Silver Strings Celebrate Singapore 50th Anniversary

It rained on 7th August, 2015

but

The Silver Strings

@ Promontory

Clifford Pier/Marina Blvd.

Friday 7th August

'Strings' Show Time: 6.30 - 7pm

8.00 - 8.45pm

Audie, Andy, Rickie

                              Nick, *Merlin, John 

Serene, Percy.

MCs: Moe Alkaff, Irene Ang

*Merlin Lim is the original rhythm guitarist for Shirley Nair's "You're The Boy" recording in the mid-sixties. 

Rain Refreshed The Music

The 7th August Concert at the Promontory was nearly a washout when heavy rain flooded the pitch. So the show was officially cancelled but when it subsided, the organisers decided to carry on. 

It was too late as many concert goers did not turn up and the supportive fans who dared the weather were challenged with a muddy field and intermittent climatic changes. Worse, the gig started later. But those who came had a treat...

The Silver Strings with MC's Moe Alkaff and Irene Ang

The huge stage with performance screen

The supportive audience

Audie, Rickie, Serene, Merlin, John, Nick: 

Sound check and practice

The evening sets in as the stars appear

Andy, Serene and Percy

My Hometown, You're The Boy and Johnny B. Goode

Back stage with audience, comedienne Irene Ang 

MC Moe, Andy, John 

After the show. Good night and Good bye.

Images: Google and Personal Collection.

Silver Strings LIVE: NTUC @ Promontory Marina Bay 7th August, 5pm

Silver Strings perform from 6.30 - 7.00 pm and 8.00 to 8.45 pm. 

Irene Ang and Moe Alkaff will MC.

Silver Strings: Rickie Chng, Andy Young, John Cher, Audie Ng, Nick Stravens: "Rolling Good Times" Line-Up.

Program includes: Community Percussion, Skit, Cajon Drumming,
Stand Up Comedy and Cha Cham Bo.

The Promontory:

MC Moe Alkaff

MC Irene Ang

Images: Google

Rolling Good Times Singapore 2: Behind The Cameras

The Silver Strings appeared on the premier episode of Rolling Good Times on 17th May, 2015 (Channel 5) but the actual live recording was done on the 4th of May, two weeks before the show.  It is general knowledge that performers had to come in early for the shoot, hours before the audience arrived at 7.30 pm.  We met at Reception at three in the afternoon . Security is always tight so if you're going for a show, don't forget to bring your identification card.

Ushered into the underground studio and beneath the cosy comfort of Caldecott Hill, we faced a large sound stage that had hosted many a variety show in English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil. It was cavernous enough to seat a few hundred people.  We joined the performers scattered in the front rows waiting their turn to rehearse. (Image 1: Media Corp @ Caldecott.)

Dick Lee, Tabitha Nauser, Reuby, Mathilda D'Silva, Wendi Koh

We didn't wait long when Dick Lee came on stage with 19 year old Reuby, co-host Tabitha Nauser and Singapore's Tina Turner Mathilda D'Silva. They set the mood with Dick's and Tabitha's natural TV chatter as they introduced the show with a song. The resident band that accompanied them was incomparable.

When Wendi Koh performed she went into a spin and transformed the studio into a rock n roll, free for all, disco hall with her singing. We were wowed by all of them.  Such talent and artistry.  When Mathilda came on she looked extremely sexy with her outfit and special hairdo.  You'd think Tina Turner was out there. Then Reuby performed as he eased our nerves with a ballad. (Images 2, 3, 4: Sound studio; Artistes; Resident Band with Silver Strings.)

We knew our turn came when we saw drummer John Cher's throne of kings rolling in. There were drums everywhere on the sound stage with the percussion instrument elevated on a large box.

"And you're going to sit up there?" I asked him laughing.

Then Fender amplifiers were placed, together with the toy Nick Stravens was supposed to tinker with on national television (image above).

The whole session lasted for some time as the camera crew, lighting specialists and sound men went into action testing their equipment.  The Silver Strings managed the routine as Diana was introduced again and again during practice. Paul Anka's famous baby-sitter came alive once more. (Images 5,6: Silver Strings practice with Nick Stravens in the foreground; Audience.)

For the interview segment, we were seated with Dick Lee, and as places were established we thought it was going to be a long session practising but he managed the chat so professionally, we became engrossed in a conversation that went pretty well on screen. All in one take!

