Aubrey Miles From The Bambinos RIP

  UP TO 3,000 VIEW,   

40 CHATS, COMMENTS

Condolences to the family of the late Mr Aubrey Miles

Aubrey Miles from the vocal trio, The 3 Bambinos, has passed away on 30th April 2017, according to the Straits Times obituary announcement. He was not only a school teacher, Mr Miles was also a well-known singer and entertainer on Singapore radio and television.

Together with good friend Malcolm Hyder and Thomas Paul, The Bambinos were a very entertaining act when they performed on stage in the late 50's and on the b/w TV screen in the mid 60's. 

There had been changes with the third member, so there were M. A. Gani and Herbert Chan to replace when Thomas Paul was absent.

But they were always The 3 Bambinos and had appeared way before TV came to Singapore i.e. on Radio Singapore, and was a well-known vocal group that sang jazz standards and 50's hits at dinner and dance parties and other social functions in Singapore. They made the most number of appearances in the original, Rolling Good Times. Yes, four times !

Aubrey Miles, May Your Soul Rest In Peace. 

The 3 Bambinos with Aubrey Miles (centre), Malcolm Hyder and Herbert Chan.

Image from Straits Times Press.
(This posting was slotted later after the newspaper obituary.)

Mr Aubrey Miles by Michael Bangar:

Just to mention that I was a student of his, in Secondary One to be exact. The year was 1962 and I was in Tanjong Katong Technical Secondary School. He was my teacher for two subjects, English and English Literature. I was also a member of the school National Cadet Corps that year and he was our National Cadet Corps Master. I moved on to St Patrick's School.

On the subject of The Bambinos. Their first line up was himself, Mr Malcolm Hyder and one Mr Thomas Paul. From time to time when one of them could not make it to a gig they took on stand-ins. 

NB
05/05/2017:

Just A Thought:

It is a sad thing indeed. Aubrey Miles was a pop music celebrity during the mid 50's up to the 60's but his name was not mentioned in the newspapers these last few days. If a news piece about him has appeared then I missed it.

Tropicana The Musical Tan Kheng Hua Connected Friends

No need to review production. The people on duty already drew the crowd: Beatrice Chia (director), Lim Yu Beng, Karen Tan, writer Haresh Sharma, etc, etc.

With a great cast like that and the reverberations of new compositions and lyrics about the 60's, it's already a big success.

What Tropicana The Musical is all about.

UP TO  2,100 VIEWS

    10 COMMENTS      

My post is just about how one lady, with her magic, SMSed us and...

Friends connected during the performances of Tropicana The Musical at the Capitol Cinema. It all started with award winning best actress of the year 2017  and producer of the show, Tan Kheng Hua inviting a few music people and others who lived those years, for a sit-in at the commencement of the production to discuss 60's music and the Tropicana nightclub.

Then surprise, surprise, she invited us to the show.

Pictures on the night of 15th April, 2017.

With 2017 award winning actress, Tan Kheng Hua, with Andy Young, George Chew (The Burns lead guitarist) before Tropicana the Musical performance at the Capitol Theatre.

With George Chew, Andy Young, Larry Lai, Rediffusion DJ and wife Selina, and the maestro himself, musician drummer, singer, Louis Soliano during the buffet dinner.

Andy with Kheng Hua, Anthony AhKim, international hairstylist, Ms Ann King, a former Miss Singapore 80's, at Corpthone King Hotel.  This gathering was a tea-break for new friends way before the performances at the Capitol.

And with Vernon Cornelius, frontman of The Quests, who still looks as youthful.

The pre-production meeting of Tropicana with Andy Young

AhKim Anthony, Larry Lai and The Straydogs and Jimmy Appudurai-chua.

The show itself, was a totally Singapore experience, and one of the best local musicals I've seen these last two years.

Thanks to Kheng Hua for the invitation.

The night ended with George Chew and I rushing to the Conrad Hotel, Singapore to watch 60's band, The Silver Strings perform their last 5 or 6 songs. Pix is a side view.

Images: Andy Young Collection.

Join Silver Strings For A Beautiful Sunday

                       AGAIN, THE COLOURFUL
            SILVER STRINGS 
                                  ON STAGE
         OCBC SQUARE, KALLANG SPORTS HUB
                                             21ST MAY, 2017
                    SUNDAY MORNING
                                           10.30 AM

FREE 

Band will perform a new repertoire of pop hits and instrumentals. With a surprise on stage. Ritchie, our new lady singer.

Meet them all. Get your autograph books ready.

