British 60s Pop Invasion Singapore - Engelbert

Yes, it's the man with the strange monicker, Engelbert Humperdinck. Arnold George Dorsey is of British descent but born in India. He invaded Singapore with his quiet British charm and smooth solos.

His release, "Release Me" on March, 4th 1967 became a hit when he teamed up with Tom Jones' manager. It stayed for 56 weeks on the Hit Charts in a single run and was believed to be selling 85,000 copies in a single day. It is also his signature tune and beat the Beatles, "Penny Lane"/"Strawberry Fields" Forever to the top spot. In other words he was the man who beat the Beatles.

"Humperdinck's deceptively easy going style and casually elegant good looks, a contrast to Tom Jones's energetic attack and overtly sexual style, earned Humperdinck a large following, particularly among women. "Release Me" was followed up by two more hit ballads, "There Goes My Everything" and "The Last Waltz", earning him a reputation as a crooner that he didn't always agree with (Wikipedia).

"If you are not a crooner it's something you don't want to be called. No crooner has the range I have. I can hit notes a bank could not cash. What I am is a contemporary singer, a stylized performer, " remarked the man.

By the 80s, he was performing more than 200 concerts a year and also won a Golden Globe Award for best entertainer of the year in 1989. He has sold more than 130 million records.

And so the awards go on. Like Tom Jones, he is as popular today. The man and his music live on.

Again, many impersonators of Engelbert Humperdinck can be found in Singapore. Are they still singing now?

Website: Engelbert.com

Extracts from Wikipedia as indicated*

Singapore 60s - British Invasion - Tom Jones

There is no discussion on 60s music without mentioning Welsh singer Tom Jones and another man of similar status, because they both appear at about the same period during the 60s. But while Tom Jones invaded Singapore with his British brawns, sexy image and powerful voice, the other swooned his fans with cool, quiet sensuality.

Jones' first song didn't make the hit charts but his second one did and soon everyone was singing, "It's Not Unusual", in early 1965. He went on to sing pop, R&B, ballads and soul with 54 albums, more than 390 hits and 100 million records, so check him out at his own website.

Tom Jones' impact on the Singapore's pop music scene still has local artistes singing and playing his songs today. Many songs have been translated into Chinese and Malay, or at least the melodies are similar.

There are also many Tom Jones impersonators in Singapore. One of them is Halil Chik and the other is Ismail Haron. Many singers with powerful voices are able to emulate the Welsh sex symbol. Jerry Fernandez, a popular DJ and MC, is another Tom Jones impersonator. He sings with the Neu Faces at the Singapore Cricket Club on Saturday afternoons.

Tom Jones is as active as ever on the world circuit, singing his own hits as he would have nearly 50 years ago. Sir Tom Jones is a living legend!

But who's the other one who hit Singapore 60s with as great an impact? Check the next post.

Image: http://www.jasondunn.com

Original article: Andy Lim

Robert Suriya Compositions: "I'll Always Love You", "That's All I Have To Say".

After his first successful recording, Henry Suriya recorded the second EP in 1967 and featured four songs including two originals by Robert Suriya.

Henry Suriya: From Boxing Ring To Golden Ring

Before Henry Suriya (image) became the pop crooner during Singapore 60s, not many fans knew he was a boxer. According to the newspapers then, he was an "amateur boxing champion who gave up trading punches for singing.

Henry Suriya had won many prizes in singing competitions but was also an expert at swinging competitions as he was feather-weight champ in the Singapore Youth Boxing Championships in 1957.

His father, who was also a boxer, urged Henry to give up the game and as an inducement presented Henry with a guitar on his 18th birthday. Henry never looked back, learnt to play the guitar and started singing sentimental songs.

During an interview with Henry, an old schoolmate, he wanted to emphasise that he only sings in his own original style. We all know that Henry. We have been listening to your songs for a long time now.

More about Henry Suriya in future postings.

(Interview by: Andy Lim. All Rights Reserved.)

Image: lst recording in 1966, accompanied by his brother Robert Suriya and The Boys.

                                                       Video by: Billy Ong

Malay Arts Festival - May Day 2009 11am (Free)

The Malay Heritage Centre will be the venue for a Malay Arts Festival from May Day at 11am. Admission is free.

P. Ramlee's classic film, "Pendekar Bujang Lapok" will be screened too. Yusnor Ef, the expert on P. Ramlee, will be holding a talk on May Day at 11am.

