Andy 60s Music: April, A Lovely Flower Maiden, Abandons Him, But There's May Waiting, And June...

As April leaves us and May approaches, we observe that June is waiting to mark the middle of twenty twenty-six. That's half-way through the year and 3 flowers are blooming...

Three Dog Night: 'Pieces Of April.'

YouTube Video by:12 mulligan.

Watch the variety of flowers on this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeJ6EpYwvzA

The following comments are extracts taken from previous blog sites: 

From the late Dave Loggins, composer: Uploaded on Jan 2, 2009.

"I would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts on "Pieces." I wrote it at a very special time of my life. Special, because I met the "love of my life" and had recently lost her. By chance, we were together for three consecutive Aprils and then she left me for good. Today, I don't know where she is or how her life turned out. 

May is symbolic of the present, April was and still remains a sweet yesterday. I have never really gotten over "April" and the "pieces" still remain. Those sweet Aprils... It's my favorite song, too." 

Tomas Rodriguez, blog reader, says:

It is a really beautiful song, but it is very sad. I also think that the memory that he has of the woman is really an illusion. What he is really attached to is the feeling of sadness and longing that is evoked by his memory of the relationship. At the end of the day she did abandon him [and ladies he did abandon you] so why honor her/him for that? Love God, love life and love yourself first...

Suituapui, blogger was in Singapore, 1973, says:

Ooooo...one of my all-time favourite songs. 3 Dog Night's ‘Pieces of April’ - 1973. I was in Singapore that year, Stamford College, Waterloo Street. Those were the days. I saw Heather and the Thunderbirds - Lost Horizon, Shangri La...and also another place, Malaysia Hotel...can't remember the name now. I saw a very young Anita Sarawak too - Top of the Hilton. Oooo...what memories. [Suituapui means 'Beautiful Fat Guy'].

Maggie May: Rod Stewart. With Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. YouTube Video by: Rod Stewart.   

Poppa Madison, blog reader, says:

Pity so many young women of today don't merit this kind of romantic approach. I feel sorry for the young guys of recent generations who want to give their hearts to a lovely fair maiden, but more often than not come face to face with a gaggle of boozed up, foul mouthed, violent, out of their mind female juvenile delinquents when they go out try and find one they can give their all to. 

50 years ago, I can vouch that we actually had real ladies and gentlemen with good manners and a sense of socially interactive behaviour that many of today's young lot could not even begin to be able to get close to understanding let alone emulate.

Wot a shame!   😱

[But don't forget guys, if April has left you, there's always May and June waiting...]

Rainy Day In June: Kinks. YouTube Video by: 1966 Stereo In.

Flowers donated by Mrs. R. Lim. 

Thank you, Mademoiselle.

A Malaysian Blog Reader Tributes Reggie Verghese, Martin Pereira, Vincent Lim, Iskandar Mirza Ismail.

UP TO 500 VIEWS, 24 COMMENTS

Anita Sarawak and Tracy Huang

Anita Serawak - 'Ayam Den Lapeh'

YouTube Video from:Zulkifli Ahmad

'Hello Darling': Tracy Huang

YouTube Video from: Michael Lim

"I am a Malaysian...": A Letter From Across The Causeway.

While checking letters from readers I came across this Anonymous comment below. Thank you so much dear reader and friend for writing from across the Causeway about these four very talented musical producers and the vinyl records that resulted, which were later sold during the cassette years.

Here's the letter in full:

"I am a Malaysian 61 now in 2024 and remember as far back as in the late 1970’s when my gifted and talented school mate who came from a musically inclined family bought the Anita Sarawak and Tracy Huang cassettes [images] and shared and played them for us. 

I was only about 15 or 16 at that time and the first thing I noticed was how remarkably the production sounded… it sounded very similar to the originals but sung by local divas Anita and Tracy... naturally, we read the credits. It started, 'Produced by Reggie Verghese...'

The original cassette of Tracy Huang 

as specified on the label and cover.

