Ahmad Daud: Singapore's Dean Martin in the 60s.
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SINGAPORE IDOLS IN THE 60s:
As far as the mind can remember, below are the names of Singapore pop-singer impersonators in the 60's. Blogger does not believe in apeing famous bands or vocalists but this was an acceptable trend and there was a following when these artistes performed.
Fans screamed and clapped when they see their idols on stage impersonating Elvis, Cliff or any singer currently popular then.
It was also a way for singers to be talent spotted by nightclub owners, recording companies, entertainment producers and event organisers. In the 60s such professionals were few and far between but they had connections and could easily land recording contracts and gigs for our Singapore boys and girls.
Harry Cheok [second left] was Singpore's Johnny Lion,
having won the contest officially with his group, Willy's Jokers.
The others were contestants.
TITLE HOLDERS' LIST:
The list below may be the first ever produced of title holder impersonators as many of them participated in these competitions organised by cinema groups like Shaw Brothers or Cathay, etc. Others may have had their 'titles' unofficially given to them because they sound like the artistes.
Quite a number too, have passed away. So here goes.
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| Patricia Pestana Singapore's Connie Francis |
Nat King Cole - Rahim Hamid
Louis Armstrong - Rahim Rahman*
Johnnie Ray - Robert Song*
Dean Martin - Ahmad Daud (image)
Elvis Presley - Johnny Aroozoo
Pat Boone - Walter Koh
Louis Armstrong - Rahim Rahman*
Johnnie Ray - Robert Song*
Dean Martin - Ahmad Daud (image)
Elvis Presley - Johnny Aroozoo
Pat Boone - Walter Koh
Slim Whitman - Rocky Wong
Cliff Richard - Kenneth Gomes
Johnny Lion - Harry Cheok
Tom Jones - Halil Chik
Cliff Richard - Kenneth Gomes
Johnny Lion - Harry Cheok
Tom Jones - Halil Chik
Connie Francis - Patricia Pestana
Millie Small - Veronica Young
Doris Day - Nancy Renjaan
Lobo - Nick Stravens
Paul Anka - Andrew Lim
Paul Anka - Andrew Lim
Beatles - Cyclones
Shadows - McCoys
Jumping Jewels - Willy's Jokers
Blue Diamonds - Gaylads*
Jumping Jewels - Willy's Jokers
Blue Diamonds - Gaylads*
*Flamingos Combo with Dr. Charles Koh.
Certain titles may be dubious and not official. Write in to correct if you please.
Anyone else that you remember who holds a pop singer title?
Do contribute.
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| The McCoys: Singapore's Shadows. |
TODAY:
Another best known Beatles impersonators in Singapore were Mike and Herb but they are known as the Beatles of Malaysia. Mike had since passed away. The other was the late Rocky Teoh, Malaysia's Elvis, known well even in Singapore since he touched base with Singapore's pop 60s musicians when they performed all over the peninsula.
Impersonators are known as 'tribute artistes' today. H.T. Long stands tall as the Malaysian Elvis in the new century. In Singapore, we have an Elvis tribute artiste with the best array of jumpsuits. He is Jimmy PresLee, handsome, tall and impressive indeed [image below].
There is also Michael Goh, a recording artiste who sounds like Dean Martin. Known publicly as Michael Gold he is current and still sings and performs. You can check him out on his Facebook page [image below].
As mentioned, the list is not exhaustive so if you remember anyone who is a pop singer title holder in the 60s please contribute. Believe it or not, they are still impersonating stars today in the U.S.
Jimmy PresLee, an Elvis Tribute Artiste [ETA]
is still active in 2022. Cheers.
Check him out:
Michael Goh, a Dino Tribute Artiste.
Image: www.abangjebat.multiply.com/
Rejuvenated from 21.10.2009.
This post is original and has been copyrighted.
Hey pallie, likes nice to see the name of our Dino lifted up...did you ever see Mr. Ahmad Daud emulate our Dino?
ReplyDeleteYes, he was a professional singer and used to be on television often in the 60s. He's good but I find Michael Goh better.
ReplyDeleteI am in touch with Michael quite often so if you need the CDs let me know.
Cheers.
By looking at the long list of Singapore pop-singer impersonators in this post, I could visualize the liveliness of the music scene in Singapore during the 60s.
ReplyDeleteHope to hear you singing Paul Anka's hits one day.
Hi BC,
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing. Yes it was indeed a lively scene as you mentioned. There are some more title holders but I cannot remember any. Rocky Teoh was Malaysia's Elvis and Mike & Herb, Malaysia's Beatles.
As I mentioned in my first posting, it was the only time I tried to sing like Paul Anka.
Do you know the names of Malaysian singers and the titles they hold?
Hey pallie Andy, checks out my Dinoresponse to you at the ol' ilovedinomartin Dinoblog...and thanks for showin' this dude such Dinoencouragement for my Dinowork! And thanks for the standin' Dinoinvite for the CDs!
ReplyDeleteAndy, I know very litlle of Malaysia's music scene in the 60s.
ReplyDeleteThanks DMP, yours is one of the most comprehensive blogs about Dean Martin. I hope others will read it. The time and trouble taken to develop it is not an easy task.
ReplyDeleteCheers.
Thanks BC, I now realise you must be a very young person then. There are many great 60s music personalities in Malaysia. And some of them are still singing.
ReplyDeleteCheers.