Jose Feliciano Puerto Rico/ Alfred Ho Malaysia

Jose Feliciano, born blind, is a celebrity guitarist and singer with many international hit songs. After he went to the U.S. from Puerto Rico, he finally scored with "Light My Fire" which became a hit parade single.

The next recording, a Christmas album with "Feliz Navidad", spelled another success. "Old Turkey Buzzard" and "California Dreamin", became as well-known. Feliciano sings with much intensity and fervour, especially when he rolls off his lyrics in Spanish.
A Malaysian in the same category is Alfred Ho who he has been compared to Feliciano. Both are from the 60s pop era, both are blind and both play the guitar well.

By: Andy lim

Everly Brothers Setting Off Singapore Duos Too

The Everly Brothers' duet and musical style also influenced Singapore's 60s music. Many local groups that followed the trail of these two famous brothers from Iowa, U.S. even adopted the hairstyle and used the same f-hole guitar model.

Don and Phil Everly were active from 1957 to 1973 and held the record for having the most 'Top 100' singles by any duo. "Bye Bye Love" became their first hit and together with their clean looks, perfect pitch and harmony they conquered the 60s. According to Internet Websites, they became the most successful duo in the U.S.

Their songs included, "Bird Dog", "Wake Up Little Suzie", "All I Have To Do Is Dream", "Let It Be Me", "Crying In The Rain" and "Problems".

Note: The Blue Diamonds were called The Dutch Everly Brothers.

The Cyclones Sizzling Hot Rockers James & Siva

******************************************************************************************************************************************************The Cyclones made a great impact on the 60s music scene when they were accompanied by The Checkmates and became public property after releasing two EPs from Philips Records, one in 1965 and the other in 1967.

James Choy and Siva Choy were brothers to behold and released four originals with the instrumental group that was noted for solid and tight accompaniment.

"Oh No, She Didn't Say" and **"The Dew" (biggest hit), were composed by the brothers while, "I'll" and "She's Mine All Mine", were penned by The Checkmates' bass guitarist lanky Laurence Lee.

According to the record sleeve write-up, "The wild and tempestuous character of their singing is quite typical of the Cyclone boys who have expressed satisfaction of at least having attempted to please those who love really solid, beat music." The 45EP (image) was recorded by Kinetex Studios and released in 1965.

Footnote: (1st April 2010)

It's not a 60s song but I thought this piece defines Siva Choy, the humorous, open hearted gentleman who has helped to put Singlish on the international map. A Singaporean classic comedy song back in 1991, it's called, *“Why You So Like Dat?” by Siva Choy and The Kopi Kat Klan.

(chorus)

Why you so like dat ah?

Why you so like dat?

Why you so like dat ah?

Why you so like dat?
I let you copy all my sum

Because you always blur

But when I try to copy back

You always call the Sir!
(chorus)
I always give you chocolate

I give you my Kit Kat

But now you got the Kit Kat

You never give me back!
(chorus)
You tell me that you don’t like girl

I also dunno why

But when you see a pretty girl

Your voice got damn high!
(chorus)
You always tok in dialect

And then I ask you why

You scold in Hokkien very loud!

(Drum sounds like KNNBCCB beat)
(chorus)

Image from Audie Ng Collection.

Original article: Andy Lim

ClareNg Blog: http://clareng.com/2007/12/03/why-you-so-like-that/

You Tube *: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra7xt9eLLIk

You Tube **: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiQSsFZ9yu4

Daisy Devan: Artiste Manager @ EMI Passed On

Mrs Daisy Devan, artiste and repertoire manager with EMI Music passed away at 81 years young. She was "instrumental in getting local English, Malay and Chinese music produced (1.04.2009, Straits Times Press, Singapore)".

Mrs Devan had encouraged many of Singapore's musicians and singers like The Quests, Sakura Teng, Rita Chao, Saloma and P. Ramlee and a host of other artistes to record at the studio in MacDonald House, Orchard Road (Singapore's first recording studio).

Also the first Asian to be in charge of a record label in Singapore, Mrs Devan was responsible for pressing more than 3,000 music recordings. She retired in the early 80s.

Forward from 2009 till today 2nd January, 2024:

Image from Documentary: Untold Legends - Daisy Devan [CNA2024]

This music blog helped with certain pieces of information regarding Ms Daisy Devan. The above acknowledgement at the end of the documentary shows it under: Andy 60s Music Blog. 

