Ronnie See and The Burns Part One: Andy 60's Music

                                  Ronnie See at extreme right.

Whether 40 years ago or today, Ronnie See is as handsome and articulate as ever. When I requested an interview, Ronnie decided to cast in stone his thoughts about the Singapore 60's pop scene from his own perspective, naming names that were important, relevant and connected to a once thriving industry. The write-up is one of a two part series by Ronnie.

Part I

Years With The Burns

Ronnie and The Burns started in mid 1964. I thought in giving the band an easy name, with the audience, Burns was chosen because we love Burns guitars, so I thought that was quite relevant. It sounded good – Ronnie and The Burns.

The initial line up was Jeffrey Wong (lead), Roland Liaw (rhythm), Harris Noel Albert (bass), Philip Poon (drums) and me, leader/vocals. The image also shows Kenneth Gomes, next to Ronnie, who is Singapore's Cliff Richard.

The band first practised in a Singapore Improvement Trust flat in Tiong Bahru Road. It was rather elementary during start up as we could not afford any proper instrument. We had to make do with a home-made bass amplifier, another home made amplifier for rhythm, a Gibson amplifier (for lead) was something special and a Rossini drumset. The band started with Hoffner guitars as during that time we had no means to buy Burns guitars.

The PA system then was of mishmash quality as a proper sound system was just a dream. It did not matter because the enthusiasm was high and that was enough to carry us through. 

We continued rehearsing and the band progressed quickly. We played at house parties and saved enough to acquire a complete set of Burns guitars over time. Common to most groups however was the feature of group dynamics, the band went through several changes as we scouted for more committed players.

As the band was rehearsing and shaping a repertoire we made regular appearances playing at house parties where we were paid modest sums for the performances. The band’s modest fees were an inducement to keep going and get better. We kept on with our regular rehearsals and accepted whatever bookings came our way.

The band needed a spokesman a role which I assumed in negotiating terms for all the gigs. However the rehearsal venue in Tiong Bahru was less than ideal being a residence and the band moved to another place in nearby Margaret Drive and continued to rehearse there. At this time, the band had already quite regular gigs and earnings were ploughed back into the band to upgrade the equipment.

We purchased a second hand Vox AC30 amplifier together with some other instruments and gadgets. The band was now considered quite well equipped and with the upgraded equipment made a difference to the band's sound and it began to give the band an identity. 

All these, were the hard work and commitment to get the band ahead. Eager to test their sound in front of a live audience, the band played a gig at St. Matthew's Church in Neil Road. We played to a full house with proper instruments. I sang Cliff Richard's "Living Doll", "Lessons In Love", "Thinking Of Our Love", "Please Don't Tease", "Theme For A Dream" and some other songs.

Along the way, we found new players and the band became more popular. With more competent players the band was capable of handling a wider repertoire which was starting to veer in the direction of rhythm and blues. 

In September 1965 Ronnie and The Burns participated in a Beat Band contest which was held at Great World Amusement Park. It was quite a grand event with about ten bands participating in the band finals. LBJ and The Presidents took top honours with Ronnie and The Burns coming in a credible second.

In addition to the engagements in many gigs we had, the band even appeared on Istana Pesta (a local TV programme) in 1965, arranged by Zain Mahmood who was a local big wig on the music scene. 

In 1966, we organized one of the largest events at the Singapore Conference Hall then, the event was called Ronnie and The Burns Night featuring many local top bands like, Shirley Nair  and The Silver Strings, The Checkmates and The Cyclones, Naomi and The Boys, *Rony and The Echo Jets. That event night had a full house.

After the 1966 event, the band was engaged by Cathay Organisation to travel to Malaysia for a six months contract playing at different states in Malaysia. We travelled from Johor northwards and the show went on smoothly until Kuala Lumpur, I decided to leave the group and came home when the condition did not permit me to continue. So it was at the end of 1966 that I decided to leave the band I loved."

*Pastor Rony Tan is the founder and Senior Pastor of a mega-church called Lighthouse Evangelism in Singapore.

