Henry Suriya: From Boxing Ring To Golden Ring

Before Henry Suriya (image) became the pop crooner during Singapore 60s, not many fans knew he was a boxer. According to the newspapers then, he was an "amateur boxing champion who gave up trading punches for singing.

Henry Suriya had won many prizes in singing competitions but was also an expert at swinging competitions as he was feather-weight champ in the Singapore Youth Boxing Championships in 1957.

His father, who was also a boxer, urged Henry to give up the game and as an inducement presented Henry with a guitar on his 18th birthday. Henry never looked back, learnt to play the guitar and started singing sentimental songs.

During an interview with Henry, an old schoolmate, he wanted to emphasise that he only sings in his own original style. We all know that Henry. We have been listening to your songs for a long time now.

More about Henry Suriya in future postings.

(Interview by: Andy Lim. All Rights Reserved.)

Image: lst recording in 1966, accompanied by his brother Robert Suriya and The Boys.

                                                       Video by: Billy Ong

Malay Arts Festival - May Day 2009 11am (Free)

The Malay Heritage Centre will be the venue for a Malay Arts Festival from May Day at 11am. Admission is free.

P. Ramlee's classic film, "Pendekar Bujang Lapok" will be screened too. Yusnor Ef, the expert on P. Ramlee, will be holding a talk on May Day at 11am.

The Swallows (image, vinyl cover of La-A-Obe) will not be present but another kugiran will.

Melayu Pop Yeh Yeh 60an Swallows with Andy

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Most Successful Malay Guitar Group:

The SWALLOWS first line-up with ANDY YOUNG (standing, 2nd left) and their manager (bow tie) at the Victoria Theatre in 1964. The Swallows is one of the first and most successful *Kugiran Melayu Pop Yeh Yeh in the 60s. It was only after the success of this group that other Malay guitar groups followed.

*Kumpulan Gitar Ranchak Melayu [Malay Group of Energetic/Active Guitars).

Similar Management:

The particular photograph above shows The Swallows first line-up in one of their very first appearances. It was taken backstage with Andy since he sang with both the group and The Velvetones who were also under similar management.

Respected Gentlemen:

Andy was supposed to have fronted them and had performed once at the Victoria Memorial Hall in Singapore. He enjoyed being with them during the show. Personally, these boys were clean cut, exceptionally well-mannered and respected gentlemen both on and off the stage. Andy remarked that they were unassuming, fantastic guitarists and incomparable! No wonder they remained at the top after all those years.

Songs In English:

They were an exceptional team and received thunderous applause when the group was announced before they performed. Andy shared his magic moment during the occasion he appeared with this group. He sang two songs in English and was pleased with the accompaniment, which according to him, was perfect and gave him much confidence since it was the first time they were together.

Songs In Bawean:

They have cut many records since and were on the scene for many years. Kassim Selamat has one of the most popular Bawean hit ever, "La Aube" (La-O-Be), a classic today. Another hit is "Nga Lompak A-Go-Go". My favourite? "Mak Itti Mai Illa." Some of their records have been found to be on sale in certain parts of Europe.

Getting In Touch:

Andy has been trying to get in touch with some band members of the group and has not been successful. If you happen to be in contact with any one of them, please write in.

Andy has since contacted 3 members of the Swallows through Erwin Maisch - October 2010.

Senandong Malam - by The Swallows - one of their instrumental hits. A fantastic group indeed. YouTube video from hassny hussin. Thank you.

Image: Andy Lim Collection (All Rights Reserved).

Edited original article.

Video - hassny hussin.

Pop Melayu 60an - The Fever Never Dies

Tuesday May 13, 2008. The 60's fever never dies. By: Nik Naizi Husin.

KUANTAN: The Malay songs of the 60s remain fresh despite the onset of the contemporary music scene which is largely monopolised by pop songs...

The Government, in ensuring that classical Malay songs are not forgotten, is now targeting youths. To realise the mission, RTM, through its Klasik FM radio station, has been broadcasting songs from entertainers such as the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee (image), Puan Sri Saloma, Datuk Ahmad Jais, Datuk Sharifah Aini, Salamiah Hassan and Lilis Suryani who contributed in popularising the classic Malay songs.

“Our intention is to promote the interest among youths on Malay oldies, their lyrics and musical instrument used at that time and also the stars who made the songs popular. In the music scene, big names such as P. Ramlee and Saloma cannot be forgotten.

