Does Singapore Have A Bicycle Culture?

Where The Bicycle Bell Rings

Taiwan

The highest building Taipei 101 is in the Xinyi Commercial District, has many luxury shopping malls and is one of the must-see destinations for visitors to Taiwan.  The area is cycle-friendly, thanks to a grid of purpose-built cycling tracks where one can hire a bike by swiping a public-transport and convenience store friendly card.

It costs about US$3/00 for a three-hour ride.  How convenient. What amazed me were the clean and shiny bicycles all neat in a row, ready for use.  During our trip last year to Taipeh we didn't try riding them since my wife doesn't ride a bike but with the ease of transportation, wide, clean pedestrian paths and friendly people it was just as convenient walking around.But it has a healthy bicycle culture.

                             
New Zealand
A similar culture was already in existence way back in the 1970's when I was in Christchurch, New Zealand. Amidst colourful flowers on side-walks and orange-leafed trees I remember seeing this windy rush of bicycles with a dozen pretty Kiwi girls in shorts turning a corner in the busiest part of the city. No speed, no hassle, no one fell as each bike disappeared safely around the bend. It was fast but it was a beautiful sight indeed. And I noticed that no one wore a helmet!

Cyclists in New Zealand were usually very polite and street sensible, stopping at corners and giving way to pedestrians. I noticed that most bicycles had bells on them and the sweet ting, ting, ting sound that danger was behind. But this was in 1973 so I don't really know what's happening today.

                                     
France
According to an article about cycling, France was one of the first countries to ever take up past-time. In fact, the word bicycle was originated in France in the middle of the nineteenth century.  The creation of the Tour de France bicycle race in 1903 made cycling all the more important to the country.

Personally I have seen them all over the country; on cars,in trains, ferries.  They move over mountains, hills and dales. Again, the culture, developed through many years of practice makes perfect, have cyclists who hardly knock into pedestrians, other cyclists or vehicles. They stop to give way, and like the ones in New Zealand, will stop at zebra crossings, red lights and make way for little children who come in the way. This happened in the early 1990's but could be different now.

                                       Les Bicyclettes de Belsize - Engelbert Humperdinck. 

One of the most famous songs about bicycles is a favourite of mine called, Les Bicyclettes De Belsize. The song itself is from a film of the same name and the music and lyrics were written by Les Reed and Barry Manson. This favourite has been a hit for Engelbert Humperdinck since the 1960's and was top ten in the UK and top forty in the USA and other countries.

Where The Bicycle Bell Doesn't Ring:

Singapore

I do not own a bicycle now but there are lots of stories about this mode of transport in Singapore recently. Bicycle lanes, bicycle parking spaces, bicycle thefts, bicycle locks and so on.  It's a great way to get around but the question is, do we really have a bicycle culture in our country?

There must be formal lessons in etiquette and civic consciousness in the classroom before the people in charge embark on such a project.  We cannot take for granted that cyclists, pedestrians and motorists will commit to rules they have to abide by. Otherwise it may just be too late. 

                       For illustration only. Is this safe for the child?

In my area there is a lady who carries a baby in a little wicker basket (image right for illus.) that is perched behind the bicycle. I have spoken to her politely about the dangers, that we cannot take for granted the road situation, but she has ignored my advice.

We have people in Singapore today from foreign lands. It is urgent that they realise they are not in their own country and situations here are different from those abroad. Similarly we must school our own citizens to abide by the rules too.

A culture takes some time to evolve but we need to start with proper enforcement.

I was nearly hit by a cyclist recently when he came past the bus stop I was at. He was inches away from me, coming from behind, without warning, without consideration and worst, without slowing down.

For a safer cycling experience.

What do you think? Please write in.

                                     Queen Bicycle Race

Disclaimer:
There is no intention to criticize the present system but we need to tighten the screws where regulations and enforcement are concerned.

Images: Google.

