TOP TUNES INFLUENCE: 1957 - 1958Arrival of Buddy Holly & Sam Cooke:
Too Much - Elvis Presley, Don't Forbid Me - Pat Boone, Young Love - Sonny James, Young Love - Tab Hunter, Party Doll - Buddy Knox, Round and Round - Perry Como, All Shook Up - Elvis Presley, Butterfly - Charlie Gracie, Love Letters In The Sand - Pat Boone.
Teddy Bear - Elvis Presley, Tammy - Debbie Reynolds, Diana - Paul Anka, Honeycomb - Jimmie Rodgers, That'll Be The Day - The Crickets Wake Up Little Susie - Everly Brothers, Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley, Chances Are - Johnny Mathis, You Send Me - Sam Cooke, April Love - Pat Boone
In the 50s Singapore had its big bands too. Because we were still a part of Malaya, the image shows the Radio Malaya Orchestra in 1957 at a studio situated in Caldecott Hill, Singapore. It comprised strings, brass, a guitar, a xylophone, a double bass and percussion.
The band members were usually full time professionals employed by Radio Malaya. Some expatriates who lived in Singapore also played for the orchestra. These musicians were also able to play local Chinese, Malay and Indian melodies. They played local songs way before Anneke Gronloh sang Burung Kakak Tua or Nina Bobo. When Malaya won independence in 1957, the radio service was split into Radio Malaya and Radio Singapore.
As we follow the Top Tunes, melodies like Lisbon Antigua by Nelson Riddle, The Poor People Of Paris and Unchained Melody by Les Baxter would be the usual fare. Instrumental versions of hits by Pat Boone, Debbie Reynolds and Tab Hunter would be played regularly too. Notice too that all the songs are still known today by many pop tune enthusiasts. And Paul Anka is still singing!
Do you know anyone who was in a big band in the 50s in Singapore?
Image: National Heritage Board Singapore/Singapore Press Holdings.
Original article: Andy Lim Collection.
11 comments:
Thanks for this bit of history of Malayan music industries in 1957 and 1958.
Glad to know the top tunes during those years. I really love the music of the 60s and earlier.
I will defintely research more on these names, Tab Hunter, Buddy Knox, Debbie Reynolds, Nelson Riddle. Thanks.
Andy, after you mentioned about Rolf Harris to me last week, I found and bought an LP of Rolf, "Rolf on Saturday O.K" yesterday.
I have been replaying this song in the album, "The Laughing Policeman", for so many times since yesterday. My children love the song too. The song is so hilarious!
Wonder if you know this song.
Thank you BC. You have been very kind to support my blog. I appreciate the fact that you love music from the past too.
Try to listen to Tab Hunter's 'Young Love'. Nelson Riddle is fantastic.
No, I don't know the song BC. I will try to find it on the Net. Very cute title.
Thanks.
Dear Andy,
I have just sent an e-mail to you. Thanks.
Regards,
BC Teoh
Thanks BC. Will write to you as soon as I can.
Noted. Please erase asap.
Andy
Andy, I have just listened to Tab Hunter's 'Young Love'. This was one of the songs that I liked to hum years ago. I always thought that this song was sung by Cliff Richard.
Thanks BC for your comment. Just seen it today. You are right about Tab Hunter's 'Young Love'. In fact Sonny James' version was earlier if I remember.
But Hunter's version is still the best.
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