Raya 2021 - Paul Ibrahm [Tania], Julie Sudiro, Alina Rahman, Aziz Jaafar, Wahid Satay.

WISHING ALL MUSLIM READERS AND FRIENDS 

SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDIL FITRI 2021

Julie Sudiro, Aziz Jaafar, 

Wahid Satay, Alina Rahman

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My friendship with Paul has lasted 60 years...

Paul Ibrahm (Tania) is a good friend, having known him since we were in a band called The Velvetones. This period was the early 1960's when every pop guitar group in Singapore was in its infancy. The kampong bands (Malay = village) started in the living rooms or compounds of houses. Such similar styled bands in the West would be called, garage bands.

The Velvetones used to practise in a huge bungalow diagonally across from the former Chief Minister of Singapore's corner home at the T-junction of Sims Avenue and Lorong 39 (Malay = Lane). 

It was there that I met Paul, young and handsome, fashioned with an Elvis Presley haircut with some sideburns showing. Usually with a short-sleeved shirt and drain-pipe trousers, he would come over in his usual casual and easy manner to belt out songs with the Velvetones. He's good.

We kept in touch for a few years now and during our chats he told me about his home at Lorong 40 which was just across Geylang Road from Lorong 39.

So it is here that I take my leave and allow him to relate his story. Thanks Paul. 

Chand-ni Raat, Siang Lim Park, Lorong 40.

Johari Salleh went on to become 

RTM Orchestra Conductor,

Aziz Jaffar, actor for Malay Film Productions.

"Yusof B (composer of Nona Nona) is my uncle, my late mother's elder brother. B stands for Bluguk. Wak Rahman, father to well-known singer Alina Rahman was Yusof B's younger brother. There were four siblings and my mother was Fatimah, Yusof B's sister. I have lost touch with Kak (Sis) Alina, I wish somebody could provide me with her phone number.

So much of Malay music originated from Lorong 40. Osman Ahmad lived there; Johari Salleh joined Radio Talivishen Malaya (RTM) and became their conductor. 

The famous Indian band, Chand-ni Raat was near my home in Siang Lim Park. It was probably the first rock and roll local band in Singapore. It won so many awards during band competitions. 

Yusoff B

Wandly Yazid

Some residents who lived at Lorong 40 went to become well-known actors when they joined the Cathay Keris Studio at Jalan Ampas. These Malay gentlemen were Aziz Jaafar, comedian Wahid Satay and Ahmad C, to name just a few.

Then there was composer Wandly Yazid, singers Jasni and Julie Sudiro. Julie used to hang out at our house almost every other day as she and Alina Rahman would come for lunch time and again to their aunt's and uncle's home.''

Paul, with his talent and versatility went into the limelight during the 60s and beyond and joined one of the best rock bands in this region, TANIA. He was with a few other bands before joining this forceful group but that's another story.

Comments in Malay are welcome too!

Thanks to Paul Ibrahm

for the above article.

Images - Google; A Paul Ibrahm Personal 

Collection. Copyrights Reserved.

YouTube Videos

Alina Rahman and The Rollies

'Chinta Bahagia'. YouTube video by Keon 60s

Wahid Satay - Senorita Lembu Tua'

YouTube Video dari: Doxok DX

Terima Kaseh

Images: Google, Paul Ibrahm, Yusnor Ef, Doxok DX.