US Troops From Vietnam Play Motown On Jukebox

It has been a while since Allan Thompson wrote his tales of intrigue and suspense. Below is another, more thrilling than ever, as he takes us on his own trip down memory lane to investigate the juke-box joints in *decadent Singapore. We're back in the 60's now as we join him hunting down military establishments with his ang-moh kakis.

It is an exciting trip and what you're about to read is true. Thanks again Allan. 

Dear Andy,  

I seem to recall that juke boxes were not permitted in bars of other public places in Singapore during the 1960's.  I was told at the time that this was because of protection rackets over the supply of the machines and records.  (This was part of the plot of the Jayne Mansfield film, The Girl Can't Help It).  

Maybe you have *more information on this?  However, military establishments were allowed to have juke boxes, and I know they were installed in the NAAFI, the Chalet Club, and the Malcolm Club at RAF Changi.  

The Chalet Club also had a Scopitone film juke box which cost 50 cents for each play, which was more expensive than the normal record juke box.  There was also a delay between songs because the films apparently had to rewind after each number.  

The favourite selections on the Chalet Club machine were Robot by The Tornados, who were filmed in woodland wearing cheaply made helmets and dancing with girls while miming to the record;  Francoise Hardy on a swingboat, miming to one of her songs while her skirt blew up every time the swingboat swung;  and I've Got The World On A String which featured voluptuous bikini-clad American girls dancing on a beach while the lucky cameraman took some interesting and provocative overhead cleavage shots! 

Because of the juke box ban, many Singapore bars played music on record-players, tape recorders or the radio.  I remember one occasion when some friends and I went into a bar near Raffles Place and were met with the sound of loud Motown music on the record-player while six tall black American sailors in their white uniforms danced in a line in the middle of the room in the style of the Four Tops (image below).  

It was an unforgettable sight.  In those days many American servicemen used to visit Singapore while on leave from Vietnam, that terrible, pointless war which devastated that beautiful country and maimed and killed so many innocent people.   

If only the United States had let 'Uncle' Ho Chi Min run the country for the benefit of the Vietnamese people instead of flexing their muscles and causing so much destruction.  I think it says a lot for the dignity of the Vietnamese that they are so forgiving of those who oppressed them for so many years.  There ends my sermon for today!

Good wishes, 

Allan. 

NB:

(1) On 8th June, 1959, the newly elected PAP government launched a campaign against yellow culture (Chinese: huangse wenhua = decadent behaviour). Although there were attempts to eradicate it earlier, the campaign was a sustained and extensive enterprise, easing only in the 1980's. 

Spear-headed by the Culture Ministry, the authorities launched a nationwide clamp-down on Western culture seen as promoting anti-social life. So pornographic publications and films, strip shows, jukebox dens, pin-table saloons, rock music as well as long hair on men were banned. It promoted instead healthy cultural activities that focused on forging a common Malayan culture. 

From: HistorySG, an online resource guide.

                  'I've Got The World On A String' - A Scopitone Film Juke-Box

(2) Scopitone was a 1960's type of jukebox featuring a 16 mm film component. Scopitone films were a forerunner of modern music videos. The first Scopitones were made in France. 

*written tongue-in-cheek.

Images and Videos from Google and You Tube.

Kick-start words:
Vietnam War, Rest and Recreation, US soldiers, army

Andy Sneak Peeks: Media Corp Toggle: 'Not The 5 Show' Episode 19.

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Andy Young with Silver Strings 

             Chua En Lai, Jack Neo, Ailen Tan

                   Suhaimi Yusof, Moses Lim, Simone Heng

Nick, John, Michael, Andy, En Lai (Show Host), Audie and Rickie.

BACKSTAGE @ MEDIA CORPS CHANNEL 5:

Behind the huge video cameras at Caldecott Hills last Wednesday, 13th April 2016, when the afternoon was at its hottest in Singapore at 36.7 degree C , a group of us were happily huddled in the cool comfort of one of Media Corp's colourful sound stages. 

