Selamat Hari Raya To All: 60s M. Rahmat, Teruna

Pop Yeh Yeh Memory Trail:

The memory's a little hazy here so correct me if I'm wrong. I remember listening to Ramon at Elizabeth Hotel but cannot recollect if he was the same artiste singing at Ladyhill. 

Part One:
I used to listen to Ramon or M. Rahmat some years ago (90s?) when French dips or *fondue was the order of the night. You pay a hefty $25 per head and eat food you might not enjoy especially if it's the first time you are trying out the dish.  But patrons loved both the singer and the dips served. So amidst subdued lights and good music, I listened to Ramon who sang pop covers in English.

He performed solo with an early-type karaoke disk machine at the Ladyhill Hotel Singapore (or was it some other night spot?) where he used recorded music and sang a repertoire of Nat King Cole favorites.  Of course he covered other greats like Johnny Mathis, Pat Boone and pop 60s stars.  Rahmat sang with grace, dignity and significance and a stage personality that could hold any audience.


Asmah Atan

In later years, he performed with his wife at the Elizabeth Hotel, Singapore. They performed as a duo at the nightclub so either they sang in unison or each had individual solo pieces to entertain the crowd.   These two experienced entertainers did wonders to those nights. Everyone enjoyed the couple's repertoire.

I have a few of his Malay recordings on EP vinyls. The one in hand is the selection with his Pancharagam, The Teruna and recorded pieces composed by A. Rahim, M. Ariff and Alfonso Soliano (image 1).

The numbers are: Hamidah, Gadis Desa, Surai Pagi and Tangisan Ku. It was a saleable EP and if you're lucky you could get one from the market today. I got mine for quite a hefty sum.

Part Two:

Now we turn back the clock hands.  Ramon, the eldest of 11 siblings is also known as Alan. Maybe it was during the Pop Yeh-Yeh period in the 60s because his crowning glory resembled Hollywood idol, Alan Ladd. 

He first appeared at the heart of the vibrant Malay pop music scene where he formed his own band as a young vocalist and guitar picker.  Asmah Atan (image 2 above) was the lady singer who used to sing with him. Ramon even composed a special song for Asmah titled Young Teens.

Kasih Tak Berbalas, Manhana, Muda Remaja, Elly, Mula Bertemu, Peristiwa Di Pantai and Semalam Di Chianjur, Hilang Tak Berganti, Aku Kenal Pada Mu, Manis Ku and  Izin kan Aku were some of the other songs recorded.   As their popularity spread far and wide, they received many invitations to sing both in Singapore and Malaysia. 
 

In 1967, he made ​​an impact when he appeared on television and called himself Ramon, singing with a group called The Blackjacks.  They became popular and were one of the more prominent bands that played during those golden years. 

They cut a vinyl record and I can still recall Ramon's rendition of Bob Dylan's I Shall Be Released.  Other numbers included, Day by Day, Engelbert Humperdinck's El Mondo and an older hit My Special Angel (image left).

Blackjacks carried on till they broke up in 1971.  Subsequently he traveled to Jakarta and Surabaya, then to Japan and Pakistan before returning in 1976.   

From 1978, he and his wife sang in lounges, night clubs, private clubs and music lounges all over Singapore and the region. He is a well respected music man and was one of the main attractions for Those Were the Days Concert at the Neptune Night Spot at Collyer Quay.   

Images: from personal record collection.

Article: Part Two is an edited English translation from Wikipedia's. 

                      M. Rahmat and The Teruna ~  Nirwati Video by nasri kelan

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri To All Muslim Friends and Readers.