILLION+ views

@ 1.35pm

WOW, THAT'S

SUMTHIN' INDEED.

23 September 2026

THANKS VERY MUCH

 READERS, FRIENDS &

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS.

Images: google, ai.

comments

from you:

JOHN bt tan:

means all living in SG saw your blog.

👍👏👏

jimmy yap:

heartiest congratulations 6 million

viewers dear andy young.

john bt tan: 

we need to average out numbers.😋

george chew:

👌👍

steve ho;

thank you, sir, and congratulations!

Victor Lam:

congrats andy!!!

RICHARD THAM:

FANTASTIC AND CONGRATULATIONS

TO YOU ANDY.

danny koh:

Congrats andy

👍👏👏👏👏👏👏

charlie yap:

👍🌍🎶

merlin lim:

bravo andy. 6 million n counting.

feels like a speck of dust, amongst

the ocean of music lovers. 

thanks bro.👍👏😊

anna law:

wow... great job, andy!

 congrats!!! 👏👏👏👍👍👍

alvin goh:

wow u r fantastic man... 

glad to know... happy for you too.

paul ibrahm:

wow !!!

richard tham:

fantastic and congratulations to you andy!

ricky wong:

Wow, kudos to you. great news.

😍👏👏👍

ivor lesslar:

Congratulations!

WILFRED LIM CHENG HOCK:

Well done Andy. There is none other 

like your unique BLOG. GOD BLESS.

FABIAN FOO:

VERY GOOD ACHIEVEMENT INDEED...

CEDRIC COLLARS:

CONGRATULATIONS ON ANOTHER MILESTONE.

👏👍👍🙏

OLIVER BALASINGHAM:

CONGRATS ANDY!

ANDY;

THANKS TO ALL WHO SENT CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES.

APPRECIATE. 🙏🙏🙏 

IRENE YAP:

i WAS RACKING MY BRAIN THINKING 

OF A WORD BIGGER THAN AWESOME, AND I GOT IT: SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS! 

CONGRATS ANDY.

mohd. jalani:

👍

jimmy chng:

Congratulations Andy! you've

officially become ' the six million

viewers man' !

JAMES HO:

👏

john cher:

heartiest congratulations 

😀👏👏👏💕💕

RICHARD THAM:

What a marvellous milestone achievement my dear Andy!

You truly deserve it.

LAWRENCE LIM:

A SATISFYING ACHIEVEMENT.

WORTH YOUR TIME AND EFFORT.

👏👏👏

YEN CHOW:

Andy, my heartiest Congratulations on hitting 

another milestone 6 MIL viewership! 

Awesome. Keep it up! Yen :D

ANONYMOUS:

What a marvellous milestone achievement my dear Andy!
You truly deserve it!!

ANONYMOUS:

Well done Andy. Congratulations for your hard work. 

I salute you👍🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

AND AFTER JUST ONE DAY, AT 3PM ON 24TH SEPTEMBER, 2026

BLOG REGISTERS @

VIEWS

Andy 60s Music Discovers Korean Band, 'Rolling Quartz', Performing 'Bohemian Rhapsody.'

Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody by Rolling Quartz 롤링쿼츠 

for US & Canada Tour 2026 미국 캐나다 투어 기념 

YouTube Video By: ROLLING QUARTZ official and Rolling Star TV.

While checking out for other cover versions of Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' I found this one on YouTube. No, they are not BlackPink but another fantastic Korean Pop group that could interpret this hit so well I thought they deserve a posting accolade. Love them; hope you do too! 
💖

Glamorous group indeed.

Some comments would be nice!

South Korean Rock Band

Rolling Quartz is a South Korean rock band that made their debut on December 30, 2020. It consists of five members: Arem (bass), Iree (guitar), Hyunjung (guitar), Jayoung (vocals), and Yeongeun (drums). They were originally formed as two separate bands, Rolling Girlz and Rose Quartz, but merged into a single group. They have toured America, Canada and Europe.

Singapore Haze: Amazed! Dazed Neighbours Still Fazed About Haze

UP TO 4,800 VIEWS 

     29 COMMENTS     

The big haze:

It all started in 2015 when this post was written 

and reposted in 2016 and 2019. 

We thought it would trouble us no more.

But it did come again in 2023.

H.A.Z.E. Alvin Oon.

YouTube Video by the creative and incredible

ALVIN OON.

Now it's here once more, in 2026

11 years on!!!

From 2015, 2016 and 12 September 2019 [above image] 

the haze came Home. 

Hazardous and horrible!

Will it ever end?

Then when

it was 2023 August, we thought

that was the end.

As usual the young school-going children were also 

badly affected... 

when it came back one more time... in 2026.

Really the worst hit this year; 2 months on and the authority from our neighboring country says they hope to end it in 1 month's time.

That's a long time more.

Let's go back about 9 years from now:

THE HAZE IN SINGAPORE: CAUSE AND GLOBAL CONSEQUENCE.

Year: 2015
Is It Clear?

Fourteen million plus hits on Google when you type, "Haze in Singapore." 

Call it what you may, haze or smoke which has been polluting this region for weeks now is not created by Mother Nature but by Man himself.  One thing is clear; our air is so foul and "poisonin' my oxygen" that it is frustrating everyone in the area.  Worse, it is making every creature, great and small, sick.