It was a busy bee situation as the camera crew was preparing to shoot our performance on a slightly raised platform.  The floor manager was simultaneously taking and giving instructions to both the band and production crew. There was the usual sound check and dry run for a show The Silver Strings were invited to participate in.

Band members who were scattered on stage, were checking the amps and cables to make sure each piece of equipment was properly connected to their solid guitar. The sound check took some time and the rehearsals some effort.

There was keyboardist, Lobo Nick Stravens (far left) checking his electronic piano, towering dude rhythm guitarist Michael Bangar (with sun-glasses), leader and bassist Audie Ng (in checkered red) and the cool one, lead guitarist Ricky (far right), strumming to balance the volume. 

This blog's contributing writer, John Cher was lost earlier somewhere between the drums, looking for his giant chopsticks to  rock the joint but was sitting satisfied later waiting to roll. I was holding the heavy and powerful Media Corp Shure microphone and snapping some pictures. On stand-by near me was the little bottle of water. Throats parched easily under such a condition.

We're not supposed to reveal anything yet but if you had been following this blog in the last few days, you would have noticed that the Silver Strings were involved in another programme that had been recorded live for prime time on Channel Five. The last time the band was featured on TV was in Rolling Good Times with Dick Lee and Rick Astley in May, 2015.

Some of the popular stars on television and radio would be in this show which highlighted pop music from the 60's and 70's. The personalities included host Chua En Lai, actor and movie producer Jack Neo, TV host and Malay comedian Suhaimi Yusof. There were other stars.  

[17/1/2025 Fast Forward]: Wow! Now she's a celebrity author, Simone Heng was with us in the audience too in 2016, the red dress white collar lady.  She has a book called, 'Let's Talk About Loneliness'.]


The sound check I described lasted for a bit. When we had left, the stage crew welcomed the studio audience in. Performers were ushered backstage for a simple dinner and a rest before proceeding to the make-up room. 

We met more TV and movie personalities as we waited backstage. They were appearing with us on the show. There was also another pop guitar and vocal group. Hot, hot, hot. The band.

So as we leave John (left), his face heavily powdered by our pretty lady at Caldecott Hill, we say farewell until Wednesday evening 20th April, 2016, when the programme will be on air at 7.30 pm. 

Many media savvy Singaporeans know that the broadcasting studio at Caldecott Hill would move out of its present location soon. The Silver Strings and I are glad to have participated in two of the shows before its closure.

Following the teaser on Media Corp's Channel 5 Program for this week, Jack Neo, Mark Lee and the cast of the new movie Long Long Time Ago join us for a nostalgic look back at Singapore and their own lives in the 1960's and 70's. Other young celebrity guests experience the challenges of yesteryear in Singapore's last remaining kampong.

Don't miss it. Lots of surprises. And by the way, it is not The 5 Show. Don't let the logo fool you.

NB: Posted After Telecast on 20th April, 2016.

The two songs performed by SS that evening were: Walking My Baby Back Home (Dean Martin) and Mean Woman Blues (Elvis Presley). Each song lasted about two minutes as there were time constraints.


As it was the procedure we waited behind the soundstage where there was ample room for relaxation and a meeting up with the other participants Moses Lim, Jack Neo and Ailen Tan. They were friendly, warm. Picture taking, especially with Moses Lim, was done with ease and a natural calm. Mr Lim had no airs about him.

Chua En Lai (left) was just as polite backstage but kept a low profile because he was the host and had his hands full holding the show together, having had to open chat on camera with Simone Heng and Suhaimi Yusof who were co-hosting. Sweet and charming TV host Bharathi Rani, whom we met in the elevator, told the audience her kampong tales.

As with the Silver Strings camaraderie was strong with the Media Corp cast and crew. The video and sound recordings that evening ran without a hitch and the Floor Manager was a perfect gentleman, cuing us most times and helping us with stage positioning, sound check, the usual stand-by procedures in front of the floor cams.

