SINGAPORE 60's: ANDY's POP MUSIC INFLUENCE IS A PERSONAL MUSIC, MEMORY TRAIL. BLOGGER DOES NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO VIDEOS, AUDIO TRACKS AND IMAGES. THEY ARE UPLOADED FOR FUN, EDUCATIONAL, ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES AND HAVE BEEN CREDITED. BLOG IS NOT SPONSORED NOR ADVERTORIAL IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER. INFORM BLOGGER OF COPYRIGHT ISSUES AND POST WILL BE DELETED IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT COPY THE POSTS; GET PERMISSION N CREDIT ME IF YOU DO. ANDY LIM LA (NOVEMBER, 2008) -
(新加坡六十年代安迪的流行音乐影响力), SUDI MAMPIR !
The late MALCOLM HYDER who passed away on 11 JANUARY 2026 in Singapore; reported by good friend DANNY KOH.
“Malcolm Hyder, the driving force behind our band, FLYING FEATHERS, has passed away. During our formative years, we would gather at his Joo Chiat Road home to rehearse and hone our skills. Malcolm's dynamic personality and inventive ideas not only shaped our music but also inspired our band's name.
The members in the band were Roger Prior, Harvey Klass, Patrick Nathan and Myself. All of us were in our 20’s. Played at the RAF Officers Club in Changi.
As I reflect on these memories, I'm reminded of his remarkable life, which included his tenure as a teacher at Siglap. He will be deeply missed.
Rest In Peace, Malcolm. Condolences to his Family.”
Written by Professional Musician/Pianist DANNY KOH. Thanks Danny. Copyrights Reserved. Click below to read about Danny.
[NB: MALCOLM HYDER (left) with AUBREY MILES and THOMAS PAUL were also well known as members of a vocal group called the BAMBINOS. They were adept with favourite jazz pieces where the group would use scat and do-wop to brighten their songs.] IMAGE courtesy of JUDE GERARD PAUL.
David Xie Jinshi (谢金石), a veteran Chinese singer known as the "Hokkien Song King" in Singapore and Malaysia, passed away at the age of 73 on 8th January 2026, while he was on a cruise.
He rose to fame in 1972 after winning a singing competition and released his first Hokkien album in 1979. The "Hokkien Song King" was well known in the 80s and 90s for his powerful voice and for providing singing classes at various community centers.
His greatest professional regret was never having the opportunity to perform in a Hokkien opera (Gezi Opera), despite his mastery of the dialect. He was scheduled to perform at the Esplanade with a live orchestra soon.
His family, friends and colleagues described him as a dedicated teacher, a kind-hearted man and definitely a pop star. According to those who were close to him, his determination and singing talent made him what he was.
Rest In Peace David Xie. We shall all miss you. Condolences to his family.
Comments are welcome...
This article is a short summary adapted from newspaper reports. Thanks to Danny Koh, David's good friend, for sending me the news of his death, without which I would not be aware.
David Chia [谢金石] 谢金石福建风专辑 YouTube Video by: 谢金石 David Chia
Danny Koh and David Xie. They did 10 live streaming during Covid with lady singer Tandy Lim.
(1) Danny Koh with singer Tandy Lim and David Xie Jinshi. (2) With Frederick Phua, owner of British Hainan Restaurant and Godfather to David who was of the Christian faith. 3) Fred with Portrait of David. Photographs are Copyrights Reserved.
People. We meet them along the way as we go through life. Some of them become our pang yau or friends while others just pass us by. Here are some old and new friends I met when I retired totally from singing after Covid in 2019. These pictures are not in any order. Check us out...
Lyrics of a pop song you all know. What I do when free. Wandering around to check out friends and strangers. Know the song title? And singer?
Meeting a bespectacled Chinese Santa in front of a well-known Chinese painting. Do you know this place? It's not too cold actually but for me it was.
