Singapore Andy 60s Music Meets: Zhu Houren 朱厚任, Richard Low 刘谦益, Chen Shucheng 陈澍城

Zhu Houren 朱厚任, Richard Low 刘谦益, Chen Shucheng 陈澍城 with Singapore's music makers, Sammin, Esther, Jimmy. With Blogger Andy too.

‘AH GE’ LEGENDS:

While having a sumptuous meal with Sammin Ang, his wife Esther and Jimmy Yap, we met these 3 veteran Singapore Chinese actors, all MediaCorp "Ah Ge" legends from the 80s/90s. So, we got together and took a picture. In case you aren't sure who they are, here's some details:

Left: Zhu Houren 朱厚任

Known for roles in classic Channel 8 dramas like _The Awakening_, _The Last Appeal_. He’s famous for playing stern father/authority figures.

Middle: Richard Low 刘谦益

Veteran actor/director. You’d recognize him from _The Little Nyonya_, _C.L.I.F._, and _118_. Also a regular variety show host back in the day.

Right: Chen Shucheng 陈澍城

Comedian and actor. Famous for _Comedy Night_ and sitcoms like _Don’t Worry Be Happy_. He usually wears glasses and is known for his comedic timing.

The 3 of them were part of the same generation of Channel 8 actors and still hang out a lot. Fans call them the “3 uncles” of SG Chinese drama 😄.

CHECK OUT ‘MEDIA CORP’ SHOWS. CLICK BELOW:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/search/label/Media%20Corp%20Shows

COFFEE MAN ROLAND:

Roland is behind the counter in red-T with spectacles. When he sings, he thrills.

As we were looking around the Berseh Food Court area for a drink, we found one but the shop owner told us he was closed for the day because business was so good! It was only 2.05pm [the time the above picture was taken.]

What attracted us to this shop was the owner's voice. He has an exceptionally powerful and clear vibrato when he sang that I asked him if he was a singer. He is. Trills indeed!

I don't usually advertise shops on my blog and I won't, but you have to listen to ROLAND sing and sip his drinks. It will definitely make your day. Roland sings in Chinese and does Western pops too. 

Talented and versatile musician Sammin Ang, who plays many instruments, with wife Esther and Jimmy Yap. I was wandering around with them…

Images: from Sammin Ang.

Andy 60s Music Blog Tributes The Late Xie Jinshi [谢金石] Hokkien Song King

David Xie Jinshi (谢金石), a veteran Chinese singer known as the "Hokkien Song King" in Singapore and Malaysia, passed away at the age of 73 on 8th January 2026, while he was on a cruise.

He rose to fame in 1972 after winning a singing competition and released his first Hokkien album in 1979. The "Hokkien Song King" was well known in the 80s and 90s for his powerful voice and for providing singing classes at various community centers.

His greatest professional regret was never having the opportunity to perform in a Hokkien opera (Gezi Opera), despite his mastery of the dialect. He was scheduled to perform at the Esplanade with a live orchestra soon. 

His family, friends and colleagues described him as a dedicated teacher, a kind-hearted man and definitely a pop star. According to those who were close to him, his determination and singing talent made him what he was.

Rest In Peace David Xie. We shall all miss you. Condolences to his family.

Comments are welcome...

This article is a short summary adapted from newspaper reports. Thanks to Danny Koh, David's good friend, for sending me the news of his death, without which I would not be aware. 

David Chia [谢金石] 谢金石福建风专辑 YouTube Video by: 谢金石 David Chia

Danny Koh and David Xie. They did 10 live streaming during Covid with lady singer Tandy Lim.

(1) Danny Koh with singer Tandy Lim and David Xie Jinshi. (2) With Frederick Phua, owner of British Hainan Restaurant and Godfather to David who was of the Christian faith. 3) Fred with Portrait of David. Photographs are Copyrights Reserved.

谢金石 ~ 燒肉粽组曲 (福建歌曲) @ 歌台欢乐夜 第5集 Xie Jinshi ~ 'Roasted Pork Dumplings Medley' (Hokkien songs). YouTube Video By: RedTaurus

[Roasted Meat Zongzi Suite (Fujian Song) @ Joyful Night at the Music Stage Episode 5].