Part II continues when Ronnie joined The Stylers. Check it out. 

This article has been Copyrighted.
All Rights Reserved.

Ronnie See and The Stylers Part 2

Part II

Years With The Stylers.

"If I remember correctly, that must have been after my disbanding of Ronnie and The Burns around end of 1966. Paul Chua contacted me and discussed about regrouping of a band, Paul introduced Paul Kwok (from Kwok Brothers Singapore) together we further discussed about how to bring the band to popularity. I was then at the height of my music career as a pop singer, though hesitant about forming a band, and finally acceded to Paul’s enthusiasm to regroup again.

Initially, we were toying with the idea of restarting Ronnie and The Burns again but then my preference was to start a brand new name and so Ronnie and The Stylers was started from end 1966 to 1969 because that’s when I left them in search of my career. 

Spending three and a half years under Ronnie and The Stylers and decided to quit the band scene was quite painful then but there were only two choices; either I continue to be in the band and lead a band boy’s life or I quit and lead a different lifestyle as years wear on. In search for a career was my priority, although it was a painful decision to quit the band as the camaraderie was strong but I decided to leave without looking back.

Before leaving the Stylers, I was instrumental in making sure to get the band into recording so that they have a future too, then I met Tony Wong of Polar Bear Records and got the band into serious recording business (Chinese songs) with them. 

                                Ronnie (white centre) and Stylers. 

After the Stylers stabilized with Polar Bear Records, backing many Chinese singers, their income was good from the recordings. I left and went for an interview with a hi-fi store, got the job, and from thereon I work and continued to build a career path since.

In 1967, Ronnie and The Stylers was popular at the Celestial Room Tea Dance. This hotspot was owned by then (Boss of The Hock Lee Bus) Mr. Quek Sin Bock, Mr. Quek was my good friend, he asked if I could stage the band at Celestial Room Tea Dance, I agreed. So every Sunday Celestial Room was packed until many of our supporters them had to queue for entrance. We were the anchor band at Celestial Room from 1967 to early 1969 (for more than two years).

During 1967 to 1968 Ronnie & The Stylers had performed at the then National Theatre (River Valley) on many occasions. We also did gigs for the Ministry of Culture (then under Datok Othman Wok) and also at the Capitol Theatre Sunday Musical Express hosted by Tan Swee Leong. 

Ronnie and The Stylers had recorded a cover version EP with the Squirrel Records owned by a recording veteran Mr. Ngo Cheong. That was the first English recording we did and after that I left the band when they went into Chinese songs."

Ronnie See is presently a successful and well-known business person, renowned and respected for his entrepreneurial spirit.

(The above article is Ronnie See's written communication with Andy in March, 2009. All rights reserved.)

U.S. 60s Invasion - The VENTURES - "Perfidia"

The Ventures (U.S.), as popular as The Shadows (U.K.), had their melodies played by our own local bands. The more popular ones included, "Perfidia", "Hawaii Five-O" and "Telstar".

Image/Article: Wikipedia.

Top Instrumentals From The 1960's: 'The Cruel Sea', 'Cossack Melody'...

Whenever Singapore guitar groups appeared on stage in the 60s, one of the most popular instrumentals played was, 'The Cruel Sea' made famous by THE DAKOTAS. This melody was always heard with the well-known Shadows hit 'Apache'. And our local Singapore bands and audiences lapped it up.

"The Dakotas were formed in Manchester, England, in 1960, the name being suggested by a local promoter who wanted the band to dress up as American Indians. The band became well known as Manchester's top guitar group and they were regarded as being more sophisticated than the other Liverpool groups and used the echo chamber and other gadgets to produce a very professional sound. By the early 60s the band had turned professional and Mike Maxfield on lead guitar composed, 'The Cruel Sea'. It reached the 18th spot on the U.K. Charts in July, 1963.

The Cruel Sea: The Dakotas. 

YouTube Video by: moonoid.