They still have followers and fans and some young singers preferred to sing their songs because of the beautiful composition of the songs,” said a TV Malaysia) Director. He said the mission was also an appreciation to the songwriters, composers, artistes and musicians.

The above article was written to promote a singing competition that created an awareness for 60's Malay music stars.

From: The Star Online, Malaysia.

UK 60s Music - "The Wedding" - Julie Rogers

You by my side,/That's how I see us,/I close my eyes,/And I can see us... I see the church/I see the steeple,/Your folks and mine..." And another British invasion of Singapore succeeded.

Julie Rogers (born Julie Rolls, 6 April 1943, London) is an English pop singer. She began her career singing with the Teddy Foster Orchestra with whom she toured the UK and US. She signed with Philips Records in 1964, and released her debut single, "It's Magic", soon after.

Her 1965 hit "The Wedding" went to number 3 in the UK Singles Chart, number 1 in Australia, and number 10 in the US and has sold in the region of 15 million copies to date. Apparently it is still selling and this success opened up the world to her and she has been touring ever since.

With the success of her major hit she was in demand to appear on television. She appeared as a guest artiste in every major show, such as 'Sunday Night At The Palladium' in the early days and guested with Tom Jones, Roy Orbison, Benny Hill, Tommy Cooper and many other superstars. Julie has also presented music shows for the BBC and continued to be a regular on the TV screens. She was in Singapore on October 25th, 1967.

Her song is still being sung by many seniors and some juniors in Singapore. It is specially popular at, you guessed it, weddings. Julie Rogers is a one-time-hit singer; or isn't she?
Reference: Wikipedia/Julie Rogers Websites.
Image: Julie Rogers Websites.

American Idol Ritchie Valens 1941-1959 Donna

Ritchie Valens (Vocalist/guitarist: 1941 - 1959)
Ritchie Valens left an impact as a rock and roll singer with the classic rocker “La Bamba", an old Mexican wedding song. It was so popular that “La Bamba”, although the B-side of “Donna,” (number 2 on Billboard’s singles chart), peaked at number 22. It was known as a double-sided smash and one of the greatest rock and roll singles of the 50s.

Valens was born Richard Steven Valenzuela in a Los Angeles suburb. He grew up with Mexican music, but loved black R&B vocal groups like the Crows, the Penguins and the Drifters and singers Little Richard, Bo Diddley and Buddy Holly.

Valens learned the guitar and joined the Silhouettes. In May 1958, he auditioned for Bob Keane, cut a few sessions at Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles and came out with his debut single, “Come On, Let’s Go,” but missed the Top 40 Charts then.

Valens’ second session produced “Donna” and “La Bamba." The song was a sweet, simple love song for a girl he knew and was “one of the classic teen love ballads.” With “Donna” rising in the charts, Valens made a trip to New York in December 1958 and appeared on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand and the Alan Freed Christmas Show.

Though “Donna” made Valens a star, it was “La Bamba” that would become most closely identified with the young Mexican-American rocker. “La Bamba” was a popular huapango (Mexican fiesta dance song). Valens put a rock and roll spin on this folk song, juicing it up with hot chilly pepper and so invented Latino rock.

The budding star was on a fast track and when pop star Buddy Holly chartered a plane to fly from Iowa, to Fargo, North Dakota, it crashed and claimed the lives of Valens, Holly, J.P. Richardson ("The Big Bopper") and the pilot. Valens, who was only 17 years old, left behind an influential body of work.

He was an influence on Singapore's 60s music and like other evergreens, "To Sir, With Love," "Born Free", "Love Without End", "Donna" is still being played to day in Singapore. Henry Suriya, Singapore crooner in the 60s and brother of Naomi and The Boys, recorded the song for one of his EPs. More about Suriya in future postings.

In 1987 a movie about Ritchie Valens called, "La Bamba" was released and starred Lou Diamond Philips.

(Article was edited and taken from: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum Website).

Lin Dai: 林黛. Love Without End: 不了情: Bu Liao Qing

Linda Lin Dai [林黛]

26 December 1934 – 17 July 1964.

born Ching Yuet Yue [程月如],

A Mandarin song that is still being played today is, *Love Without End: [不了情: Bu Liao Qing]. Its haunting melody has mesmerised listeners for the past 60+ years and the song has become a classic not only with the Chinese crowd but with ardent fans internationally since 1961.

The movie itself, starring the heartthrob Hong Kong icon Lin Dai [image], was screened for months all over the Shaw Brothers circuit in 60s Singapore and like the song, she is legend.

