Thank you for creating this wonderful blog, "Singapore 60s: Andy's Pop
Music Influence." As part of a book project on Singapore's creative
reception of American popular culture, I have frequently consulted and
benefited from this most extensive resource on the topic.
Your blog mentions that some of your Silver Strings band mates were pupils of
Singapore's Hawaiian guitarist Harry Martinez. Did you also know him?
Reading books about music, transcribed interviews with Martinez and
newspaper articles, I have learned that he was a pioneer of Hawaiian music
in Singapore, performing and teaching the Hawaiian guitar before World War
II. During the Japanese Occupation he formed a Hawaiian band after being
relocated to Bahau. In the post-war period, he performed Hawaiian music on
a weekly radio program and mesmerized the British Malayan audience.
With special interest in exploring the history of Hawaiian music and dance
in Singapore, my desire is to learn in depth about Martinez, his
work, and everything possible from people who knew him by direct contact
or were his fans. Additionally other Hawaiian guitarists like Barney
Morier, Anthony Danker, Jose Daroya and Benedict De Souza are of
interest. I would appreciate it if you and your readers are able to share
your memories of these musicians.
Dr Eriko Ogihara-Schuck
Lecturer of American Studies
TU Dortmund University, Germany
--
Thank you again for offering to help me out!
Sincerely,
Eriko
If anyone can help Dr. Eriko with the information she needs, do write to her at
email address: eriko.ogihara@tu-dortmund.de.
Otherwise, a direct note, with the necessary information under the Comment page, will be appreciated.
19 comments:
"The name seems familiar but he’s well before my time being active before the second world war. Hawaiian music was extremely popular at that time and just after the war. Another name mentioned, Jose Daroya is also familiar to me, probably heard him on Radio Malaya (precursor of Radio Singapura) which I listened to all the time. I could have heard Martinez on Radio Malaya too.I think the only person who can say something about Martinez would be Alex Abisheganaden. His photo was in the ST this mprning, he’s now 94 but I think still in reasonable health."
Yes I used to play with an Hawaiian Band too ! With Baby Lau, Neil Alexandra, Randel, Walter Koh ( Singer ) & me !
Peranakan Place !!
The good old days ! 1995 !!
Not too sure HM was a pioneer in Hawain music, i know he was a music teacher living in Siglap. During his time there was another popular Hawaiin guitarist by the name of Baby Low. and theBlue Hawaiins. And of course Barny Morier who used to perform in West Point Garden in P. Panjang and I had the privilege to sing with his band I also knew of a another enthusiast by the name of Jimmy Koh a school teacher. And there was also a young lady hawaiin guitarist by the name of Magdalene Chan, who I understand is now a medical doctor. I was at that time the drummer n vocalist in her band. Not well known but good enough to play at house parties.
I m not so familiar with Hawaiian music n I only know I used to manage a group n I call them Hawaii 4-0 cos only 4 pcs lead by Late Baby Low n Jimmy Topaz also pass on.Check with George cos he used to jam with a Hawaii guitarist I think is Paul dont know he is still around. As for Late Harry Martinez no info n his profile sorry
Al I can remember is that Harry Martinez was the grand music teacher of many bands and wannabes musicians during those days...
His fees were high so I never went to him, but my cousin's did,.there was definitely a Hawaiian guitarist at that time called Maurice something. if I remember correctly...shall try to investigate further... Shall ask my Cousin.
dont think i can be of much help here bro coz i was still in school when i learnt of harry martinez n jose daroya etc. actually they were my dad’s friends. I was a self taught guitarist with no formal teacher.
Good afternoon, Andy. Your fame has spread far and wide, with people writing to you from all over the globe. What an achievement! I feel so happy for you. Please take care and stay safe as always. You have wonderful day ahead. 🙏🙏💪💪
My old good friend was a guitarist in this girlband The Robins was managed by him in 1970, will try to contact her.
Brother Andy thro my knowledge & stand to be corrected:
THE ROYAL HAWAIIANS in 1968.
Winston Filmer
( guitar & vocals)
Billy Martinez
( bass gtr.)
Henry Bracken
( Ukelele)
Teresa Khoo
( vibes & vocals)
Abas
( drums)
Harry Martinez
( Hawaiian guitar & vocals.)
This piece of information has been edited.
READERS FROM FACEBOOK WHO HAVE NOTED THIS POST:
Freda Hanum
Angela Leow
Ann Rowena Lim
Jimmy Appudurai-chua
Richard Paul M
Hiroshi Deguchi
Tan Teng Teng
Yip Dick
Merlin Lim
Dear Andy,
Thank you for forwarding the response! Actually it is very helpful because in the end I want to get a larger picture of Hawaiian music in Singapore.
Mr Fernandez maybe means all these bands were born in the 1960s (after Elvis Presley's Blue Hawaii in 1962; after Hawaii's becoming a U.S. state in 1959)? I had read about the Royal Hawaiians but not about others, so the information is great!
I look forward to start going through all responses!
PLEASE WRITE TO ME DIRECT IF YOU CAN:
email address: eriko.ogihara@tu-dortmund.de.
Sincerely,
Eriko
ANDY YOUNG
Hoping you will read this note for help regarding our Singapore music makers. You can write direct to her on her email address too. Thank you guys.
