Anneke Gronloh Is Gone: A Tribute From Singapore

June 1942 to September 2018

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She has one of the most powerhouse voices in local 60's pop music history. With her trademark Dutch, Indonesian electrifying 'r' consonant pronunciation and pretty sparkling eyes, you remember her as Anneke.

At 76 another pop singer from the 60's has passed away. Anneke Gronloh famous for her hit song, Boeroeng Kakak Tua, Nina Bobo, Asmara (Love)  and a cover Mama He's Making Eyes At Me, died, according to news items, of a lung ailment. Altogether, especially in Europe and South East Asia, she was a huge success and sold millions of records.

I have always loved her singing on the first vinyl record I bought, the one that brought her accolades in our local pop 60's scene, with the four magical Indonesian folk songs: Boeroeng Kaka, Nina Bobo, Bengawan Solo and O, o, o, Papadja. This combination on one Extended Play vinyl was a commercial success, cleverly packaged to please both young and old.

Nearly every lady singer who appears in a 60's music show in Singapore would go on stage to perform Gronloh's Boeroeng Kakak Tua with the unending Lechrum, lechrum, letchrum, ooh, la, la. Even little children sing this refrain everywhere. She was loved by many of her fans, even today. 

Ms Gronloh was hugely popular in Singapore and the East and had been a regular visitor on this island many times, with the late Blue Diamonds brothers, Ruud and Riem de Wolff, pop singers on their own merit and just as successful. And their favourite stay-place was the Goodwood Park Hotel. They formed a great team these three Indonesian/Dutch friends (an LP with the Hotel facade below).

Strange that two of my grandchildren and I were singing Burung Kakak only last week at home as we shouted in unison the famous refrain.

Rest in Peace, sweet Anneke. I have more than 20 of your English, Indonesian and Dutch Long Plays, Singles and EP's so it'll be Anneke Gronloh remembrance night for us at home. 

Condolences to her family.

Check this one out:
https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2009/05/images-of-anneke-gronloh-and-blue.html

Images: Google and a Personal Collection.
Video: YouTube.

My own personal collection of Anneke EPs. Lovely to look at and mostly in mint condition.

Singapore 60s Music. Singapore Blue Diamonds

Off the cuff: After winning the Singapore Blue Diamonds contest, James Choa and the rest of The Gaylads (popular 60s group with The Flamingos - Posting: April, 9th, 2009) were given a singing contract and arrived in style at the Merlin Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, to be resident vocal group at the Harlequin Room with a full band to accompany them.

They were driven all the way, by car from Singapore to KL, by Tan Swee Leong at the helm of his Ford Anglia. Mr Tan, a celebrity himself, was also the MC for their shows and James remembered they had a fascinating 3 weeks at the hotel.

Since it was the 60s they had time to see the sights in KL during the day and had comfortable accommodation at the hotel itself. Besides a full allowance, The Gaylads were also provided with whatever creature comfort they needed during their stint at the Merlin.

(Image: The real Blue Diamonds with Anneke Gronloh. From National Heritage Board, Singapore.)

Anneke Gronloh, Blue Diamonds @ Good Park Hotel

Images of Anneke Gronloh and The Blue Diamonds - Rudy and Riem De Wolff - at the Goodwood Park Hotel, Orchard Road, where the trio was staying. 

At that time, the three personalities were at the top of their form, flying in and out of Singapore from either Indonesia or Holland where they originated, to perform at the Badminton Hall, the Indoor Stadium at Kallang or at the hotel itself. 

They also had close connections with Singaporeans, finding the island a safe haven for their performances, recordings and family connections.

These superstars of Singapore 60's were at the hotel for their performance on the island. The photographs were taken in February and December 1962.

Images: 
National Heritage Board Singapore Website and Straits Times Press, Singapore