Friday, August 28, 2020

Tribute To Vivian Nonis: A Guitar Legend R.I.P







VIVIAN NONIS PASSED AWAY YESTERDAY 27TH AUGUST 2020. MAY HE REST IN PEACE. A TRIBUTE BELOW FROM HIS GUITAR STUDENT WILFRED LIM: CONDOLENCES TO MR NONIS' FAMILY

I began lessons with Vivian Nonis in 1989 when he was staying at a Bedok flat. He would painstakingly write songs with chords for each weekly lesson.

When he moved to St John’s Old Folks Home at Wan Tho Avenue in the early 2000, I continued lessons with him. We would often lunch at the nearby market where he would savour a chilled glass of beer. I would pick him up each time I had lessons at my residence. 

Glad to say I visited him at the Hospital Home at Lavender Street early this year and he could still recognise me.

Thanks to Vivian, I have the privilege of providing guitar accompaniment with a pianist at St John’s Home since 2002 till today, now being hindered by this COVID-19. 

Rest In Peace my dear friend! 

Images and articles; with permission from Wilfred Lim.

16 comments:

UNKNOWN said...

Eternal peace and happy praising forever in heaven grant to him O Lord. He was my jazz tutor in the 80s and i always marveled at his guitar knowledge and asked him why he didnt perform in public. He said he did consider the offers but not the right time.

UNKNOWN said...

Thank you everyone who shared their music and learning with my Uncle.
Vivian Nonis passed away peacefully today 27th Aug. 2020 aged 94.

MICHAEL BANGAR (PROFESSIONAL GUITARIST) said...

RIP MR VIVIAN NONIS ANOTHER FORGOTTEN SPORE MUSIC LEGEND

JALANI MD PROFESSIONAL PIANIST said...

RIP VIVIAN

chakap chakap said...

VIVIANS WAKE WILL BE AT ST STEPHENS CHURCH MATTAR ROAD

JERRY FERNANDEZ WITH THE NEU FACES said...

My brother Andy this song is for the late Vivian Nonis I only spoke to him in 1985 as 2 of my previous members took classes from him Believe He taught many wanna be guitarists in the past RIP good brother and teacher PERPETUAL light shine upon him safe in the arms of the Lord Almighty and with the choirs of angels

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

THE SONG MENTIONED BY JERRY FERNANDEZ IS BY BREAD 'THE GUITAR MAN' SO CHECK THE LYRICS TO SEEK THE MESSAGE. THANKS ALSO TO ALL WHO WROTE IN TO HONOUR THIS GREAT GUITARIST AND HAVING MET HIM WHEN I INTERVIEWED HIM WITH WILFRED. IT WAS AN HONOUR.

PATRICK CHAN LEADER OF PATRICIANS GUITAR GROUP said...

VIVIAN NONIS WAS MY GUITAR TUTOR AND A FRIEND. GLAD TO LEARN FROM THE MASTER. REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND

Charles C L Quek said...

A friend and teacher. In the presence of God🙏

JIMMY APPUDURAI (GUITAR LEGEND SG) said...

He is my all time favourite guitar player
in Singapore and a very kind Man xx

SAM GAN PERTH AUS ((PIANIST said...

RIP Vivian Nonis

TED HA (BASSIST/LEAD GUITAR) said...

I went specially to see him abt 40 months ago...
at the old folks home in Sennett Estate.
RIP Vivian.

Cedric Collars said...

Hi Andy I had to add to the many tributes given to Vivian Nonis. Vivian was my next door neighbour on Woo Min Chew Road Siglap way back in 1957. There were only two great guitar people viz Harry Martinez and Vivian Nonis.He was living at that time with his sister's Barbara and Cecelia, his parents and his brother in law with children. Yes, we used to talk music but then the time spent was indeed well used. RIP old friend but may God give you all the good things He has promised in the Kingdom of Heaven.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thanking all you students, folks and friends of Vivian Nonis who have been kind enough to pay your tributes and send condolences. Some of you write from afar ie: Perth (Cedric, Sam) and Jimmy (England).

It is good that we can honour and remember Vivian, another Singapore music hero.

CEDRIC COLLARS (PERTH AUS) said...

Yes Vivian and the likes of Evans Barnabas and Sonny Bala were in the music circle of Siglap.
Those were the days, mate 🎤🎼🎹👍

Adrian Stewart said...

I personally learn jazz from him for three months. He was an awesome teacher. I liked him very much