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Okay, so here he is. The guy who needs no introduction to our local music fans is one of the more successful singers in the 60s. He came from across the sea and together with the already famous Quests, unfurled music so potent that many youngsters today still think that they are the only pop band in Singapore.
Backing Mr. Dynamite, and with about 10 songs on his own list, The Quests say adios to Keith Locke with this particular recording. If you look at the image carefully you will notice a caricature of him in the background, with the special 'K' long-sleeved T- Shirt, boarding the plane and waving his last farewell. I just managed to get this vinyl during the week-end, recorded on 12/04/1966.
'You Talk Too Much'
Keith Locke & The Quests
YouTube Video by: Seang Guan Chan
So for those who do not possess this pressing, simply titled, Keith Locke And The Quests, on Columbia/EMI: DO 4664, SOME SLEEVES SPEAK reveal: "This is Keith Locke's final record and his farewell tribute to the hundreds of fans that his voice brought him, during his singing career in Singapore.
Keith, originator of the Push Push beat and the dance of the same name, recorded this final single shortly before he left the Quests, homeward bound. In the same tradition as his other records, You Talk Too Much (Jones, Hall) and Lonely Street (Sowder, Hearn, Belew, Stevenson) present Keith Locke as a highly competent singer. It is, in fact, his best record, with the warmth, emotion and feel for a song tht put him at the top with his first disc, You Lied.
The Quests provide some superb backing on this record, with snatches of fine guitar-playing. Keith adds everything else.
It may be goodbye from Keith but it's the only way he felt he could adequately express it... through a record.
And this is what his fans will remember him for. It's thank you to Keith for so many wonder songs, and as he would have said it himself, "Be nice, baby!"
Keith Locke with Singapore's Irene Yap,
our own local recording artiste too.
Image: Universal Music Singapore. Andy Lim Collection.
*My way of presenting original sleeve-liners, so check out other liners by clicking "Labels" below:
28 comments:
Keith Locke was one of my favourite singers in the 1960s. Of course, he was backed by the ever popular group, The Quests back then ! Those years, the radio & Redifusion played their songs on air frequently with songs like, Don't play that song, Push Push, Be my girl, etc. I regret that I did not keep those vinyl records I bought those years ! Hope you have the latest info or update of him, and what he's doing now. Thanks
Thanks FL for your support. You are so knowledgeable.
I found a website about Keith Locke and will post it soon.
I have also requested through a friend for Henry Chua (Quests) to do some write-ups. Hope he will, so please be patient.
I love that push, push tempo style by Keith Locke and my favorite singer accompanied by The Quests in my schooldays in the 1960s.
BTW was it Jap Chong the lead of The Quests where he once stayed in Tiong Bahru?
Appreciate if someone could help me with some "memory aids" for them. Thanks in advance.
I have to confirm that Jap Chong lived in Tiong Bahru but as far as I can remember, that was the place where great Singapore 60s bands started.
Answer anyone?
Andy Young
One of the most popular bands during the 60s, so unless you were there, better check this singer out. COMMENTS ARE MOST WELCOME. DO TALK MUCH... 🙂
Hi Hui Si, thanks for being the first visitor to this post. Keith Locke entertained us with the pop local band, the Quests.
Andy Young
Thanks JOHN KLASS [GOLD905] and ROSE KHOO for being the 2nd and 3rd visitors for this Saturday morning's post.
David Greenfield
I still need that one!
Andy Young
David Greenfield hi, how much would a copy cost today, a ballpark pricing, in an open market?
Andy Young
Hi JALANI thanks for the early bird visit. Welcome again my friend.
Michael Lee
I remember attending his show with the Quest at I think the Fort Canning centre in the mid. 60s.
Andy Young
Michael Lee ah, thanks for sharing my friend... I remember Fort Canning Centre and wondering if it's still open.
Andy Young
If you haven't read the blog post, it explains that this recording is Keith Locke's last with the Quests.
David Greenfield
Andy Young These are currently selling on Discogs. Notice how one listing is grossly more expensive than the others? That Malaysian dealer inflates all of his prices, which becomes problematic because some of the Singaporean record dealers based their pricing off of his, then everybody’s prices are grossly overstated
Andy Young
Thanks David, yes I am aware. But how much would you, as a collector, pay for it, given the unstable pricing of such items.
