Singapore 60s Music Chats: 'Something Borrowed, Something Blue'. Of Drinks And Dance.

Something old, something new,

Something borrowed, something blue.

Nightclub Drinks and Dance in the 60s:

There's a well-known saying, "Something old, Something new, Something borrowed, Something blue..."

Following the trend, I am re-living comments from blog readers, friends and highlighting them. And we chat about nightclub drinks and lamsing, er dancing.

For action dancing we chose the cha-chas 'Rico Vacilon' and rock n roll hits. For the lamsing we chose slow number waltzes like Cliff Richard's, 'When the girl in your arms.'

 Check them out. 

Sometimes it's too close for comfort.

But it was the 60's and nobody bothered!

Patrick Chan says:

Hi Andy,

Good reminiscent. Actually, when we go to a night spot in the 60s, it's not such much for the drinks but to see the band n 'lamsing' [dancing closely] as you said. For some, they don't really know what bar drinks to order. So following others was a safe bet without looking 'sua ku' or a country boy. [2017].

Yes, I remembered Bacardi n rum coke were top of the list. But if you want to be a bit 'sekit atas' [a little bit classy] then you order Gin Tonic to impress the girls. lol. Surely you will get one or two asking 'what drink is that'. So this drink is an ice-breaker that gets you up close with the girls for the evening.

Now you know why Gin Tonic has been my favourite pouring ever since.

Andy, next time you try order gin tonic and see what happens. For the girls, if you want to be seen as a sophisticated you order Baby Cham.

The late Ms Chong YL says:

Andy, 

In those years, did many ladies take to liquor? I was no night bird - had a very strict father. It was only when I started working that I did go to West Point in Pasir Panjang a couple of times. Don't remember if I tried any hard drinks. Years later, some lady friends introduced me to Campari and Seven-Up. Even then I didn't take to that well-developed some kind of allergy.

So you can imagine a situation in New Zealand when I attended dinners with the Kiwis. When asked to drink, I declined - giving the reason that I would develop a rash. When offered coffee at the end of the meal, I said no - I won't be able to sleep. I asked for 'Adam's Ale' - warm. What a 'suaku' from Singapore.

Today I quite enjoy ice-cream with some liqueur such as Lychee Martini, Kahlua Krunch, Baileys Choc Chips from Daily Scoop. [2017]

Jane Dick [Manitoba, Canada] says:

Hi Andy,

Fun to read your memories of your youth and local nightclubs; brought back some of my own memories.

Rum and Coca Cola, is one of the favourite songs, so delightful to listen to it. Years ago, I was working for an organisation that had a booth at the annual Wedding Show in Winnipeg, and I did a shift during one weekend. 

During the fashion show, with lovely models showing off bridal gowns, one piece of music they played over and over was, 'Rum and Coca Cola ...' a song about streetwalkers ...! I thought that was pretty funny. [2017].

Daisy Koh says:

Oh Yes Ambassador n Airport Nightclub. Only $5 cover charge inclusive of the Rum n Coke. So packed those days, no place for fanciful dance steps. Just “Move the refrigerator,” as they say in Hokkien or 'lamsing'. I still have an old cutout or photo of the packed Airport dance floor somewhere.

We also grew up twisting away in the 60's. We girls spent afternoons practising with talcum powder on the floor to facilitate the moves. So much fun … Twist and then Ago-Go. The Twist music is still alive today… incorporated into Line-dancing and Zumba 🤣. [2024]. 

Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra: Rico Vacilon.

YouTube Video by: felixbautista

Stephen Han says:

I remembered dancing at the Ambassador Hotel and the Paya Lebar Airport. Rum Coke and Baby Champagne were the drinks of choice. I also recalled the sexy and lovely stripper, Eva Kim from South Korea shedding her clothes though not totally naked. I learned she bared all in private functions.

There was also a dance venue at West Point. Another one was at the Singapore Hotel where the City Plaza now stands... 2017].

*Singapore English or Singlish:

lamsing = dancing or literal meaning 'to hug' in Chinese: 'lam' with the English Continuous Tense 'sing'.

suaku = a Chinese Hokien dialect that means: 'mountain [sua] tortoise [ku]' or a country bumpkin; someone who isn't trendy or up to date.

sikit atas = a Malay phrase that means, 'a little bit classy' or literally: 'a little up there...'

BTW, 'Adam's ale' = water 😅.

Dancing = lamsing = move the refrigerator. And 'chiau sng tu' is Hokien dialect for 'move the refrigerator'. 'Move the refrigerator' was coined to describe the awkward way in which couples without basic dancing skills moved around the dance floor.