The late Mustafa Al-Johari, a respected singer musician I met at a concert. He became a friend but lived in New Zealand. Mustafa passed away not too long ago. Goodbye my friend. May you Rest In Peace. Condolences to his Family.
Ahh! The wandering singing ambassador Jimmy Yap, with former 'Dukes' drummer Clarence Perera and his friend for a chat before Christmas 2025.
It was orchids galore with the expert himself, Mr. Johnny Yeo, at the Botanical Gardens. Johnny, good friend and a serious orchid enthusiast was on fun duty. Besides being an orchid lover, he also plays the Chinese erhu, the ukulele and is a cycling enthusiast.
While visiting the National Library lately, meeting four buskers who were off duty. They had a great time listening to the pianist. But no singing, says the security guard on duty. A visitor, took pictures.
On 15th May 2025 Amanda, guitarist, and Dorothy, leader of a group of young ladies from Yuying Secondary School Guitar Emsemble Alumni, staged a memorable performance at the Tan Tock Seng Hospital Atrium. A huge crowd awaited.
Mr Bob Salleh and Mr.Ali were in charge of the acoustics that day. And what a fine job they did. Not an easy task with the public, patients and a big audience milling around them to watch what they do. I became friends with them too. Thanks Bob and Ali.
And here's the Concordia Guitar Ensemble about to go into their guitar play and rendering songs for the Hospital crowd and passers-by. The group was founded in 2019. Thank you, ladies. You all made my day. These 3 pictures and other ones will be posted as a full article soon. So watch out for it.
朋友 (Pang Yau - Friend of Mine) - Alan Tam Wing Lun (譚詠麟) YouTube Video by: EmperorTam.
The Music Section at the main library, Middle Road. It's only one part of a huge collection of books about songs and their singers. There's Clapton, Parton and Springsteen. With Beatles book of their lyrics. Notice others? Books are my great friends too!
An interesting moment, meeting Mr. Chee Soon Juan at a Supermarket. He was rather busy as usual but this time shopping for groceries. No chat but he was kind enough to spare me time for the picture.
Pianist Sammin Ang is a good friend and a versatile musician; one who plays quite a number of instruments. His wife, Esther is a singer who can croon in English and Chinese. They appear at many concerts and entertainment venues.
This friend sends me coffee greetings each morning. A well-known Elvis Tribute Artiste, Jimmy PresLee owns many Elvis-oriented pantsuits when he appears on stage. Uh-huh-hah!
And the good friend Jimmy [top left] who's everywhere gave Rediffusion DJ Larry Lai [with cap] and me a big birthday treat on November 25th. Thank you so much, Jimmy. It was extremely delicious food of local delights, including Larry's kong bah pow. He swallowed three huge ones. We had two birthday cakes and as usual Larry got the bigger piece. 🤣 And here's where I met many new friends.
Mr. Christopher Nathan, that's the man! Check him out and help him out. He's always at the Toa Payoh Hub near the NTUC that is opposite the Value Dollar Store. He sings well and does songs by Freddy Mercury. Hope to meet you again my friend.
Lovely lines from a 60's hit. Do you know the title? It's there for you... This is one of my favourite numbers. Do you know the singer?
Here's a cutie pie you'd love to be with. Friendly and loving you can cuddle this giant for as long as you like. He won't object. You should see him tumble on the lawn he's actually admiring... and he sleeps in an air-conditioned room. As Ronald Ho says on the Comment Page below, this beautiful animal could be a Samoyed from Siberia.
In psychedelic colours, here's a Disc Jockey [DJ] at work. Psychedelic is one of the most popularly used words in the 1960's.
My favourite lines as a Senior. Not many years to go but you still get people you know trying to knock you off sometimes. Sad! Do you know the title and the group that sings it?
Can you name this song and singers?
Thank you for reading up to here. Last one, a beautiful decoration piece creatively done for a Christmas dinner table.
Have a great 2026 everyone. Hope to meet more friends along the way... It's only January.
