Steve Ho Singapore Chinatown Busker Boys Heartbreaker

Steve Ho

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Meeting Steve Ho:

I met Steve the first time at a hotel lounge where he was singing and playing the drums. Steve has those rugged features with the typical John Mellencamp boyish cut, looking tough like a rock star in his red jeans, bracelets and dangling neck ornament.

True to his band name, Steve will definitely break hearts. Like Elvis, he addresses me as 'Sir' and 'Yes ma'am' when he answers to the pretty ladies surrounding him. 

Steve's English diction and powerhouse vocals are distinctive and separate him from other local singers that I have heard. His versatility shows in his ability to sing in Cantonese too.

He is very different from many of the Singapore band boys I met. Besides, Steve writes very well and after some persuasion, he emailed me the article below.

He's just starting his musical journey and if you guys are reading this, give him that big break he needs. Check him out at the busking points specified below.

Thanks, Steve for the interview.

Singapore's New Pop Icon:

"I started very late in music and mostly jammed with friends in rented studios during my younger days. It happened in the 90s when the love for music within made me want to express myself.

It was only in mid-2013 when I joined a band called Still Alive as a vocalist.  We indulged in Classic Pop Rock and sang Bad Company (Rock Steady, Wishing Well); Deep Purple (Smoke On The Water, Sail Away); Bon Jovi (You Give Love A Bad Name, Bed  Of Roses). My other rock heroes are Firehouse, Skid Row, Pink Floyd and many more.

I am able to draw a Chinese crowd with rock numbers like; Beyond's (Hoi Foot Theen Hoong, Putt Zoi Yau); Sam Hui's (Tar Koong Zai, Kwai Ma Seon Seng); Alan Tam's (Pung Yau). My specialty I think. Besides singing, I play the drums. 

Steve Ho's crowd in Chinatown was vibrant as the locals and tourists danced to the rhythm of the group's hot music.

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Gigs All Over Singapore:

We performed at various locations in Singapore for about 3 years, namely at Clementi and West Coast CCs, Azucar at Beach Road, 1° 15 in Sentosa with this same band, before branching out and forming my own band in 2016.  We called ourselves, Steve and The Heartbreakers. We performed at a couple of clubs at Beach Road and Tanjong Pagar for about a year and a half. We then called it quits. 

"Why quit suddenly?"

Sadly, Andy, we did not get paid!

Back To Basics:

I returned to driving a taxi for a living but soon realized that my true calling was (and still is) to sing and perform to a live audience.

After driving for some years and suffering ill from the livelihood (being a taxi driver is tough), I gave it up. It was then that I decided to try out busking in public for a means of living. I got myself a license in mid-2018 and have started the practice ever since. 

I intend to sing and drum and share my music (as long as I possibly can), with anyone and everyone who loves music. When people ask me about "wearing a uniform" rule, I tell them I am a true blue Rocker and do not conform to such rules. We stick to simple Ts and jeans.

I sincerely believe that music transcends all boundaries. Music brings perfect strangers together with music as the common language, and it does not need to be understood! We just flow with it!" 

video.

Busking Today:

In Chinatown, the crowd went where Steve went with his boys. The locals and the tourists enjoyed his music as the pretty young Caucasian girls from Australia, the US, the UK, and other European countries rocked to his music. The local Chinese loved his Cantonese melodies with a huge following from HongKong and mainland China.

With his musician friends, Robert Koh (image above: on guitar with Steve), the current lead guitarist with the band Blues Express, Patrick 'Tiger Baits' Koh and Peter Han (seen seated with bongo drums in the video), famed co-founder and ex-lead guitarist of the 80s superband, Tokyo Square, they have found a niche for themselves again. 

No advertising stunt; the crowd at Steve Ho's road concerts are huge. Go see him and his band.

Steve and Peter Han (from Tokyo Square) below are now playing inside the air-conditioned Thrift Shop at the Salvation Army Building across from Hillview MRT @ Upper Bukit Road from 2.30 to 6/7pm on Saturdays.

Catch them live guys and give all the cash you've got.

Articles and Images are the properties of Steve Ho. 

YouTube Videos from William Tan.

Copyrights Reserved.

Professionals Or Not, Buskers Are Here To Stay

Most Singaporean buskers make some money on a good day and while some can make more than others, they are not a pitiful lot. They have homes to go back to, families to look after them and usually a comfortable sheltered spot to sing their song or do their acrobatic tricks.

I would sometimes, with my wife and elder grandson walk the streets of Orchard Road, the corners of wet markets, the underpasses at shopping malls and the corridors of some apartments and look out for them. In later years the underground stations at MRT areas would even be allowed.  And they would be around, morning, noon and night, to entertain.

