The Trailers (above image) has drummer Tony Zee (on green seat) whom Albert Louis has highlighted when I asked him about local percussionists he admires.Albert wrote: "Locally Tony Zee comes to mind. He was the pioneer of studio drumming in the 60's, 70's and 80's, which requires precision in timing and technique and he used to rule in this area and being a first class sight reader he was quick to pick up what is latest in drumming from books and worked very hard to improve and keep up with the times.
He can be seen in the band in the programme called, "DON'T FORGET THE LYRICS," hosted by Gurmit Singh and currently on Channel Five."
Thank you Albert ('Drumming For Health' concept: Read previous blog) for your insight on drummers you admire both local and foreign.
The Trailers:
The Trailers:
The
Trailers 「特丽乐队」 was one of the most versatile and talented bands to
emerge from Singapore in the 1960s。 Formed sometime in 1964 by Victor
Woo (lead guitar) and Eric Tan (bass)，the band had a number of line-up
changes in mid 1966 with Benny Koh (vocals)，Edmund Tan (rhythm
guitar)，Tony Zee (drums) and Michael Teo (keyboards)。
That first single
contained the group's original composition, [Do It Right] backed with the
instrumental [Thunderball]。The single went on to be a number one seller
in Singapore。
Later in 1966, the Trailers had another hit with their
second single, another original, the excellent 「Don't Laugh (You'll
Cry)」，backed with a great version of Little Richard's [Lucille]。
This was
followed in early 1967 by an all instrumental EP (vinyl record)，with new
keyboardist Jimmy Chan who had replaced Michael that yielded one of
their most evergreen tunes，「Phoenix's Theme (贺新年)」，which apparently is
still a feature of many Singaporean Chinese New Year celebrations。
The
joyous instrumental rendition of a popular Chinese New Year's
song, [Phoenix's Theme」 in western Chinese tune became a standard. This
reminds of Chinese New Year in Singapore in the 60's，the family dinners
and visits, the red packets, the red fire crackers, the smell of the
black powder, school holidays。 The melody for the Spring festival injected
the spirit of splendour and goodness for each New Year。
The Trailers: I'm Ready Now:
YouTube Video by: My Moody Heart.
Another standout
tune is 「Alisan (阿里山)」，based on a Taiwanese folk-song that praises the
beauty of the Taiwanese maidens from the island's highest peak。 「Ding
Ding Song] was also based on a Chinese tune and [Lara's Theme」，from the
film Dr Zhivago is the odd one out. All the Trailers recordings appeared
on the Cosdel label but starting in early 1968，a number of Cosdel
artists received international release through an arrangement with RCA。
Article On You Tube By:
fhlew8: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uirhMDjCBdg