        
Topics discussed during the actual shoot:
Kampong, Ponggol, Chua Chu Kang, Yeo Chu Kang, Tea Dances, Discos, Zoey Tay, attap houses, Long long ago

                           Toggle: Episode 19 with The Silver Strings

Disclaimer:

This article is a personal experience of my time in the studios and it has no intention of promoting any person, place or thing.

Images: A Personal Collection; Google; Media Corp.
An Original Article from Andy Lim (Young).

                                            Moses Lim with Silver Strings

Not The 5 Show with Suhaimi Yusof, 

Simone Heng [2025 celebrity author in red], 

Jack Neo, Bharathi Rani, Ailen Tan.

Blast From The Past: Pop 50's Unfamiliar Today

           Natalie Cole - Almost Like Being In Love - Video: Vadim Shinnick.

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Songs I Love

Before Cliff Richard:

This article came about when I was searching for Natalie Cole's songs on You Tube.  She had passed away on the last day of 2015 and I chanced upon her singing, Almost Like Being In Love, a personal favourite. 

It is a 1947 song and a lovely one at that. What with Tan Swee Leong's [a famous Singapore DJ] death on the 18th December, just days before hers, I thought of our vulnerability and how fragile we mortals are. These professionals reminded me too of the unique heritage they have left behind as entertainers. 

Almost Like Being In Love is not well-known to many young people here (pardon if I'm wrong) and even to some 60's music enthusiasts.  So if you're keen to know what some of us listened to a long time ago before Cliff Richard and The Shadows came to Singapore's Badminton Hall, read on.

Not the usual Top Hit List, as many of the titles are unheard of these days and the songs are presented as they come to my head. But some are not that obsolete since they were popular during the 1950's but came a little before The Young Ones.  A couple of singers are still around. Twenty songs should be sufficient but it is my own compilation and personal favourites.

Bobby Darin: Baby Face: YouTube

Video from Bobby Darin - Topic

Pop Songs Unfamiliar Today: Sung by 50's Legends

Almost Like Being In Love - Frank Sinatra - 1947
Chee Chee Ooh Chee - Dean Martin - 1955
Money Burns A Hole In My Pocket - Dean Martin - 1954
Lay Down Your Arms - Anne Shelton - 1956
Where Will The Dimple Be? - Rosemary Clooney - 1955

Green Door - Jim Lowe - 1956
Hana Ko San - Miyoshi Umeki - 1940's to 1950's
I'm Hans Christian Andersen - Danny Kaye - 1952
Thumbelina - Danny Kaye or Dean Martin - 1952*
Around The Corner - Jo Stafford - 1952

              Baby Let's House - Elvis Presley - Video: Adem Presley

Baby Face - Bobby Darin - 1926
'A' You're Adorable - Perry Como - 1948**
Ivory Tower - Gale Storm - 1956
Dark Moon - Gale Storm - 1957
Fire Down Below - Jeri Southern - 1957
              
Baby Let's House - Elvis Presley - 1955***
Any Place Is Paradise - Elvis Presley - 1956
Majorca Isle of Love - Petula Clark - 1955
Imitation of Life - Earl Grant - 1959
The Girl Can't Help It - Little Richard - 1956

None of these songs have been covered and recorded by our local vocal or band groups.  Are they still being played on Singapore's English radio today?

Do you have some songs to add to the list?

*A song I teach my grandchildren.

**Tan Swee Leong usually sings this song to entertain. It was one I heard from him when we were gathered at house parties.

*Lost the precious 78rpm piece which would cost some today. The mumbling Elvis and echo plays are killers! 

Part 2 will come on soon. That's when I document songs recorded by our own local bands but unheard of today.

Images: Anne Shelton, Bobby Darin, Little Richard (horizontal); Petula Clark, Miyoshi Umeki, Perry Como (vertical).

You Tube Videos.

This article is copyrighted.

Pay $200 To Watch Tom Jones Live In Singapore?

