Robert Song - Singer, Artist Extraordinaire

Shirley Nair left the *Checkmates, to join the Silver Strings in the mid-60s. Robert Song [image right with microphone], who was percussionist with The Flamingos Combo Band, replaced Nair. Although Song fronted the Checkmates as a vocalist he was still playing with the Combo band for some time. He was also with The Stylers (check out the previous posting under Stylers).

Song was the Johnny Ray - Cry - of Singapore and already in the music scene since the mid-50s. He produced many stage shows to promote movies that his company brought in. He was best with jazz standards but could sing rock and roll. Just Walkin' In The Rain, was one of the standards he did.

The Checkmates play instrumental song Sylvia.wmv. Video: eosyeo.

Robert Song and The Checkmates performed at the Cellar and other venues that included the Golden Venus and the Celestial Room. Golden Venus was a rendezvous for British servicemen stationed in Singapore then and love different genres of music, including jazz. Song could perform jazz standards easily.

Song, always with a personal touch, distributed postcards of the band while he was with the group. As a graphic artist and an excellent one at that, he designed the above card; it was a special calling card for promotional purposes. 

Robert Song in a blue shirt [3rd from right].

Many of the huge cinema posters in the 60s, fronting the Capitol cinema at North Bridge Road, were created by Robert Song. These colourful creations have become synonymous with the building and thousands of passers-by or motorists would take notice of these colourfully gigantic posters.

The card (image) was a gift from the talented singer. Song had since migrated to the Philippines.

*The Checkmates comprised, Benny Chan (lead), Lanky Lawrence Lee (bass), Hans Hussein (rhythm) and Amir (drums). They were one of the top guitar groups in the 60s.