Lin Dai, alluringly soft and beautiful, the only actress to win four Best Actress awards at the Asian Film Festival, made the song more poignant when she committed suicide on July 17, 1964. The song, the movie, the actress were on everyone's lips for a long time and sealed, Love Without End to become what it is today.

*The music is from the 30s to 60s shi dai qu (Chinese Golden Oldies) era. During that period, the songs and music were beautiful and technically very difficult to sing. 

"Most of the singers during that time were classically trained and had amazing vocal ranges,” said Mr Khor Seng Chew, Music Director from Dama Orchestra in Penang that had made good in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He was in charge of a performance of Chinese Golden Oldies on April 8th 2006, at the E & O Hotel, Penang, Malaysia.

There are numerous websites in memory of Lin Dai and the song. Still in the minds of many followers, both will live, without end. And the song has been recorded by our local singers too.

Image/Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

YouTube Video: MrOldies.

[This article 

HD《不了情》1961 Love Without End 顧媚 

Lindai: Bu Liao Qing มีแปลซับไทย

YouTube Video by: MrOldies.

https://www.youtube.com/@mr.oldies3667

A Happy Lunar Dragon Year 2024 To You My Friend!

(4) Western Hits, Born Free, Etc. From Local Pop Recordings

There were many western hit movie theme songs that made the grade with local pop recordings.

Perhaps Matt Monro, Virgina McKenna and Bill Travers made more money than Nancy Sit [HK] with "Born Free"? "This song was ringing in everyone's ears in 1966 and like , "To Sir With Love" were hits of yesteryears that brought memories.

Try to count the number of Singapore bands and singers that recorded these songs because of their popularity and easy lyrics.

Beside Nancy Sit, local Malay bi-lingual singer Sugiman Jahuri made a hit with his own rendition of "Born Free", an EMI vinyl Extended Play [EP] recording with 3 other songs.

Then Talentime pop star Eunice Sim did it in 1969 with her rendition from the musical, "Hello Dolly" and "Alfie" with another two hits to form another EP. It was a special RTS [Radio TV Singapura] release with an Ahmad Jaafar Orchestra accompaniment and Charlie Lazaroo's arrangement. Whether it became a hit, it is uncertain but the EP was very well placed and certainly a good collector's item for local record enthusiasts.

An Indonesian lady star singer recorded Sidney Poiter's hit movie theme song, "To Sir with Love". So instead of Lulu singing it, the cover or copy version was by Ernie Djohan from Indonesia. The vinyl, by Philips was another hit for Ernie who backed the pop hit with "Lonely Again", "Let's Pretend" and "San Francisco". She was accompanied by her Buana Suara band.

An extremely weighted version of Ennio Morricone, "A Few Dollars More" was recorded by a Singapore group called, Charlie and His Orchestra. It was recorded by Star Swan. 

Images: [1] Google; [2] A Private Collection.

To Sir, With Love: Ernie Johan. 

YouTube Video from: cinammonimf.

Nancy Sit (薛家燕,) Ka Yin Cantopop Hong Kong Star

Like Ernie Djohan and many other Singaporean, Malaysian and SE Asian singing stars of the sixties, NANCY SIT KA YIN  (薛家燕), was a big name in Cantopop. She became popular as a teen idol after making a few Hong Kong movies in Cantonese.

She made some EP's, recording A-Go-Go or Hala Hala music similar to songs by Sakura Teng, Rita Chao and other Chinese singers. She also became popular because of her recordings of English covers.

Some of the songs included: "Woolly Bully", "Hang On Sloopy", "Love Potion No. 9", "Shaking All Over", "Day Tripper", "Born Free" (image) and Nancy Sinatra's, "These Boots Are Made For Walkin".

Nancy had since made a successful comeback on television and the movies up to the late 90's but was admitted to hospital in March, 2009. She had performed in Singapore and Malaysia a number of times and commanded a good following on the island. 

Nancy has always been comfortable when she comes to Singapore and has many friends here.  At her age today, she still packs a punch with her singing. Nancy is in her late sixties and celebrates her birthday at the end of March.

She was mentor to the late Anita Mui who became a super star. Nancy had received a number of  honourable awards in her name including the Outstanding Woman Award from Hong Kong.

Image: From Google.

(2) To Sir With Love - 60s Indonesian Invasion

Even our neighbouring countries have their own pop stars. Ernie Djohan is one of them. She took advantage of Lulu's hit and cut a disc with her group Buana Suara under the Philips' label.

