Saturday, May 29, 2010

Calling 'The Woodlanders' - You've Got Mail

TWO PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH 'THE WOODLANDERS':

Letter #1:

Hi Andy,
It reminds me of my younger days when I was about 12 years or so. Used to follow my dad who managed this band called The Woodlanders. They played regularly at the Anzuk Club in Admiralty (Sembawang).
PS: Aloysius Soh played for The Woodlanders periodically in the 70s. I am his nephew - Michael.
January 3, 2010 12:25 PM

Letter #2 and 3:

penesmallbrook said...
I lived on the Naval Base from 1968 until 1971 and my father (Arthur Smallbrook) was friends with Bobby Tan in The Woodlanders. He worked in my father's department on the Naval Base before moving to Singapore Glass and often used to come to our house.

They were a great band, we used to love going to dances where they played. Would love to know what he is doing now... retired I guess.
May 29, 2010 10:45 PM

penesmallbrook said...
I lived on the Naval Base in Singapore from 1968 to 1971 and The Woodlanders often played at dances at the CPOs mess. Bobby Tan the lead singer used to work in the same department as my father (Arthur Smallbrook) and often came to our house.

They were a great group, we loved the music at that time. Wasn't Barry Walker one of the Walker Brothers... Do a search on YouTube and you will be able to hear some of their music. Would love to know where and what Bobby is doing now... retired I guess. If you are in touch with him, say, 'Hello' from Penny Smallbrook.
May 29, 2010 10:49 PM

(If anyone out there is familiar with this group please write in. Thanks, Andy.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:RAF_Sembawang_entrance.jpeg

From Tuesday, December 29, 2009 Posting:
(1) British/American Servicemen Music Influence In 60s Music Scene At Military Base

25 comments:

Bert bert said...

Hello Everyone! Bob is still playing up to today! Anyone who wants to get in touch with him can email me!

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Hi Bert, Nice to hear from you but what is your email connection. There's no information when I click on your name.

Would be good if you leave me your connect so I can publish it if you don't mind.

Thank you for visit but it's been two years since.

Unsung Hero said...

Hello Michael
I stumbled on this website by chance. I used to be a friend of your uncle Aloysius Soh. Any chance how I can contact him ? I have lived in Australia for more than 30 years.

Ricky Tan

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

If you know Ricky Tan and wish to contact him you can always write to this blog and make yourself known.

Thank you Unsung Hero for visiting.

Unsung Hero said...

Thanks Andy
Appreciate it very much.

We used to jam a lot together in woodlands back in the 60's.


Cheers
Ricky

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

You are welcome Ricky. I hope Michael gets in touch. Let's hope for the best.

Cheers.

ROBERT TAN (BOBBY) said...

Hi Andy,

Thanks for your response, no I am not Ricky but Bobby who sings with
the the Woodlanders before.

Bobby.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Bobby who sang with The Woodlanders is the same Bobby and D'Aquarians.

He has sent me his email address so to get in touch with him write on this Comment page and I shall forward your mail to him. He promises to reply all letters.

Thanks Bobby. Glad to have spoken with you.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Hi Penny Smallbrook,

You can write to me if you wish. The letters on this posting speak for themselves.

Anxiously waiting for your message.

Unsung Hero said...

Hi Bobby
I doubt you can remember me. But we chatted a fair bit when you guys were performing at the Woodlands community centre back in the 60's. I still remember you were singing with Dominic on rythm and Razak on bass. I couldnt remember what's the drummer name.

If you are still in contact with Aloy, please ask him to write to me. The last time i bumped into him was the the Ladyhill hotel lounge when the was playing with another group of guys. That was probably about 10 years ago!

Cheers
Ricky

BOBBY TAN said...

Hi Ricky,

So sorry can't remember you, I will try to contact Aloysius n get some lead. Following the original line up of Woodlanders there had been some changes. The drummer in the original line up was Zainal, have lost his contact. In fact Aloysius even left the band and was replaced by the late Peng Koon who used to play for the Mandarin afterwards. The last line up was me on Vocals. Dominic on Rhythm, Richard Kng on drums later replaced by Samsudin. and Charlie yap (now with the Locomotion)

Nice to hear from you,

Bobby

Unsung Hero said...

Thanks Bob. Appreciate your fast reply.

Cant fault you for not remembering. We met briefly. I was closer to Aloy.

Is Samsudin the drummer the same person that used to play with Mike Ibrahim & Nite Walkers ? They are one group that I have been trying to touch base with.

Cheers
Rick

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Hi Ricky,

i am Andy. why don't you provide me your email address. i wont publish it but send it to Bobby.


i'd love to be your go-between but from what Bobby tells me, he love to meet you personally.


Send me now and i will pass it to him. Then we can all meet to chat.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

"he loves to meet you"

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Glad you're all connected somehow. My idea of a kopitiam ideal on the Internet has put some people together.


All the best for more kopi chats and more meetings of 60s music hearts.

MICHAEL said...

Hi Andy,
Apologies for taking so long to reply to this thread. Better late than never.

Hi Rickie,
You can reach Aloysius Soh at his email...
I believe Bobby and Aloysius do still keep in touch. Other than Charlie Yap who still play together with Aloysius in another band -Locomotion, the rest have mostly retired.

Regards
Michael

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Hi Michael, here's my note to Aloysius. Hope he replies. If yo wish to get in touch with me just write in again with your email address which I won't publish and I shall reply.

Hi Aloysius,

How are you my friend? I am Andy whom you accompanied for our Silver Strings gigs. I have a posting done a few years ago and there are people trying to keep in touch with you. Click the connection and you can read about Michael, Ricky and others who are interested in a get-together.

Just reply to acknowledge receipt so I know you have received my mail.

Warm Regards,
Andy.

Unsung Hero said...

Hi Andy
I saw Michael's email reply re Aloysius Soh's email but there was no email attached.

Please help.

Cheers
Ricky

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Dear Ricky, please write to me again giving me your email address. I shall not publish it but send you his confidentially. I have written to him as you might have noted but he hasn't replied.

ALOYSIUS said...

Thanks Andy for keeping in touch and best regards to all my friends.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

With this note I will give Aloysius' friends his email address. Hopefully he will write to you all. But please leave me your address. I shall not publish it.

UNSUNG HERO said...

7:17 AM (1 hour ago)

Good morning Andy

Thanks mate.

My email is...

Anonymous said...

Hi everyone, my dad is Richard Khng. We were chatting about his old band and I happened to google and chanced upon this chat. He is very happy to know all of you are doing well and send his best wishes. He still plays the drums for church.

penesmallbrook said...

Andy.. just seen your comment re Bobby Tan and the Woodlanders my email is:

lesmonneries@hotmail.com or pissouribeach@hotmail.com

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

This article is 6 years old. I think it's time all of you got together to meet and say hello. I met Bobby at Tanglin CC a few months ago and if I am not mistaken Aloysius has met another one of his band members too.

Time is short my friends. Let's meet for kopi.