·
Andy Young
Tks Rowena. Just send to some music friends. Thanks.
Jimmy Appudurai-chua
Will try.. Jimmy x
Andy Young
Thanks Jimmy and all others who LIKE this post. If FB readers can help by just circulating this message to music friends it will be a great help. You can write direct to Eriko. Thanks all.
Freda Hanum
My old good friend was a guitarist in this girlband The Robins was managed by him in 1970, will try to contact her.
·
Andy Young
Yes Freda, do help Eriko. I don't know her at all but she wrote in for information.
Michael Lee
Hi Andy, Harry played with my father's band in 1959. There were many Hawaiian guitar players in Singapore from the mid 50's to late 60's, like Baby Lau, Paul Low and a Mr Ng who was a Judo black belt. Anthony Danker played with my Dad's band for many y… See More
Francis Christopher
I know Paul Lau was staying at Haugang ave 3 he passed away
Michael Lee
Francis Christopher Yes from Hougang USA (Upper Serangoon Area) He regularly played with my dad until my dad passed on in 1983. Cheerio
(FRANCIS CHRISTOPHER HAS ALSO SHARED THIS POST ON HIS FACEBOOK PAGE. THANK YOU FRANCIS)
Hi Andy, Harry played with my father's band in 1959. There were many Hawaiian guitar players in Singapore from the mid 50's to late 60's, like Baby Lau, Paul Low and a Mr Ng who was a Judo black belt. Anthony Danker played with my Dad's band for many years from the mid 50's to mid 60's. Cheerio
Sam Gan
Michael Lee...who is your dad...do I know him and what's the name of his band...? thanks
Michael Lee
Hi Sam. There is a wiite up about my dad on Andy's blog. His name is Lee Tak Kwang. Hope this answer you enquiry. Cheerio have a nice weekend.
Andy Young
Hi Sam, there is a post about MR LEE TAK KWANG on the music blog. I'll send it to you on WhatsApp. Cheers. Thanks Michael.
Francis Christopher
I know Paul Lau was staying at Haugang ave 3 he passed away
Michael Lee
Francis Christopher Yes from Hougang USA (Upper Serangoon Area) He regularly played with my dad until my dad passed on in 1983. Cheerio
Francis Christopher
Sorry Michael
Freda Hanum
Have contacted my girlfriend, a guitarist, she was a close friend of Harry Martinez when he was alive and she will write to Dr Eriko, Andy
Andy Young
Thanks so much Freda. Truly appreciate. She will get back to me when your friend has contacted her. You have contributed much to the SG music platform.
I know Harry personally, but never worked with him. I did a lot of gigs with Baby Low's Hawaiian band in the 50's whilst still in school,playing Wednesday nights for the British Army NCO club. (Walter Koh was the drummer and singer) I was 13 years old then .I think I was paid $5 for the gig...
(Extract from the email to Dr. Eriko)
During the mid 80's thru' to the 90's :- myself - while doing gigs with these various Hawaiian Bands, I also got involved with the late George Philips Hawaiian Band.
The Band was made up of Himself on Hawaiian Guitar & Vocals, the late Cedick on lead guitar, the late Pablo Nirva on Bass, drummer was the late Joe Ahmad & myself on 2nd Guitar & Vocals. Mr Philips himself was a multi - instrumentalist. He played Hawaiian Guitar, Guitar, Bass, Saxophone, Clarinet & Flute...
(This note is part of an extract for Dr. Eriko)
I am very grateful to the above friends who have contributed to Eriko's request for information. Some emails are extracts as published above, while others will write to her directly. Thanks especially to
MICHAEL BANGAR,
SAM GAN and
JERRY FERNANDEZ
for the detailed information on Hawaiian bands and
FREDA HANUM for recommending her friend who will write direct.
I have asked Dr. Eriko to credit all of you in her book.
Thank you all.
Keep the letters coming.
Hi Jimmy,
I have just connected with Eriko regarding your connection and she will look into it. Thanks and apologies for not mentioning earlier.
In fact, thanks to all who replied and participated. There are readers who will write direct to her which I think is best.
Dear MICHAEL LEE, after reading about your dad, Eriko wants to get in touch with you. Can you please write to her on her email. Thanks so much.
Thanks everybody; this subject is now closed. Please get in touch with Eriko directly.
She will be pleased.
Dear Andy,
I got emails from Mr Michael Lee! I am now watching videos and reading
articles about his father before writing him back. Thank you for
connecting me with him!
Thank you for offering to help me further! I will first go through
all the names that have popped up so far and get as much info about
them as possible.
I'm also interested to know how the Hawaiian music was like before and after WWⅡ．I have no idea how it was even in Japan. That was before the pop music from USA and Europe had caught on here. I heard some older generation than we became crazy about the music since Hawaii-born Japanese came back to the country and introduced the music and instruments such as the teel guitar and Ukulele. Our generation are not familiar with them but we turned to the electric guitar and were chasing indtrumental guitar groups like The Ventures in particular here in Japan. not so much for The Shadows. I was the minority being a great Shads fan. Now I am curious to know how Singaporean people liked Hawaiian music and were influenced. I thought SG culture were more influenced by British and not so much by American and Hawaiian. CLICK RED BOX TO READ ABOUT HIROSHI
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