Hello my friend. Thanks for your support all these years. This blog started in 2008, and it is 2026 now. That's about 18 years of writing, reading and listening to music from Singapore and its influence from around the globe.
Let's all wish for peace and stability these coming years! More love and music, not war.
HAPPY NEW 2026 TO YOU and FAMILY.
‘AULD LANG SYNE’ BY EMILY LINGE
YouTube Video by: EMILY LINGE.
Special thanks to the original contributing writers who helped to make this blog a success. Names are permanently found on the right-hand column of the page>>>>>
Thanks to FREDA HANUM for her creativity
in producing this poster.
This blog will hit 5 Million Views soon! The above Statistics appeared on: 2nd January 2026.
Shalom, you are early this year, inviting me to write for your music blog last month in November 2025. I think I will pen some of my recent lateral thoughts and meditation. Your invitation gives me another chance to worship God... thank you for the opportunity.
The Hebrews consider Bible study as the highest form of worship for God... singing is basically preparing the heart to worship.
Wishing you and your family a Blessed Joyous Christmas, good health and a Happy New Year 2026.
Shalom and Best Regards,
Phil.
Dear Phil,
It's a very distinctive paper but you have made it an easier read for a simple folk like me. I must thank you for writing the Christmas messages and selective songs that have been popularly accepted through the years by many of our readers. Counting the articles, it is the twelfth one you've composed, complete with the downloads of carols and hymns from YouTube.
Yours Sincerely,
Andy.
Some Lateral Thoughts and Meditation for Christmas 2025.
Why do we have turkey at Christmas dinner celebrations?
In Hebrew, turkey is called הודו (hodu). The term hodu is both the biblical word for India and a Hebrew root meaning give thanks or praise, as in Hodu laAdonai ki tov (Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good). Hebrews sometimes play on this double meaning, noting both turkey and thanksgiving, which fits beautifully with themes of gratitude in both Thanksgiving and Biblical faith.
The reason turkey sits on Christmas tables is chiefly historical and practical, the Hebrew name hodu, thanksgiving, and praise has rich symbolism for Christians to reflect on during this season of gratitude, Hanukkah (John 10:22-2 documents it as the Feast of Dedication), and the celebration of Christ’s coming.
What are Christians grateful for?
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. What is this government?
Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. To achieve this Kingdom, Jesus preached the Gospel.
What Child is This w/ Lyrics (Francesca Battistelli)
YouTube Video by: Pastor Madeline.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQWKjTvPgiM
So, what is the Christian Gospel, sometimes known as Good News (NIV)?
Mark 1:1-15 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
What is the Gospel?
Perhaps it may be more insightful to ask the reverse question, what is not the Gospel of Jesus?
The Gospel of the kingdom of God (“Good News”) is not a moral improvement program or a set of religious checklists or a performance-based system where we strive to earn divine approval or a fear-based message that manipulates through guilt, shame, or anxiety. It is not a transaction where human obedience begets God’s grace.
All of these are distortions that reduce grace to regulations and transactional type of relationships. Paul’s entire argument in Galatians and Romans defends this freedom: “Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3). If a message exhausts rather than restores, enslaves rather than liberates, it is not The Good News Gospel - it is, perhaps bad news in disguise.
The True Nature of the Gospel
The Gospel at its core is God’s act to restore communion with humanity through Jesus Christ (Messiah). It is God’s initiative, not our achievement. God comes to us; not we are reaching out to Him. (John 1:14, Philippians 2:6–8). God loves us first, while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:8). God reconciles and not after we fix ourselves, but in our brokenness, God transforms, not through obligation,but through adoption and relationship. This is why it is right to call the relationship sonship and daughter ship. The appropriate response is not fear or striving, but relational trust.
Transformation, Not Transaction
The transformation of the Gospel is reflected in Jesus’ teaching. In the parable of the prodigal son, the father doesn’t wait for the son to clean up his life. He runs to embrace him while he is still far off. The son’s confession flows from having already been received.