Who's Who (Image):

Andy Purple: Vocals

Audie Blue: Band Leader, Bass 

Nick Black: Keyboard, Vocals

Michael White: Rhythm, Vocals

John Red: Drums 

Rickie Light Blue: Lead

Meet them in person: two writers for this blog, John and Michael. 

Audie is the band leader, plans the schedules, etc., 

Nick is Singapore's LOBO, our sound expert;

Rickie writes the scores for the group.
Ritchie, our new lady on stage.

You need to visit this place if you haven't. Huge, spacious and a place to rock and roll.

Tribute to 60's Country Music Legends: Henri Gann

Here's Henri Gann again, writing from California USA, as he remembers the country classics. According to him many of these great C/W singers are now gone.  He names each singer and song as he goes along.

Thank you Henri.

My Tribute to the Country Music Legends of the 60's

Singapore music in the 60's had its share of American Country Music as many of its hits also made it to the Pop Charts. The recent news on television about

Glen Campbell's wife reveals singer can no longer play guitar (March 20, 2017)

makes me pause to think of the Country Music Stars of yesteryear. And in doing so I found many of the country greats are no longer here with us. 

Whenever I hear about Glenn Campbell, I instantly hear the fine guitar rhythm of his song, "Gentle On My Mind" and his singing of "Rhinestone Cowboy", "Wichita Lineman" and " Galveston". Believe it or not, these were songs popularly requested in the 60s. 

In those days, Rediffusion and Radio Singapore were our primary source of music entertainment and teens either called or wrote in to the station to request songs they wanted to hear. There were hits like "Fraulein" by the late Bobby Helmes  ( 1997 ), "Gone" by the late Ferlin Husky ( 2011 ), "King of the Road" by the late Roger Miller ( 1992 ) and "A White Sport Coat and A Pink Carnation", " Don't Worry About Me" and "El Paso" by the late Marty Robbins ( 1982 ) ; and they all made  it to the weekly charts. 

In later years, it was the late Johnny Horton ( 1960 ) who made it to the most requested list of songs with his "North to Alaska", " The Battle of New Orleans" and " Sink the Bismark."

The other country songs I remember were mostly those from my brother's vast record collection. These were hits of Eddy Arnold ( 2008 ) " Welcome to My World" ; from the late Jim Reeves ( 1964 )  "He'll Have to Go" and the late Don Gibson's ( 2003 ) " Lonesome Me " and "Sea of Heartbreak"; and the late Tammy Wynette ( 1998 ) " Stand By Your Man"; Charley Pride " Kiss An Angel Good Morning " and the late Jack Greene's ( 2013 ).

Then: "There Goes My Everything"; from Leroy Van Dyke "Walk On By"  and by Bill Andersen "Still "; and the late Johnny Cash ( 2003 ) "Ring of Fire " and  Freddie Fender ( 2096 ), "Before The Next Teardrop Falls"; and, the late Skeeter Davis ( 2004 ) "The End of the World " and by Willie Nelson " Always On My Mind"; and finally the late Patsy Cline ( 1963 ) "I Fall to Pieces " and the King of all Country Stars the late George Jones ( 2013 ) " He Stopped Loving Her Today."

When I left Singapore for America, the country pieces that helped me adjust to life away from home were " Abilene" by the late George Hamilton IV ( 2014 ), "500 Miles Away from Home " and  "Detroit City" by Bobby Bare. The lyrics of "Detroit City" really hit home for me when I was homesick. 

Upon my first return to Singapore in 1980 which was about fifteen years after I had left home, my brother took us (the Trekkers) to Shangrila Hotel where Matthew and the Mandarins were performing. They played an impressive version of Johnny Horton's "North to Alaska" and Del Shannon's "Runaway" which brought back many fond memories of Singapore in the 60's.

Here's my Spotify list of the Country Music of Yesteryears that I like to share with you and my new discovery of Freddie Fender singing " Matilda" , a song the Trekkers played at the Town Convent Girls' School now known as CHIJMES. 

Spotify link to " The Country Music I Knew"

https://open.spotify.com/user/henrig1234/playlist/4gnK3niJSSeAHKA0ClmgrD

YouTube links to Freddie Fender and the Trekkers " Mathilda"

https://youtu.be/zJFykBskl2M

https://youtu.be/8-cjn2C9fDQ

Publication and Images: Henri Gann.

Andy 60s Music Gets Accolade From Dr Joe Peters

"You are writing a great blog and I do read that. Keep doing it and try and tell the musical story of Singapore when we were younger!" - DR JOE PETERS: Musicologist, Journalist.