At this stage of their popularity, they often shared billings with the fledgling Beatles. Meanwhile, future Beatles manager Brian Epstein wanted to add local boy Billy J Kramer ('Little Children') to his ever increasing stable of stars. When Brian Epstein asked them to back Billy J Kramer, it was an offer too good to refuse." [From: The Dakotas Website.]

'The Cruel Sea' broke chart records in Singapore too! Other instrumental hits from the U.K. and U.S. played by our local groups included, 'The Breeze And I' (The Fentones), 'Walk Don't Run' (The Ventures), 'Hawaii Five-O' (The Ventures) and 'Cossack Melody' (X Group); which has a long title, 'There Are Eight Million Cossack Melodies And This Is One Of Them.' But Shadows hits were still the most popular.

Group X: 'Cossack Melody'

YouTube Video by: CRONOS3GR

The Original Recording: 

The Dakotas: 'The Cruel Sea'

YouTube Video By: Monotostereoking.

JERRY LEE LEWIS ON THE PIANO, ON STAGE

Baby Boomer Jerry Lee Ultimate Rock Machine

The mad man himself. When he slams the piano with his bare fists, the crowds in the nightclubs, the audiences in the theatres or the spectators in the football stadiums utter a war cry in unison that will put the native American indians to shame.

Jerry Lee Lewis (for the uninitiated, he's not Jerry Lewis the comedian) is the ultimate keyboard performer when man machine and piano machine combine. Forget descriptions and long explanations, just listen to him on YouTube!

And Peter Diaz (read March, 16th blog on Peter/October Cherries) our own Singapore musician, accompanied Jerry Lee on bass guitar when they toured Europe.Key in: jerry lee lewis rocks. Another baby boomer who influenced Singapore's 60s music? You bet.

Image: Google.

BABY BOOMERS, ORBISON & MOONGLASSES

"He was the Caruso of Rock. Performers like Elvis Presley agreed that his voice was the greatest and most distinctive they had ever heard. While male rock and roll singers in the 50s and 60s portrayed a defiant masculinity, many of Orbison's songs instead conveyed a quiet, desperate vulnerability.

Roy Kelton Orbison (April 23, 1936 – December 6, 1988) was an American singer-songwriter and musician, well known for his distinctive, powerful voice, complex compositions, and dark emotional ballads. He grew up in Texas and began singing in a rockabilly / country & western band in high school until he was signed by Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee.

His greatest success was with Monument Records in the early 1960s where 22 of his songs placed on the Top Forty, including Only the Lonely, Crying, In Dreams, and Oh, Pretty Woman. His career stagnated through the 1970s, but revived in the 80s. He died of a heart attack at the age of 52, at the zenith of his resurgence.

He was known for performing while standing still and solitary, wearing black clothes and dark sunglasses which lent an air of mystery to his persona (Wikipedia Songs)".

Moonglass and Singapore Youths:

Sunglasses was also the in thing with baby boomers in the 60's and 'Pretty Woman' was sure fire. He had many hits even before this song was used in Julia Roberts' movie. Music and style like Orbison's influenced Singapore so much that many youths in the 60's donned sunglasses even in the dead of night. The band boys and girls had a blast hanging them on their faces. They were called MOON GLASSES then!

But when the authorities came on the scene they even banned them during recordings in the television studios as they reeked gangsterism? Ask the SILVER STRINGS. 

Could sunglasses make a difference? Makes for a better singer? Or isn't just for style? 60s style.

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Orbison

Image: Google

Information: Wikipedia Songs

Baby Boomer Bobby & The Dukes At Garni

Baby boomers from the U.K. and Singapore jammed the weekly tea-dance at Prince Hotel Garni where The Dukes performed to capacity house at Orchard Road in the 60s. Were there some chaps from the U.S. too?

Kugiran Silver Strings Hong Kong Late 60s

The Silver Strings new line-up, both temporary and permanent, in the early 70s, included singer Paul Cheong and Benny Chan (Checkmates).

