(A) SOME SLEEVES SPEAK (Sleeve liners):
"Most pop fans here have been demanding a new sound in music for ages. Now Philips have found this sound and introduce to you - the Valiants (image). Malacca-based Valiants have been together for three years.
Last year they were joined by John K. Couzens - a modern musician from Bristol, England. With John's guidance they have sprung from being a popular instrumental group to the top close-harmony group in Malaysia.
For the past six months they have become the most popular vocal group in Malacca. Their act on stage has the two main essentials - versatility and variety. Just listen to these four numbers penned by lead singer John and you will agree that this new sound is here to stay."
(B) Andy's Comment:
The above sleeve-liner was written by one M. Hanny and some scribblings on it noted that the vinyl was catalogued by a radio station on 24th January, 1968. Using this date as a guideline, Couzens could have joined them in 1967 and the band could have been together since 1964 or '65.
They must have reached some peak in popularity in Malacca, Malaysia or else Philips would not have invited them to record.
Vinyl info: The songs include: Big Wheel, My Elaine, Running Wild, Daddy's Home. All songs are by Couzens. Vinyl #437833 PE. It is a mono recording.
The group members: John K. Couzens (lead singer), William Rodrigues (rhythm), Roger Foo (bass), Gerald Dionysius (lead), Nik Pinto (drums) and Peter John Cutting (manager).
Valiants current line-up
(C) *Peach Fuzz Forest Blog Posting:
"John was in the army and posted to Asia, where he hooked up with the band. The Valiants were an instrumental band until he arrived and added vocals, morphing them from **Indo-Rock to British beat. He wrote all the materials on this EP, although the band still sneaked in some twangs from their instrumental days.
"John was in the army and posted to Asia, where he hooked up with the band. The Valiants were an instrumental band until he arrived and added vocals, morphing them from **Indo-Rock to British beat. He wrote all the materials on this EP, although the band still sneaked in some twangs from their instrumental days.
John's wife was called Elaine (one song title) and came from Australia. He moved to Perth in the late 60s and formed Stonewall Jackson's Virginia Volunteers."
(D) Blog Comments:
1. Absolutely rare indeed, I wonder 'bout the other 2 tracks of the EP...
2. The other two tracks aren't as interesting, unfortunately! Pretty ordinary harmony pop.
3. Rare and great stuff, especially Running Wild; should've been an instant garage comp classic!
4. Very nice tunes!!! Rare and unique!!!
5. John Couzens looks like the singer in our rock band here in Perth around 1968/69. Does anyone know where John is at present?
Anyone know this band? Are they still around?
Edited article/Image: Andy Lim Collection.
**Could be Pop-Yeh-Yeh since they were from Malaysia.
Francis Theseira - current band members from The Valiants - passed away on Friday morning (20.01.2017).
18 comments:
Great postup sir, my dad is Gerald Dionysius(lead). Would love to have a copy of the songs. How can i go about this. Kindly advice , Sir.
The band is still performing but without John.
Gerald Dionysius would love be in touch with you.
Hi Joel,
Thank you for the kind words. I shall contact you if you leave me your email address which I shall not post on this blog.
I doubt I can record the songs as I do not have the machine to record vinyl to CD.
Thank you for visiting.
Hi Sir,
Great!!
Plus, the Valiants is organising a Musical Fest on the 16 Sept which falls on Malaysia day (5pm to 12midnight)
And all top bands from Malacca will be playing to raise funds for school cricket.
My dad will be glad if you could come for this function. Please contact me for further information
Best Regards,
Joel Dionysius
Hi Joel,
Thank you for the invite. I shall try to be present but please provide more details and I shall put up a posting for you on my blog. Photos and illustrations will also be helpful.
I shall put up your letter as a current posting within these few days.
Regards.
Hi Andy,
Great ! Will send you the brochure soon. Don't mind if I ask, where are you based? My dad, I know he would want u to have his contact. The music fest will be in Melaka.
Will provide you with more info once I'm in front of my laptop. Do keep in touch ,
Dear Joel,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Francis Theseira.
Although we've all never met, we're brothers and sisters with the Lord and in music.
I shall put up immediately the video and use his You Tube photo. If you have a clearer photograph please provide one asap.
Please send my condolences to his wife and family.
It is a great loss to the group too.
