Man From UNCLE Robert Vaughn Dead RIP

Did a Singapore 60's band record Man from UNCLE theme?

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. has passed away. Robert Vaughn, suave, serious but always with that certain charisma had made him the 1960's hero Napoleon Solo on the small screen at home.  Like James Bond. But he had a side-kick (60's heroes usually had partners in crime). He was called Ilya Kuryakin i.e. actor David McCallum.  

We rushed home to catch the series which came a year or two after national b/w television came to Singapore in early 1963.  Just as popular was the theme song. I don't remember any of our band boys playing this melody, not even the top names in our local line up. Perhaps it's because the music needed the big sound of an orchestra.

The original Jerry Goldsmith composition was recorded by Hugo Montenegro who carried the theme with style and pomp. It was typical background music that could create an atmosphere of suspense during a scene, common in 1960's TV shows. But one great Singapore band did record this movie theme.

Way back when, Marie Tang recorded an EP with a guitar group. She is the daughter of Wilma Tang, the late nightclub singer who used to perform at Ocean Park Hotel at East Coast Road, near St. Patrick's School.

Marie Tang wrote me a note some years ago because she was a talentime participant and talked about Uncle Larry Lai (well-known Rediffusion DJ), Uncle Charlie Lazaroo (pianist in the radio orchestra) and The Man from Uncle. Here's her letter:

Hi Andy,

Wow! This is really a surprise! The one and only E.P. (Extended Play Record) I cut was with *The Stylers, and I have some very fond memories of the many practice sessions we had during those days for my record, which also contains the song from The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Uncle Solo! Oh my goodness! I was only 15 years old then...

You have a very interesting blog and it will surely bring back many wonderful memories and smiles for many of us who contributed to the music scene during the 60s. 

Your posting of my mum... I've just sent it to her through MSN and she too was mesmerised and surprised.

Marie Tang.
2009.

*The recording was done with The Comancheros not The Stylers. 

Read her letter by connecting below:

http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2010/05/marie-tang-larry-lai-and-man-from-uncle.html

http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2008/12/wilma-tang-female-vocalist-60s.html

Images and Video: Google and You Tube.

48th National Day 2013 Special Music Posting: Radio Singapore Orchestra 1945 - 1991

A HAPPY 48th NATIONAL DAY  EVERYONE AND SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDIL FITRI TO ALL MUSLIMS!

This posting is specially designed to showcase and honour members of our radio and television orchestra, the music-makers who accompanied the choirs, the classical soloists and vocalists.  The group started as a Radio Orchestra became the Radio Television Singapore (RTS) Orchestra and bloomed into the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) Orchestra. The article and photographs are provided by Mun Chor Seng who is a guest writer. Thank you Mun.



After the National Day Parade, the Radio Orchestra took part in the multi-cultural variety show at the City Hall Steps in 1963.

The Radio Orchestra, at it was known then, was formed in 1945.  The string section that predominantly made up the orchestra was filled by expatriate musicians.  In 1959, the Malayanairs was born but it produced music that went out of vogue. 

Inche Yusof Ishak, the Yang di-Pertuan of Singapore together with Mr. S. Rajarathnam (Minister of Culture) and Mr. John Duclos (Director of Broadcasting) met Mr. Gus Steyn and Radio Singapore Orchestra members  in the Radio Auditorium.

More musicians playing woodwind and brass instruments were added to provide a more versatile combination under the leader of the orchestra Mr. Dick Abel.  They provided recorded popular and classical music for transmission to all the section of Radio Singapore.  Some of the programmes featured then were:

a) Tiga Sekawan, and

b) Rayuan Sukma, included mainly Malay and popular instrumental numbers for 15 to 30 minutes programmes for all the radio networks.  Three to six musicians were involved for the above programmes.

c) Latin Six, a programme that was mainly music from Latin America.

d) Music Viva,  a classical programme mainly involved with Chamber Music, for violin, cello and piano.  During that time I heard over the English Network the complete work of Beethoven's Trio in B-Flat Major, "Archduke" Op. 97.  Such programmes were mainly broadcast over the weekend in the late evening.

e) The Malayanaires, with augmentees where local Malay and Mandarin and Indian singers were involved in the 30 minutes programme recorded for the respective sections.