Comments are welcome.

Cliff Richard: 'When the girl in your arms...' 

YouTube Video by: VanAllesWat33

Ukulele Music Group Singapore Entertains PM Lee Hsien Loong: Anna Law

My ukulele group, GYUS performing at PM Lee Hsien Loong's 

garden party at Gardens by the Bay in 2017. PM sang,

'The Young Ones'.

UP TO 2,200 VIEWS - 35 CHATS, COMMENTS

Anna Law, solo on stage, performing at Chevy 57 in Katong, 

East Coast with Leonard, lead guitarist of band, That's Life.

GYUS on stage: 10 May, 2018 @ a graduation function 

organised by The Ministry of Health.

GYUS performed at Changi Airport in 2017, 

around the Christmas season.

GYUS performed at Changi Airport in 2017, 

around the Christmas season.

The Teepees... question is, which one is Anna?

Anna with Peter Chua at Sentosa Island

Anna Law leads the Ukulele group GYUS 

with 'The Young Ones' and 'Let's Twist Again', 

during a Passion Fiesta performance in 2016.

Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Tan have been in touch with me since we last met for a huge lunch they provided after a successful pop music show in 2019. I wrote recently to ask Mrs. Tan [a.k.a. Anna Law from girl group, The Teepees] if she could do an article on her famous ukulele group that had been hitting the headlines for some time.  Anna is not only a talented musician and singer but a poet and an artist too. Below is her recollection. Thanks so much dear Anna.

Hi Andy,

If music be the food of love, play on. Music is my passion and it might stem from the fact that I come from a musically inclined family, Hawaiian guitarist dad, pianist mum and 2 brothers, Daniel and David who played professionally on the guitar and piano, respectively. I was from Katong Convent School and love to write and compose poems too 😀. With the family and self introduction done, I will proceed with my own music path.

I will talk briefly about my music career with my band, a 4 piece all- group called The Teepees. I was a guitarist/ singer with the other 3 girls on the keyboard, bass and drums. We had contracts in Singapore and Malaysia. Sadly, due to family commitments, we had to disband and parted  ways. 

But many years later, we were approached by Jerry Fernandez from The Neu Faces to perform at the Concert Hall, Esplanade. That was in 2012. We were quite hesitant as we had lost touch with our instruments. After much persuasion, we decided to give it a try and practised relentlessly. Years later we were asked to perform at Pek Kio CC. 

That was our last gig. We moved on with our lives. I moved on and continued with my passion for music. 

A Date With Friends 14th March 2019 at the Esplanade. 

The lady in green kebaya is Anna Law. Listen to DIANA, HOUND DOG & other hits. Also their original Teochew Song. Video from: johnsonchusc

It was in 2012 when I took over the helm of the ukulele group, GYUS ( The Golden Years Ukulele Strummers) from my Instructor who succumbed to an illness, and with 13 members in tow. 

Initially, I was reluctant to take over the baton from him, but after much persuasion and consideration, and support from my husband, Vincent, I decided to give it a shot. It was from word of mouth and the members, mainly Seniors, grew to a hundred and more. Jamming sessions were held weekly at a Community Club (CC). It was a happy sight to see them letting their hair down, strumming and belting out songs from yesteryear. 

We had a lot of performances. We were honoured to perform before President Tony Tan at the Istana, at VIP functions attended by the PM, Lee Hsien Loong and the Ministers. Our last ukulele performance was at the Concourse, Esplanade. The Teochew song which we played on that day went viral. Can you believe that? For the Teochew song, I listened to the clip sung by Peter Chua. No lyrics were provided. So I painstakingly listened to the song and wrote down my own lyrics and put in the chords.

We are not going to “Blame it on the Bossa Nova”, but all hell broke loose when Covid-19 created havoc. Haha! Oh well, like they say, all good things must come to an end. It has been two years since we last jammed. Anyway. It’s not over for me. Life has to go on and the sound of music continues for me. 

Music keeps the mind active, and with that in mind and also to stay sane, I am still in touch with my guitar and ukulele, jamming occasionally at places of friends. After a storm, there will be sunshine. 

Here’s a little poem composed by myself. 

In body and mind, continue to be strong,

As the road to recovery is nothing but long. 

Parts if played well, all will be fine,

Darkness will disappear, say hi to sunshine. 

Times are trying, they will pass,

Believe that not all bad occurrences will last. 

Wishing good blessings to each and everyone of you,

May what you dream and wish for come true. 