.

Her voice cannot be compared with Lulu's as it is neither rich nor powerful. Her pronunciation has that Dutch accent, clear and distinct but she emphasises the wrong syllables.

.

The group backing her could do better with a strong and more solid lead guitar presence. But then her wee voice would have been drowned. There could have been a better balance of voice and music. The cover looks simple but attractive. The song, which could have been longer, lasts for only two minutes.

.

Note the other song by Ernie (image), "San Francisco", which has been covered by quite a number of local artistes. Like "Guantanamera" and "Born Free", these songs are hot but overexposed. Ernie has cut many records and some of songs included are, "You Only Live Twice," "Master Jack" and "I'm A Tiger".

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(Image: From Andy Lim Collection)

(1) To Sir With Love Lulu Pop Song/Pop Movie

Many 60s songs and movies have similar titles and the tunes still keep echoing in our minds, like a turntable gone crazy. We whistle them, hum them or just sing them.

These songs include, "To Sir With Love" by Lulu (image), "Born Free" by Mat Monroe, "Love Story" by Andy Williams, "Blue Hawaii" by Elvis Presley and "The Young Ones" by Cliff Richard. The list is endless.

The movies and songs have one special formula; the plots, like the lyrics are easy to remember and the tunes simple and they carry themes close to the heart. "Those schoolgirl days, Of telling tales and biting nails are gone/But in my mind, I know they will still live on and on..." Most of these songs would have either been recorded by our local bands or sung on stage during social gatherings.

What's your favourite pop movie/pop song combination? Mine is Lulu's, "To Sir..."

Image: Lulu Websites

Original Article: Andy Lim

The Swinging Silver Strings With Andy Young

The Silver Strings performed at many social functions and clubs during the early 60s. The above image is a page from a souvenir magazine.
(Image: From Andy Lim Collection)

Silver Strings: Andy Young, Shirley Nair, 'You're The Boy'.

The third line-up of the Silver Strings (Audie, Dickie, Shirley, Osman, Merlin). Dickie Tan had replaced David Chan on lead. Dickie and Shirley had since passed on. 

Together with Mike and Herb, they have cut many records, 12 songs in all on Philips. One of  Shirley Nair's songs, You're The Boy, was revived lately because of the YouTube short film for SG50 (story below).

Dave Chan

Andy and Shirley: Prize Giving

Shirley joined them after former singer Andy Young (Lim) decided to leave the group.   He had fronted them from 1964-1965 but left to pursue an academic path.  His line-up had David Chan as lead guitarist.  

After a long absence and with much persuasion, Andy came back in 2008 to sing with the group again and carried on till today. By then Merlin had also left and with a new lineup comprising Audie Ng and Danny Boy, The Silver Strings and Andy have since appeared and performed in a concert together.  At the same time, Andy started this blog to tell his story. Revival!

You can find these stories and photographs of all their shows on this blog under CONCERTS (YEAR) on the right bar Content page.



SLIP NOTE: 
January 2015.

*Made for SG 50, the present short-film on YouTube, You're The Boy would have featured Andy as grandfather Merlin in the story but because Andy was ill with a very bad 'flu actor Laurence Lim replaced him during production.  

Laurence, Audie, Andy, Rickie.

This information was revealed on FB after the video was released.  The other seniors in the short-film featured under the Silver Strings banner were: Audie Ng, Osman better known as Danny Boy (original members) and Rickie Chng who was lead guitarist featured during the Orchard Road and RELC International Hotel performances.  

Images: Andy Lim Collection. (Copyrights Reserved.)

60s Music - Silver Strings with Andy Young

A page from a souvenir magazine in the early 60s with the original Silver Strings singing and playing the hot favourites, "Fireball", "The Cruel Sea" and "In The Mood Twist". Check earlier postings in December 2008 for names of the band line-up.

Image: (From Andy Lim Collection)

Silver Strings Mike & Herb Mid 60s, Late 60s

The image above shows The Silver Strings with Mike and Herb on stage in the mid-60s. The image below shows a different line-up performing in Noyes Club, Wisma, Indonesia, in the late 60s.
(Image: From Audie Ng Collection)

Silver Strings Hong Kong - New Line-Up May 70

Two for the album: The Silver Strings line-up in Hong Kong includes 'Shark' Johari, Hautie Dragon, Ah Ong, Mustaffa Johari and the original two, Audie Ng and Danny Boy.
Image: From Audie Ng Collection

60s Music And Its Influences - A Century Of Pop

"A Century of Pop" by Hugh Gregory (image, ref: 781.6 30904 GRE - ART) is another book worth browsing through as, "it traces more than a 100 years of popular music from its diverse geographical and ethnic roots to the truly international vocabulary it represents today (blurb, dust cover)."