Every day fires are destroying the beautiful forests of Indonesia's South Sumatra, Riau and Kalimantan and simultaneously endangering the health of its own people and surrounding neighbours and little red dot, Singapore [written in 2015].

I'm a hungry planet

I had the bluest seas

Oh the people kept 
Choppin' down

All my finest trees (1).

The lyrics above were written by The Byrds way back in 1970 and described a situation that is still persisting today. Hungry Planet is one of many songs that deals with an on-going ecological disaster and the problem will never be resolved unless a certain country follows its own laws which forbid the use of fire to clear land.

Or Still Unclear?

Another thing is clear; we can't do anything because Singapore is like a David standing in front of a cigarette smoking Goliath. We have to inhale what Goliath exhales, and the *problem has persisted from as far back as 1972, more than 40 years since. 

The country in question has promised it will enforce its laws but nothing's been done so far [written in 2015]. A pop group from 1970, The Moody Blues, reminds us of the foulness in the air in a composition called, How Is It:

How is it we are here on this path we walk
In this world of pointless fear filled with empty talk
Descend from the ape as scientist-priest all think
Will they save us in the end, we're trembling on the brink (2).

Responsible Lyricists:

Like The Byrds and The Moody Blues, many famous pop composers and lyricists get serious and write about how Man has savaged and ravaged Mother Earth. So while some readers  think that the West are only writing frivolous rock and roll music these same pop stars are doing the world a favour by warning how our selfish attitude towards the environment is destroying and killing it:

Now the sun has come to earth
Shrouded in a mushroom cloud of death
Death comes in a blinding flash
Of hellish heat and leaves a smear of ash
And the sun has come to earth (3).

Only last night (5th October 2015), I saw our local news headlines on television feature young children in hospitals with asthma and with some seniors suffering from a skin ailment agitated by the haze. The Byrds lamented in the same song that this condition is:

Diggin' into my skin

Taking more out of my good earth

Than they'll ever put back in

I"m a hungry planet... (4)

Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, the established folk rock super group from the 70's stated that Clear Blue Skies were not much to ask for. They were here before creatures roamed the earth. Question is, "Will they be here when we're gone?" (5)

Optimism:

According to an **article, two-thirds of the fires in Indonesia occur on peat wetlands. It is not widely known that Indonesia has the largest tropical peat wetlands in the world but these places are definitely rich in biological diversity. Imagine the devastation going on at the moment with the fires in full force and its outcome afterwards.

Oil wasted on the ocean and upon our seas
Fish full of mercury
Ah oh mercy, mercy me
Ah things ain't what they used to be, no no
Radiation under ground and in the sky
Animals and birds who live nearby are dying
Oh mercy, mercy me. (6)

How long more do we have to take the haze and the continuing saga of earth's destruction? I remain optimistic so let's leave the last words to Tommy James and the Shondells:

Maybe tomorrow

When he looks down

On every green field, ooh ooh

And every town

All of his children

And every nation

They'll be peace and good brotherhood (7).

FOOTNOTES

Other Earth Songs:

Mother Nature's Son - The Beatles

After The Gold Rush - Neil Young 
Where Do The Children Play - Cat Stevens 

Big  Yellow Taxi - Joni Mitchell 
Don't Go Near the Water - The Beach Boys
Hole In The Sky - Black Sabbath

The Trees - Rush 

Calypso John Denver
Nobody's Fault - Aerosmith

Earth Anthem - The Turtles
Every Day Every Day Celebrate - John Denver
Sweet Baby James -James Taylor

Traffic Jam - James Taylor

Goodbye To A River - Don Henley

The Eagle and The Hawk - John Denver
Down By The River - Albert Hammond

Quoted Songs Are:

(1) Hungry Planet - The Byrds 

(2) How Is It? - Moody Blues

(3) The Sun Is Burning - Simon and Garfunkel

(4) Hungry Planet - The Byrds 

(5) Clear Blue Skies - Crosby Stills Nash and Young

(6) Oh Mercy, Mercy Me - Marvin Gaye

(7) Crystal Blue Persuasion- Tommy James and The Shondells

*Straits Times Press report and image: 13/10/1972.

**Straits Times Press: S. Jayakumar and Tommy Koh; The haze, international law and global cooperation - 6/10/2015 - Pg A20 Opinion.

**Straits Times Press: Bustar Maitar; Instead of pointing fingers, start restoring peatlands - 7/10/2015 - PgA21 Opinion.

You Tube Video: Crystal Blue Persuasion- Tommy James and The Shondells

Images, Chart and gif: Google.
http://weather.asiaone.com.sg/weather-airdetails.php?d=&m=pre&area=

SAVE THE EARTH CAMPAIGN

SLIP NOTE: 11th October, 2015.

Exhilarating news piece that Indonesia is finally getting help from some countries to help douse out the fire and according to The President Mr Jokowi, it must be effective two weeks from today.  Hopefully, we get fresh air again and also save "all creatures great and small", which include the orang utans too. 

TODAY 26TH AUGUST, 2016. HAZE STILL HERE.

Disclaimer: 

There is absolutely no intention to criticise or point a finger at any country regarding the haze situation. This article has been written in 2015 and in the daily newspapers these days, reports of another haze occurrence is possible [3.6.2023].

Back again Mr. Haze in September, 2026.

Mask Up Everyone !

It is debilitating. 

Hope she wins...