Ambassador Hotel Singapore: 60's Music With Ray Peterson's 'Tell Laura...'

Ambassador Hotel at Meyer Road and Katong Park.

(Image: Wadah Seni Entertainment Post.)

Hi Andy,

Glad to have stumbled onto your post and reading yours and others’ wonderful stories reminiscing of the old times!

I love songs from the sixties. When traveling in North America cities, I would still look for old diners with booth tables and some wall jukeboxes.

In the late sixties of Singapore, I occasionally hang out with a group of Mandarin and Hainanese speaking friends in the Ambassador Hotel roof top nightclub. They called the club manager ‘Boon’. I was told that the nightclub owner was a lady, probably one of those experienced entertainers from Shanghai.

Frequently we encountered a ‘guest-singer’. He usually sang popular English songs with Mandarin lyrics. He did Ray Peterson’s ‘Tell Laura I love Her’. I don’t remember the whole lyrics, only this part:

“… 日日我在想念, 夜夜我在想念…Tell Laura not to cry…”

Anonymous

27.08.2023.

黃清元 - 告诉罗娜我爱她 [Original Music Audio] 

YouTube Video from: 黃清元 Huang Qing Yuan Official.

[*Note: Such vinyl Chinese records are priceless today because

many nationals from other countries have bought them when

they cost $2 to $5 a piece in SG.]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrVGIl6exkM&t=50s

Hello my blog reader friend,

Thank you for the visit and the above letter. I hope you are still enjoying your travel days and 60s music. Trying to figure out who the singer at the Ambassador was. Write in again when you feel like. Love that you write in Mandarin too. The song's for you. 

Andy.

*Disclaimer: This post is not an advertisement to sell records.

War Years '39 - '45. Happy Lunar New Year 2025: Shanghai Pop: By J.T. Chen

  UP TO 2,000 VIEWS  

48 CHATS, COMMENTS

   90 CNY GREETINGS  

It is this time of the year that we start sending out greetings for the Chinese Lunar New Year. That message may include some songs from that era when Shanghai Pop started. 

Today, may I invite you to listen to some of the originals from 30s and 40s with some accompanying footnote.

One of the most popular times is 恭喜恭喜 by brother and sister team of 姚敏 and  姚莉 （attachment 1)。 They work their magic with their interweaving vocals accompanied by a guitar. This song a cathartic expression of the daily survival of the difficult time China was undergoing through with occupation by Japan and the concession of certain parts to western nations during  他the war years of the 30s and 40s.

The concession carved out a safe conclave  in which  denizens of Shanghai escaped into a make-believe world of movies, both local and western, and enjoyed the melding of western music and local folk fare. 

Big band and jazz descended upon Shanghai with the immigration of Russian musicians (picture of band in attachment 2). They plied their artistic talents in recording studios, primarily dominated by Pathe, and dance floors of well known clubs such as the Black Cat （attachment 3）

This period spawned a genre known as 时代曲 'shi dai qu'.  Apart from having the light and competent flight of fingers over piano, guitars, flutes, these war years were blessed with academically trained writers such as Chen Ge-Xin  and Liu Ru-Zeng,  not forgetting Yan Hua 严华 and Yao Min 姚敏. The result was stunning with intricate arrangements of the various instruments, and the weaving of the vocals.  Example is 醉人的口红虹 （attachment 4 ）。

May I wish a happy new year with 贺新年by 张帆 （attachment 5）。 It borrows very heavily from ‘Jingle Bells’.

Comments are always welcome.

Author: JT CHEN.

Very grateful JT for such an awesome peek into this period of Shanghai's popular scene. Andy.

https://youtu.be/vEE76P3ofwg?si=6W8iWFpWyV6HPVeD

[1] 恭喜恭喜—Congratulations.

[中華民國抗日戰爭勝利歌曲]

YouTube Video from: Chiyomi Anchovy.