The Malayanairs, as the new orchestra was known, started with only 9 musicians.  It had to be augmented when the need arose to serve the four different radio networks which closed down at 11 pm nightly.

Launching of the Suara Singapura service of Radio Singapore by Inche Yusof Ishak, the Yang de-Pertuan of Singapore with the finale item of the programme on stage.

 On 1 July 1960, commercial advertising was introduced on radio.  There was a higher demand for the radio orchestra for sponsored programmes which brought in extra revenue and audience participation.  The radio orchestra was then lead by Mr. Gus Steyn who was performing in the Broadcasting House in Caldecott Hill as well as outside venues such as the Cultural Centre, Victoria Theatre, Singapore Badminton Hall and City Hall Steps etc.

In 1963 with the introduction of television, the same orchestra was known as the Radio and Television Singapore (RTS) Orchestra.  The musicians then were Mr. Gus Steyn (piano), Mr. Ahmad Jaafar (Saxophone), Mr. Valentine Otega (Baritone), Mr. Reynaldo Lanchica (1st Alto), Mr. Olimpio Galaura (Trumpet), Mr. Lano (Trombone), Mr. Winston Filmer (Double Bass) and Mr. Rofino Solinao (Drum).  

In order to cope with the normal output for radio, it also had to bear the additional responsibility to provide additional music backing for the major live television shows.

A sponsored radio programme held at the Singapore Badminton Hall.

 On 19 Jan 1965, Gus Steyn gave his farewell performance as leader of the RTS Orchestra at a Chinese Variety show in Victoria Theatre.  At the end of the show, he was garlanded by members of the audience and gave a short speech.  Mr. Loo Koon Fun from the Chinese Programme Section presented a memento to Mr. Gus Steyn on behalf of the management of Radio Singapore.

In 1965, Mr. Ahmad Jaafar was the Deputy Director of Radio Orchestra.  He took over as leader in 1966 and as conductor of the orchestra from 1967 - 1982.  During that period, he established himself as a fine music arranger and composer for theme music for radio and TV productions.

When the station was converted into Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) in February 1980, the total number of musicians was increased to 31.  With those numbers, they could be divided to form two or three groups of smaller orchestras to meet the needs of the rapid bookings of the radio and television services of SBC.  Should the need arise, these musicians could be pooled together to perform as a concert orchestra.



Gus Steyn (left) with fellow musicians taken in Radio Auditorium of Broadcasting House.

 In 1980, SBC played host to the visiting Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) Orchestra which performed successfully in Singapore.  In April 1981, the RTS Orchsestra paid a reciprocal performance in Angkasapuri in Kuala Lumpur under the title of "Puspasara" featuring the full RTS Orchestra in Concert. 

According to the Puspasara programme, which was distributed to the audiences then, there were 31 musicians featured.  It was divided into 4 different sections, strings, brass, woodwinds and rhythm & percussion. 

                Chinese TV Variety Programme featuring Miss S.K. Poon at the new TV Singapura Studio.

The SBC Orchestra then featured the following musicians: Strings: (1st Violins) - Wong Eit Sun, Braulio Bacsafra Jr, Chow Kum Leng & Quek Peng Hoon, (2nd Violin) Adams Lin Jui Fang, Yeo Teow Meng, Leslie Lim Wave Houng & Tan Kok Hwa, (Viola) - Julai Tan & Ng Boon Eng, (Cello) - Tham Chaik Kong & Patricia Wei. Brass: (1st Trumpet) - Jimmy Fong Pak Lee, (2nd Trumpet) Olimpio Galaura, (3rd Trumpet) Lit Woon Cheong, (1st Trombone) - David Chen Chao Hor, (2nd Trombone) - Tonni Wei Shi Ren, (3rd Trombone) - Louis Castillo.




RTM/SBC joined production of TV variety programme which took place at Angkasapuri, KL, Malaysia.

Woodwinds: (1st Alto) Reynaldo Lachica, (2nd Alto) Celso Lachica, (1st Tenor) - John Lee Boon Eng, (2nd Tenor) -  Leonard St John Fernandez, (Baritone) - Valetine Ortega. Piano & Synthesizer -  (Organ) - Terrence Cyril de Souza.  (Guitar) - Danny Lim Ai Koon, (Drums) - Louis Soliano, Piano & Synthesizer -  Charles Godfrey Lazaroo, (Bass Guitar) -  Winston Malvern Filmer, (Percussion) - Tan Chin Boo. 

