UP TO 2,000 VIEWS, 30 COMMENTS, CHATSThe Fabulous Echoes were three Filipinos, a Scotsman and Sri Lankan lead singer Cliff Foenander. They were the most successful of these early 60's bands in Hong Kong, appearing on two Diamond Record albums fronted by Kong Ling and on four other albums proving themselves as a rock n roll show band.
The Fabulous Echoes line-up was: Tony Ruivivar (guitar), Bert Sagum (tambourine, vocals), Terry Lucido (piano), Stan Robertson (bass), Danny Ruivivar (drums), and Cliff Foenander (lead vocals).
Cliff Foenander, their lead singer, was Sri Lanka's "crooner king" in the late 50's and 60s. He joined them and their first hit, "A Little Bit of Soap" (1964 - Diamond Records) was for 25 weeks at #1 on the Hong Kong Charts and a hit in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, The Philippines and Sri Lanka.
Some of their more familiar hits were: "Dancing on The Moon," "Sukiyaki," "'The Wedding,'" "Skip to My Lou," "Way Back When" and "This Land is My Land." They have also accompanied Hong Kong singer Kong Ling with the Diamond Music Company Studio Orchestra.
The group changed their names in 1968 and called themselves The Society Of Seven. They were contracted to play in Las Vegas and became as familiar as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Pat Boone.
Ed Sullivan signed them up for two shows and when telecast, was seen by an audience of more than 40 million viewers. The group played in Vegas and for more than three decades, kept the pace. Foenander passed away in late 2000 but the group, with a new line-up, are still playing.
Images Google.
A Little Bit of Soap: Fabulous Echoes.
YouTube Video by: candy60s1
Hey pallie Andy, never knew 'bout this group before...cool to know they were featured with our Dino....thanks for sharin'....
ReplyDeleteHi DMP,
ReplyDeleteThanks for keeping in touch. Yes, this group is really fabulous. I hope you are in touch with Michael Goh and that he has sent you the CD.
Cheers.
andy, you have a fabulous knowledge of artistes, especially singers, both past and present.
ReplyDeletejust to let you know, i came to know about your blog through victor koo, who is a keen follower of your blog.
Thank you YG for the compliment. And thanks to Victor too who recommmended this blog to yesterday.sg I am still learning and would love to learn more about our artistes from friends in the field, the Internet, etc.
ReplyDeleteYes, and not forgetting the books from our libraries, especially the Central Library but some are also under the Reference Section.
ReplyDeleteLots of information about 60s music generally but hardly any on Singapore 60s pops.
The original name of the "Fabulous Echoes "were? The Rock & Rollers and the very original members were Ernie Dizon, My Brother reny Dizon and the three Ruivivar Brothers ,we started for fun,on a hot summer day ,we all went up the roof on Kimberley road,and started singing and Hharmonizing,then tony the Leader said? why dont we make a Band?
ReplyDeleteHi Ernest,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for writing. From the man himself. I have saved the rest of your story for a full posting. I hope you can write in again to tell the whole story because I'm sure others want to read about the Fab Echoes.
If you wait for a week or so from today I shall post the rest under your name. You can also write to me with your email address and I shall answer without publishing your personal particulars.
Any information about Terry Lucido, Jr? Where is he from on the Philippines?
ReplyDeleteThanks.
ReplyDeleteOne of the top bands to come out from HK and maybe the only one to play in the ED SULLIVAN SHOW... salute...
Andy Young
ReplyDeleteHI Yen, you're on the top of the list to LIKE this post. Thanks.
Yen Chow
It is interesting to know one of the successful music band in 60s HK. Are there more that u know of?
Andy Young
ReplyDeleteYen Chow yes, I think you need to check the blog. Plenty more.
Peter Cheong
ReplyDeleteDancing on the moon. ??
Andy Young
Peter Cheong yes, thanks for the visit. And many more...
ReplyDeleteAndy Young
Thanks also to HIROSHI, MICHAEL n SER KIONG for early click of the BIG TICK.
👍 🎵 🎵 🎵
ReplyDeleteMichael Lee
ReplyDeleteYes I remember the Echoes and the The Reynettes with their Hong Kong accent.
Hiroshi Deguchi
"Vash away" still ringsin my ears.
Andy Young
YES HIROSHI!!! YOU REMEMBER TOO HUH!!! Thanks.
Andy Young
Thanks Mike, sad today, everything's changed. Hopefully for the better...
Stephen Han
ReplyDeleteThe Fabulous Echoes were the rage in the 60s.They performed in Hong Kong and even USA but they were well known in Singapore and South East Asia.
Andy Young
Stephen Han hi! Yes, they were a pop group that attracted many music lovers. Also like the Starlights, versatile on stage. Thanks for popping in Stephen.
Koh Daisy
ReplyDeleteYah … A little bit of soap …goes a long way back !
Andy Young
Koh Daisy hi, yes it does... a very popular hit, sung and played by many local bands at the nite-spots. Thanks for the visit.
Richard Khan
ReplyDeleteTeddy Robbins and the Playboys
Richard Khan
I remember those days!
Andy Young
Richard Khan yes, best years for pop music; meaningful lyrics and tuneful songs that grab the heart... Thanks Richard.
Richard Khan
Andy Young
Stephen Han
I think Cliff Fornander had passed away
Reply1d
Colin Colin
ReplyDeleteWinston Koh
James Kwok
Koh Daisy
Hiroshi Deguchi
Yen Chow
Somkid Lakhawat
Raymond Cho
Ben van der Laan-Hatikustia
Chee Chien
Stephen Han
Jennie Law
Rose Khoo
John Cher
Moody Cash
Yip Dick
Roop Singh
Jalani Mohamed
Chow Wen Hing
Jimmy Appudurai-chua
Fabian Lim
Michael Lee
Peter Cheong
Ser Kiong Tan
Andy Young
THANKS TO THE ABOVE READERS FOR LIKING THIS POST
Was doing some research and came across this. My family were very good friends with the Ruivivars and I believe that my cousin Tony Myatt- also from Ceylon- sang with the band before Cliff joined. I interviewed Cliff in Melbourne before he passed away. I saw the SOS In Honolulu around the same time The Collection was playing there. My best friend was Steve Tebbutt, their drummer. Anyway, thanks for the info. I remember Diamond Music and the Da Silva family before they sold it to PolyGram which I joined with Norman Cheng before we moved to run the regional office of EMI Music.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much ANON for your comment.
ReplyDeleteGrateful that readers like you extend and share the information you have so generously provided.
It would be great if you could do a writeup for the blog on any aspect of 60s music.
I shall post it, if you like with your name and photo too.
Otherwise you can remain anonymous.
You can send your article the same way.
Yours sincerely.