[2] The Russian Combo

Photo by Wong Kee Chee

https://youtu.be/FcnfjDEy4h0?si=XcEnAVoa8kofL9vH

 

[3] 歌女之歌] 愛神的箭 - 周璇 Zhou Xuan

YouTube Video by: lovisblu

https://youtu.be/SJ92FMHwhQ0?si=C6BQuF9r9B7cTAzl

[4] 醉人的口紅：白虹唱（歌詞版）好歌聽出好心情

YouTube Video by: Alan Kayangan.

https://youtu.be/3xlq-tKynIQ?si=BpdYMLrHk3ectqPC

[5] 賀新年:1948年-張帆唱（歌詞）好歌聽出好心情 

YouTube Video by: Alan Kayangan.

'The Age of Shanghainese Pop' by 

WONG KEE CHEE was where JT

acquired some of his information from.

Wishing readers, friends, contributing writers a Happy n Prosperous Lunar New Year 2025 !

Author: JT Chen.

Thanks JT for your time and

patience to post this Shanghai gem.

Another article by JT:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2019/02/inaugural-seniors-got-talent.html

Disclaimer:

Videos are copyrighted. 

Any violation, do inform.

They will be deleted.

Stella Chang Concert 2016 Singapore

Fred Ching Writes:

Many thanks to JT Chen for this massive article. Happy Lunar New Year to you, Brother Andy and all friends here! Wishing you great health and happiness.

I was fortunate to be attending this concert on this day 30 January, nine years ago, where Taiwanese Mandopop’s Iconic Diva Stella Chang performed some of her hits with a New Year’s twist. The two time Golden Melody Award winner for Best Mandarin Female singer belted some of her great hits and brought music souls on a beautiful reminiscing journey and a trip down nostalgic lane.

Love her crystal clear and distinctive vocals with powerful penetrating high notes. Many were touched by her voice as it grew in strength and vibrance over the course of her show. Here is Chang who was nicknamed Dongfang Bubai (The Invincible East) for her stellar record sales in the late 80s and early 90s with this CNY jingle songs.

Great to hear again JT Chen blast from the past and this upbeat tempo renditions. Thank you for posting once again, Brother Andy.

🍊🍊🧧🧧🍍🍍🐍..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEcOWEmz4YM

Stella Chang

張清芳 - 新年組曲

YouTube Video by: Stella Chang

A Music Letter From Shanghai To California n Singapore: Henri Gann

Henri Gann writes from a Chinese city...

'A Morning Walk In Shanghai'

YouTube Video by this blog's contributing 

writer Henri Gann since it started in 2009.

Thanks very much, Henri.

UP TO 300 VIEWS

Shanghai, an exotic city reflecting both its colonial past and its role as a modern metropolis tackling the climate crisis, felt to me like a society striving towards the same freedoms as the rest of the world. From the moment I stepped onto the Maglev train, which whisked me from the airport to the city in a mere eight minutes, I felt the contrast of old and new. We sped past lines of cars on the highway, while electric cars, motorcycles, and bicycles purred quietly through the streets, the only sound being the shrill whistles of policemen, which cut through the air like screeching birds.

In the early morning, I wandered through parks where older adults danced and sang joyfully, or played instruments like the flute, saxophone, and clarinet. The street food vendors in their small shops sold $1 meals to loyal regulars, creating a warm, communal atmosphere. I walked through the old city streets at the Bund, Huang Pu Road, and the French Concession, savoring each step.

Every day, I indulged in the incredible street food—the delicate xiao long bao became a staple for me. I discovered the unique flavors of Shanghai’s lo mien, the stringy noodles, sesame buns, scallion pastry bread, egg and scallion buns, pickled vegetables with braised pork, crab soup buns, and an array of rice cakes. Best of all was a burrito-like wrap of youtiao (fried dough) and scallions, dipped in mint sauce.

This, I realized, is the inner soul of Shanghai—where tradition and progress blend effortlessly, and the flavors, sights, and sounds linger long after you leave.

ILYA SEROV - 'C'est Si Bon'. 

(featuring: The Swing Kittens) 

YouTube Video by: Ilya Serov.

Author, images, videos by

 Henri Gann [sunglasses].

Beautiful Shanghai

[Strains of 'Red River Valley'.]

YouTube Video from Henri Gann.

Disclaimer:

This blog post is non-promotional, receives no financial

gains and written only in fun; with songs to dance to.

