Andy 60s Music Blog: Singing Contest @ Singapore Conference Hall: By Author, Artist: Richard Tham.

Pamphlets promoting the event 

and the teenager decided to participate.

Author RICHARD THAM wrote this story and 

sketched the picture of Johnny Mathis above.

I asked my unassuming and quiet friend Richard if he could write a story for this blog. His response was positive and immediate but said he'd rather draw than write. I asked if he could do both; so here he is, with his very unique story. Why is it unique? Figure it out dear reader and write to us. 

Thank you, Richard. You're really special... 

It's Not For Me To Say:

"During his Pre-U days, a teenager, walking down Shenton Way, saw an advertisement for a singing contest. His friends encouraged him to enter the competition.

The year was 1966. The most talked about music event, the Eurovision Song Contest 1966, originally known as the Grand Prix Eurovision de la Chanson had ended in March in Luxemburg. It was believed that a local Sikh entrepreneur hit upon the idea to hold a singing contest in Singapore. He named it the Euro-Asian Singing Contest.

The teenager sailed through the preliminary rounds. He was very excited as he entered the Singapore Conference Hall to participate in the semi-final.

Singapore Conference Hall: 1960's

Backstage he met fellow contestants and they exchanged greetings. He started chatting with Mr. Lim, a schoolteacher. Mr. Lim said he would be singing 'On the Street where You live'. Looking at the young man, Mr. Lim said it would be more presentable to have a jacket on. However, Mr. Lim's jacket was far too large for the schoolboy. Mr. Lim managed to have a Malay contestant who is of similar build to the boy to lend his jacket. After his performance, the Malay man lent the boy his jacket.

When his turn came, the boy walked confidently on stage. He scanned the packed hall. His gaze drifted to a group of four men in the front row. They were pointing at him and laughing away. The boy froze! 

Literature taken from Archives of 

The National Library Board Singapore.

The Master of Ceremony (MC) introduced the teenager to the audience. He then asked him for the title of his song.

There was a long silence. Still dazed, the boy was unable to reply. The seasoned MC took a quick look at his queue card and joked.

"That's a good one! Ladies and gentlemen, our contestant here is bringing you one of Johnny Mathis great hit! The title of the song? 'It's Not For Me To Say!' Take it away, young man!"

The teenager courageously delivered his song. After the applause died, the young man left the stage, returned the jacket to his fellow contestant and headed straight home..."

Did you participate in one?

All comments welcome...

Author: Richard Tham [Copyrights Reserved]

Huge and colorful posters were not common in the 60's. 

In today's Singapore this poster could've been out on 

the streets and on the internet of course. 

[Pix above is just an illustration.]

Author, Artist and dog lover too.

Richard Tham.

The original singer and song of, 

'It's not for me to say,' Johnny Mathis.

YouTube Video by: hcapgolfer.

Images: Google; WA/AI.