HongKong 60s Pop Silver Strings New LineUp

With a new line-up that included the keyboard, blowing instruments like the trumpet, saxaphone and trombone The SILVER STRINGS packed their bags, left Singapore and appeared for some time at the SHOWBOAT HOTEL in HONGKONG in 1969. They drew large crowds and became very popular on the island.

With their versatility the group was able to cater to both the Western music and Chinese music crowd. Off Beat Cha Cha, the Hala-Hala and A-Go-Go together with the Twist, the Shake and Rock n Roll brought the house down every night that they played at the hotel.

Elvis Presley Of Singapore - Dean Martin Too?

Remember Michael Goh? He's also known as Michael Gold and his CDs are sold out overseas. In fact the above image shows there are only two of his CDs left. It's entitled, "Sway!" Buy one before it's too late or wait for months before new pressings arrive.

Check him out on DECEMBER 28th posting on this blog.

SINGAPORE GOVERNMENT BANS LONG HAIR?

pOp 6Os music icon: Cliff Richard with his longest hair ever. 

Was he in Singapore? Check it out...

[pin by: Kayla Coleski]

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/795940934138539351/

Singapore Poster That Discourages Long Hair.

UP TO 21,000 VIEWS, 

25 CHATS, COMMENTS

Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh...
'What's Going On?' - Marvin Gaye

In the early 70s government offices in Singapore clamped down on males sporting long hair because it spelt gangsterism. For present generation readers who don't believe this is true, the above poster from the 70's National Library Archives proves it.

Led Zeppelin  (Google Images)

I remember an incident where a man with long hair was queuing up at a government department to pay his bills. He was told by an officer that he would be served last. The man was taken aback but quietly took his place at the end of the line.

To make matters worse, the country discouraged and finally banned pop music as it was termed yellow culture. Singapore's pop music industry faded after all its glory and support from that generation.

The industry was a thriving and decent way for both amateur and professional musicians to make an honest. But because of these circumstance it died an unnatural death. Many enthusiasts moaned the local pop music's demise and up to this day the industry never really recovered.



Bee Gees in Singapore

Jimmy Page and his new band Led Zeppelin had their show cancelled on 14th February, 1972 because they refused to cut their long hair. Also in the same year the Bee Gees were all here in Singapore to play their music but were forced home immediately after performing on stage at the National Theatre on March, 21st because their hair were too long.



The Hekk that performed at Hotel Malaysia in Singapore in March 1973, was a five piece band much renowned for their long hair by the Australian rock group circuit. Each member of the group gave up two feet of their beautiful locks so that they could perform for three months at The Pub and Discotheque. The members were Peter McCormack, Anthony Sampson, Edwin Boath, Veda Man and Peter Austen.

The Strollers from Malaysia. (Google Images).

Below is a Singapore Press Holdings unedited description to explain the above poster: 

"The government is to step up the campaign against the cult of the long unkempt hair among males in the Republic. For some time now certain government departments, like immigration and schools as well as institutions of higher learning had been taking action against males with long and unkempt hair. 

The campaign will take another step forward when all government offices dealing with the public will display posters in English, Chinese and Malay with the message: 'Males with long hair will be attended to last' (20.06.1972)."

To be fair to the Singapore government, not only did this island discourage males from sporting long hair.  Other countries in the 70's followed the same trend. Cities like Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Seoul in South Korea, Melbourne in Australia and even Dublin in Ireland were strict with male students who sported long hair. 

I guess Singapore went just one step further. It included all males, young and old.

You Tube Bee Gees - Lonely Days (1970).

Image 1: National Heritage Board, Singapore.
Images 2,3: Google.

Peter Diaz: 8 Albums Behind Him - A Runaway Success

(1) So what's in a name? It's the person behind the name that counts and Peter Diaz (image), without much introduction, has been in the music scene since the 60s.

Peter, true son of Singapore, joined the 'The Surfers' ('October Cherries' in later years) then. It is one of the most popular recording and live band this period.

They enjoyed tremendous success not only in Singapore and Malaysia, but also in Hong Kong and Japan. Then they embarked for Europe in late 1971; Belgium, France and Germany were the next countries they worked in.

