Larry Lai King Of Singapore 60s Airwaves (Pt I)

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"Larry Lai was a household name in many homes with Rediffusion of the 60s in Singapore. Djs' were the celebrities playing the music we like. Many teens spent countless hours listening to songs requested through Larry Lai. 

As he would say many years later in Andy's blog that he would find stacks of song request slips attached to the windshield wiper of his car from fans every morning. 

My personal word to Larry is "how can we forget you fulfilling a sentimental song request from the Valentino Bros to the Valentino Sisters, both of Tiong Bahru, for "TELL LAURA I LOVE HER and TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY BABY."
For the Larry Lai Story, see Andy's Blog 

(From Henri Gann)."

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The original 2010 article:

When I first met Larry Lai in the mid 60s, it was amidst the hustle and bustle of a busy stage at St. John's Ambulance Brigade Headquarters in Beach Road. He was the Master of Ceremonies (MC) or compere for the dinner and dance that evening as he made a formal introduction to announce my performance.

After nearly 45 years, I met this kindly gentleman again, but this time around it was amidst the solitude of a neat and air-conditioned coffee house in a vintage suburb at Serangoon Gardens in Singapore. Larry was busy with his lap top as he coaxed it to play Frankie Cheah's Woman In My Life, Sugiman Jahuri's Misty and a number by Peggy Tan I couldn't remember. "That's a brand new lappy I just got free," he remarked. As we sat in a corner and before our conversation even started, a lady at the next table called across.

"Hah," she said, "I can recognise that voice anywhere! You are Larry Lai aren't you, from Rediffusion?" It was more an announcement rather than a question. Because he is such a gentleman, Larry continued his conversation with her a while. At the end of the chat, she proudly claimed that she was still an ardent fan despite the years that had gone by. I looked at him and said quietly, "Wow. That's how powerful you are!"

So as Larry sipped his thick *kopi susu and I my **teh-tarek, he decided to tell me, after much persuasion, his long and interesting love affair with Rediffusion. As he was about to recall the year he left Outram Secondary School, I suggested lunch first...

(Many of you, in Singapore and abroad, know Larry Lai. Perhaps you'd like to tell your story too about this very pleasant gentleman.)

*For the uninitiated: *coffee/milk **frothy English tea/milk.

Thanks to Larry Lai for the drinks, meals and interview.

Image: © 2010 Larry Lai Collection. All rights reserved.

Orginal article: Andy Lim.

Naomi And Robert Suriya Originals - Long Play

When Naomi and The Boys did an LP collection of their favourites, they called it: The Best of Naomi. Done at Decca MacDonald House, Singapore. Good selection, with clarity and an interpretive sensitivity that only Naomi could carry.

The back sleeve extols the group with a short write-up (edited). "Talent is a very desirable quality and no artiste can hope to get anywhere without possessing a bare minimum. But to get right up to the top, you need individuality - a distinctive sound and style which enables the listener to identify you at once.

On this Decca LP album Naomi and The Boys present 14 great examples of talent, individuality and unique artistry. Each one is an outstanding performance. Naomi sings with her usual sincerity backed by her inimitable Boys. Splendid entertainment."

The line up includes Robert Suriya on lead guitar/glockenspiel, Peter Thomas on bass/rhythm, Moses Tay on organ/piano, with Alphonso Soosay on drums/percussion. According to Henry Suriya, brother to Naomi and Robert, only Tay reads music, so he documents the arrangements for the group.

                           Making Believe by Naomi and the Boys - video by cuckoo bird.

Of the 14 songs, 8 are originals by Suriya, Till The End Of Our Time, I Love You, I Know, I Won't Miss You, The Time Has Come, Get You Outa My Mind, If You Change Your Mind and It's All Over.

The rest of the songs are interpretations of Paul Simon's Sound Of Silence, The Everly's So Sad, Frazier's There Goes My Everything, the well-known Schertzinger/Mercer song, I Remember You, Otis/Benton/Hendricks, Looking Back and the song that made this group famous, Happy, Happy Birthday Baby by Sylvia/Lopez.

Good friend Henry Suriya let me have his only copy of this album. Old St. Andrew's School boys...

His take on the album soon!

Image/Original article: Andy Lim Collection.Monday, February 01, 2010

'Unforgettable': Cheryl's Tribute To Her Dad Moses Tay, Bassist For 'Naomi And The Boys'

Western Union Band With Chris Vadham: Paper Roses, Paper Dreams... Yesterday's Sorrows

Chatting with Audie Ng who managed WUB in the 70's:

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The Western Union Band (WUB) needs no introduction. Like some of the top guitar groups in Singapore 60's, they have made a mark on our local music scene, especially with their 70's recordings.

Everyone loves Sausalito (1972), the song synonymous with the group but compositions like Yesterday's Sorrows, I've Got Love, Driving Me Crazy and the uniquely enchanting, Paper Roses, Paper Dreams are only some of the original songs composed by singer/songwriter and anchorman *Chris (Kris) Vadham and his brother Moses.

These originals stood out among the covers they record. According to the 1978 recording sleeve  We've Got Love, the line-up was Vadham on lead vocals and guitars, Danny Lim on guitars, flute and backing vocals, Abel Gan on keyboard and backing vocals, Peter Mangkok, bass and Daniel Wee with drums and percussion. This group had recorded for Libra in the early 70s and EMI in the late 70s with changes in the group.

The band started in 1971 and parted company around 1980. WUB were a hit when they played at the Orchard Road circuit in Singapore, comfortable at the Jane Fonda-movie inspired night spot called, Barbarella.

                               Sausalito - Chris Vadham by Mr Rainbow

Then there was this Katong bar in the east coast where they played quite regularly. It was called Moonshine.  The area was a hotspot for the gatherings of Katongites who frequented the cinemas and bowling alleys.  At the Hong Kong Hilton patrons told them that they were comparable to the best bands in the region when they played at the hotel's club called The Den.

Western Union Band were formidable as a group and had cut 4 singles and 4 LPs inclusive of the ones mentioned and Chris Vadham, who had since passed on in London, was a truly respected musician in this region.

Four LP's could be a recording record in the 70's because if they didn't sell, contracts would have been torn after only one LP. And there were quite a number of  Singapore artistes who never recorded again afterwards beyond one LP.

"But my paper roses don't let me down..."

*Chris and Moses Vadham have successfully recorded in Malay in the 80s. The album Mimpiku Retak Seribu, under the Philips label, is an example.

Information: Audie Ng (Leader/Bassist: The Silver Strings)

Image: Ebay.
Original article: Andy Lim.