The Swallows (image, vinyl cover of La-A-Obe) will not be present but another kugiran will.

Melayu Pop Yeh Yeh 60an Swallows with Andy

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Most Successful Malay Guitar Group:

The SWALLOWS first line-up with ANDY YOUNG (standing, 2nd left) and their manager (bow tie) at the Victoria Theatre in 1964. The Swallows is one of the first and most successful *Kugiran Melayu Pop Yeh Yeh in the 60s. It was only after the success of this group that other Malay guitar groups followed.

*Kumpulan Gitar Ranchak Melayu [Malay Group of Energetic/Active Guitars).

Similar Management:

The particular photograph above shows The Swallows first line-up in one of their very first appearances. It was taken backstage with Andy since he sang with both the group and The Velvetones who were also under similar management.

Respected Gentlemen:

Andy was supposed to have fronted them and had performed once at the Victoria Memorial Hall in Singapore. He enjoyed being with them during the show. Personally, these boys were clean cut, exceptionally well-mannered and respected gentlemen both on and off the stage. Andy remarked that they were unassuming, fantastic guitarists and incomparable! No wonder they remained at the top after all those years.

Songs In English:

They were an exceptional team and received thunderous applause when the group was announced before they performed. Andy shared his magic moment during the occasion he appeared with this group. He sang two songs in English and was pleased with the accompaniment, which according to him, was perfect and gave him much confidence since it was the first time they were together.

Songs In Bawean:

They have cut many records since and were on the scene for many years. Kassim Selamat has one of the most popular Bawean hit ever, "La Aube" (La-O-Be), a classic today. Another hit is "Nga Lompak A-Go-Go". My favourite? "Mak Itti Mai Illa." Some of their records have been found to be on sale in certain parts of Europe.

Getting In Touch:

Andy has been trying to get in touch with some band members of the group and has not been successful. If you happen to be in contact with any one of them, please write in.

Andy has since contacted 3 members of the Swallows through Erwin Maisch - October 2010.

Senandong Malam - by The Swallows - one of their instrumental hits. A fantastic group indeed. YouTube video from hassny hussin. Thank you.

Image: Andy Lim Collection (All Rights Reserved).

Edited original article.

Video - hassny hussin.

Pop Melayu 60an - The Fever Never Dies

Tuesday May 13, 2008. The 60's fever never dies. By: Nik Naizi Husin.

KUANTAN: The Malay songs of the 60s remain fresh despite the onset of the contemporary music scene which is largely monopolised by pop songs...

The Government, in ensuring that classical Malay songs are not forgotten, is now targeting youths. To realise the mission, RTM, through its Klasik FM radio station, has been broadcasting songs from entertainers such as the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee (image), Puan Sri Saloma, Datuk Ahmad Jais, Datuk Sharifah Aini, Salamiah Hassan and Lilis Suryani who contributed in popularising the classic Malay songs.

“Our intention is to promote the interest among youths on Malay oldies, their lyrics and musical instrument used at that time and also the stars who made the songs popular. In the music scene, big names such as P. Ramlee and Saloma cannot be forgotten.

They still have followers and fans and some young singers preferred to sing their songs because of the beautiful composition of the songs,” said a TV Malaysia) Director. He said the mission was also an appreciation to the songwriters, composers, artistes and musicians.

The above article was written to promote a singing competition that created an awareness for 60's Malay music stars.

From: The Star Online, Malaysia.

UK 60s Music - "The Wedding" - Julie Rogers

You by my side,/That's how I see us,/I close my eyes,/And I can see us... I see the church/I see the steeple,/Your folks and mine..." And another British invasion of Singapore succeeded.

Julie Rogers (born Julie Rolls, 6 April 1943, London) is an English pop singer. She began her career singing with the Teddy Foster Orchestra with whom she toured the UK and US. She signed with Philips Records in 1964, and released her debut single, "It's Magic", soon after.

Her 1965 hit "The Wedding" went to number 3 in the UK Singles Chart, number 1 in Australia, and number 10 in the US and has sold in the region of 15 million copies to date. Apparently it is still selling and this success opened up the world to her and she has been touring ever since.

With the success of her major hit she was in demand to appear on television. She appeared as a guest artiste in every major show, such as 'Sunday Night At The Palladium' in the early days and guested with Tom Jones, Roy Orbison, Benny Hill, Tommy Cooper and many other superstars. Julie has also presented music shows for the BBC and continued to be a regular on the TV screens. She was in Singapore on October 25th, 1967.