O Holy Night | Keith and Kristyn Getty and the Getty Girls.
Official Lyric Video.
YouTube Video by: KeithandKristynGetty and the Getty Girls.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDNWM7RsqI4
The Finished Work and the Covenant:
The Gospel is not a contract, which depends on mutual performance, but actually a covenant sealed by God’s own faithfulness in Christ (Hebrews 8–10). Our salvation rests on His obedience, not ours.Repentance is not the cause of forgiveness but its fruit — the turning of a forgiven heart towards the Forgiver.
That’s the “Good News”: God, through Christ, has done everything necessary for our reconciliation with God the Father and Creator of the Universe. What remains is for us to believe, receive, and rest in His love.
Jesus came to reveal God, the Father and Creator
John 17:6, 25-26: I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world... O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; and I have made Your Name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.
According to the Apostle Paul, the Gospel is the message of grace and love fully accomplished in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1–4). Christ died for our sins — the finished work of redemption. He was buried, confirming His death. He rose again — guaranteeing new life for all who believe.
This is not an offer to “try harder” (many of us may have mistaken) but a complete rescue received by faith. The Good News is that salvation is God’s gift, not our achievement - it is Jesus alone and nothing else. Repentance in this light is not the price we pay for salvation but the response of a heart that finally feels safe in God’s love. It is the change of mind (metanoia) from unbelief to trust in Christ’s finished work.
When one truly accepts the Gospel, fear and striving cease. We realize we are already loved by the Creator God, forgiven, and included as sons and daughters in God’s kingdom. As Romans 12:2 says, Transformation begins through the renewing of the mind - awakening to the truth that the Father’s love is already ours.
Christmas Posture of the Heart:
This Christmas invites a posture not of fear or striving, but of restful, grateful joy in The Onewho came near to us in love. Having a carefree, thankful heart towards Jesus aligns perfectly with the Good News: loved, accepted, and welcomed home as sons and daughters.
Celebration with Food and loved Ones:
Sharing “choice food, turkey meals and wine” with loved ones becomes more than just tradition when it overflows from gratitude. It becomes a lived parable of grace: abundance instead of scarcity, fellowship instead of isolation, joy instead of fear. May our dinner table this Christmas 2025 be a small foretaste of the Kingdom feast - full of Shalom peace, joyous laughter, and heartfelt thanksgiving to the Father through Jesus.
Isaiah 25:6 "LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine - the best of meats and the finest of wines." (NIV).
CityAlight - Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me [Live].
Andy visits the Tan Tock Seng Hospital to watch music artiste Richard Rajoo and his entourage of volunteers for a Christmas Cheer.
UP TO 700 VIEWS, 35 COMMENTS, REPLIES
The poster tells it all. It was held on Monday, 15th December 2025 with the hospital's popular, The Art of Healing programme that has been going on...
The lady who introduced the musical group. A pretty MC indeed: Ms. YVONNE.
The singers who brightened the Hospital that day. Richard Rajoo is at far right. Cheers for taking time off to entertain the crowd.
Part of the audience and music participants watching from the side-lines.
Dr. Bernard Thong, Chairman of the TTSH Medical Board and Dr. Devaraj, Director of TTSH Corporate Communication can be seen at the microphone.
Mr Roney Tan, the man behind the organisation, has planned many such events for the hospital with his family and friends. He is related to the late Mr. Tan Tock Seng.
Mr Richard Rajoo and blogger Andy chat during the short interval. They exchanged notes about the show and TTSH's Atrium longevity as a music venue.
Quite a gathering in the audience that includes out-patients, music and food enthusiasts, some staff-members and concert lovers.
‘Jingle Bells’ by the group that performed at the atrium with a cheerful and active audience moving around. It is only a sampling and could have been longer. Hopefully some songs would be ready for posting soon. YouTube Video by Andy Young.
AND RICHARD RAJOO.