(Leader and Conductor) -  Ahmad Jaafar and (Deputy Leader) - Rufino Varella Soliano. The stage production was by Mr. Vernon Palmer and the stage management by Mr. Steven Lee with Miss Mini Fok Wei Ya as the compere. Orchestrations by: Ahmad Jaafar, Iskandar Ismail, Charles Lazaroo, John Lee and Sam Gan.



National competition  - Asia Broadcasting Union (ABU) Popular Song Contest at Studio 5, TV Singapore.

 Mr. Ahmad Jaafar was honoured with the Pingat Pentadbiran Awan (The Public Administration Medal) award in 1969 and the Cultural Medallion in 1981 for his contribution to music to Singapore.  He retired in 1982 and passed away in 2009.

Rufino Soliano took over the leadership of the orchestra from 1983 till he retired in 1994.

In Jan 1987, Christopher Dainel, a graduate of Boston's Berklee College of Music was appointed as the new Director of the Orchestra.  By the early 1990s, the Radio Singapore Orchestra was disbanded.

If members of the Orchestra and their families are reading this article please write in. Let us know!

Images and article by Mun Chor Seng: Copyrights Reserved.

Marie Tang Talks About Talentime, Larry Lai, Stylers, Charlie Lazaroo, The Man From UNCLE

Before the Final 1 from Media Corp in Singapore 2013 there was Marie Tang, talentime participant who talks about Uncle Larry, Uncle Charlie and 'The Man from Uncle'. She is the daughter of the late Wilma Tang, who used to sing at the Ocean Park Hotel open-air nightclub near St Patrick's School at the East Coast.

  UP TO 1,100 VIEWS 

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Hi Andy,

Wow! This is really a surprise! The one and only EP I cut was with The Stylers [actually Commancheros], and I have some very fond memories of the many practice sessions we had during those days for my record, which also contains the song from The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Uncle Solo! Oh my goodness! I was only 15 years old then...

You have a very interesting blog and it will surely bring back many wonderful memories and smiles for many of us who contributed to the music scene during the 60s. Your **posting of my mum... I've just sent it to her through MSN and she too was mesmerised and surprised.

1969 Talentime... Host, Larry Lai - addressed him as Uncle Larry then - best host in Singapore, compared to some of the existing ones. Uncle Charlie (Charles Lazaroo) was such a wonderful and helpful musician.

During those days they had prizes for the top 8 contestants. I was 7th and I think I won myself a watch with changeable straps... ha, ha, ha... the simple life. I also competed in a few more talentime contests organised by Cathay Cinema in conjunction with the movie The Oscar and took first prize with my song, Fireball XL5.

Hey, I got myself an Oscar trophy, which is still in my home. And in the same year I took another first prize for a talentime organised by Boys Town but can't remember the song I sang. My singing talent was definitely my mum's genes but there were other priorities for me and I did not pursue a singing career.

Thank you once again Andy, for bringing back such good old memories.

Cheers,
Marie Tang.

21st May, 2010.

Thank you so much Marie for sharing. Really appreciate!

Marie Tang sings UNCLE SOLO and 

FIREBALL XL5 and BURONG KAKAK TUA

**Saturday, December 27, 2008:

Ocean Park Hotel Singapore With Wilma Tang

Image:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3093/2543814906_17ac440dc9.jpg

Images and Video from GOOGLE and YOUTUBE. Thank you 'Blast From The Past'.

Charles Lazaroo Pianist, Teacher, Composer

Discuss Singapore radio or Singapore music education and Charles Lazaroo's name comes to mind. Well known as a pianist, school teacher and music inspector at the Ministry of Education, Singapore, Lazaroo composed the music for the Siglap Secondary School song when he was posted there.

He was also in the public eye in his involvement with the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). He had arranged and contributed music pieces to the organisation and in the 80s became SBC's music director.

Lazaroo was adept at accompanying singers on piano. In a rehearsal with him to sing a song for a 60s cultural show at TV Singapura, it took only two practices on the piano with me before the big night. I had Lazaroo to thank for the performance as it turned out well.