It is a journey which begins with the human voice - the supreme vehicle of musical expression -the influences and instruments of Zulu tribal customs , right up to the end of the 20th Century when bhangra/ragga, boy bands, avant garde and techno are the craze. Gregory informs much.

Personally, readings become more intense from 1930s to the early 1970s as these are the years that influenced 60s pop music in Singapore.

Again, as in the other books, there are magnificent images in a multitude of colours of most of the artistes involved.

(Image: nlb singapore)

Original article: Andy Lim

Rolling Stone's - 500 Greatest Albums Of All?

This book (ref: 781.660266 FIV - ART, Intro: Steven Van Zandt, Editor: Joe Levy), is a must-read for anyone interested in popular music from the 50s till today. It is available from the Singapore Central Library and "is the ultimate rock and roll library chosen by a blue-ribbon jury of experts and the sort of fans who practise what they preach: the singers, songwriters, musicians, producers, managers and critics who have shaped the rock and roll world from its start..."

The version available is a first edition and published in 2005. Although I do not agree with many of the rankings of the albums I cannot argue with "the best in the business" who have selected them. I read it to learn about popular western music, a huge industry that has enveloped the world with its spread and influence. Read it for the fun and information it provides. Oh yes, and for the album covers too!

My choice albums include: (11) Sunrise -Elvis, (12) Kind Of Blue - Miles Davis, (21) The Great 28 - Chuck Berry, (26) Tapestry - Carole King, (37) Hotel California - The Eagles, (39) Please Please Me - The Beatles, (50) Here's Little Richard - Little Richard, (51) Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon & Garfunkel, (53) Meet The Beatles - The Beatles, (54) The Birth of Soul: The Complete Atlantic R&B - Ray Charles, (56) Elvis Presley - Elvis Presley, (104) Sweet Baby James - James Taylor, (107) Portrait Of A Legend 1951-1964- Sam Cooke, (149) Santana - Santana...

And the list goes on. But I've left out a lot since I am only interested in the 50s and 60s.

Image: amazon.com

Original article: Andy Lim

Pop 60s Music Books Saturate The U.S. Market

There are hundreds of books and articles on 60s music and thousands of reviews about them. Extracts of some of these reviews, both positive and negative, reveal the interest so many people have for pop music. 

The above book (image) "Doo Wop" by Cousin Brucie Morrow, for example, "captures the spirit of an era in spectacular visuals, revealing the roots of the 60’s music explosion." It has an abundant background of memorable images, it covers way more than just the unique harmonies of these doo wop groups. 

You’ll meet the pioneers who started it all, including bands like The Drifters; discover how the songs we love emerged from African rhythms and culture and watch the music—and America—grow up. The pages teem with archival photography, posters, album covers, newspaper articles, magazine covers, lyrics, and more.

Image: amazon.com

Article: amazon.com

60s Music: The Truth About Those Pop Songs

This review is from: Behind the Hits/Inside Stories of Classic Pop and Rock and Roll (Paperback). It's about the songs you heard on the radio and what inspired them. Bob Shannon and John Javna have written an excellent easy-to-read tome primarily about rock 'n' roll songs of the late 1950s to the early 1980s. Some stories are well known, but did you know...

"We've Only Just Begun" was a bank commercial?

"Mother And Child Reunion" was inspired by a Chinese menu?

"By The Time I Get To Phoenix," and "Wichita Lineman" were songs inspired by the same person called Renee (who is she?) from the song, "Walk Away Renee"?

There is some dispute as to who wrote "Blowin' In The Wind". The final pages present evidence in favor of Bob Dylan but they also present evidence in favour of a man named Lorre Wyatt.

"Puff The Magic Dragon" is not about smoking dope.

There are many surprises in the book. Maybe the most surprising being that Neil Sedaka's second career (the 1970s) was much bigger than his first.

And was Singapore pop 60s affected by these revelations? Go get a copy. Interesting read.

