National Theatre, Celestial Room, SEAsia Hotel: Guitar Bands That Rocked Singapore 60s.

Whole gangs of guitar bands performed within a night at three venues in Singapore. Again, newspaper advertisements from The Straits Times on 12th December, 1964 promoted a gig at the National Theatre at Tank Road and week-end dancing at the Celestial Room, Orchard Road and South-East Asia Hotel at Waterloo Street.

For me, as a school teacher then and only singing for fun as a hobby these were great times as I had the opportunity to sing with a live band on stage. My only knowledge of music was playing the guitar and knowing only 10 chords to accompany myself. It was during these performances that I met other band folks. 

Our boys and girls, both in the audience and on stage, were having a great time, entertained by The Silver Strings, Keith Locke & The Quests, Bobby Lambert & The Dukes, The Jets, Steven Tan & The Gippslanders, The Midnighters, The Tramps, Zainab Huri and Johnny Nakamura of Sukiyaki fame. Ticket prices were only one, two and three dollars. There was no cover charge for nightly dancing.

For those fans and pop music lovers who either cannot afford the entrance fee or just refused to pay for it, could climb trees beyond the half open-air theatre to watch, sitting perilously on the branches, as the cold winds blew. All in all, it was fun and games.

I'll Remember Today' from the late Shirley Nair

 with the Silver Strings. She joined the group 

in later years after Andy Young left the band.

YouTube Video from Audie Ng.

The Silver Strings, with Andy, entertained at the Celestial Room and South-East Asia Hotel too. Can anyone remember those days? Do write in to contribute.

An original article: Andy Lim.

Image: 

from The Straits Times Press Singapore 12/12/64. 

National Library Board Singapore)

One could climb trees behind the theatre to watch shows 

amidst a starry sky and windy whirls from the woods behind.