And with some great luck I even met a few familiar faces from the 1960's and 1970's music scene along the way, especially on the great corridors of Orchard Road where busking is the premiered place, well-respected and regarded. 

So what's it about our Singapore buskers? Here are some comments from regular readers of this blog. 

Gathering information from blog readers:

Victor says:

More buskers appearing on the streets could possibly mean that it is getting harder to make a living in Singapore, especially for people who are "past their prime" or have some sort of disability. Even in busking, competition is tough. I find that disabled people usually fare better in collections regardless of how well they perform in busking.

February 1, 2010 12:40 am

Andy says...

I can agree with your view but I have seen younger people busking, although not all of them are musicians. One busker I spoke to says he can earn $50.00 or more in a good evening. Some have no disabilities at all. Again a Chinese acrobatic team I have seen in front of Ngee Ann Shopping Mall are definitely more agile and able-bodied than you and I.

But I like music buskers when they sing and play 60's music as it takes me back to the good ole carefree days. One chap at the Lido Cinema and Wheelock Place underpass sings Cliff Richard and Elvis too, accompanied by his guitar.

February 1, 2010 9:36 am

Roger says...

At the same place I spotted another busker, an elderly, wiry Chinese guy entertaining the crowd at the Food Centre near the bus interchange.

February 2, 2010 2:14 am

Andy says...

There must a lot of them in Singapore. They will probably be sprouting all over the island these few years - more and more. I am wondering if our 60's music people are really in bad shape? I know at least some of them are. Anyone with figures/statistics to prove?

February 2, 2010.

The buskers have spread out and with blessings from the National Environment Agency (NEA) Singapore hawker centres (food centres) have their share of buskers since it became official in August 2005. 

They are also allowed to keep what they earn. Apparently buskers make the places more vibrant and provide a platform for people to play music. There are about 112 hawker centres in Singapore and buskers can be seen at quite a number of them.

One lady busker who plays 60's music is Ms Low Geok Lan, 52 a former taxi-driver. She has been busking for 6 years now and is versatile enough to play the mouth-organ (harmonica) and an eletronic organ (keyboard). 

When I spoke to her at the Whampoa Hawkers' Centre one evening, she said that she was taking piano lessons at a reputable music school to improve her skill. She dug into her bag and showed me her music sheets and paraphernalia.

So as we go one full circle with this posting, Victor's question is relevant when he asks if it is harder for people to make a living in Singapore?

An Original Article by Andy Lim.

Daniel Deserves The Esplanade Stage To Perform

Breakfast At Noon:
Watching the 2012 Olympics Games coming 'live' from London within the confines of the living room can be quite an experience especially at 4.00 in the morning.  The body clock goes haywire and one wakes up at noon looking for breakfast.  It has been my experience since the Games started a few days ago.

My wife and I found ourselves wandering into unfamiliar ground when we hit the first level of Tiong Bahru Market beyond the escalators. As she sought for pow and porridge I wandered around looking for chee cheong farn, chwee kway and teh-tarek (not our usual breakfast set-up). 

When we sat down and were about to enjoy the meal, the Fatty, Fatty Bom, Bom song brightened the rather stifling atmosphere in the hawker centre. Beside one of the white pillars of the huge food centre sat a lone busker (amidst his amplifier, personal belongings) hugging a seasoned guitar.

Life Story:
"How long have you been busking, Daniel?" I asked the stout gentleman later as we sat with his Indonesian lady partner who was helping him with his lunch.

"About 6 years," Daniel answered.

The meeting with my new friend lasted for a while as he told me his life story.

When I reached home I messaged a dozen friends, "Went to Tiong Bahru hawkers' centre this morning. One blind guitarist busks there. Fantastic guitar playing with his beautifully gruff, bluesy voice. Sings Dylan, Denver and Diamond. Spent two hours with him, just listening to music from the heart of Daniel Ng." You can read the replies by clicking Comment below.

Daniel Ng Ah Hock, who is about 50, is visually handicapped and was schooled at the Institute for the Blind at Toa Payoh Rise in the 70s. His love for the guitar began when a volunteer at the school promised to teach him the rudiments  of the pop instrument if he completed his daily homework without complaining. 

Singing Voice:
Like what I messaged earlier, Daniel is an accomplished player today. You need to listen to him to appreciate his naturally raspy Joe Cocker/Neil Diamond combination.  He plays and sings the best hits from yesteryear in English, Japanese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Cantonese.

When I requested for my wife's favourite, Annie's Song he provided a rendition so unique that only Paul Ponnudorai could challenge.

Have Gun Will Travel was the theme of the previous posting. For this one it's Have Guitar Will Travel because Daniel is known to many Singaporeans for his generosity and kind ways as he had contributed to charities himself.