Andy Young
SOMKID, BEN, LIM, thanks for visiting again. Appreciate you like these blog posts.
David Greenfield
Andy Young It depends on the condition, but probably something that is in line with the first two prices shown.
David Greenfield OK, thanks very much for the information. Appreciate.
Andy Young
Thanks JOHN KLASS [GOLD905] and ROSE KHOO for being the 2nd and 3rd visitors for this Saturday morning's post.
Andy Young
Hi JALANI thanks for the early bird visit. Welcome again my friend.
Michael Lee
I remember attending his show with the Quest at I think the Fort Canning centre in the mid. 60s.
Andy Young
Michael Lee ah, thanks for sharing my friend... I remember Fort Canning Centre and wondering if it's still open.
Michael Lee
Andy Young According to Google it still exists. Peter Chua John Cher and the band played there in one of the function rooms. I provided sound system and amplifiers etc.
Andy Young
If you haven't read the blog post, it explains that this recording is Keith Locke's last with the Quests.
Andy Young
SOMKID, BEN, LIM, thanks for visiting again. Appreciate you like these blog posts.
Fred Ching
A bygone golden age of music, stunning musicians, brilliant voices and perfect harmonies, dear Brother Andy! Only the tender mercy of God did I ever get to meet Keith Locke.
I was attending a concert to watch my childhood idol, Veronica Young at NLB Singapore. I was at this charity event and this dude was seated next to me. I recognised him.. and said ‘wow’ you’re Keith Locke? Blessings.
We stepped out to take a breather during interval, and I thank him for his contributions to our Singapore music scene with The Quests. I asked him for an autograph and he scribbled it out on a card that I carried around in my wallet until it disintegrated! We had supper together with Veronica and friends after the show. We walked Veronica back to her hotel and I took Keith for a car ride. I blasted some of the Quests songs and it brought tears to his eyes on hearing some of the songs that he wrote.
What a remarkable man who worked extremely hard for his days with The Quests, probably the biggest Singapore band of all time! Wherever Keith may be.. God bless him.
🙏❤️🙏..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_f7khvTSUQ
Andy Young
Fred Ching hello, you are one great writer. The story speaks for itself. With your permission, could I post your comment on the blog? Thanking you first before you say no. 🙂
Francis Anthony Rozells
When he was based in Penang he sang often with my Father's band......Joe Rozells n The Hawaiian Palm Beach Boys......met him in my teenage years.
Andy Young
Francis Anthony Rozells wow!!! thanks so much for this piece of information. I have heard of Joe Rozells many years back. Appreciate your sharing Francis.
Francis Anthony Rozells
His favourite song 'Bengawan Solo'
Andy Young
Francis Anthony Rozells and he sings it as well?
David Greenfield
Andy Young I'd say $40-80 is the "average" range for local titles, but there are a few places that are way out of line. As a foreigner, I've become sensitive to dealers who like to play the price gouging game, and I've become more selective over whom I'll do business with.
David Greenfield
Andy Young If you look hard enough, there are still some places where you can find 60's titles for very little money. I bought this Nancy Sit record, along with 11 more titles, for a total of SG$20 last year.
Andy Young
David Greenfield hi again! Thanks for the tip. I'll start my rounds again to look for them. Fun hobby actually. And SG$20 for all the 12 records, that's a good bargain.
Francis Anthony Rozells
His favourite song 'Bengawan Solo'
Andy Young
Francis Anthony Rozells and he sings it as well?
Francis Anthony Rozells
Andy Young, yes but he pronounced 'sembawan' instead of 'Bengawan'...
'
Andy Young
Francis Anthony Rozells 🤣
That's funny. Thanks again.
Freda Hanum
I was still in sec 4 when I see Keith Lock and the Quest at Ocean Park ...such a memory Andy
Andy Young
Freda Hanum HELLO. Oh, that's youth my friend. What were you doing at Ocean Park when you were sweet 16 or younger?
Freda Hanum
Andy Young Stayed at Katong, got 2 or 3 closed school friends , we all are fans and crazy over those 60s bands like Noami & the boys, Crescendos, Trailers, Quest etc...hehehe😆
Andy Young
Freda Hanum ok, now I understand...🙂
Nice, I’ve obviously heard of the Quest, who sound awesome on the record. However I’ve never heard of Keith Locke until today. You said he came from abroad? Where from?
As far as I know, from JAMAICA.
30.9.24
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