Mr. Richard Rajoo, a good friend and active guitarist, told me about a Christmas sing-along concert called, Once Upon A Song, at Tan Tock Seng Hospital's very popular atrium that fronts the food court and other meal outlets. And what a treat it was with the concert participants dressed in colourful Santa hats and red polo-Ts.
The group sang well and presented their Christmas carols and fun songs for this season, ranging from Santa Clause Is Coming To Town, Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer and Silent Night, Holy Night. At least 20 concert participants, *doctors, staff and volunteers were involved in the music event that afternoon. Gifts were given out too for members of the audience.
Merry Christmas everyone and a Happy New 2026.
More Music, Mute Meaningless Military Mayhem!
Comments from readers and participants are welcome!
*Read under Comments page below and check what Merlin Lim, guitarist and former patient, has to say about TTSH's doctors and staff in all honesty.
[This is an original posting with photographs by Andy Lim. Copyrights Reserved.]
Mr. Wong wrote a comment in July 2023 for the blog about his younger days wearing leather boots with horseshoes attached to them. More importantly he described those rough and tough days in the 60s when he faced his "enemies" who challenged him...
He writes in his own stylish and identifiable way. And I just love his name. Like Charles Bronson, he's fierce and muscular. Thank you, Ericbronson for your contribution to this blog.
"Oh Yes Come to think of it those were indeed d trend during those roaring days of d 60s walking on d wild side,, l remember not hard synthetic rubber horseshoes but iron horseshoes banged behind d leather boots n leather shoes making sure it is loud clickety clack sound when U walk pass some people to show them U R some kind of A Rebel,, ha ha ha.
Gangsters in Chinatown Singapore 60s. They identify themselves
using numerals as gang members of groups like 08; 24; 329 .
l realised l attracted more enemies than friends, enemies wanted to make trouble saying that, "U R actsy!" [arrogant] n a showoff to be a tough guy, haters want to challenge U exchanged hostilities; true to say l got into a couple of fights because of that.
Just Like Rumble On D Streets Of Old Chinatown. Those Lorongs [side lanes] in Fierce Geylang,, Terror in Katong and Fist Waving Street Fighters of Jalan Joo Chiat Tiong Bharu, Red Hill [road names] etc. etc. Honestly!
l survived through it all,, thank GOD I am still breathing today. l still remember the days patronizing cobblers in makeshifts stalls, hammering those horseshoes.
🤠😎😃😁🤩😍🤘🤟✌️👍☕☕🍺🍺.
Ericbronson Wong is also a jolly fellow and does creative work like the above.
Andy Young,, Oh Yes Brother Andy Those were d unforgettable days,, Days unlike today,, l could hardly find genuine cobblers under makeshift stalls nowadays,, U find them in air conditioning plazas and big departmental stores instead with very high technology type of machines charging expensive prices getting your shoes mended.
Surely Gone R The Days where U find a truly just n humble Cobblers offering a reasonable price to work on your shoes,, the fee to hammer the iron horseshoes were so cheap the price U pay for a plate of Char Kway Teow [fried noodles] and a bottle of Sinalco with chopped ice. l remember too, for a pair of tea-dancing rugged boots; ha ha ha."
Horseshoes fitted onto the soles of ordinary shoes that created a chinky sound to show style and aggressiveness among teens in the 60s.
😎🤠😃😁🤟✌️👌👍☕☕🍺🍺🍻🍻🍹🍹
Author: Ericbronson Wong [HongKong].
24.7.23
Why Ericbronson wrote this article. Click below to read:
Another group of tough guys from Singapore 60's. You know there's going to be a gang fight when you see a pile of jack-knives, a few parangs [Chinese chopping knives], brickbats, long screw-drivers and hammers in the dry monsoon drain near your home at Geylang Road or Chinatown.
Gangland weapons used in the 1960's.
Elvis Presley with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra:
In the Ghetto (HD). YouTube Video by: CsillagRobert.
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