Yes, it has been a long time. But I hear about you from various people as I meet them. Essentially, I commute with the region because I assist in various music programmes. From August this year, I will be based in NE Thailand so I can spend some time with the graduate music students there, and round off some of the academic stuff that has all strung up like an overloaded clothesline in the rain! 

Your blog is something that could become a reference point. So all I can do is to strongly encourage you to collate the necessary information and present it from your own point of view. Too many talent and too much hard work in music has gone unnoticed and undocumented in Singapore. 

People seem to think that the government should do that. No! It is these stories that come from people lie you and so many others. The difficulty is to write, and that requires some composure and time management. I know it is finally happening. I am following your blog for sure! 

(I do not know Dr. Joe personally and this piece was taken off the blog's Comment Page).

20.4.17 

Rufino Soliano: Farewell To A Singapore Music Icon

3,330+   readers 
since posting day

Condolences To His Family:

This great music man passed away this morning, according to his nephew James R. Keasberry who made the announcement on my Facebook post:

"It is with sadness to say that Rufino Soliano passed away peacefully early this morning."

"Rufino Soliano (10 January 1932 - 23 April, 2017 Singapore) was an accomplished musician, composer and conductor. He was the former head of the now-defunct Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) Orchestra.

Soliano had been active in the local music scene as a violinist, drummer and percussionist from a young age. Subsequently, he took on music arrangement, composing and conducting. In 2013, at the age of 81, Soliano released his debut album of 12 original songs. Stephanie Ho NLB, Singapore Infopedia."

"I teach them how to feel the music, how to be passionate about music. You can learn all the music theories in the world, but it's not enough if you play without love and passion - Rufino Soliano, Lifestyle STP."

Hands: Gift of a Generation -- Mr Rufino Soliano. Video from: irememberSG. Thank you.

In the 70's and 80's big names performed in Singapore. These included Shirley Bassey, Matt Monroe, Johnny Ray, Buddy Rich, Louis Armstrong and Sammy Davis Jr. Mr Soliano was very active then and learnt much from the experience when he accompanied these super stars.

"This posting has been set up in respect of a well-known and well-loved musician, who was always in the background. He was on drums but he was an establishment in himself and I will always envision him as such. 

His name reminds me of the big RTS band that I used to watch when television was in its infancy in Singapore and when it was such a joy to see Mr Soliano performing on the small black and white screen. He was part of this team that thrilled and entertained audiences who lived in the 60's.

You deserve that big holiday in heaven, Rufino. May you rest in peace - 
Andy Lim."

Images: Google and Lifestyle - Straits Times Press, Singapore.
Video: You Tube irememberSG.

If there are copyrights issues, write to me and I shall delete this posting. Thank you.

La Paloma: Doves Nest In Singapore Home

The dove with twigs between its beak, eyeing me suspiciously during photography.

It's April; springtime is here as birds start to nest. In Singapore it's no exception as a pair of lovely zebra doves (Malay: burung tekukor) has found a nesting place for their Easter eggs. It's a cosy little niche between our home balcony wall and a huge air-conditioner.

The lovely paloma (Spanish: dove) couple started their home building the week before Palm Sunday on 9 April as we were listening to Donald Trump on TV, after his successful meet with China's President Xi. 

We could hear the bird calls at the balcony with one dove picking twigs and flitting, possibly looking for water and fluttering up to the air-conditioner to help the mate build the nest.

The doves were starting to build their nest when we frightened them away for a few days.

When I started using my mobile phone video and camera to take shots, they seemed displeased, left their nest dangling and incomplete. They never returned.

We had forgotten about the whole incident,  On the morning of Easter Sun, when we heard the calls again we were glad to see the nest much bigger with more twigs and dry grass. Huge relief.  Today (19/4/17) one of the birds sits perched on its nest, waiting to lay her eggs.

The pair keeps busy during nesting and we love to hear the vocalization as they go: Kroo-kook-koo. Kroo-kook-koo. The sound is music to my ears.

The children waited patiently, watching the dove in its nest. They were told not to make a sound.

The birds were also keeping two children busy as they loved the presence of the doves. The kids peered through the curtains because the nest was about four feet away from where they stood (image). Our family either took turns to observe the doves nesting or we would crowd at the entrance. But we made sure that we spoke quietly and in hushed tones. 

"Or," as I told them, "the birds will just fly away..."  

I hope to be able to document what happens next.

We've had wild things coming to our balcony. Blessings indeed.