Best wishes,

Anna Law

Vincent Tan and wife Anna.

Anna accompanying Andy

during lunch fun in 2019.

Images: An Anna Law Collection/Copyrights Reserved.

Johnny Lion Jumping Jewels Record Merlion Song

On the Singapore Memory Trail

JL and the JJ.  Early years.

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Popularity

Johnny Lion and his group The Jumping Jewels had been here many times and were so popular in the 1960s that teenage girls followed him around everywhere he went.  Whether they were appearing in the Arundel Room at Goodwood Park Hotel, at the Odeon Cinema in North Bridge Road or even at the Paya Lebar Airport where they landed, these places would be bustling with clamoring fans, especially girls.

On stage at the Convention Centre Suntec City 2003.

They were as popular as the other pop singers who hailed from the Netherlands, namely, The Blue Diamonds and Anneke Gronloh. This particular line-up consisted of vocalist Johnny Lion, whose real name is Jan van Leeuwarden, with Hans van Eijk on solo guitar, Tjibbe Veelo on rhythm guitar, Joop Oonk on bass guitar, Frits Tamminga on drums from 1960-1963 and Kees Kranenburg Junior on drums  from 1963-1965.

In the lobby of hotel Marina Mandarin in Singapore.

When reporters asked him about marriage during an interview in the early 1960s, he said that getting hitched was out of the question because he just wanted to sing for his fans and make them happy. His career meant everything for him. The other members of the group nodded in agreement.

The Merlion

Jump forward 40 years and even as late as 2003 when Lion and the Jewels sang at the Convention Centre at Suntec City for a gig called, 60s Now the Return of Pop Music Legends, the place was filled to near capacity with his now Senior fans.

And the members at the Hollandse Club in Singapore were jumping like jelly beans when the gang met up with Riem de Wolff, the younger of the two Blue Diamonds brothers before their evening show.

Lion Song For Lion City

So with that kind of popularity who did you think was asked to record a song about Singapore? When Lion was here in May 1964 and the offer made, he heard the melody and lyrics for the first time.  It was called, Merlion City Singapore and one that would help popularize the island as a tourist destination.

Johnny Lion with framed award

According to a *newspaper article, the song was written by Mr Eddie Gomes a former Kuala Lumpur bandleader and his wife Trudy Conner, a singer and pianist.  When Lion heard the song sung by Connor he said he had to discuss it first with his Jewels.

A Singapore song by a Dutch singer and written by a Malaysian. That's going global right?  Or outsourcing?

Did Johnny Lion finally record the song? If you have the answer please write in to enlighten us. We are all anxious to know. I'd love a copy of the vinyl record.

*Straits Times Press Singapore.

Ginny Come Lately 

Johnny Lion passed away. Check connection to read.

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2019/02/johnny-lion-dutch-pop-singer-has-passed.html

Images: Google and Jumping Jewels website at:
http://indorock.home.xs4all.nl/jumpingjewelsazie.html

(This is an original posting with information from ST.)

GOOD-BYE JOHNNY LION

Airport Song: from 'Magna Carta' Refers To Singapore Flight [by Allan Thompson RAF 1964]

'Airport Song' by Magna Carta from You Tube: Producciones Cinico. 

The song refers to a flight to Singapore.

I had to give this posting its own space because of Allan's nostalgic note below and the song he introduced. As I mentioned on the comment page, it's a new song for me. Thanks Allan.

Dear Andy,

I suppose you know this lovely song which refers to Singapore. It reminds me of a day in late October, 1964 (almost 50 years ago now) when my flight from London to *Changi was delayed overnight due to thick fog. (I had been in the UK for an aircrew selection board at Biggin Hill and was returning to Singapore to resume my tour of duty there).

Changi Air Base 1966. With thanks to singas.co.uk

Later on in years whenever I hear the song, I am reminded of that day, and of the following day when the aircraft finally landed and I was enveloped by the heat, the smells and the sounds of the island I had grown to love during the previous 15 months. Happy days indeed. 

*Possibly Changi Airbase.

Allan Thompson RAF.

Magna Carta is a Progressive rock group
originally formed in London in April 1969.
With Chris Simpson (guitar, vocals),
Lyell Tranter (guitar, vocals), and Glen Stuart (vocals).