Cassette tapes of Tracy Huang 

sold well during the 1970s.

For illustration only as these 

cassettes above may be pirated copies.

Two other names, and were mostly being associated in other future collaborations were Martin Pereira and Vincent Lim [father of our well-known Singapore opposition party member, Jamus Lim]… till today, and add one more, the late Iskandar Mirza Ismail; nothing remotely close has ever come from Singapore as classy and of such quality standard from these four names… 

Cassette tapes of Anita Sarawak were recorded, 

produced and made by the awesome foursome 

mentioned by our Anonymous reader. 

The illustrations above may be pirated copies.

Original cassette with EMI Label.

They were trailblazers… so many throwing around names like King of Swing, King of this and King of that but no one remotely came close with the above talented and awesome foursome…

Thank you Singapore…thank you Reggie, Martin, Vincent and Iskandar … all great musicians & great humble human beings." 

NB:

Beside the original ones many of these cassettes sold were pirated copies. A lot of them were sold in the open market, legally or otherwise. Business was brisk as production was cheap and sold for merely $2.00 a piece or thereabouts. 

I am just wondering how the rightful companies and music producers dealt with this issue... Comments are welcome from readers.

Images: Google.

Frankel Estate, Siglap Singapore Meets 50's Music: By Robert Gay

Bill Haley and his famous Kiss Curl

The man who made 'Rock Around The Clock' a top 50s hit 

    UP TO 2,100 VIEWS,   

   40 CHATS, COMMENTS 

In the 1950's when Singapore was devoid of television and with a few radio stations, young boys were running around in shorts, either kicking a rubber ball or playing marbles and coloured rubber bands. 

Some, like today's blog contributor Robert Gay, turned to music and learned to play a guitar, singing his favourite pop 50s songs. Later, he gathered a few friends with the same ideals. Let's read what he says about pop music in the 50's in the area where he lived:

"Here is a short history of our music in Frankel Estate, at Singapore's East Coast.

In 1956, Willie (later Willie of London; the hairdresser) came to my house which was our meeting place and taught a few of us how to play the guitar.  We learnt a few chords. C, F, G7, F, C7, B flat and G. We learnt to play songs like “Singing The Blues”, “Red Sails In The Sunset” and “ A White Sports Coat And A Pink Carnation”!

One day Willie brought a washtub with a broomstick and a thick string attached to it [image]! It was the age of skiffle we played songs of Lonnie Donegan! We belted out “Putting on the Style” with a washtub, a stick and a string, as bass! It was fun! 

The next era was even more fun!

Bill Haley and his Comets. 

Rock Around The Clock [1955]. 

YouTube Video from: 33Evenstar.

One day my dad brought an EP [Extended Play Record] and put it on while we we sitting around chatting! My dad usually listened to classical music. He was a tenor! But the music he had put on astounded all of us! It was Bill Haley and his Comets singing, “Rock Around the Clock”. The age of rock and roll had come! 

Soon we were all singing this and, “See You Later Alligator"! Elvis had already been singing “Heartbreak Hotel” and “Hound dog” but to me the definite moment we embraced Rock and Roll was when we heard Bill Haley! Other singers coming on stage did not necessarily sing rock songs but we classed them as stars of the Rock and Roll era!

The primary school on Siglap Road, which was in the East Coast of Singapore too often had fun fairs where one of the features was music requests! The music could be heard over half of Frankel Estate!  I remember one occasion where “Island in the Sun” [Harry Belafonte] and “Love Letters in the Sand” [Pat Boone] competed to be the favorite all afternoon!

During that period, we used to listen to the Top Twenty from America every week. One week The Everly Brothers jumped into the scene with “Wake Up Little Susie” and “ Bye Bye Love”!  I was fascinated by their perfect harmony! “All I Have To Do Is Dream” was one of my all time favorite songs. The Everly Brothers influenced our singing tremendously. I bought every one of their albums and we sang their songs!  A pair of us, Dennis Tay and Philip Goh excelled in singing their songs.