In Belgium the band was the very first to record the so-called 'Top 40 Budget Album' comprising of songs from the Top 40 Charts. They recorded 8 albums in all and were a runaway success. Peter composed, recorded and peformed with the band for about nine years, before finally leaving when the band returned to Singapore. He felt that he needed to advance his career and so returned to Europe.

Listen to Peter Diaz sing his own compositions on his website.

(Extract with kind permission from Peter Diaz at: myspace.com/peterdiazmusic)

Thank you Peter.

SINGAPORE FILMS - 'FOREVER FEVER' MR DIAZ

(3) Peter Diaz returned to Singapore in April, 1997 to arrange the music and collaborate in writing the reunion CD of the 'October Cherries'. Since returning home, he had a few marvelous opportunities and walked away with the first prize writing the theme song for the NTUC Paradigm Club and had the privilege to arrange and co-produce the soundtrack for the movie 'Forever Fever'.

SINGAPORE 60s POP MUSIC = OCT. CHERRIES

(2) PETER DIAS (image: 2nd left), vocalist and composer for the group, has spent 26 years in Europe. He was 3 years in London, U.K., as a writer for Martin & Coulter Music Publishing where he had a song recorded by Cliff Richard and sung by him on a TV show on BBC.

A contract was also signed with Decibel Music of Belgium because of the popularity of THE OCTOBER CHERRIES in that country. He also wrote and recorded under the pseudonym 'David Scott' for Decibel, an independent record label and publisher distributed by EMI records. Eventually Peter recorded and produced six singles and obtained numerous 'covers' for his compositions, one of which made the top five in the South African charts. He also performed on TV and stage with SMOKIE, SLADE, SHIRLEY and CO., and AL GREEN.

In Hamburg, Germany, where Peter resided for 16 years, he signed a lucrative contract to write and produce for a small publisher, Peter Jensen Productions. Later he published on a free lance basis and worked with Peer Southern Music, recording and releasing three singles, as well as having numerous titles in their catalogue.

In Hamburg, he performed as a bass player with JERRY LEE LEWIS, rock and roll superstar of the 60s. After the show and because of commitments, he declined an invitation to join the group to complete the rest of their European tour.

(Extract above: With kind permission from Peter Diaz.)

FENDER Amplifiers 60s- Still Screaming Today!

The experts call it the legendary Fender Reverb amplifier and combined with either the Fender guitars or even the Hofners, produced sounds so unique that they echoed within the 60s concert halls and were eventually immortalised on vinyl records.

Hofners were popular and relatively inexpensive when compared to the Fenders. They produce great sounds too. But amongst the band boys the whisper was, "Nothing like a Fender!"

A Singapore guitar group in the 60s usually started off with a Hofner and after many gigs to its name might end up buying a Fender. While a Fender would cost $800 then, a Hofner was cheaper. But the sound's different.

FENDER/VOX SHADOWS COMBINATION WOWS

Vox Amplifiers 60s Music Influence Singapore

The SHADOWS, 60s guitar group from the U.K., had the greatest influence on many of the groups in Singapore. Apparently the VOX - AC-30 amplifier and the Fender Stratocaster guitar is the dream team for many would be band enthusiasts. It is the most lethal combination to be heard when groups played on stage.

Many groups were not able to buy this expensive combination and tried to get away with cheaper versions but Singapore's guitar group competitions, so common those days, held many to ransom. Since talent contests were also talent spotting by recording companies many groups took them seriously. Some groups managed to buy these expensive instruments, otherwise they would not have seen the light of day let alone the lights on stage.

There were other guitar/amplifier combinations and many of them were just as good. Are you familiar with the instruments the groups used then?

YouTube: Key in: shadows apache

Elvis of Malaya & Fabulous Falcons (Part I of III)

(1) "Rocky Teoh, better known as Malaysia's Elvis Presley in the 60s, was born in Taiping, Malaysia on 2nd April 1946. As a boy, he loved singing more than anything and had won many talentime contests in school and throughout Malaysia.