Image: amazon.com book reviews

(3) Mark Yun 60's Radio TV Singapore Star

In 1965 Mark Yun Chong Hai released an EP on Philips (image) "Never Die", the title song of which was penned by himself. His music was so popular that the song, as well as another track, "There'll Never Be", both original numbers, topped the Hit Parade Charts simultaneously over Radio Singapore and Rediffusion for weeks. Incidentally these two songs had their entire arrangement and orchestration done in Holland.

A follow-up was another recording, "I've Got A Feeling Tonight". For about a decade the crooner was a regular feature everywhere. "Even the postman whistles the tunes I recorded," Mark recollected with humour. He had even been compared to Pat Boone, "a clean, cut crooner who stole the hearts of many."

Mark had worked with producers like Domingo Raquiza, Tony Yeow, Yusuf Ahmad and Charles Lazaroo. There had been write-ups of Mark on Radio & TV Times in 1982 and other music magazines and newspapers. His last public performance was at the Esplanade Concert Hall in 2003.

Over the years Mark has developed a keener sense of music and focused on phrasing and interpretation of songs. He still performs professionally on occasions and his repertoire is mainly standards and jazz. Mark is a devoted family man with wife Adeline and sons Gene and Shane.

Interview with Andy Lim. All rights reserved.

Another Manhunt completed.

(2) Western Pop Undesirable Yellow Culture 70s

Mark Yun (image: yesterday n today) had his singing debut in the Radio Talentime in 1962. At the audition, the producer was so impressed with Mark's vocals, he asked him to sing the complete song, There's A Goldmine in the Sky. 
In fact, having heard Mark sing during his hey-day, Mark sounded just like Pat Boone, with his God gifted bass-baritone vocals.

He finished runner-up in the finals. The crooner's deep and mellow voice coupled with his relaxed style made him one of the most sought after performers in the 60's and 70's.

During the days when the slogan was, Merger he was selected for a Command Performance before the King and Queen of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. He was also featured in the first local music production over TV Singapore called Dendang Ria in 1963.

A recording contract (story in the next post) followed in 1965. He was singing all over in Singapore for about a decade. Mark was on radio, TV and stage.

"Misfortune struck in 1970 after the government branded Western pop music as undesirable Yellow Culture and RTS was directed to suspend all local productions of English music. 

"Producers of radio, TV then quit for greener pastures," said Mark. This move was devastating because it affected both the non-professionals like Mark and it was worse for those who made a living from music. Performances on the stage, radio and TV were terminated.

Andy Lim's interview with Mark Yun. All rights reserved.

More about Mark Yun in future postings.

A. RAMLIE Kugiran Pop Yeh Yeh Melayu 60an

The Pop Yeh Yeh phenomenon was one of the most significant east-west cultural events that had ever occurred in Singapore and Malaya. Malay boys and girls, some as young as 15 years, were up on stage twanging their amplified guitars and drums before a large audience in a hall or cinema. 

Those years these shiny, solid 'guitars' were the envy among band-boys. You could own a Hofner, a Japanese Teisco or the more high-end Fender. The drum sets were either an Olympic a Pearl or if you have the money honey, Rogers.

Most of the band members would be dressed to the nines with full suits and ties. Shaking their heads and screaming their hearts out they would be singing in Malay but with a rock and roll beat to similar tunes that the Beatles would churn out. That's why the name "Pop Yeh Yeh."

In the 1960's venues for these Malay pop, concerts were held in non-air-conditioned halls. The St. John's Ambulance Brigade Hall at Beach Road would be an example. 

With the rebel-rousing voices, thick garbs, their gyrations, and the warm surroundings, it only took minutes before the bands and the youngsters gathered were raining under their clothes. 

Yes, it would have been very hot and stuffy too especially when the bands played for Malay weddings in the mid-afternoon.  During those years nobody went on stage with a T-Shirt and ragged jeans and slippers. 

Whatever it was, nothing could stop this generation of youth from doing what they wanted to do, and that was to let themselves go.  With this scene in mind, we look at one personality who became a cult figure in this arena of lagu2 pop Melayu and some in his group who were responsible for this Golden Age of our local popular music.

Kaki Bukit, Singapore Boy:

A. Ramlie, born in Kaki Bukit in Singapore, was one of the top Malay artistes during the 60s and 70s. He gained recognition when his guitar group The Siglap Five was placed 2nd in a competition in 1954.