Message For Esplanade:
So if you meet him again spare him some and Esplanade, if you are searching for talent allow him to peform in the Recital Studio or the Theatre because that's where he belongs, up on stage for all to witness this true Blue Singaporean who's better than most.

Like former busker Kelvin Tan Wei Lian, a visually impaired Singaporean  who sang for a living  but won Project SuperStar hosted by Singapore's MediaCorp TV Channel U, Daniel could be our next find.

As we were about to leave the food centre, Daniel celebrated our exit with a rousing, Stand Up For Singapore.  "For National Day!" he shouted. We stopped to listen again.

Are YOU listening Singapore?

Images and article: Andy Lim.

Ioleen Chia: Ovation In Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia

I first met Ioleen by chance late last year (2011) when she was chatting with a friend at the Lido Cinema in Orchard Road. She was carrying an expensive Ovation (image) and when I asked about her guitar and introduced myself she remarked, "I thought you look familiar." With my grandson beside me, I requested Beautiful Sunday, his favourite. Ioleen whipped out her guitar and burst into the Daniel Boone classic. She still busks today, at the Orchard Road area.

During our conversation I was surprised when she revealed that she is the daughter of the late Mr. Chia, who used to run the Garrick Cinema at Geylang Serai in the 1950s and when young Bollywood was trying to woo the world with its music and dance fantasies.

I remember long lines of Indian, Malay and Chinese Singaporeans queueing for movie tickets at this cinema which was situated at the entrance of Onan Road. It ran for four decades, from the 1920s until 1965, when it became the more sophisticated Galaxy Cinema. When I told her I have a blog and my keen interest in documenting 60s bands she agreed to tell her story.

Here's Ioleen's experience from mid 60s to early 80s:

"I started playing the drums, which is my first love, at the age of 13. My brother who was also playing in a band inspired me. He taught me my first tempo which was the twist. After he left the group I took over the drums and with 4 other members called our new line-up D'Aces. We did a lot of singalongs, current pop songs and even played jazz numbers.

Eventually we did gigs at the Royal Air Force Singapore during the weekends and this contract lasted for a couple of years. We also appeared on local television, at tea dances at the Golden Venus and played with the Trailers during their stint at the club. Other nightspots that we performed at included the Barbarella Disco at Ming Court, Talk of the Town at High Street and even at the Garrick Cinema.

            Ioleen Chia with her band Oldies But Goodies before performance.

I played with the Valiants too (a Singapore group and not the one from Malaysia). Because of my studies I left the group. We disbanded and could not take up an offer to play in Europe.

After completing my studies, I went solo doing the circuit and accompanied myself on the guitar. I was contracted to play at the Imperial, Cockpit and Equatorial hotels. There was a period when I was singing duet with Simon Koh who played the keyboard. l learnt a lot from Simon.

I performed in Japanese cities like Nagoya, Fukuoka, Kumomoto and on Kyushu Island. After Japan I entertained the folks in Taiwan for a couple of years and also had stints in Malaysian nightclubs and engagements in Kuching.

In later years I performed at the Marco Polo Theatre and the Golden Million Lounge at Peninsula Hotel. Those were memorable years. By the end of the 70s, bands playing western music weren't much of a draw at the pop clubs, hotels and entertainment establishments were hiring Filipino groups rather than local musicians. They were inexpensive to engage. By then Chinese music was getting more popular too.

I had stopped playing music for many years but since I was missing all the fun I decided to come back on the scene and started busking about 2 years ago. It is less wearisome and stressful and I have more time for myself. As a music maker I am an all rounder and it isn't difficult to please the passing crowd with my repertoire of songs. I try to play all types of music."

When I left Ioleen that day with my grandson beside me she was singing and strumming a jazzy version of Charles Chaplin's evergreen, Smile as we said our goodbyes. Thanks Ioleen, for the memories.

Please support Ioleen and all our local buskers always.

Images 1: Along Orchard Road. 2: Oldies But Goodies outside a hotel. 
Andy Lim Collection (Copyrights Reserved).

Singapore's Latin Duo: Bobo And Ally At The Expo

Well here they are ladies and gentlemen, two of the best Singapore strollers I have seen since my days in Paris, France. Elder brother Ally (right image) and Bobo (who plays lead and rhythm with The Silver Strings) are seen here at the Singapore Exposition (2011) hallways performing Latin hits from the 60's with only an acoustic guitar each. They were performing, Fly Me To The Moon and Quizas, Quizas, Quizas.

The music and vocals are excellent, definitely professional. Los Bobos, as they are called, played for two hours each day during lunch. Pity you missed them because they are a fantastic duo, playing a great number of current music too. The Los Bobos are not buskers but stroll at nightspots around Singapore entertaining moonlight revellers.

          Bobo is 4th from left (in colorful Latin shirt) before the show.