May Mr Francis R.I.P.
Sincerely
IF FRIENDS AND FANS WISH TO SEND CONDOLENCES YOU CAN WRITE ON THIS PAGE. I SHALL SEND THEM TO MR. JOEL DIONYSIUS IN MALAKA, WITH WHOM I AM IN TOUCH.
Thanks Andy,
the pic im sending you is the only one i have.
Please find the attachments.
Best regards
(As sent: last picture on right posting).
Hi There,
I am John Couzens the lead singer of the Valiants you refer to. I would be happy to correspond with any of the old group and have had the CD copied for family members so I can send out copies. I continued in a musical career once in Australia and toured constantly for 20 years. I still perform several shows a month usually for a charity I support. I have many happy memories of The Valiants and especially Gerry.
Cheers, John
Hi John,
Thanks for writing in.
Glad you responded.
Please feel free to write in anytime but best if you provide me an email address for any correspondence that I might receive.
I shall not divulge the address but can be your connection if any.
Cheers.
Hi John,
My dad is Roger Foo, 2nd from left. Twenty years ago, I had converted the vinyl to digital format but it does have the static sounds, like the ones you posted on YouTube.
I am the youngest of the three girls. Our dad passed away March 14, 2020. Not sure if you both had a chance to be in contact before. We have fond memories of our Dad playing music and leading some local bands in Malacca for many years. Towards his last few years, he enjoyed the ukulele and the convenience of transporting it. This enabled him to play music everywhere he went.
Kind Regards,
Hanna Foo
Sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. I was his classmate in SFI till secondary school. We jammed at my home when he visited Singapore. Philip
Andy Young
Do you still remember this group? Like I always mentioned, my blog is more a history of 60s music in Singapore and its surroundings...
Andy Young
Thanks Stephen for your earliest bird LIKE. Cheers!!!
Hiroshi Deguchi
The Teepees once played with them, Freda said just yesyerday, didnt she?
Andy Young
Hiroshi Deguchi hello, Oh did she? I didn't read that! Thanks Hiroshi.
Andy Young
Thanks Frank Tan and Winston Koh for the LIKES. Winston will have a show at the beginning of JUNE. All the best Winston. Perhaps you can provide more details.
Freda Hanum
Wow thank you Hiroshi for letting know Andy of my posting... I am sorry to say I really can't remember who the guys were in 1970 when we were there just for 3 nights stint such a long time ago, 1 only get to know 1 guy lately, he is Don Beins he was the singer and guitarist of Valiants in 1970.
He was the one that told me he remembered about Teepees performing in Malacca the same club with his band at The Iguana nite club. I will get in touch with him to get a clearer story about the Valiants as he is the origin Malaccan .
The amazing Valiants members in 1964 and the ones in 1970 could be replaced members....I heard the Valiants we met in the 1970s after a few years they were disbanded from the scene that's about 30 to 40 years ago Thank you Hiroshi and Andy, I will check it out with this old friend Don Beins
😊
Andy Young
Freda Hanum, Such positivity with both of you.
Connecting with the past and getting feedback.
So Freda, let's do a new blog post with this story...
Again, Arigatou – ありがとう, Hiroshi and
Terima kaseh Freda.
Spain, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore.
Cheers.
Ericbronson Wong
Yes U R Right,, Nothing Seems To Be Like D Good Old Days Where Even D Bad Times R Good,,,, The Valiants is An Excellent Band,,,, Come To Think Of It,, How Many Still Knows Who's Who Nowadays,,
l asked some people in d past to name me d names of Beatles Members Only one answer John Lennon N also name Some Beatles songs also one came up with a song after a long pause which was HiJude instead of Hey,, How Very Disappointing to know such Low Bs they really r,, they only know Korean K Pops,, Hong Kong Wynners,,Beyond N Tai Chi Band,,
l was so unimpressed with my friendly research on some of those l quizzed ,,?? Am l A Misfit I wonder compared with d trends of today,,?? 🤔🙄🤠😎☕☕
Andy Young
Ericbronson Wong No, You are not a misfit. It's just that time doesn't stand still and changes there must be in this tumultuous world of ours. And especially with music, pop or otherwise, changes are fast in this AI age.
Thanks for an interesting topic you've brought up. I hope others will read Eric.B's comment and provide more insights... Come on guys.
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