Disclaimer:

The experience written is a personal one of a friend who attended the show and is not sponsored by any commercial enterprise, advertising company, event or media agency. The above picture is used for this posting only. Any objection, do

write in on Comment page for immediate deletion.

Below is a direct SMS transcript and fillers from good friend LK Min. He took the time to message me immediately after the show about the Tom Jones Show in Singapore on 31st March, 2016.

Thanks Min for your contribution and glad you enjoyed the performance.

I received the ticket image on Thursday evening before midnight and three minutes later good friend Min came bursting through my What'sApp screaming, "Just came home after watching TJ." 

He continued, "He is still very good at his age. Solid two hours with no intermission."

When I asked him if he loved the performance his reply was, "Thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Worth the ticket!" It was a premier ticket and Min paid more than $200 for a seat. And with a friend to accompany him that was an exorbitant $400 for the performance.

"Wow that's expensive," I replied. "I can just watch him on You Tube and big screen at home for free."

I wanted photos and his reply came, "My friend took one or two shots," adding, "if Jones comes around again next year, still worth to catch him."  Min then asked if I fancied Jones and explained that he would have taken more pictures if he had not forgotten to bring his hand-phone.

I replied, "I prefer Engelbert Humperdinck. Jones' wild animal ways are more for the ladies."

"Did our Singapore ladies throw panties?" I added in jest, knowing very well this act of innocence would never happen in Singapore, not even in 2016.

"No, he was gentlemanly and even sang *one or two songs in tribute to Elvis. He sang a couple of gospels too. Came across as rather saintly... big contrast to his younger days of wildness and sexiness."

I wanted a description of the audience and band in the 5,050 seat theatre at the Star Performing Arts Centre.  His reply came fast and explained that he was seated,  "Six or seven away from the front. It was quite near the stage for that price. Jones sang the favourites like, Sex Bomb, Green Green Grass of Home, Never Fall In Love Again, Kiss, Delilah, It's Not Unusual and others."

According to Min, there were, "No dancing girls nor chorus. Just him alone belting out all the songs for two hours. He must have taken some fantastic Ginseng if not Viagra!"

The band section composed of, "Trombone, organ, a couple of solid guitars, a tuba and the usual drums. The hall was almost filled."

I told him Mr Jones failed Singapore fans the last time he was here. He had an unlucky bout of laryngitis before his appearance. According to a friend who attended the show, Jones sang only one song on stage and disappeared afterwards without any apology. 

                               *Tom Jones sings, Elvis Presley Blues.

S$212 for 2 hours of Tom Jones. That's $212  divided by 120 minutes. At S$1.76 per minute that's a reasoanble deal to watch a man who came from the 1960's in a time machine, all the way from Wales.

It's not unusual to be loved by anyone
It's not unusual to have fun with anyone...

1) Would you pay S$200? 
2) Do listen to the video above and if you have an opinion of Elvis Presley Blues, please write in.

                                  Tom Jones with Elvis Presley.
Extra Notes:
Tom Jones was knighted by QEII in 2006 and received numerous other awards for his music achievements. In February 2015, he received an invitation to perform at the 25th Anniversary of MusiCares Person Of The Year tribute honouring Bob Dylan, alongside Bruce Springsteen, Jeff Beck, Jack White, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson and others. 

Sir Tom is a living legend, one of few musical artistes whose profession began at the dawn of pop music and who continues to record and perform to this day.

*Time (The Revelator) is an album by Gillian Welch written together with David Rawlings and recorded in Nashville, Tennessee. Elvis Presley Blues sung by Tom Jones is one of the tracks in this music album. The song is also included in his own album Long Lost Suitcase with 12 others of his own.

             The Star Performing Arts Theatre @ Vista Green Singapore

Concert Information: LK Min.
TJ Information: Star Theatre Website
Images: A Private Collection; arch daily; Google.
Video: You Tube from Tom Jones VEVO; Mars Attack: Mr Frollo.

Tom Jones in Mars Attack: It's Not Unusual