Article was written after Bobo's death:

Bobo, one half of the duo, had since passed away on 3rd January, 2015.  For a number of concerts  in Singapore, he had accompanied me on stage when I sang, Mean Woman Blues, Red River Rock and Diana. 

Bobo had, what some Singaporean musicians lack, versatility on stage. Bobo did the opposite. He could strum, sing, dance around and had such a wide repertoire that he entertained the audiences who had seen him performed.

During his performance at The Silver Strings concert he explained to me in the car (as I was taking him home), how tired he felt that night. But because of his love for music and the guitar he managed to carry on till the end of the show. He passed away five months later after having been hospitalised for a while.

God bless you Bobo. You were a good, sincere and generous person.  May you rest in peace.

Original article: Andy Lim.
Image: from You Tube by nateynoo.

Streets Of Singapore Buskers Are 60s Musicians

OUR MUSIC BUSKERS:

There are more and more buskers on the streets in Singapore. Orchard Road, Thomson Road and even the underpasses and shopping malls have entertainers who provide live music. As blogger listens to them with their rendition of Cliff Richard's, The Young Ones and Chubby Checker's, Let's Twist Again, there are enthusiastic passers-by who shake and jive to the beat.

When blogger spoke to some of them, they proudly announce that they are well-known musicians from the 60's. There is a lady who interpreted Bette Midler's, Wind Beneath My Wings (1982) near Ngee Ann City shopping centre with so much feeling and sincerity that many pedestrians stopped and applauded.

So I was the one with all the glory,/While you were the one with all the strength./A beautiful face without a name for so long./A beautiful smile to hide the pain./Did I ever tell you you're my hero?/You're everything, everything I wish I could be..."

This lady has a beautiful face indeed and the best voice ever. But she has a name too. Go find out tonight! And remember to contribute. "So how can you tell me you're lonely,/And say for you that the sun don't shine?/Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London/I'll show you something to make you change your mind... Ralph McTell."

Will there come a time when Singapore streets will be like McTell's Streets Of London (1969)? What do you think?

(Four postings about busking by October Cherries' Peter Diaz and The Bunnies' Raymond Pereira. Click 'busking' under 'Labels' below.)

Original article: Andy Lim Collection

Peter Diaz: 8 Albums Behind Him - A Runaway Success

(1) So what's in a name? It's the person behind the name that counts and Peter Diaz (image), without much introduction, has been in the music scene since the 60s.

Peter, true son of Singapore, joined the 'The Surfers' ('October Cherries' in later years) then. It is one of the most popular recording and live band this period.

They enjoyed tremendous success not only in Singapore and Malaysia, but also in Hong Kong and Japan. Then they embarked for Europe in late 1971; Belgium, France and Germany were the next countries they worked in.

In Belgium the band was the very first to record the so-called 'Top 40 Budget Album' comprising of songs from the Top 40 Charts. They recorded 8 albums in all and were a runaway success. Peter composed, recorded and peformed with the band for about nine years, before finally leaving when the band returned to Singapore. He felt that he needed to advance his career and so returned to Europe.

Listen to Peter Diaz sing his own compositions on his website.

(Extract with kind permission from Peter Diaz at: myspace.com/peterdiazmusic)

Thank you Peter.

Raymond Pereira Always Has A Song For You

Raymond busks for a living and plays at home gatherings, weddings, etc for a fee. He can entertain anywhere, anytime with his guitar and gear that includes a battery pack that lasts 7 hours.

While basking one day a well-known Singapore musician took over and played beautiful classical music on his guitar. Raymond and the crowd were fascinated.

If you happen to see Raymond, spare your time and listen but don't forget the tip. He deserves it. As he contemplates I saw his fingers and realised that it's not easy to sing so many hours a day. The fingers and throat hurt.

I sat with him for an hour and listened to his stories about the sarabat stall at Farrer Road where he frequently visited in the 60s with other band boys. Anyone remember 'Metro' the sarabat stall owner?

Don't forget to listen to Raymond because he's worth that amount you give. Be generous.
(Another manhunt completed for this blog.)

Image: by Andrew Lim.

Guitarist/Vocalist Raymond P. & 'Les Bunnies'

He was the rhythm guitarist with a group called Les Bunnies and was the guest band at The Palace Cinema weekend T-dance in East Coast Road in the 60s.

Recalling those days Raymond Pereira reminisces how he used to enjoy the tea-dance afternoons while sharing the stage with well-known artistes like The Trailers and Simon Junior and the Melodians.

He remembers The Silver Strings very well and answered, "Marng-kar-kar!" when I mentioned the band and asks me about Audie, Silver Strings' boss. In those days Raymond lived at Lavender Street, a stone's throw from Idris Road where the Strings used to practise. We knew that area as Rumah Miskin.

Image: by Andrew Lim