Wednesday, December 31, 2008

The Dukes- Remembering - Tea Dances In 60s

Discussing Prince's Hotel Garni in the mid-60s is incomplete without mentioning the band that established it as one of the best places for tea dance.

At 200 Orchard Road the large Singapore crowd crammed the dance floor at Prince's Restaurant each Sunday. From 3.30 to 6.45 pm., paying ten dollars for entrance, they shimmied and twisted with The Dukes and singers Bobby Lambert & Winston Walters.

I spoke to Zainal Abidin, band leader and bass guitarist of the Dukes. He is now a retired army captain and business man extraordinaire. He promised to meet me after New Year to explain why he gave away a few thousand copies of his CD above.

Image: CD Cover of Dukes' songs produced by Zainal Abidin and Joseph Pereira.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I really enjoy all these pictures you're putting up.Excellent for trip down memory's lane. They help trigger off other long-forgotten memories as well.Lovely.

Anonymous said...

Why don't you tell us your memories with 60s music? Will be nice to know if you had some with our Singapore bands.

And connecting a song with romantic moments?
Chinese songs? My next feature.

Sincerely,
Lucy

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Hi Lucy,

Are you writing a blog too? If you want to feature Chinese music let me know because I intend to do the same but am not too familiar with them.

Thanks,
Andy

Unknown said...

Hi Andy!
I'm not sure if you have received my previous post and question about the leader of The Dukes, Zainal Abidin.
I saw one of your blogs on him and wondered if you might have his contact. Would really like to get in touch with him and hope that you will be able to help!

Please do email me at lynn@vividthree.com if you see this!
Hope to hear from you!
Thank you!
Lynn

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Have conveyed message to Zainal. Good luck.