Rocky had been with the Fabulous Falcons for nearly 3 years which was at that time been formed. Together they have toured Malaysia performing with the Cathay Organisation Theatres for six months. They will be touring Thailand performing in popular nightclubs and theatres at the beginning of Sept. 1965 till the end of November (EAP Album 7 SE 010)."

FROM DAUGHTER ANNE TEOH'S FACEBOOK:

(2) "In 1965 Rocky also won the coveted title, 'Elvis Presley of Ipoh'. The prize included a roadshow contract to tour all over Singapore and Malaysia. He hit the road with The Fabulous Falcons and performed at Cathay's Cinemas as far away as Sarawak and Sabah.

"If you're lookin' for trouble, you came to the right place..." During a show in Singapore, Rocky and the Falcons were booed by Singaporeans. This did not sit well with these Ipoh bad boys. Later on the tour, once back in Ipoh, there was a riot in the theater when the local rabid Rocky faithfuls reciprocated with boos and obscenities directed at The Quests, a group from Singapore.

. 
The show was interrupted and canceled and the Quest had to be escorted back to their hotel to avoid a retaliatory pummelling."

Malaysia, Elvis Presley & The SILVER STRINGS! Part II of III

It was a night to remember. THE SILVER STRINGS were on The Jubilee Hall stage in Ipoh with Rocky Teoh in 1967 when they went on their Malaysian Tour. It was also on this tour that the group met MIKE & HERB.

Audie, the bandleader, remembers: "Rocky sings like Elvis and he was very popular with the crowd, had a fantastic fan base in Ipoh and the rest of Malaysia. We enjoyed our gig there too as the audience was warm and cheering for us when we appeared."

Rocky Teoh has cut 2 singles, 12 EPs and 2 LPs during his reign from 1965 to 1967 with the Falcons. According to a website dedicated to him by his daughter Ann Teoh, "Rocky's quality, power-packed stage performances were a real treat to watch in the good old days."

One song, "Jacqueline," is dedicated to his wife and based on a Chinese oldie, "Yeh Lye Xiang". Rocky has passed away in 1990 but like The King, his music lives on. Rocky is one of the better tribute artistes in Malaysia.

Image: from Andy Lim Collection.

Malaysia's Answer To Elvis - ROCKY TEOH Part III of III

 

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"Rocky Teoh Beng Hock (1949-1990), better known as Malaysia's 1st and best Elvis Presley Impersonator and sound alike was born in Taiping, Perak on the 2nd of April 1946. As a boy, he loved singing more than anything. He was greatly inspired by his hero, the American Super Rock n Roll King Elvis Presley.

Young Rocky won many school Talentime contests and also, later on, won many "Elvis Champion" titles throughout Malaysia. At age 18 he was already singing and doing "live" shows in and around Taiping and Ipoh. 

A year later, a local Recording Company signed him up. He recorded his first 45rpm 2 tracks Single when he was 19 years old. Both songs were his personal Elvis favorites, "Crying In The Chapel" b/w "There's Always Me". It sold quite well. In the above video, Teoh sings, "A Pocketful of Rainbows."

In 1965, he released his 1st EP (Extended Play) 4 tracks Record. The title tune, JACQUELINE a self-penned composition which he dedicated to his childhood girlfriend who later became his wife. Of-course her name was Jacqueline. She was a very pretty girl, also from Taiping.

The EP record went to No.1 in the local Radio Charts. "Jacqueline" was the biggest golden hit of his career. In 1965 someone even started a Rocky Teoh Fan Club at Jalan Huge Low, Ipoh.

Today when you mention Rocky Teoh, older folks still remember him fondly and also remember those catchy hit songs of his "Jacqueline", "Selina", "Goodbye" and "Thinking Of You."

He made a total of 9EPs and 2 LPs (Long Playing) vinyl reord albums. Rocky and his excellent band The Fabulous Falcom toured around Malaysia and Singapore from 1965 to 1967 performing in Cathay Organisation Theatres playing to packed audiences everywhere. They also toured Thailand in September 1966.