Check out these connections below and read about the monkey, the hornbill and Josh's elephant:

http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/search/label/Bird%20Songs

http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/search/label/Wild%20Life

The nest in its final stage of becoming a cosy nursery for the doves. Meanwhile strong winds blew.

This Spanish song La Paloma, a favourite for thousands of Singapore seniors, has been in existence for more than 140 years and written around the 1850's. Easily recognizable and like many in its genre has a tune with a flamenco beat, popular in Spain but later exported to Mexico and to English speaking countries. 

There are about 1,000+ versions of this song and it is one of the most recorded in the history of music. Elvis Presley and Dean Martin sang the English version as, No More. 

Connie Francis, Nana Mouskouri, Julio Iglesias, Engelbert Humperdinck, Placido Domingo and big bands like Harry James, James Last, Ray Coniff, Acker Bilk, etc. had recorded it in the 1950's and 60's. 

Julio Iglesias - La Paloma is one of the most popular versions available. The English version is 'No More' by Elvis Presley.

Images: A Private Collection using iPhone 6+
Video: You Tube.

Blog Comments Highlighted

8,035 Comments Since November 2008:

Hi Andy,

Brenda (NIE):
Thank you for sharing. I had enjoyed it. I like your blog which is purposeful, unlike social media which is too crowded. I like that your blog is becoming a digital space.

Clinton Carnegie (US):
I've been following your blog for a long time. What a great body of work. Keep up on your wonderful site.

Joe Peters (PhD Musicologist): 
Great blog.

Dawn Tan (CNA Anchor): 
A great chance meeting Andy Young, while filming for Money Mind CNA.

Mr X: MediaCorp Radio DJ:
I'm not a huge fan but Gaga's half-time show 51 was the best in history.

Christopher Toh (Today Journalist):
Hope you had a good day spent in Rooster year.

Irene Hoe (Journalist for many magazines):
Keep 'em coming.

Chris Ho: MediaCorp Radio DJ: 
Interesting blog.

CYLin: (Blog Writer)
Also notice a large number of followers.

Dr. Lee Yan San (MD Penang Malaysia):
Glad to know that you are still very active and doing such an excellent job.

Tan Soo Khoon (Former MP and Speaker for Singapore Parliament): 
Good article by Michael. Captures the early days succinctly.😊

Larry Lai: Former Rediffusion DJ:
Nice post, Andy.

Clareese X:
I'm a research intern with NU Baba House... came across your blog... arrange an interview with you?

Laurence Lim: 

Just finished reading your blog. Well done. If only it were commercially done. Jack Ma might make you an offer.

Apple TSKYCH:
Thank you for the great song. Rita sang beautifully.

S. Leng (Lecturer Tertiary Education):
Just my kind of music. Saw those old photos once in the papers. Did wonder if Andy Lim is you.

Henri Gann: 
I consider your blog as part of my morning read.

Faris K: 
Sir, I am currently a student in NUS. I hope you will be able to assist me.

Marsha Wright (USA): 
Great to meet you Andy, Singapore Music.

Adrian Wang: 
Do you have the Nestle Milk Jingle in English.

Fred Ching:
Thanks brother. These are some of my favourite Malay songs which I idolise during by teenage years.

Ooi Chong Hock (Taiping Malaysia):
Thanks for your very informative story of Feng Fei Fei.

Yen Chow: 

Thank you for sharing. Didn't know about bubble-gum music.

Rimi Basu: 

Nice post. Thank you for sharing.

John Cher: 
Michael Bangar is one of the best for history of local bands and musicians.

Patrick Chan (Lead guitar, The Patricians): 
Thanks for your post.

The above are only a few of the comments published. Thank you.

Images: Google.

Golden Venus True Story A Parallel Universe Horace Wee

 Horace Wee contributes to this blog and I must thank him for his insights on the various aspects of local music. 

  UP TO 3,100 VIEWS  

45 CHATS, COMMENTS

He doesn't profess to be a guru but with the amount of encyclopedic knowledge he has of the subject, Singaporeans can be proud that we have, at last, a genuine shifu (师傅) who was on the professional scene for years. 

No fake stories here as he rights some of the wrongs in this short article about Golden Venus and the Singapore jazz scene.

Again, many thanks Horace (image right) for enhancing this blog.

"Many articles that recall the music of the sixties in Singapore have only viewed it from a narrow perspective.  That is, pop bands and music proliferated the whole music scene.

Truth to be told, there were a whole lot of resident bands in clubs and restaurants that comprised of so called professional musicians that played more traditional music that had its roots from pre-World War 2 and the post war years. 