The rehearsal was fast and short. He looked at me, "What song you want to sing?" I mentioned the song.

"OK," he said, "just sing." I did.

"That's fine. We'll do the whole song once..." We did. And I completed my practice all within 5 minutes.

Charles Lazaroo was popular with many of Singapore 60s music vocalists and bands as they had to discuss performances and musical arrangements with him for the Talentime series, radio and TV shows.

Apparently this great pianist has many compositions to his name because according to *Juliana Lim, "I managed to publish a book about our national anthem composer, Zubir Said but did not succeed in publishing the music of the late Charles Lazaroo ('a little bird told me... ' July 3rd, 2009 posting)."

Image: National Heritage Board Singapore/Singapore Press Holdings.

*Reference: http://www.julianalim.wordpress.com/

Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

(5) Simon & Garfunkel In The Midnight Hour?

PART 5

All three songs, except Midnight Hour, on this EP (image) are rock n roll songs from the mid 60s. Rise And Fall is an instrumental by the Shadows, Hooray For Hazel is by Tommy Roe, Sounds Of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel and Hey Jude by the Beatles. Like a-go-go music in the early 60s, the beat has been changed to 'soul' music in the midnight hour because it is the latest dance craze.

Following the trend, thousands of 45 vinyls like The Sound Of Japan Vol: 13 are sold on the cheap by many recording companies in Singapore. Some of the compilations are questionable but most have mediocre sound production and harmonization although most are covers of popular western songs.

The lead instrument is usually an electronic organ with separate electric bass and rhythm. These recordings are mostly marketed for Chinese listeners.

I am not too sure who Charlie And The Boys are but they could have been professional musicians selected for particular recordings only. Does Charlie really exist? I have been told that he could be Charles Lazaroo the well-known piano man from Radio Television Singapore who frequently accompanies talentimers on the keyboard.

These records, like MP3 downloads, sold very well and the 'elevator music' came in series. Today the vinyl costs me S$2.00. Collector's item? Possible. They don't produce them like they do LPs. Comment anyone?

Image/original article: Andy Lim Collection.

(3) Mark Yun 60's Radio TV Singapore Star

In 1965 Mark Yun Chong Hai released an EP on Philips (image) "Never Die", the title song of which was penned by himself. His music was so popular that the song, as well as another track, "There'll Never Be", both original numbers, topped the Hit Parade Charts simultaneously over Radio Singapore and Rediffusion for weeks. Incidentally these two songs had their entire arrangement and orchestration done in Holland.

A follow-up was another recording, "I've Got A Feeling Tonight". For about a decade the crooner was a regular feature everywhere. "Even the postman whistles the tunes I recorded," Mark recollected with humour. He had even been compared to Pat Boone, "a clean, cut crooner who stole the hearts of many."

Mark had worked with producers like Domingo Raquiza, Tony Yeow, Yusuf Ahmad and Charles Lazaroo. There had been write-ups of Mark on Radio & TV Times in 1982 and other music magazines and newspapers. His last public performance was at the Esplanade Concert Hall in 2003.

Over the years Mark has developed a keener sense of music and focused on phrasing and interpretation of songs. He still performs professionally on occasions and his repertoire is mainly standards and jazz. Mark is a devoted family man with wife Adeline and sons Gene and Shane.

Interview with Andy Lim. All rights reserved.

Another Manhunt completed.

BANDS THAT WERE SWINGING THE 40s & 50s

A standard jazz band that could be found in Singapore in the 50s night spots. The above image (borrowed from the Net) shows the piano, saxaphone, double bass and drums. The F-guitars were popular too and sometimes replaced the saxaphone. If it had been included then they call it a quintet.

I trawled the Net for days but couldn't get a proper image of a standard jazz band. Musicians like Charles Lazaroo, Horace Wee, Winston Filmer and Theresa Khoo are not featured on our websites. And these musicians are Singapore Idols. I could only find Charles Lazaroo's name on the list of the Siglap Secondary School Website because he composed the school song. He was a musician and a name to remember.

When you think about it, such information is not only nostalgia but a history of our local music scene. Wake up the heritage experts!

If you have photographs to share please write in.

YouTube on the right of this blog. Key in: old standard jazz