Rocky Teoh's quality power packed stage performances were a real treat to watch in the good old days. In the 60s nobody else but only Rose Chan, another Malaysian Legend can top Rocky Teoh, but that's another story."

Posted by: HT Long on 9 October 2006. HT Long is today's answer to a Malaysian Elvis Presley as he makes a name for himself in the local pop circuit. And he's just as good or even better. 

When I met him at the end of 2014 in a church in Geylang in Singapore I realized he is also a good speaker, works and evangelizes in churches in this part of the world. Check HT Long under Labels below.

Thinking of You YouTube Video by elvisalexwong.

Rocky Wong Parts 1 and 2. Connect to read:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2009/03/blog-post_15.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2009/03/rocky-teoh-malaysias-elvis-presley.html

Like the Mercedes Benz beside him, ROCKY TEOH is a brand name to contend with. Although made in Malaysia and long gone, Rocky is still a challenge to many current and would be Elvis Presley impersonators. In fact I find him fascinating to listen to despite the screams and shouts in some of his recordings by his back-up group but many of the tracks are well-worth listening to.

With the charitable act of which only a Malaysian friend could provide, I managed to get a copy each of Rocky Teoh's albums, 'Cool Wind' (image) and 'Kiss Me Once' both a Tung Poh Records pressing.

Thank you very much SNOOKHAWK who not only gave me his stack of 45 vinyls but his heart and soul when, over laksa and tim-sum, he told me stories of Malaysian pop singers.

Listening to these recordings makes me realise that Rocky's fans will surely remember him like they do of The King himself.

About Rocky Teoh:

"ROCKY TEOH BENG HOCK better known as Malaysia's 1st and best Elvis Presley Impersonator and sound alike, born in Taiping, Perak on April 2, 1946, his father was a successful pork salesman. Hock was the eldest of six boys and of Hokkien descent.

Rocky was something of a teruna (Malay slang for an "adolescent male all up in it") in his late-teens. It was common knowledge that he lived above Tai Chien Coffee Shop where he could be heard rehearsing with a band.

Check out Steve Farram's write-up and music posts at http://www.garagehangover.com/ and Rocky's daughter, Ann Teoh's website at: http://www.rockyteoh.com/

Facebook: Rocky Teoh.

YouTube: key in: rocky teoh malaysia

SINGAPORE'S MUSIC INDUSTRY IN THE 60s

EARNING A LIVING

Professional musicians who are in the industry in Singapore realise that one road to a larger pay cheque is to record in Chinese or Malay as there are millions of listeners from China, Taiwan, Indonesia and Malaysia. Similarities occur in other countries in the South East Asian region where populations have their own fan base.

Without such a backdrop, the livelihood of many band members are at stake, as discriminating but ardent fans of popular English songs prefer to buy originals from the U.S., England, Europe or Australia.

But whatever the song or language, the pirates are always around to exploit the industry and its professional musicians.

(Image: from David Greenfield Collection.)

Singapore's Siglap Five. Hit By Pirated Records

EARNING A LIVING

The above image was not specially created on the scanner. It's a genuine record cover. Two for the price of one. Four songs on one record instead of two in one single.

Wow, it's a deal and you get this record all over Singapore in the 60s. Check out the label again. Nothing will be revealed. Now everyone's seeing red.

Is it bootleg? "Tell Me If It's True?" asks Eveylyn who seems to have contacted jaundice .

Thunderbirds -Seeing Red - Peter Chan Too

EARNING A LIVING

Another recording by The Thunderbirds with the Fitzgerald/Pasqual composition of "My Lonely Heart" but is this heart the real thing or a pirated copy?

Harvey Fitzgerald, who co-wrote this song with Gerry Pasqual, sang on the hit recording. He has since retired from the music business and lives in Perth, Australia.