Her song is still being sung by many seniors and some juniors in Singapore. It is specially popular at, you guessed it, weddings. Julie Rogers is a one-time-hit singer; or isn't she?
Reference: Wikipedia/Julie Rogers Websites.
Image: Julie Rogers Websites.

American Idol Ritchie Valens 1941-1959 Donna

Ritchie Valens (Vocalist/guitarist: 1941 - 1959)
Ritchie Valens left an impact as a rock and roll singer with the classic rocker “La Bamba", an old Mexican wedding song. It was so popular that “La Bamba”, although the B-side of “Donna,” (number 2 on Billboard’s singles chart), peaked at number 22. It was known as a double-sided smash and one of the greatest rock and roll singles of the 50s.

Valens was born Richard Steven Valenzuela in a Los Angeles suburb. He grew up with Mexican music, but loved black R&B vocal groups like the Crows, the Penguins and the Drifters and singers Little Richard, Bo Diddley and Buddy Holly.

Valens learned the guitar and joined the Silhouettes. In May 1958, he auditioned for Bob Keane, cut a few sessions at Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles and came out with his debut single, “Come On, Let’s Go,” but missed the Top 40 Charts then.

Valens’ second session produced “Donna” and “La Bamba." The song was a sweet, simple love song for a girl he knew and was “one of the classic teen love ballads.” With “Donna” rising in the charts, Valens made a trip to New York in December 1958 and appeared on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand and the Alan Freed Christmas Show.

Though “Donna” made Valens a star, it was “La Bamba” that would become most closely identified with the young Mexican-American rocker. “La Bamba” was a popular huapango (Mexican fiesta dance song). Valens put a rock and roll spin on this folk song, juicing it up with hot chilly pepper and so invented Latino rock.

The budding star was on a fast track and when pop star Buddy Holly chartered a plane to fly from Iowa, to Fargo, North Dakota, it crashed and claimed the lives of Valens, Holly, J.P. Richardson ("The Big Bopper") and the pilot. Valens, who was only 17 years old, left behind an influential body of work.

He was an influence on Singapore's 60s music and like other evergreens, "To Sir, With Love," "Born Free", "Love Without End", "Donna" is still being played to day in Singapore. Henry Suriya, Singapore crooner in the 60s and brother of Naomi and The Boys, recorded the song for one of his EPs. More about Suriya in future postings.

In 1987 a movie about Ritchie Valens called, "La Bamba" was released and starred Lou Diamond Philips.

(Article was edited and taken from: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum Website).

Lin Dai: 林黛. Love Without End: 不了情: Bu Liao Qing

Linda Lin Dai [林黛]

26 December 1934 – 17 July 1964.

born Ching Yuet Yue [程月如],

A Mandarin song that is still being played today is, *Love Without End: [不了情: Bu Liao Qing]. Its haunting melody has mesmerised listeners for the past 60+ years and the song has become a classic not only with the Chinese crowd but with ardent fans internationally since 1961.

The movie itself, starring the heartthrob Hong Kong icon Lin Dai [image], was screened for months all over the Shaw Brothers circuit in 60s Singapore and like the song, she is legend.

Lin Dai, alluringly soft and beautiful, the only actress to win four Best Actress awards at the Asian Film Festival, made the song more poignant when she committed suicide on July 17, 1964. The song, the movie, the actress were on everyone's lips for a long time and sealed, Love Without End to become what it is today.

*The music is from the 30s to 60s shi dai qu (Chinese Golden Oldies) era. During that period, the songs and music were beautiful and technically very difficult to sing. 

"Most of the singers during that time were classically trained and had amazing vocal ranges,” said Mr Khor Seng Chew, Music Director from Dama Orchestra in Penang that had made good in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He was in charge of a performance of Chinese Golden Oldies on April 8th 2006, at the E & O Hotel, Penang, Malaysia.

There are numerous websites in memory of Lin Dai and the song. Still in the minds of many followers, both will live, without end. And the song has been recorded by our local singers too.

Image/Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

YouTube Video: MrOldies.

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HD《不了情》1961 Love Without End 顧媚 

Lindai: Bu Liao Qing มีแปลซับไทย

YouTube Video by: MrOldies.

https://www.youtube.com/@mr.oldies3667

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