Much of this was American music from Tin Pan Alley and Broadway. Running alongside, jazz was using this music as vehicles for jazz improvisation and the subsequent evolution into swing, bebop, modern jazz and subsequent off-shoots.

The Golden Venus (image left) at the then Orchard Hotel, has been portrayed as a hot bed for rock and pop music. This information is skewed and fails to mention that this was only happening on Sunday afternoons as a TEA DANCE. 

All seven nights of a week the place was a restaurant and after dinner club. This was the club that became the center for all local, British Forces and visiting musicians to come together to play and jam. There was a very active jazz movement of various types and the musicians formed groups of their own.

The American Consulate, well aware that this was a significant piece of their culture decided to promote this art form as a series of sponsored concert under USIS (United States Information Service).

Louis Armstrong with the gang. Can you guess their names? And which one is Horace Wee, Louis Soliano and the late Tony Castillo?

These concerts were at the Victoria Theater. A copy of the typewritten program illustrates a good variety of jazz styles and features prominent local and foreign musicians of this art form.

My own contribution in Item 4 was a jazz suite in a then advanced approach to jazz using atonal and modal concepts. A US official told me it reminded him of New York City waking up.  

If you thought rock trios of bass, guitar and drums were original - the format I played was a trio comprising of acoustic bass, drums and myself on alto- saxophone and bass clarinet. That was Fernando Cortez on bass and Terry Tay on drums - Horace Wee."

Don't forget to read the chit-chat under Comment page below.

Article and photographs 1, 3 and 4 are copyrighted and belong to Horace Wee.

Pop Singers Aged 80's To 90's With First Hits (1)

This posting dated 8 April 2017 shows pop singers who are in their 80's and 90's but who are still around. 

A news flash, on 25 October 2017, announced the death of one of them, FATS DOMINO (below) who passed away at 89 years. Many teens who grew up in the 50's are familiar with Fats Domino, whereas those who grew up in the 60's connected with Cliff Richard. 

Domino's hit, Blueberry Hill made it so high, other followers were trying to head up the same Hill for fame and fortune. Now he's gone too, and like many of his fans sadly commented, "Ain't That A Shame."  R.I.P. Fats.

PS: One of the simplest songs, I was initiated into the faculty of singing with beginning music like Blueberry Hill. Then came Your Cheating Heart (Hank Williams) and Travelling Light (Cliff Richard).

With the exception of Mr Fats Domino (image above), the other singers and entertainers below are, hopefully, enjoying their silver years.

************

Many pop singers who started their singing career in the 40's, 50's or 60's would now be aged 70 and beyond. Some others would have passed on. 

Listed below are vocalists who are still around, documented with their first hits or otherwise, and who are now into their septuagenarian and octogenarian years.

Their ages are shown as of April 2017 and in order of:

Name of Singer - Age - Date of Birth - Song - Year Recorded💗

Doris Day               95 - 1922 - Sentimental Journey - 1945

Charles Aznavour    92 - 1924 - J'ai Bu - 1950; She - 1974

Tony Bennett          90 - 1926 - Because of You - 1951
Harry Belafonte      90 - 1927 - Banana Boat Song - 1956

Cleo Laine              89 - 1927 - You'll Answer To Me - 1961

Shirley Jones

Fats Domino           89 - 1928 - Blueberry Hill - 1956 (Gone on 25/10/17)

Burt Bacharach       88 - 1928 - The Look of Love - 1967
Vic Damone            88 - 1928 - You're Breaking My Heart -1949

Rolf Harris              87 - 1930 - Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport - 1960
D. J. Fontana          86 - 1931 - Drummer - Elvis Presley Hits - 1950's

Des O'Connor

Des O'Connor         85 - 1932 - I Pretend - 1968

Loretta Lynn           84 - 1932 - I'm A Honky Tonk Girl - 1960

Petula Clark            84 - 1932 - Downtown - 1964

Little Richard          84 - 1932 - Tutti Frutti - 1955

Yoko Ono               84 - 1933 - Open Your Box - 1971

Quincy Jones          84 - 1933 - The Eyes of Love - 1968

Petula Clark

Willie Nelson          83 - 1933 - Hello Walls - 1961

John Mayall            83 - 1933 - Room To Move - 1969

Charlie Pride          83 - 1934 - Kiss An Angel Good Mornin' - 1971

Shirley Jones         83 - 1934 - Oklahoma (Movie) - 1955

Images: Fats Domino (deceased), Shirley Jones, Des O'Connor, Petula Clark - Google
Information: Wikipedia.