'Airport Song' by Magna Carta

Sitting in the airport lounge
I'm waiting for a plane
Everything is grounded
For the fog is down again
I should be leaving in the morning
On a flight for Singapore
With a guitar and a suitcase and a face
In a photograph

Dozing with a coffee and a drooping cigarette
And the dog eats Sunday supplement
And still I can't forget
I should be leaving in the morning
On a plane bound for the sun
With a guitar and a suitcase and a face
In a photograph

The hands on the clock
Turn around and around
Dragging past the hours
'till the dawning of the day
And the girl in information
With her eyes on confirmation
She's turning with a smile to break the news

I cannot quite believe it, but I thought I heard her say,
'The customs all have woken up, the fog is on it's way'
So I'll be leaving in the morning...

Images: from Google.
Changi airbase image from: http://www.singas.co.uk/HTML/changi.html

Singapore Airport voted the best airport 

in the world for 3 consecutive years.

https://www.latimes.com/travel/la-trb-singapore-best-airport-skytrax-20150312-story.html

Pop Stars Could Not Perform In Singapore In 1970s

Can you guess who the pop stars on the left are before you read this article?

When eight international pop stars agreed to perform here in the late 1970s nobody wanted to sponsor them. According to a newspaper report these event companies in Singapore were not familiar with the western pop music world  and refused to bring them in.

Apparently none of the show promoters knew who these stars were when the list was provided as a reference. It is surprising because the singers and groups were the biggest names in show-biz and included: Elvis Costello, Linda Rondstadt, Manhatten Transfer, David Gates, Bread and imagine, even Eagles and Rod Stewart. Still don't know who's who, or do you?

These stars had concerts around the region in 1978 and were scheduled to appear in Australia, Hong Kong and Japan but some nightclubs and local promoters remarked that they had never heard of these most sought-after artistes. Others on the list were Shaun Cassidy, Bette Midler, country and western singers England Dan and John Fort Coley.

But some event companies denied the allegation explaining that they would not engage these stars because of problems with the local authorities.

According to them some of these artistes would be denied entry because of their hair length, considering past instances when top-notch super groups like the Bee Gees, Middle of the Road and Led Zeppelin were asked to leave immediately unless they had their manes cropped at Paya Lebar Airport itself.

Countering this argument a spokesman from a record company mentioned that groups like Manhatten Transfer were clean-cut, neat and wore the best suits in town.

Furthermore most of the artistes mentioned had record releases in Singapore and would charge less than S$20,000 for a show that included back-up singers, a full band and sound-system.  It was business sense to engage them. (Today it would probably cost half a million Sing dollars!)



Whatever the reason we will never know.  Perhaps these show promoters were familiar only with our local stars and those from Malaysia and Hong Kong?  Anyone with an answer?

Images: providec by Google except  the picture on the right which is from a private collection.

Information: from The Straits Times, Singapore.

If you still don't know, here are the answers: Manhatten Transfer (Pic 1), David Gates, Bread (Pic 2), Rod Stewart (Pic 3), Eagles (Pic 4) Linda Rondstadt (Pic 5), Heather and Thunderbirds (Pic 6).

If you enjoyed reading this article click to this one: http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2009/03/blog-post_24.html

The Silent Guitars: RAF Changi Connection Part IX

Allan Thompson's Pingat Jasa Malaysia

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The guitars were silent during armed security patrols. Allan Thompson who served at RAF Changi in the 60s and played bass guitar with a pop group during his free time explained how he could have "contributed to the peace and prosperity of the region" while on official duty.

Dear Andy,
I like the Lee Kuan Yew article. He certainly works hard and did so much to make Singapore an independent and highly efficient nation. Thanks again.

I realise that the military service and medals have no place on your blog, but I only mentioned them as an indication of the enduring love and respect I have for Singapore and Malaysia.

I fell in love with the people, the food, the climate (after acclimatization), the history, the young ladies whose company and families made me feel so much at home. I certainly wasn't a war hero, although several others were, especially the young Gurkha who won the Victoria Cross.

I arrived in Singapore in late July, 1963, just before the creation of the Federation of Malaysia and I remember all the excitement of those times, and the opposition from Indonesia. My only practical contribution to the new nation's defence was doing occasional armed security patrols on Changi Airfield, a two-week detachment to RAF Kuching in Sarawak, and two weeks of coast-watching duties at Pulau Pisang lighthouse in November 1964 after the Indonesians had carried out landings along the coast of Malaysia.

Changi Airfield, Singapore 60s.

At the time we were just doing our duty because it was what we were paid to do, but in 2007 the Malaysian government did us all the great honour of awarding us the Pingat Jasa Malaysia for supporting them at a vital stage in their history. I think that meant more to us veterans than the General Service Medal which we received from our own government for serving in that campaign.