In 1959 they won the Anglo Chinese School [ACS] Talentime contest singing, “Bird Dog”. Michael Goh, the Dean Martin of Singapore came second with “My Rifle, Pony and Me”! Later they entered the Everly Brothers contest in Singapore and tied first with another pair! This was held at the Odeon Cinema at North Bridge Road.

With guitars: Michael Goh [right] and brother.

Blogger Andy with Contestant [side]

Capitol Cinema Singapore backstage, 1959.

In the meantime I had another group that also included Dennis and Philip that sang Christian songs in churches all around the island! 

Rock and Roll introduced a new genre of music into the world! But it was not just Rock and Roll. It was a new era for pop music! and a new ear for teenagers! The war and postwar babies now in their teens became a huge market for music an fashion! Teen idols sprouted everywhere! Paul Anka with ”Diana “ was a millionaire when he was sixteen! “Rebel Without A Cause”,  Starring James Dean he typified the mood of teenagers of that time! Cinema tickets sold by the millions.

Youth in the UK during the 50's when 

the skiffle boom exploded. The Beatles

came later but started out playing skiffle.

From the record cover of a Skiffle Group in England.

Note the washtub, broomstick and string as bass.

With a washboard too.

I bought every Everly Brothers album as soon as they appeared in the shops!

The songs reflected the moods and aspirations of teenagers! It was a time for parties, funfairs, tea dances and barbecues! We sang at parties, barbecues and church outings! There was a huge demand for teens looking for action and looking to change the world!

Amidst this came the Evangelists the most famous being Billy Graham! Youth for Christ International set up in Singapore and we got involved in singing at their rallies! 

Writer: Robert Gay 

from Singapore but now

lives in England.

Anita Sarawak: Proud Mary [ABPBH '05]

YouTube Video from: Koleksi Campur Hangus 2.0

Images: 

Google

My Exclusive Condo/New Launch Condo [2016] 

A personal collection.

The changing of the social scene in the Fifties was driven by war children coming into their teens! With the music came dancing and socializing! I remember suddenly becoming more interested in girls! So I learnt to dance! 

There was a really nice girl who was friendly to us in Frankel who taught us to do the Cha Cha and Jive! Joe Loss "Wheels" was the most popular song we learnt to! Easy one two, one two three. Xavier Cugat was one of the popular bands we danced to! A group of us used to go to the beach by the Ocean Park hotel on East Coast Road! The film studio by the hotel made Malay movies! We went to listen to the live music from the hotel!

Meeting Anita Sarawak!

Ms Anita Sarawak.

It was pleasant just sitting on the beach listening to the music! One evening a beautiful lady came and chatted with us! She was Siput Sarawak [Malay movie star} and told us about her daughter Anita Sarawak [image] who was in England when she found out I was going to England for further studies!

Foolish person that I was I did not ask for her address! Years later when I saw Anita she was a big star! She sang in Las Vegas for a few years! I saw her in Singapore when she sang somewhere! Can’t remember where! Never got a chance to speak to her!

A HAPPY LUNAR NEW 2024 TO YOU!

DO COMMENT.

Another Robert Gay story:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2024/05/music-from-50s-and-60s-targeted-teenage.html

If you take information from this article for your own use, 

at least credit me because copying is stealing.

Andy.

Lonnie Donegan: Putting On The Style [1957] 

YouTube Video by: luvthe1950s

Meeting Teresa Teng And Mother @ Kuala Lumpur Part 1

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The band leader of the Silver Strings, Audie Ng sent me an SMS revealing his meeting with Teresa Teng and her mother. When I contacted him on the telephone he revealed that:

He used to service hotels all over S. E. Asia in the late 1960's and early 70's by supplying them with Filipino pop bands. He would fly from Singapore and visit these places regularly to either sign a contract with the hotel management for his bands to perform, or to check on the welfare of his musicians. 

