Back to the 1960's:Those years were hot especially when Cliff Richard and the Shadows came to Singapore in late 1961. After their performance, copy groups mushroomed all over the island.
Every band wanted to be like the Shadows with a lead guitarist, bass guitarist, rhythm guitarist and a drummer. Every singer wanted to sing Young Ones and Outsider and every band wanted to play KonTiki and Apache. And they all wore full suits, sweating on stage at the Badminton Hall or other make-shift platforms.
The British influence never left our island as many Singaporeans became so addicted to Cliff and Shadows that thousands of their records were bought by fans.
Up till today Cliff Richard songs are still being sung and Shadows' instrumentals still being played.
New Entry Fast Forward:
February 2nd, 2016.
It's been 7 years now and this blog is still alive, more full, more information and more articles about 60's music which seem to please a lot of readers. Thank you all for your daily visits. We may not be young ones anymore but we're still, The Young Once.
Forward October, 2016:
It's 50 years later. Any pop guitar group that appears today will perform at least one Cliff Richard song, the most popular being The Young Ones. So far with our own band playing on stage, Cliff Richard's songs has never been missed. Gee Whiz It's You, Outsider, Please Don't Tease or Singing the Blues are the common ones.
Otherwise the band will be playing one of the following song as its introductory number, Apache, Kon Tiki, Shindig, Rise and Fall of Flingle Bunt or Midnight In Malaysia Shadows style.
The audiences, mostly seniors, love the songs and would sing in unison with the bands, The Dukes, The Mysterians, The Burns, The Quests and The Silver Strings.
Although the British left so long ago, the influence is still there. No more military invasion but a music invasion, a constant reminder that whatever happens Cliff and His Shadows can still be heard, Singapore stle.
Images: A Personal Collection.
3 comments:
Hi Andy, see if u remember any of the news published in a local Malay paper Berita Harian about Cliff & his new girlfriend. I wanted to post a newspaper clipping here but I don't know how. Would appreciate if you could leave a note at my email ..... so I can send you the clipping. Thanks
Thanks Izaham. I don't know if you wanted your email address published so I left it blank. I have left you a reply in your email.
This posting has been rejuvenated with an addition about our local bands that still play Cliff Richard and his Shadows music today in 2016.
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