Rhythm Boys:

From then on he never looked back and joined The Rhythm Boys where they won the Pertandingan Kugiran Seluruh Singapura (guitar group competition) in 1965. He was also with groups like The Click Four, The Times Orchestra and The Clans. He was very popular indeed fronting these bands throughout the early years of his singing career.

The Night Walkers:

In 1971 he appeared on TV Singapura in a programme called Istana Pesta, cut many EPs on the Panda label and was usually accompanied by a band from Johor Bahru called, The Nite Walkers.

Yusnur Ef: Many of his songs were written by Yusnur Ef. Yusnur was featured in an earlier post on this blog. The EP (image), produced by Kassim Masdor, included his songs, "Berpisah", "Kalau Aku Jadi Kahwin", "Perpatah Punjangga", with lyrics by Yusnur Ef and "Nak Dara Rindu" by P. Ramlee (singer, songwriter, actor, director, also featured in an earlier posting.)

Parkinson's Disease: In later years A. Ramlie settled in Malaysia and entertained listeners on Radio Malaysia. He passed away in 1996 suffering from Parkinson's Disease.

An original article from Andy Lim 
Images: from Andy Lim Collection and allmusic.com
YouTube Video by sharkbreakerz.

Read notes by Dr. Steven Farram about A. Ramlie on 'Comments' below:

Everybody Loves Somebody - DinoMartinPeters

"About Medino martin petersI am a dude who totally digs Dino Martin...the coolest, hippest, and randiest dude to ever walk the face of this planet. Long live our Master of Hip, our King of Cool, the one, the only DINO!!!!!"

(PROFILE of: dino martin peters)

Dino wrote the blog below about Dean Martin and Singapore 60s Music: Friday, April 17, 2009DEAN MARTIN - Crooners Influencing The 60s

Hey pallies, it is such a wonderful Dinofeelin' to know that Dinopassion is likes totally Dinouniversal...takes this Dinoentry from a cool blog tagged "Singapore 60s Sixties Pop Music Website '08" (clicks on tagg of this Dinogram to view) where a dude tagged Andy shares Singaporian Dinodevotion...reads all 'bout it below...loves how this Andy dude makes this Dinostatement...

"And Dean Martin's magic spreads round the living or dining room with soothing, sentimental easy vocals and dream music." And how cool to know that Singaporians were romancin' while dancin' to the Dinosound in the swingin' '60's..

My grateful thanks to Mr. Andy for postin' this at his cool blog so that I could share it with all Dinoholics in these here ilovedinomartin Dinoparts....let's all continue to do our Dinopart to spead the Dinomessage as Dinofar and Dinowide as Dinopossible...bringin' more and more pallies to true Dinodevotion whereever they are located in the Dinouniverse.... Dinodiggin', DMP.

(Go to: http://www.ilovedinomartin.blogspot.com/ )

Thanks again for writing Dino. Singaporeans love Dean Martin so much that we have many Dean Martin impersonators in Singapore. One of them is Michael Goh whose postings can be found on 28th December, 2008. This Michael Goh (Gold) is a real cool dude and sings like Dino too!)

Pop Music In Singapore. By Dr. Lily L. L. Kong.

"The Invention of Heritage - Pop Music in Singapore" (1995), an article by Dr. Lily L. L. Kong. Geography Department, National University of Singapore.

I have taken the liberty of extracting Dr. Lily Kong's article (title above) regarding young Singaporeans' knowledge of our popular 60s music culture: "Knowledge of Singapore’s past music scene is poor among young Singaporeans, evidenced in a survey conducted with 200 undergraduates in their late teens and early 20s.

Only 9 per cent of the respondents could name a local band of the 1960s; only 5 per cent correctly identified the primary cause of the demise of the music scene in Singapore in the 1970s; and only 13 per cent could name the cable radio that popularised music in Singapore...

Clearly, for younger Singaporeans in contemporary Singapore, there is little of English popular music of the past that speaks meaningfully to their lives today. In large part, this is because they know very little of this past in the first place (page: 22)."

And this article was written in 1995, about 15 years ago. Has anything changed much today? I doubt because we are now 45 years away from the 60s...

Image: ChetRossRareBooksWebsite

(The article is available on the Internet using the necessary key words.)

Crooners Influencing The 60s: Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Andy Williams.

To Croon: Singing a song in a soft low voice. Dean Martin is a crooner.

All of them sing but most of the following superstars are known better as crooners. Dean Martin (image), Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Tony Bennett, Al Martino, Andy Williams, Jack Jones, Jerry Vale, Robert Goulet, Vic Damone, Engelbert Humperdinck, Nat King Cole, Bobby Darin, Mel Torme, Eddie Fisher, Perry Como come under a category called, "vocals: for easy listening pleasure."