A Happy Lunar New 2024: Facing Dragons @ The Gates: 龍門遭遇 By Eddy Eng

For illustration only: 

Singer Chen Mei Feng and 

Guitar group, The Travellers 

'New Year Greetings'

The latest New Year pop songs in Hokkien.

    UP TO 1,750 VIEWS,  

  40 CHATS, COMMENTS 

龍 門 遭 遇  A Dragon Gate Encounter:

It was two days before the dragon year [8 Jan 2024] when I made an urgent SMS to Eddy Eng to write a piece for this blog. And he did, this good friend.  In all honesty he related his encounter with this fearsome beast at a garden gate; face to face. Eddy is a straight forward, no fuss gentleman and so are his stories.

Thank you Eddy, a different kind of story but a real one indeed...

The Chinese Dragon:

"Dear Andy,

The Chinese have been fascinated with the mythical dragon for more than 4,000 years. It is obviously the product of imagination of the ancient Chinese. It was imagined as a composite creature with the head of a camel, the eyes of a fiery demon, the horns of a deer, the claws of an eagle and the scales of a carp. Unlike the Caucasian dragon that spews fire and looks naughty and devilish, the Chinese dragon symbolises  divine power, strength, good fortune and benevolence. It can control the weather and the seas - a shaker and mover of heaven and earth. 

I was once asked by a local Chinese businessman to install a pair of dragons vying for a pearl on top of the wrought-iron gate that I supplied. As someone who would go out of the way to please a customer, I thought long and hard. How would I design the intricate dragons with a pearl shrouded with fire using wrought-iron. Would my guys be able to cut and  weld all the tiny pieces together. Would they think  it was another crazy idea from me. In the end, logic triumphed over passion. 

For illustration only: 

A garden gate with a pair of dragons.

https://twitter.com/GoblinWriter/status/1741192813696672254

I went back, told the customer that to do the pair of  dragons with the precious pearl would be like a Caucasian dressed in Chinese robes. From an aesthetic  perspective, they would look incongruous. It was a clash of cultures. He gave a hearty laugh. 

On another occasion, I offered a  wall-mounted decorative wrought-iron dragon to a customer as a gift after having completed my work  to his massive house. The dragon was made with the finest German craftsmanship that came with a hefty price tag from my  German supplier. 

He said, "Eee! I don't want it! Your Caucasian dragon looks like a four legged snake. He had a point. 

To my friends who were born in the year of the  long nien [dragon year],  may I wish you good luck, good health and good fortune."

Written by: Eddy Eng.

Eddy Eng.

CNY 2012 Dragon Year 恭喜恭喜 鄧麗君 邓丽君 

テレサ・テン Teresa Teng.

This video is the only one found. 

YouTube video from: archchula.

2023 New Year’s Concert of 

the China Philharmonic Orchestra 

中国爱乐之声 

YouTube Video: China Philharmonic Orchestra

Images: from Google.

Poster is a gift and created

by Freda Hanum [Teepees]

Thank you.

This blog has 3.4 million viewers since January 7th, 2024.

Statistics from blogspot.com

Thank you.

Dong Zhi Festival Singapore 2023: [Tang Yuan]: By Ms CYLin

Strange Andy that it was just yesterday that I was reminded of this annual festival which falls on 22 Dec - three days before Christmas. When young, I used to help my mother make them -right from rolling the dough to forming the 'yuan'. Didn't particularly like eating them - found them too sweet. In later years, we could buy the ready made dough from the market.

I prefer the 'ah boh leng' -a larger version of the tang yuan sold in some food centres. The fillings come in a range of red beans, peanuts, sesame... Sorry, I've not had them for some years and thus have forgotten the other fillings and the price of this dessert.

This is a cultural festival and will soon be lost if the young ones are not made aware - yes, lost to such western influence as 'Halloween'.

Written by the late CYLin on 22.12.2016.

With thanks to Jimmy Chng.

What Ms Lin said is true. We should focus also on the local festivities that will soon be lost if we don't celebrate them annually.

Comments are encouraged.

Mai Tang Yuan: Jing Yin Fang - Topic

YouTube Video from: Universal Music Group

The Legendary Chinese Hits Volume 19: 

Fang Jing Yin - Mai Tang Yuan

℗ 1957 EMI (HK) Ltd.

