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| The Firebyrds with bothWilson Khoo and Kiong on the right from The Velvetones. |
Remember them? The two gentlemen on the right, Wilson Khoo and Kiong were from The Velvetones. They accompanied Andy Young in a few gigs in the 60's when Andy was also an MC, promoting the band and the evening's entertainment as a package.
The Velvetones manager was able to secure a contract playing at the Adelphi Hotel while Andy rounded the boys up for private parties and birthday get together. There was a lovely evening when the band played at the Paya Lebar Shell Sports Club, a popular venue among the young.
Andy was not sure what happened in later years but the Velvetones lead guitarist, Wilson left them and grouped The Firebyrds and Katherine joined them as vocalist. Andrew Tan, Royston Jansen and Peter Ong made up the rest. They were well defined and came into the limelight just as quickly.
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| MC Andy Young with The Velvetones conducting a Spot Dance. |
Andy, who was in the game for fun and as a past time, left much earlier and joined The Silver Strings when Audie Ng invited him to join the band. He discontinued his MCing and continued fronting the new band where they had weekly stints at the Celestial Room as guest artistes.
Audie found the band boys, with David Chan as lead guitarist, Wilfred Chew as rhythm guitarist and Osman as drummer, a very pleasant group and camaraderie was strong indeed. Their practices were either held at Audie's home or at Toby's palatial bungalow at Tanjong Rhu.
Those years were memorable because of the new friends Andy made as a part time "band-boy", a handle not many parents would be proud of. But it was all in fun, for him anyway.
Do write in if you remember them.
Images: Andy Lim Collection.
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