I think it brought home to us the fact that we had actually been involved in something worthwhile which contributed to the peace and prosperity of the region.


Pulau Pisang Lighthouse, Melaka Straits

That was the view of the Malaysian government in the citation which accompanied the award and I feel honoured to have received it.


Best wishes,
Allan.

(Comment anyone? Were you involved? Tell us)

For more of Allan's experience in Singapore 60s click 'Allan Thompson RAF' under Labels below.

RAF Tengah, Singapore. 1964. On the dispersal areas are naval Sea Vixens, 20 Squadron Hunters and a Wessex helicopter during Indonesia-Malaya Confrontation  - Yue Sern Mok 4.7.2021.

Image 1 and article: 

Allan Thompson Collection (All Rights Reserved).
Image 2: Andy Lim Collection.  

Image 3: dewssTv  

Image 4: Google.

Image 5

Harry Martinez Students - Star Gazers (Pt II)

Image: 
clockwise/left: Peter Chan, Wilfred, Richard Yoong, Edwin, Tommy (Drums).

"We studied for 2 years at St. Thomas School and had our band practices at 618 North Bridge Road. Our band was under the tutorship of Harry Martinez at Siglap Road. The group lasted for almost 4 years, from about 1964 to 1968.

We called ourselves Wilfred n The Stargazers. Wilfred, a journalist and the lead singer had a voice like Tom Jones.

The band had another vocalist, a female Chinese who had a repertoire of Mandarin and Cantonese numbers but I cannot remember her name.

Star Gazers played Japanese and Malay songs too and with our versatility, we performed most instrumental dance melodies using the rhythm and beat popular in the mid-sixties. These included off-beat cha cha, rock, mambo, twist, waltz, fox trot, a-go go, hala hala and tango.

We came into the limelight after winning the Big Beat Contest at the Great World Park in Kim Seng Road and secured some television and recording contracts. We played at night clubs, tea dances, weddings, birthday parties, variety shows and at the Singapore International Airport at Paya Lebar Road.

Our recording of four instrumental numbers, White Cloud, Horn Pipe, The Lark and Sunday, a contract with Teo Kwang Record Company near the former Cathay Cinema, exposed us to the pop 60's scene in Singapore and we enjoyed the celebrity status those years accorded."

STARGAZERS, RICHARD WANTS TO MEET YOU ALL AGAIN. GET IN TOUCH!

Article edited/Image: Richard Yoong Collection.

Johnny Lion The Jumping Jewels In Singapore

This posting is another one about Johnny Lion and the Jumping Jewels. In April and May, 1964 they came to Singapore as fans cheered them when the aeroplane touched down at Paya Lebar Airport. Apparently the youngsters fought for autographs while waving flags and journals, showing photographs of Johnny Lion and his group.

The JUMPING JEWELS on this EP are: HANS VAN EIJK, lead guitarist TJIBBE VEELOO, rhythm guitarist JOOP OONK, bass guitarist KEES KRANENBURG, Jr, drummer. In three days the singer and group had performed two shows daily, as more than 10,000 fans poured into the middle of town at the Odeon Cinema at North Bridge Road.

According to the blurb on the flip side of Johnny Lion's EP (Ginny Come Lately, Let's Make A Habit Of This, Tra La-La-La Susie and Gypsy Woman - Philips 433 263 PE), "his success is a combination of many things, but not least among these are his instinct for the kind of song that suits his superb voice and his unfailing attention to detail." Similarly with the group, because all these qualities are present during their stage performances and recordings.

The Air Show was not around then at the airport but the crowd was there Jumping for the Jewels.

(Check: January 29, 2009).

Image/original article: Andy Lim Collection.

Paya Lebar Airport Singapore 60s

Paya Lebar Airport with its distinguished iconic fountain

This was the old Paya Lebar Airport in the 60s. We used to haunt this very popular night spot where professional bands played during the weekends.

For a drink that costs about $6.00 each we danced the whole night, which usually started early at 8 or 9 pm and we usually reached home at 4 a.m. after sending the ladies home. 

On the dance floor lights were dim, the atmosphere romantic, especially when the bands played soothing instrumentals like 'Theme to Peyton Place' and 'The Godfather'.

Sometimes local crooners sang Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra numbers like 'Too Young' and "Fly Me To The Moon'. It was a haven for young lovers. We had no Singapore Air Shows then but lots of singers and dancers flying to the moon like Sinatra.

Image: from National Heritage Board

Original article: Andy Young.