Winston Filmer Radio TV Singapore Tribute by Horace Wee

The Late Winston Filmer
Image from: Mun Chor Seng

A time to every purpose, under Heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep
A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
To everything, there is a season
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven.

(Words-adapted from The Bible, book of Ecclesiastes)

My time has turned for more than fifty years knowing Winston as a friend. Through all the changes, ups and downs in the world, changes in our lives, we remained friends till his passing on the 12th of January 2018 in Melbourne, Australia.

We were not close as best friends are, but our paths separate as they were, would cross over the years. There were arguments and disagreements over the years, something he said recently was the "foolishness of his youth". I left it at that.

When he left for Australia with his family in the eighties, there were only a few occasions that we came in contact. The last around 2012 when he came back to Singapore for the memorial service for his wife Teresa. Frail and having difficulty in walking, we managed to spend those few days together catching up on past years.

These last few years, we had conversations over the phone probably longer than we ever had in the past. He found it difficult to face the loss of his wife and found in me a willing person and confidant to listen to his outpourings of grief, aches, pains and recollections of all the years gone by.

Winston started his career as a sound assistant for the fledgeling Radio Singapore that operated from the Cathay Building next to Dhoby Ghaut. Later he progressed to selecting records and music for radio programs. As a musician, he had strong associations in the keronchong music community and was in demand to play his guitar for various events. 

Of course, he was also part of the club music scene of the fifties and played the current music then. Later, when he was introduced to his future wife Teresa née Khoo, they would form their own band and hold court at the Adelphi Hotel in Coleman Street.

The Late Winston Filmer is 2nd from left with bass
Image from his Facebook Page.

When I first met Winston, I vividly remember that day when he brought me to his home, one of the two-storey terrace houses along Geylang Road not far from Haig Road. Listened to some of his records and then took a trip to Sungei Road (thieves market) to browse around for electrical parts.

We would be working together many times after that. From the early recording sessions of the Crescendos, Ruby Wah a popular songstress at that time to a variety of commercial sessions at EMI, Kinetex, Reddifusion and Life studios. Not forgetting the various programs and shows on Radio and Television Singapura that included the Talentime series. He would be the bass player in all these sessions. Prior to leaving Singapore, his last stint was a bassist in the SBC orchestra.

He was not active as a musician in Australia, playing only a few occasional gigs. With failing health he spent his years in retirement.

With his passing, I wish him a safe journey to heaven and to reunite with his beloved Teresa.

My prayers are that he finds all the peace and happiness he has wished for.
May his soul rest in eternal peace. Amen.

Goodbye Winston.
Sent from my iPad

MR HORACE WEE

Thanking Mr Horace Wee (professional guitarist) who wrote the above tribute to Winston Filmer. Also thanking Mun Chor Seng for the first photograph and Mr Filmer's family (Facebook Page) for the second photograph. 

Article by Horace Wee.
Image from Mun Chor Seng.
The article and images have been copyrighted.

BLOG'S

14 January 2018
1,335 Page Views Daily
A Record High