Thursday, April 07, 2022

Singapore Pop 60s: Winston Walters Dukes' Singer

Winston Walters with The Dukes

UP TO 1,000 VIEWS - 16 OCOMMENTS

The Dukes guitar group was one of the top 10 anchor pop bands that were around from the 1960's. Having met band leader Daniel Abidin [formerly Zainal Abidin] as a young man, I missed meeting one of his singers but managed to catch them both during a lunch get-together at Bedok Corner some years ago. 

Do you still remember Winston Walters? He recorded a single on Philips Records in 1966 with the Dukes, singing two songs: Don't Take Pity On Me and Mmmmmm. 

When he was with the Dukes in the early 60s and 70s he had a repertoire singing Cliff Richard hits and Bubble Gum music. Winston was the younger brother of Daniel's army colleague Alan Walters and introduced by Jerry Murad [Daniel's brother/Dukes member]. Although Winston played the guitar he only sang with the Dukes.  [Thanks to Daniel Abidin, leader/bassist of The Dukes for information.]

So what's Winston doing nowadays in Perth?

Clockwise: 
Daniel Abidin, Paul Shankar, Winston Walters, Andy, 
Vernon, John Cher and Jerry Fernandez.

Here is Winston with a personal reply:

Dear Andy,

I joined the Dukes when I was only 17 years young and played with them till I left for Australia in 1977 and settled in Perth. 

Joining a three piece band in the Western city of Australia, we played in pubs around Perth. It was fun time again and when I got used to the music beat again I later joined a five piece band playing at the more established places like the main Yacht Club in Perth and at more sophisticated venues and corporate functions at their dinners and get-together. Christmas and New Year gigs were fabulous nights to remember. 

After two of our band members passed away, I moved on and teamed up with the usual three piece again. These days I spend my time mostly playing around at a music studio and recording my favourte songs on CDs. 

I also devote much of my free time playing at churches and charity functions and gigs.

Regards.

Winston Walters.

18 comments:

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

We met some time ago.
He wrote me a note and I just discovered it in my files.
CHECK OUT WHAT WAS WRITTEN.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Hi Jimmy.
Spring time on the beach around...

JIMMY APPUDURAI-CHUA - ENGLAND said...

My wonderful and talented classmate xx

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Ah tell us more...

JIMMY APPUDURAI-CHUA - ENGLAND said...

he is a brilliant footballer as well...

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

OK. Scorer or...midfielder.

JIMMY APPUDURAI-CHUA - ENGLAND said...

OH YES...

ERICBRONSON WONG [HONGKONG] said...

Nice n Gentle looking,,
Sure is A Brilliant Guy,,
🤗😁🤩😍💪🤘👌👍

WINSTON WALTERS [AUTHOR] said...

I appeared on a radio show and THE DUKES were also on the same show.
Bobby Lambert [the other DUKES singer] heard me and asked JERRY MURAD to get me to replace him.

Met Murad after the Cliff Richard concert at the Badminton Hall and he asked me to try out at Prince Garni Hotel.

The rest is history!

DANIEL ABIDIN [THE DUKES] said...

Actually your post was all over the many chat groups and many friends forwarded to me.

I also sent to both Winston and his brother Alan who was very happy that he was mentioned.
This triggered all the army chat group.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thanks Winston and Daniel.
This post won't have been without you both.
Cheers.

CHAKAP CHAKAP: said...

The post has since been amended.

Correction:
JERRY MURAD and not JERRY FERNANDEZ.

JULIANA LIM said...

My talented young friend, (a percussionist in her own right and now a leading anthropologist) once shared that her dad was with the Dukes. Glad you’re paying tributes to our music pioneers.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

thanks Juliana. Nice to know. You were one of my first blog supporters with that special music connection and background.

FREDA HANUM TEEPEES [KL/MALAYSIA] said...

Nice letter to you Andy...indeed beautiful memories of Dukes and Winston Walters 👍

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

FREDA

Many thanks.
You are too, very encouraging and without airs.
KAMSIAH.

THANKS TO EVERYONE TOO, BELOW, WHO JUST WROTE IN AND LIKE THE BLOG.

CRYSTAL ABIDIN
MOODY CASH
Freda Hanum
Jimmy Appudurai-chua
Stephen Han
Ericbronson Wong
Alphonso Soosay
Yip Dick
Irene Yap
Ivor Lesslar
Frank Tan
Chow Wen Hing
John Cher
Jalani Mohamed
James Kwok
Francis Anthony Rozells
Michael Fonseca
Roop Singh
Wong K C EuNike
Raymond Cho
Kali Dass S
Gracie Mary
Ser Kiong Tan
Jean Tan

SAMMYLON said...

Awesome Im a young fan of singapore 60s music thanks for this post andy may i know how do i get in touch winston as i would love to meet him and get my copy signed

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Sorry for late posting SAMMYLON.
Winston is in Perth, Australia.

I really don't know how.
I'll see if I can get his email address.
You can ask him then.