Do you know the difference?

Tang Yuen

Ah Boh Leng 

Andy's Comment:

Actually what attracted me as a child was this cute custom, that is: you eat the number of Tang Yuan according to your age, and at 8 years old I was allowed 8 balls. But here's the nice thing about my mum. "After that," she says, "you can eat as many, as long as you don't get sick..."

Happy Winter Solstice to all this 2023 year of the Rabbit who will soon disappear because the dragon is coming around the corner.

Lee Yee: (李逸) Part 2: Late Singer From Johore Malaysia: Tributes

Two letters honouring the late Lee Yee...

Forty three years after his death in a road accident, Lee Yee is still remembered by his family, neighbours, friends and fans. Here are two letters taken from his 2017 posting on this music blog, where two readers wrote in last year (2022) to pay their tribute. This singer is one of the most popular, truly...

    UP TO 300 VIEWS,  

12 COMMENTS, CHATS

Letter 1

李逸和婷婷的朋友， 苏先生 [28.06.2022] wrote:

Thank you for your very detailed write up on Lee Yee, the No: 1 Male Singer in the 70s. To be honest, not much had written about 李逸 in English; yours is probably the most detailed write up about him that I have read so far. 

I had known Lee Yee since about 1975, he and Ting Ting moved into their new house only meters from our house when they got married in mid 1975. Still remember clearly that it was soon after the release of the famous concert play, (唐伯虎点秋香) and his probably most famous and popular No: 3 album (唱首情歌给谁听)。

There are still thousands of fans following and listening to his music on YouTube, Facebook, etc. There are up to a dozen of his fan clubs on social media, some boasting more than 10,000 members。

Letter 2:

👍T.J. Magsakay [1.10.2022] wrote:

Lee Yee was a famous Malaysian Mandarin Singer during the 60s-70s decade. Ke Ai De Ma (Lovely Horse) was adapted from a Japanese Enka Ballad Tassha Dena (See You Soon) originally sung by Michiya Mihashi (1920-1996) a famous Enka singer from the 1940s-1950s era. 

Lee Yee was born Lee Kim Peow on January 10, 1942 in Pengerang, Johor, Malaysia. He started his career in the RTM Green Network Singing Contest in 1961. And Chang Shou Qing Ge Gei Shui Ting (Whom Can I Sing This Love Song) was released in 1964. He had lots of albums and concerts. 

Lee Yee died of a road rage accident in 1980 while the World Tour of Eric Clapton started in the Hall. He is a Henghwa with ancestral roots from Putian, Fujian, China. He is the son of a farmer and fisherfolk Lee was buried in Nirvana Memorial Park on April 30, 1980 after a wake was held on 27-29 of the same month which is before May of that year. 

He was a graduate of Tunku Abdul Rahman University, Chung Leng High School, St John's Insititute in Johor, Malaysia and worked in a ceramic company as a manager of the boss which happened to be Yee Hock Tong Trading Sendirian Berhad （余学堂留易股份有限公司）in Johor Bahru, Johor, near Pengerang his hometown; which was founded in the 1950s by Goh Tuk Heow （吴铁球 1903-1981) born in Sarawak and died in Las Vegas, Nevada of a heart attack and where he had migrated to because of overpopulation. 

Readers can read the original 2017 post by clicking the link below:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2017/10/lee-yee-malaysian-hearthrob-not.html

It has up to 12,000 views.

[Please credit this blog if information is abstracted from this post.]

李逸 Lee Yee - 祝你順風 Zhu Ni Shun Feng 

(Official Video)

YouTube: Life Records Chinese

Mooncake Festival 2023: What It Means To Celebrate Our Local Harvest Moon

Active

From Freda Hanum, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

[She's one of the famed girl bands, The Teepees]

Click below each posting to 

connect to mooncake songs 

and festivities through the years:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-moon-represents-my-heart-by-siti.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2021/09/mid-autumn-festival-international.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2013/09/mid-autumn-festival-in-mood-for-moon.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2015/09/growing-up-with-moon-symbols-and.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2018/09/mooncake-festival-in-singapore-2018.html

Wishing you Happy Mooncake Festivities this September 2023.