Image: 

[1] from You Tube Uploaded by JoeWuSeattleWaUSA on Aug 11, 2006. The Quests Video Tribute. 

[2] from "Rollin' Good Times" television show, 26th September, 1994. Singapore Broadcasting Corp. 

[3] CNA documentary: Untold Legends - Daisy Devan, 2024.

Xavier Cugat And His Orchestra Play Covers

Xavier Cugat's records covers but in his own imitable style. "Besame Mucho", "La Cumpasita" and "Perfidia" are favourites but "Brazil" was one of his biggest hits. These hits were also covers for many guitar groups like, THE VENTURES, THE JUMPING JEWELS and THE SHADOWS in the mid 60s.

He's the man in charge (image).

Xavier Cugat's 3rd Wife - Hottest Latino Ever!

Xavier Cugat had the sexiest of four wives and Abbe Lane (image) started an inferno on stage when she appeared at the Happy World Stadium in Singapore in the late 50s. Jennifer Lopez is nothing compared to her. I was still a youth then but enjoyed the show with my father who was a Latin music addict.

Xavier Cugat had another love besides his music and wife. He carried a CHIHUAHUA in his coat pocket whenever he was on stage and mesmerised the audience with his artistry and showmanship. His orchestra was astounding.

The above record cover was with the Tito Puente Orchestra but she was with Xavier Cugat from 1952 to 1964.

Cugat was another influence for Singapore music in the 60s when smaller local combos played Latin music in the lounges and bars across the island.

Xavier Cugat And His Legacy - The Latin Icon

The above image is an icon or logo that the lover of Latin music would recognise. It's the King himself who made Latin music popular in the U.S. Born on lst January, 1900 he was as well known as his birth date was unique. And he lived for 90 years. He was a singer, songwriter, director, actor, screenwriter and a gifted artist and cartoonist.

He was the ultimate in Latin pop even before the 60s and recorded music using the trendy beat of the conga, mambo, the cha-cha and even the twist. He was so popular and loved by Hollywood that his named was mentioned in many movies made by the grand daddy of filmdom. If Elvis was the King of Rock n Roll, then Xavier Cugat was the King of Latin music.

Coca Cola Singapore - The New Seekers - EP

The New Seekers with the Coca Cola advertisement recorded on an EP. It was the very popular, "I'd Like To Buy The World A Coke" reworked as, "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing."

It's still remembered to day by many baby boomers and the world at large. The jingle made it to the top 100 best selling single in the U.K. at the end of 1971, came 7th in the U.S. and hit many Top Pop Charts internationally.

(Image: From Andy Lim Collection).

Singapore's Pop Culture - The BURNS - Vinyl

When Ronnie See left The Burns, the group cut an EP (image above) and recorded cover songs. Apparently the EP itself was a rare find since it had been snapped up by vinyl record collectors.

(This image is the final part of a series about Ronnie & The Burns.)

Another successful MANHUNT completed.

(Image: From Andy Lim Collection.)

Glenn Miller (1904 -1944) A Great Influence

His orchestra swings like no other. Listening to Glenn Miller is going back to the days of cabarets and night clubs in Singapore 50's and 60's where bands played to crowded dance floors.

The trombone was like live-wire in his hands and he was one of the top recording artistes in the early 40's. The records were 78s (post on January 14th, 2009) and came way before the LP (Long Play Records) and EPs (Extended Play Records).

Glenn Miller definitely influenced the 60s pop music scene in vintage Singapore.

Glenn Miller Orchestra - Still Wowing Crowds!

One of the biggest swing bands, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, had U.S. baby boomers jiving and swooning when they played melodies like, "Chattanooga Choo, Choo", "In The Mood" and "Tuxedo Junction". They are still wowing crowds today in the U.S.

Our local night-clubs and cabarets in the 60s played his music too. Many of the patrons danced to Glenn Miller's melodies and most Singapore baby boomers are familiar with his songs. It was a movie, "The Glenn Miller Story," and starred James Stewart that attracted Singapore music lovers to him all over again.

Miller could have died in 1944 while flying in a plane over the English Channel.

Is that more than 20 strong up there (image)?