It was usual that during some of his business visits he would meet singers and musicians. On one of these occasions he met the late diva, *Teresa Teng and her mother. 

He remembers that when he met her she was still very young and that she could have already cut some records with a company then. He confirmed the year to be around the early 70's.

Ms Teng's mother was a friend of one Mr Gan Ngoh who was the owner of the Mayflower Night Club at the Fortuna Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He cannot describe Mr Gan but he can still recall the club where he saw her for the first time; Ms Teng would jam with the hotel band by singing with them during the afternoons' leisurely breaks.

In the meantime, he would join in the mahjong games at one of the tables in the nightclub. Seated at the table was Ms Teng's mother. So they both became mahjong friendly. 

Even at the time that Audie knew Teresa Teng he realised she had the potential to be a successful singer because she was very pretty and had such a pleasant voice. A professor of cultural theory once remarked that it was the sweetness of her voice that made her famous.

During one of his chats Mrs Teng had jokingly asked that he managed her daughter but since he was not familiar with Chinese singers and the Taiwanese music market, he declined the proposal. 

He exclaimed that he fell in love with her voice and pretty face, otherwise he would probably be rich and famous managing her. As he chuckled over the phone I sensed the tone of humour, "I was also married la..." 

During his time in show business since the 1970's he had the opportunity of meeting and chatting close-up with four South East Asian divas, Anita Sarawak from Singapore and Malaysia; Francis Yip from Hong Kong; Irene Ryder from the Philippines but based in Hong Kong and of course Teresa Teng from Taiwan.

*Teresa Teng (January 29, 1953 – May 8, 1995) was a Taiwanese pop singer and well know for her romantic ballads and folk numbers.  These songs have become so familiar that The Moon Represents My Heart and When Will You Return have become evergreens, even among the non-Chinese.

She had recorded songs in Mandarin, Taiwanese, Hokkien, Cantonese, Japanese, Indonesian and English.   At 42 she passed on in 1995 from a severe respiratory attack while on holiday in Thailand.

Images: A personal collection; Google.

The tale above is by Audie Ng, leader and bass player of Singapore's pop 60's band The Silver Strings. 

Disclaimer: Blog owner cannot ascertain as to the authenticity of the story.

                Teresa Teng Full Album of Hits from Candy Channel.

Ismail Haron: Vigilantes, Guys, Anita (Part II)

Part Two:

In 1970, Ismail Haron went solo with his first EP under EMI titled Kehilangan Chinta (Without Love). As the year progressed, he took a break from recording and for a few months did live shows in Hong Kong.

By this time, he was under the management of Quill Organisation. They decided to form a group and had Roland and Eddie from The Guys, saxophone player Andrew Oh from Pink and Purple, John Choo with keyboard, saxaphone and percussionist Philip Koh from The Blackjacks.

They were even spotted by Robert Stigwood who was manager of Bee Gees and ex-Cream. They played in Bangkok at Montieth and at Udon Thani further North. Udon was a US base and they were playing in clubs for US soldiers and officers.When they came back to Singapore, they continued playing the clubs in 1971 and 1972. The band changed members again a few times.

Finally the group broke up but Ismail continued to record a few more solo albums: Ismail Haron & Maria (1972), Ilham Pujangga (1972), Ismail Haron (1972), Antara Pujangga Dan Insan Biasa (1973), Sutra Mulia (1974), Hulurkan Tangan (1975) and Potret Sindiran (1975).

Among his popular hits within this period were Dendam-ku Kerana Maria (I Did What I Did For Maria), Antara Anak Dan Ayah (My Boy), Tolong Damai-kan (Mammy Blue), Ilham Pujangga, Wati, Persembahan-ku, Hey Hey Sunny, Junainah, Kehilangan Chinta and Apa Khabar Sayang (Hello Darling). Again the songs were English hits with Malay lyrics, a trend that put local artistes in the popularity charts.

