The passing away of Ismail Ahmad revived some memories for music friends, Michael Bangar, Audie Ng and Jalani Mohamed. This article provides snapshots of his connections with other well-known band friends from the 60's and 70's.
Thank you, Mike, Audie and Jalani.
We send condolences to his family. May he Rest In Peace.
9th January 2018
According to an article by NUR DHUHA ESOOF from Berita Harian Singapore, Ismail Ahmad, a member of Impian Bateks, passed away this morning aged 70 years. He had been hospitalised for the last six days at the Ng Teng Fong General Hospital. Mr Ismail was the keyboardist for the band.
We send condolences to his family. May he Rest In Peace.
Hey Andy!
I just read your write up - an excellent tribute to Ismail Ahmad. I have to add a little more information on this late gentleman who played excellent all-around keyboard, i.e. the piano, organ and synthesiser.
I knew him very casually in the early 70's. After The Impian Bateks disbanded he replaced Patrick Carrol on keyboards, who went on to join band The McCoys, with the superb band, The X'Quisites. The main vocalist and drummer Nick recently fronted The Beejays at the Kallang Theatre Concert on 23 December 2017.
What a great band they were and they had a long stint at the Hotel Shangri-la's Lost Horizon Nightclub - a club you seldom hear about nowadays. I used to go watch them whenever I had a chance. Happy Times! When the band disbanded he spent a long while working in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
In the early to mid 70's, his younger brother, a very good guitar player Wan Ahmad formed a band called The Breed fronted by vocalist the late Allan Loh, who had earlier fronted The X'Quisites in their formative years.
I used to replace Allan in the band, whenever he was called for reservist training. Wan had also played with the famous Malay Rock Band Sweet Charity.
After The Breed split up, he went on to join his elder brother in Kuala Lumpur. The last time I met Wan he was still working and residing in KL.
They also have a famous sister, the late 60's to 80's Malay vocalist and recording Artiste Aida Ahmad. Ms Aida was both well-known in Singapore and Malaysia.
The Impian Bateks' lead guitarist Harris has now, for a good 20 years or more, played the bass guitar for The Thunderbirds.
From Audie Ng:
Ismail Ahmad was with the Downtown band and accompanying handsome singer Halil Chik, also known as the Tom Jones of Singapore. They were sent to Taiwan and Japan.
The drummer Ariffin of the Downtown band performed at the Stadium Restaurant lounge called The Tilted Tankard.
Jalani Mohamed:
He was living in Kuala Lumpur for some time. He came back to Singapore when he was unwell and was admitted to our local hospital. The doctors explained that he had would not have much time until I received the news of his passing...
According to the Malay newspaper, Berita Harian, he had been unwell since 2014.
R.I.P Ismail Ahmad. We will always remember you and your music with The Impian Bateks.
NB:
Please let me know if there is any misinformation regarding the late Mr Ismail Ahmad as this tribute has been written verbatim.
Andy Lim.
The images are from Google and Berita Harian.
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| The Late Mr Ismail Ahmad (image from Berita Harian) |
Ismail Ahmad was with the Downtown band and accompanying handsome singer Halil Chik, also known as the Tom Jones of Singapore. They were sent to Taiwan and Japan.
The drummer Ariffin of the Downtown band performed at the Stadium Restaurant lounge called The Tilted Tankard.
Jalani Mohamed:
He was living in Kuala Lumpur for some time. He came back to Singapore when he was unwell and was admitted to our local hospital. The doctors explained that he had would not have much time until I received the news of his passing...
According to the Malay newspaper, Berita Harian, he had been unwell since 2014.
R.I.P Ismail Ahmad. We will always remember you and your music with The Impian Bateks.
NB:
Please let me know if there is any misinformation regarding the late Mr Ismail Ahmad as this tribute has been written verbatim.
Andy Lim.
The images are from Google and Berita Harian.
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