Jap Chong, the Quests rhythm guitarist, has passed away today 2nd of March, 2014. Condolences to his family.The last time he wrote to me was during the Chinese New Year season last month when he thanked me on SMS for the short write-up on Quests' song, Gallopin' and wished me season's greetings.
It was in January 2011 when Jap and I had lunch with Riem Diamond (Blue Diamonds), Larry Lai (former Rediffusion DJ) and Vernon Cornelius (Quests vocalist). That was the last time I saw him well and healthy.
Way back when in the mid-sixties, I used to meet Jap behind the scene at the National Theatre, the St. John's Ambulance Brigade HQ at Beach Road and a couple of other venues like the Badminton Hall and night spots around Singapore.
Jap had always been an amicable and pleasant gentleman, usually soft spoken and discussed his band with quiet dignity. Most of his music friends respect Jap for his guitar capabilities and his seriousness with his work as a group member and in leading the band time and again.
We love you Jap.
May you rest in peace.
*One of the best songs Jap Chong recorded:
Jesamine
"What am I supposed to do with a girl like Jesamine,
Though my eyes are open wide,
She's made my life a dream
When Jesamine goes a part of me knows,
I'm not really living,
A butterfly child, so free and so wild
And so full of living.
When Jesamine stays, though time goes fast,
This is my world at last,
Beautiful days lost in her eyes,
But then the whole world dies..."
Jap's solo piece with Quests.
Song: 1968, co-written by Marty Wilde/Ronnie Scott, under the pseudonym Frere Manston and Jack Gellar.
7 comments:
It's sad to learn that Jap Chong of our sixties pop band The Quests has left us. I was one of the many fans of the group during my teen years when the Quests shot to fame. My heartfelt condolences to his family & loved ones.
Yes many people in Singapore and those who live abroad today are familiar with Jap's good looks, magnetic personality and charming voice. He was always accommodating with his fans, playing their song requests and entertaining his audiences. At the same time he was strict with his own professional regime.
I learnt, with a heavy heart, of the passing of Jap Chong. The last time I saw him was on the 2nd of February (3rd day of the CNY) at a friend's house. I remember that he was unusually quiet that evening. We played musical trivia with Jimmy Chan and a few others and Jap was smiling all the way through.
I don't have any songs by Penny Lane, but I suppose the best memory of Jap would be when he sang 'Jesamine' with The Quests.
I HAVE TRANSFERRED JAP CHONG'S POST SO IT STANDS ON ITS OWN. HOPEFULLY MORE OF HIS FRIENDS AND FANS WILL WRITE IN. IT'S NEARLY THREE YEARS NOW...
THE ABOVE TWO COMMENTS WERE TRANSFERRED FROM HIS OLD POSTING DATED 02.3.2014.
I loved Jap's rendition of the song "Jasamine". His voice was pitch perfect for that song!
I loved Jap's rendition of the song "Jasamine". His voice was pitch perfect for that song!
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