Recorded in Singapore: TNA TEP 213 EP. (image), the selection is 1950s cowboy songs.
Do you remember Ronnie Ong? He was known as Singapore's Trini Lopez. Is that him far left in the picture? Would you like to tell us about him? Do share with us your memories as Ronnie Ong was popular in the 60s too. He is also a crooner and sings jazz standards. Where is Ronnie Ong now?
Updated on 2nd February, 2025
Photo from left to right:
Arthur Phua, Ronnie Ong, Albert Ventura, Yusof and Alphonso Soosay. Known as The Top Cats, they performed in the early 70s at The Pink Pussycat, located at Prince Hotel Garni at Orchard Road.
Horace Wee and Vinyl Recordings:
Famed legendary guitarist Horace Wee was in action during the recording. It was the first time a new guitar effect was used locally. There have been some discussions so comments are always welcome but keep them positive please. According to Mr Wee income was good then and he had gone through many such sessions but unable to remember specific ones.
Horace Wee
Author
Alphonso Soosay and Pink Pussy Cat:
I remember Ronnie Ong was popularly known as the Trini Lopez of Singapore then. He was our lead Singer with “Top Cats” and also very popular with the ladies.
The Pink Pussycat Nightclub was formerly known as Prince’s Garni Hotel on Orchard Road, it began rebranding itself as a “Popular Music Club” with two resident bands nightly to draw the crowd and it was packed almost every night.
Ronnie’s nightly popular by request songs were: La Bamba, Lemon Tree, I Am Coming Home Cindy, If I Had A Hammer, Jeanie Marie, Sally Was A Good Ole Girl and many other popular hit songs of the charts then.
Alphonso Soosay
Author.
Some pieces of information were provided by Horace Wee, Jerry Fernandez, Alphonso Soosay, Michael Bangar and Ivor Lesslar. Thank you gentlemen. Appreciate corrections, if any.
Images: Google.
Horace Wee (c).
Alphonso Soosay (c).
17 comments:
The Ronnie Ong version of Buttons and Bows appearedon teh CD Steam Kodok a few years ago. The most popular version I think was that by Dinah Shore. You can read all about the song in wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buttons_and_Bows
Steve
Yes, Steve. I grew up with this song. 'Steam Kodok' has only this song from Ronnie Ong, taken from the same EP I featured. The others are from Singapore groups too.
Dinah Shore is actually 40s and 50s. She was a mighty fine singer. Thanks for contributing. Are you still at the U?
Hi Andy
I am actaully working at uni over the Xmas - New Year break.
I remember the Dinah Shore version also even though it was supposed to have come out in November 1947! I also have the Gene Autry 78, which according to the wiki article came out one month later, but my 78 player is broken.
Anyway, Happy New Year!
Steve
Hi Steve,
A Happy New Year to you too. I met this gentleman who has about 20 to 25 record-players for different types of records from the earliest to the ones found in the 50s. He has a collection of about 3,000 78rpm.
Fantastic guy. He's about 78 years young and is called The Gramophone Man. I will feature him soon.
Cheers
Happy New Year Andrew!! I really enjoy your blog posts.... no one else on the web is putting information up like this... its really an incredible resource.. thanks so much and i hope you continue this blog.
regards,
Carl
Thank you very much DJ Carlito. Appreciate your sincerity and compliment about this blog. I am glad to be of some use and able to spread this personal profile on 60s music.
David Greenfield
That Ronnie Ong EP is #1 on my want list.
Andy Young
David Greenfield hello. I have only ONE copy. 🙂
David Greenfield
Andy Young I’ll find it someday.
Andy Young
David Greenfield just out of curiosity, how much would it cost if bought from a shop? Give and take?
David Greenfield
Andy Young It depends. There’s a Malaysian seller on Discogs whose prices are outrageously out of line. Unfortunately, some of the record dealers in SG use his listings as a guide to pricing their own stock. That’s a big part of why local 60’s titles became so expensive, and it’s why I’ve shortlisted the shops I’ll visit when I come to town.
Still, it wouldn’t be a cheap one. Definitely over $50, but likely under $150.
Andy Young
David Greenfield Wow! Thank you my friend for the information. I am stunned!!!
Andy Young
Thanks Raymond and David for the early bird visits.
Andy Young
Hello DAISY, thanks for the early visit.
Andy Young
Hi Mr Klass, thanks for the early visit. Your program on radio FM905 gets hotter by the day!!!
I think I first heard Black Holls of Dakota from an LP of western songs my dad had. It also included themes from Big Country and Fistful of Dollars
Alphonso Soosay
Buddy Andy Young. Yes, I remember Ronnie Ong was popularly known as the Trini Lopez of Singapore then. He was our lead Singer with “Top Cats” and also very popular with the ladies.
The Pink Pussycat Nightclub was formerly known as Prince’s Garni Hotel on Orchard Road, it began rebranding itself as a “Popular Music Club” with two resident bands nightly to draw the crowd and it was packed almost every night.
Ronnie’s nightly popular by request songs were: La Bamba, Lemon Tree, I am coming home Cindy, If I had a hammer, Jeanie Marie, Sally was a good Ole girl and many other popular hit songs of the charts then.
Andy Young
Alphonso Soosay WOW!!! Thanks so much. Getting information from a living legend himself, that's the ultimate! You were there as a music performer and also accompanied Ronnie with the others. [1] Can you remember when this picture was taken? and [2] where the other 3 musicians are?
Andy Young
Rose Khoo and Somkid, thanks again for coming over. Hope the information is interesting.
Andy Young
Hi Salim, thanks for the visit again. Appreciate.
Andy Young
The original posting has been expanded by Horace Wee and Alphonso Soosay our music legends today. Do read...
Thanks Andy for the very informative quip. Yes indeed we have seen some great articles but then it's all wasted on the uninitiated. Guess we live and learn, eh? Cheers mate 🫣😜
I remember the name and the singer but unfortunately I have forgotten how Ronnie Ong sounded like. Somewhere in the archives of my mind lies wonderful memories of wonderful people who made music and put such talents to very good use. I remember the Princess Garni only because my father performed there amongst other musicians from the annals of Singaporean musicians history. Such was the affect that music had on our "boomers" generation.
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