Between 1972 and 1976, Ismail Haron recorded a few duets with diva Anita Sarawak. The songs included Kesah Dol Di-Suatu Petang, Rahsia Mu Rahsia Ku (Sealed With A Kiss), Wanita Dan Pakaian and Pemain Piano on EMI/S-EGEP 750. Also, Alam Terpuja (You Make Me Feel Brand New), Janji Tetap Janji (My Girl), Gabus Tarbus (House Of Bamboo), Rahsia Di-Ayer Jerneh and Menunggu Nasi Minyak.

Another EP had: Keluarga Bahagia, Tiada Jodoh, Asmara and even La Aube, the Kassim Selamat greatest hit on (EIM/S-EGEP. 781). Music compositions for EMI recordings were usually by Reggie Verghese.

Many thanks to the writer who provided this very extensive article on Ismail Haron's music career and vinyl recordings.

Image/Vinyl Info/Edits: Andy Lim.

Information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ismail_Haron

Shades Of Blue! Anita Sarawak, Stylers, Silver Strings, Tidbits, Rediffusion Tan Swee Leong

(Image reads: The new Shades consist of Rich, who plays the lead guitar, sleepy Joe on rhythm, Vince on bass, Malcolm on drums and vocalist Raj. The boys are practising very hard for this morning show, and with their talent and co-operation, they will do their best to entertain you.)

In October 1968, a church in the east coast of Singapore organised a musical concert at the Odeon Katong cinema called, Morning Melodies. It was certainly not the usual service because the names of the stage performers on the programme were unique indeed. They were to appear that early Monday morning at nine, so it could have been a public holiday.

The entertainment included a guitar group called The Shades Of Blue (image), a Reverend Philip Chan (dubbed on the programme as 'The Singing Pastor'), the Heralds Choral Society of Singapore, four female vocalists who could have sung in Chinese, Malay or English. They were Hazel Lee, Judy Lee, Fong Yin and Murni Sarawak. There were also male vocalists Steven Ong and Chang Suen.

What was most surprising were the appearances of Las Vegas diva Miss Anita Sarawak, The Tidbits (early-teen school girls: Melina Wee, Serene Wee and Bernadette de Souza - Radio Television Singapore, 1968 Talentime winners and RCA recording artistes), The Stylers and The Strings (The Silver Strings momentary change of name). And the compere for the morning event was Rediffusion's Tan Swee Leong, debonair DJ and pop MC for many stage and musical shows.

The show was in aid of an "educational and scholarship fund", so you could have imagined the heat on stage that morning with these top performers giving off their best for a cause. Wow! It was an alumni of the best musical talents from the late 60s, gathered under the Odeon Katong roof.

Do you remember this gathering of 60s music stars? Were you in the organising committee? Were you a member of Shades Of Blue? It's been a long time but if you still remember Morning Melodies, please write in.

Information/Image: From Souvenir Programme. Thanks to Randy Lee of The Stylers.

Original article: Andy Lim.

Anita Sarawak - Nymph At Song - With SS

Anita Sarawak who is an international star and in the Las Vegas strip for many years started her singing career at dinner and dance functions. Picture shows her fronting The Silver Strings at the Singapore Insurance Companies Employees' Union in November, 1968 at the Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore.

According to Audie Ng, who felt that he gave Anita her first taste of show biz, she is still the best singer amongst the lot he knows personally.

2nd image shows Mike n Herb with Audie Ng in full regalia. Pictures tell stories.

Images: Silver Strings Collection.

Pop Yeh Yeh Melayu 60an - Anita Sarawak

Anita, the girl who'd ruffle your hair and put you in the limelight during her cabaret shows. With her glittering costumes and sensual dances accompanied by a full orchestra Anita wins them all as an entertainer.

Born of a famous Malay film director (Romai Noor) and actress mother (Siput Sarawak) she is still making it big now.

Although she was in Las Vegas for many years she is back on stage and TV in Singapore and Malaysia. Anita Sarawak sings in Asian languages too.

Have you seen her singing with SM Goh Chok Tong?

YouTube: Key in: Anita Sarawak