After the dry run we had our meals, heavy fried chicken with nasi-lemak, Chinese sweet and sour fish or a bee-hoon dinner, all served with vegetables. Then make-up time as we went into the tiny room filled with mirrors and facing professionals in black.  I thought it was a Batman costume party. Honestly, this group was the quietest and nicest ever as they went about their duty struggling hard to make seniors look like juniors. They had succeeded with Audie, Rickie, John and Nick. (Images: 7, 8: Wendi Koh practice; Rick Astley.)

After the make-up and costumes it was waiting at the wings for our turn as we chatted and met the other participants of the show. By then it was about 7.30 pm and members of the public came streaming in as they filled up the seats in the sound studio.  We watched between the curtains. The audience too had to go through certain routines with encores, sing-a-longs and music quizzes.

The live recording started on time and we did our segment around 8.30pm.  At the end of the evening before our famous guest star came on he managed some photo shots with the Silver Strings  Rick Astley was one of the most friendly and pleasant singing stars.

Andy Lim, Audie Ng, Rickie Chng, Nick Stravens,
John Cher (Silver Strings 2015 line-up)

If you've seen last week's telecast, you should know what happened afterwards. I think this first Rolling Good Times was a successful one.

If you have a chance to see it live get a ticket because I understand Media Corp @ Caldecott Hill may close soon to relocate. Uncertain though.

Nice visit for an SG50 family getaway before another iconic building disappears. (Images 9, 10, 11, 12: Rickie Chng, Audie Ng; Make Up artistes; John Cher; Andy Lim.)

Sunday Night: 24th May, 2015: The Dukes, Julie Sudiro, Veronica Young. Also interviews with the Western Union Band, Chris Ho and Najib Ali and Rahimah Rahim.
And don't forget JOHNNY HATES JAZZ in the final show on this series.

SLIP NOTE:

Other episodes on Rolling Good Times include 60s, 70s and 80s stars: Johnny Hates Jazz, Frances Yip, Rahimah Rahim, Ginger Bread, Maizurah, Ramli Sarip, Mel and Joe Ferdinands, Jacintha and today's stable of current Singapore popsters.

 Read Rolling Good Times Part 1. Click below:

(http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2015/04/rolling-good-times-again-with-silver.html).

                              Johnny Hates Jazz: I Don't Want To Be A Hero

Images: A personal collection and Google.                            

Rolling Good Times Singapore 1: Rick Astley, Dick Lee, Silver Strings

Mathilda D'Silva, Reuby, Wendi Koh, Dick Lee, Rick Astley, Tabitha Nauser, Andy Lim, Audie Ng, John Cher, Rickie Chng, Nicholas Stravens.

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Music and songs are from about the 60's to the 80's.

The Silver Strings will appear on "Rolling Good Times". Line up for the live recording on 4th May are: John Cher, Andy Young, Audie Ng, Mathilda DSilva (Ms Tina Turner), Nick Stravens, Rickie Chng.

The show will highlight our island's music heritage from the 60s onwards and feature pop stars like Larry Lai, Veronica Young, The Dukes, Western Union Band, Julie Sudiro, Ramli Sarip, Jive Talking, Speedway, Masquerade and other local artistes.

Rick Astley With Andy Young

International singers featured will include *Rick Astley, Frances Yip and Johnny Hates Jazz. Dick Lee and Tabitha Nauser will host.  The first telecast in the series that features The Silver Strings will be aired on Channel 5, May 17th, Sunday, from 9.30 pm.

Silver Strings Drummer John Cher and Band Leader Audie Ng with Rick Astley.

*From CNA Website:

SINGAPORE: Singer Rick Astley will be among a host of both local and international artistes who will be performing on the new Rollin’ Good Times, a reboot of the popular 1990's Singaporean music variety show.

The 1980's music icon revealed that he will be performing some of his hits like Together Forever on the show, which celebrates Singapore’s musical heritage, and said he hoped his music will resonate with Rollin’ Good Times viewers.

Andy Young, blogger with Dick Lee, compere, backstage (after show actually).

Apart from recording the first episode, alongside local band The Silver Strings and singer Wendi Koh, Astley is also in Singapore to perform on the first of a two-part special of The 5 Show on Tuesday (May 5), which aims to raise funds to help those affected by the recent deadly earthquake in Nepal.

Click to read Part 2:
http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2015/05/rolling-good-times-peek-behind-cameras.html

FYI: 26th May, 2015. Live Recording: Johnny Hates Jazz, Frances Yip.

Images from top: Silver Strings on stage; Mathilda DSilva aka Ms Tina Turner; R.G.T. poster; Dick Lee interviews Strings; Andy With Astley; John Cher, Rick Astley and Audie Ng.

                           Rick Astley: Never Gonna Give You Up.