His brother, Derrick Fitzgerald, the lead guitarist, made this recording with his iconic slide guitar riffs. Was he using an ordinary comb to make that unique sound? He was still leading the group in Singapore and played at the Carriage Bar at Goodwood Hotel, Orchard Road for more than 15 years with Danny Boy (Silver Strings) at the drums.

"For us to make a living we had to play commercial; e.g. Santana, The Stylistics, Chicago. We rotated with Heather & the Thunderbirds at the "London Scene" in the basement of the Marco Polo Hotel (then called Hotel Malaysia).

Then we played at "Moonshine" at the Ocean Park Hotel Katong before the group broke up (because of NS). We played 3-4 sets of 45 mins each on Friday and Sat nights."

Peter Chan recalls from Good Morning Yesterday blog by Chun See

Image/original article: Andy Lim.

Extract: From Peter Chan's article on Good Morning Yesterday.

Eveylyn & Siglap Five. Is This The Real Deal?

EARNING A LIVING

During the 60s in Singapore when copyright laws are practically non-existent and land sharks multiply by the day, "boot-leg" vinyls are available in most record shops on the island.

The Siglap Five with Eveylyn (image) and other bands that are in demand have pirated versions that suffocated even top recording companies like Philips, Cosdel, RCA, etc.

Is the above a bootleg copy? Check the recording label and make a guess.

--Too Late For Tears So I'll Remember Today--

Like The Silver Strings, most of the bands from the 60s are just as good if not better than many of the groups from elsewhere but they are seldom showcased and many of them do not have the opportunity to entertain an audience that still yearns for golden oldies.

While some of our musicians may be playing at private clubs, functions and shows, others are not actively involved at all. Singapore's pioneers of pop music must not be left to lose themselves in the mayhem of modern society.

Bring back our seniors and allow them avenues where they can walk tall and straddle their guitars again. Shirley Nair, *Dickie Tan (image above), Sonny Bala (Moonglows) and Masrof (Drummer - Sweet Charity) are some of the musicians that have passed on. If nothing is revived now then it'll be 'too late for tears'.

"If you want it here it is come and get it, you'd better hurry cause it may not last... (Badfinger)"

*Dickie Tan (2nd right) replaced David Chan as lead guitarist for the above recording by The Silver Strings.

YouTube: Key in: silver strings singapore band

(Image: Audie Ng Collection)

Manhunt: Albert Louis - Drumming For Health

Mr Albert Louis (image: stage front with drums), former percussionist for Culture Vulture, is now teaching participants in his various courses how "Drumming For Health" will help them live a more fulfilled and healthy life.

It is fun therapy because the belief that when one hits a drum the person triggers the alpha brain waves associated with the feeling of well-being and euphoria. It's positive ageing with a beat. Cool!

For more advice check out Albert's website and to watch the video go to the top right corner of this post.

YouTube: Key in: fun therapy & exercise

Also check out December, 19th and 21st blogs.

(Albert has gone one step further with his career as a percussionist.) 

Thanks Albert! It's defintely my kind of music.

Peter Diaz From The Surfers/October Cherries

The Surfers (image) pressed many vinyl EPs with EMI in the mid 60s and were successful as recording artistes. In 1968 they became October Cherries and recorded under BAAL, their own label.

Peter Diaz ( in brown), lead guitarist and singer of the band, was interviewed by The Straits Times in Singapore on February 26th, 2009 and was asked about busking. He explained, "Street busking was the one thing I never did in my life-long career in music. It's quite challenging, since there's no ready audience, or script or microphone. You really have to deliver the goods as well as connect with the audience."

Peter had started busking in town and remarked that with the downturn in the economy, the situation was depressing and gloomy but music "might take their minds off things."

He is well known in Singapore's music circle and has a blog of his own. As The Straits Times mentioned, Peter played with rock and roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis, ('Breathless', 'Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On', 'Great Balls Of Fire'), in the West.

So come on everyone, let's give Peter Diaz some support when you see him on the streets of Singapore. Stop, look and listen because he's really great! And don't forget to contribute.

You Tube: Key in: october cherries singapore