Tuesday, January 26, 2010

The Blue Diamonds Singing Duo: National Service In Holland

The late Ruud de Wolff and Riem de Wolff. 
From Maluku, Ambon, Indonesia.

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Sadly Ruud and Riem have passed away. but they are back again on this blog. One of my favourite duet and even better than The Everly Brothers, the two boys known as The Blue Diamonds, can be heard marching along with these songs. And in uniform too, with the Choir of the Technical Troop, Grave and Orchestra of Conductor Jack Bulterman.

Image above - Songs on the vinyl include:

Old Soldiers Never Die, Pack Up Your Troubles, It's A Long Long Way To Tipperary, John Brown's Body, She'll Be Coming Round The Mountain, Marching Along Together (Fontana: 266 358 TF).
For publicity too, like Elvis, they had their hair cut.
[Image: Alamy]

They were then in the army when these songs were recorded and, like Elvis Presley in GI Blues and our own National Service [NS] boys, had to serve their country, Holland. "They had a ball with their companions at arms, as their singing, backed by a choir of their friends, is a selection of marching songs and melodies popular with soldiers. You will recognise them all [vinyl record sleeve notes]."

You will too, especially our Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and most uniformed personnel, professional or otherwise. You sure you have this vinyl? Quite rare I think. But these are really nice, old sing-a-longs. 

Any Blue Diamond fans still out there?
Collecting their military attire 
and to serve the country.
[Image: Alamy]

Images from Alamy
Original Article: Andy Lim Collection.

Back to basics and in-camp training.
[Image: Alamy]

This post from, 26th January 2010, has been revived and refined.
All Rights Reserved.
Blue Diamonds: 'Old Soldiers Never Die'
YouTube Video from nederarchief.

19 comments:

Teoh said...

Andy, you introduced this duet to me several months ago. I have heard them on You Tube several times. I like their up-tempo version of "Ramona" very much. I have the LPs of Jim Reeves and Slim Whitman that contain this song.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Yes, BC. 'Ramona' is a very old song even up till today. I have yet to listen to Jim Reeves and Slim Whitman singing it.

I posted the boys again because I found this marching songs EP in a second-hand record shop. They are also my favourite singers.

Teoh said...

Wow, you found Blue Diamonds EP. I think it is a rare find.

Andy, I have just typed "Ramona Jim Reeves" on You Tube and found the version of Ramona sung by Jim Reeves.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thank you, BC. Just listened to it and I think it's really a beautiful rendition. The Jim Reeves brand lives on, unique and rare.

Erwin said...

Andy ... this is all your fault! I recall you telling me about this group called Blue Diamonds a year ago and the name crept into my ears recently - like a soft whisper from the devil! I'm now a fan of The Blue Diamonds and I like Ramona sung in German! Good write-up Andy!

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thank you Erwin. There's more if you look up their website. Just look for it.

Wah, so much support from you!

STEPHEN HAN said...


The Blue Diamonds performed with Anneke Gronloh at the Singapore Badminton Hall in the 60s.

They were fabulous and I truly loved the show where the Blue Diamonds sang the favourite “Ramona” and Anneke with the dynamic “Burong Kaka Tua”.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...


Stephen Han thanks. Yes, entertaining and absorbing performances by both. And the songs too, popular indeed!

JIMMY APPUDURAI (GUITARIST EXTRAORDINAIRE) said...

I was first attracted to them when they did " oh Carole" xxxx also ",pagan love song


ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

yes. 'Pagan' is lovely indeed.
Thanks.

FACEBOOK CHATS said...

Ser Kiong Tan
Red sails in the sunset song

Andy Young
Ser Kiong Tan yes, an unforgettable love song.
Thanks for writing.

FACEBOOK CHATS said...


Thanks Jennie Law for liking the post.

ERICBRONSON WONG [HONGKONG] said...

Ericbronson Wong
My neighbour who is also a friend older than me by three years who is a devoted fan of BLUE DIAMONDS N ANNEKE GRONLOH took me along to a private party at D Victoria Memorial Hall in Singapore during d Mid Sixties,,

Rudy N Riem sang several songs so did Miss Gronloh,, we all enjoyed ofood n drinks while listening to their super show,, l spoke with both of them also Ms Gronloh it was a Warm Welcome Party by some VIP,

l wad so fortunate to had such a chance to attend l met them up close They were so eloquently charming n gracefully stylish l never forget l had met my Superstars today l can still recalled vividly d memories ,,May Their Beautiful Souls Rest In Peace In God's Heaven,,,

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...


Ericbronson Wong, thanks so much for sharing your experience with the famous trio from the Netherlands. It must have been a thrill to meet them personally. Yes, they were superstars indeed and, like you, wish them to RIP in Heaven.

FACEBOOK CHATS said...

THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING WHO LIKE THIS POST.

Colin Colin
Ericbronson Wong
Yen Chow
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Betts Manry-Chua
Francis Anthony Rozells
Stephen Han
Rose Khoo
Freda Hanum
Chow Wen Hing
Jennie Law
Davy Chan
Peter Cheong
Ser Kiong Tan
Jimmy Appudurai-chua

FACEBOOK CHATS said...

Poh Huat Tng
Awesome Artists

Andy Young
Poh Huat Tng yes, they are aren't they!
Thanks for writing in.
Appreciate your support.

FRED CHING said...


Thanks for posting Brother Andy.

Some 29 years ago, on the evening of December 9, 1994, we were among thousands of excited fans that packed into the Singapore Indoor Stadium for a very special event.

This CD brought back memories of the gathering of local pop icons of the 60s and 70s and to commemorate the first successful season of the TCS musical nostalgia programme Rollin’ Good Times.

I’m still floating high up in the air as I listen to The Blue Diamonds and some of unforgettable icons songs again. It was a golden reunion of stars and they shines in bringing back the good old times.
👍❤️🥰…

FRED CHING said...

👍❤️🥰…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC8zYpKGVg4

COPY AND PASTE

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...


Fred Ching, hello my music friend. Yes, I have a copy too. Great times then! Thanks for your fabulous paragraph about these late 50s-60s Singapore icons.