60's Comedians Who Appeared With Guitar Groups

As artistes on the stages of many dance halls like the SJAB (St John's Ambulance Brigade) Building at Beach Road, the F and N Hall at River Valley Road, the Capitol Cinema at North Bridge Road or even the National Theatre at Tank Road, we had the privilege of meeting some of the best comedians from the 1960's.

Hamid Bond (1st image above) was one of them. Sometimes with his side-kick Ah Leng they had the patrons on the dance-floor laughing with their jokes and rib-tickling humour. A. Hamid used Malay, Chinese, Tamil and Singlish (Singapore English) to appear and relate anecdotes in between noisy, guitar group instrumentals.

Hamid was also an MC (Master of Ceremonies) on stage, sometimes as a compere to concerts that needed a local dialect or language besides English. There was always hilarity when Hamid introduced the performers on stage.

Hamid Bond Organization had an office at Golden City Theatre at Margaret Drive, Singapore. The area is now unrecognizable with new apartment buildings in sight.

Hamid had since passed away. He was involved in a fatal scooter accident in 1979. It was his favourite mode of transport.

Other comedians include Abang Apek or Alias Congo and a late 50's actress turned comedienne Momo Latiff. Alias Congo (2nd image) appealed to the audiences in the 60's who found his antics and mimicry captivatingly funny.

His speciality was to speak in nasal tones and communicated in Bazaar Malay using a Chinese accent. For me to sing on stage after Abang Apek completed his banter was an experience in itself.

The above title translated means: "Having Lost In Gambling, Abang Apek Will Sell Durians." Grassroot humour? Where are they now? @There were other comedians then and just as popular. The names are familiar but some of them are not around. Wahid Satay and Aziz Sattar are people I remember.

Image: From Andy Young Vinyl Collection.