For seniors both in Singapore and across the world, the above singers are as familiar as the songs they sing and the list would include, 'That's Amore', 'Lady Is A Tramp', 'Moon River', 'Stardust', 'Release Me', 'Mona Lisa', 'Mack The Knife', 'Oh My Papa' and so on.

The scene is familiar. Dimmed lights in the evening after dinner and the record is placed on the turntable and the crooner begins his song, "When the moon hits your eyes/Like a big pizza pie/That's amore..." And Dean Martin's magic spreads round the living or dining room with soothing, sentimental easy vocals and dream music.

Dean Martin: That's Amore

YouTube Video by: NM Catalogue

In the 60s, the scene is different. Singaporeans would dance to these songs on the usually crowded night clubs across the island. More so, they would be romancing their partner on the dance floor. The Singlish (Singapore English) term is 'part-tor'.

The Dean Martin Show, on Singapore TV for some years, proved very popular. His slapstick clips with Jerry Lewis were the talk of the town, as our audience lapped up the humour from the wisecracks on small screen. US comedy in the living room was a novelty in Singapore then.

Some of them have appeared personally in Singapore and performed here. These would have included Tony Bennet and Engelbert Humperdinck. 

Images: Google.

Pretend: Nat King Cole 

YouTube Video from: Mir11Mir

(1) Singapore 60s Idol Mark Yun & Moonglows

He's back and this posting is one part of a series because MARK YUN was a big star from 1962 onward after winning a radio talentime contest produced by the late Steven Lee (radio programmes producer and announcer).

The above record was his second one with his own composition, I've Got A Feeling Tonight. He was accompanied by The Moonglows.

Mark Yun, accompanied by The Moonglows, with Sunny Bala behind Mark, in 1968 (b/w image) and The Thunderbirds with Harvey Fitzgerald at The Sheraton in 1974.

Asked why he did not turn professional, Mark's answer was simple, "Those days, the market for music in Singapore was limited and it would not have been practical to take it up professionally. Maybe if it was in Europe or America where several kinds of music can exist side by side, I might have been able to make a living out of it."

Notice the Fender amplifiers and guitars in the b/w image which were the order of the day.

(Above extract: Andy Lim's interview with Mark Yun. All rights reserved.)

____________________________________________

From Straits Times Press (Freddie Kang's Facebook)

FLASH NEWS!

Mark has passed away on 19th June, 2014. My promises to meet him for kopi and lunch never came about. I should have done so when he suggested it. I read about his passing only today 23rd June, 2014 from Freddie Kang's Facebook.

Rest In Peace Mark. You're a quiet guy but a great singer. Thanks for the photographs and copy of your record you lent me for this blog when we last met in 2009.

Mark was one of the first few singers who recorded with Philips during the early years of Singapore's popular music era. He was a school teacher and dedicated his time to both his career and his singing. 

Condolences to Mrs Yun and the family.

American Idol: FRANKIE AVALON - U.S. 60s

He appeared this week on American Idol screened in Singapore on the Star World Channel and sang the world evergreen, 'Venus'.

Francis Thomas Avallone (born 1939) was an American actor, singer and teen idol in the 1950s and early 1960s. By the time he was 12, Avalon began making appearances on U.S. television for his trumpet prowess, and as a teenager, played with Bobby Rydell in a band known as Rocco and the Saints.

In 1959, his songs "Venus" and "Why?" both went to number one on Billboard magazine's Hot 100. Indeed, "Why" was the last Number 1 hit of the 1950s. During the 1960s, Avalon became known for his roles in the Beach Party film genre.

Frankie Avalon married a former beauty pageant winner, and Avalon met her while playing cards at a friend's house. He told his friend that Kay was the girl he was going to marry. His agent warned Avalon not to marry as it would spoil his teen idol mystique, but Avalon ignored his advice. Still together, the couple has 8 children and 10 grandchildren.

In 1987 Avalon and Annette Funicello returned to the movies, with the aptly titled 'Back to the Beach'. With the fading of his music and acting career, Avalon has turned to marketing and has created Frankie Avalon Products, a successful line of health supplements and cosmetic products.

He regularly guest stars in stage productions of 'Grease' in the role of Teen Angel (a role he played in the film version starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John).

(From: Wikipedia)