SINGAPORE 60's: ANDY's POP MUSIC INFLUENCE IS A PERSONAL MUSIC, MEMORY TRAIL. BLOGGER DOES NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO VIDEOS, AUDIO TRACKS AND IMAGES. THEY ARE UPLOADED FOR FUN, EDUCATIONAL, ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES AND HAVE BEEN CREDITED. BLOG IS NOT SPONSORED NOR ADVERTORIAL IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER. INFORM BLOGGER OF COPYRIGHT ISSUES AND POST WILL BE DELETED IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT COPY THE POSTS; GET PERMISSION N CREDIT ME IF YOU DO. ANDY LIM LA (NOVEMBER, 2008) -
(新加坡六十年代安迪的流行音乐影响力), SUDI MAMPIR !
Andy visits the Tan Tock Seng Hospital to watch music artiste Richard Rajoo and his entourage of volunteers for a Christmas Cheer.
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The poster tells it all. It was held on Monday, 15th December 2025 with the hospital's popular, The Art of Healing programme that has been going on...
The lady who introduced the musical group. A pretty MC indeed: Ms. YVONNE.
The singers who brightened the Hospital that day. Richard Rajoo is at far right. Cheers for taking time off to entertain the crowd.
Part of the audience and music participants watching from the side-lines.
Dr. Bernard Thong, Chairman of the TTSH Medical Board and Dr. Devaraj, Director of TTSH Corporate Communication can be seen at the microphone.
Mr Roney Tan, the man behind the organisation, has planned many such events for the hospital with his family and friends. He is related to the late Mr. Tan Tock Seng.
Mr Richard Rajoo and blogger Andy chat during the short interval. They exchanged notes about the show and TTSH's Atrium longevity as a music venue.
Quite a gathering in the audience that includes out-patients, music and food enthusiasts, some staff-members and concert lovers.
‘Jingle Bells’ by the group that performed at the atrium with a cheerful and active audience moving around. It is only a sampling and could have been longer. Hopefully some songs would be ready for posting soon. YouTube Video by Andy Young.
AND RICHARD RAJOO.
Mr. Richard Rajoo, a good friend and active guitarist, told me about a Christmas sing-along concert called, Once Upon A Song, at Tan Tock Seng Hospital's very popular atrium that fronts the food court and other meal outlets. And what a treat it was with the concert participants dressed in colourful Santa hats and red polo-Ts.
The group sang well and presented their Christmas carols and fun songs for this season, ranging from Santa Clause Is Coming To Town, Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer and Silent Night, Holy Night. At least 20 concert participants, *doctors, staff and volunteers were involved in the music event that afternoon. Gifts were given out too for members of the audience.
Merry Christmas everyone and a Happy New 2026.
More Music, Mute Meaningless Military Mayhem!
Comments from readers and participants are welcome!
*Read under Comments page below and check what Merlin Lim, guitarist and former patient, has to say about TTSH's doctors and staff in all honesty.
[This is an original posting with photographs by Andy Lim. Copyrights Reserved.]
Andy with sunglasses. [Image: Copyrights Reserved]
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A journal article reads that nostalgia is not a psychiatric disorder and occurs in all cultures and amongst all age group. Research suggests that it can promote psychological health with overall positive feelings including higher self esteem and the increased feeling of being loved. It counteracts the effects of loneliness and increases perceptions of social support.
Nostalgia provides a link between our past and present selves i.e. it may provide us with a positive view which could help to give a greater sense of continuity and meaning to our lives. It may acquire greater significance in old age as elderly adults are vulnerable to social isolation. "Nostalgia is now emerging as a fundermental human strength and we play a starring role in our nostalgic scenes."
The first image shows a house party, at a bungalow at Mountbatten Road, which I organised. It shows the dancing that took place at the large patio. For dance music, records spin from a radiogram and tapes on large spools were played that evening. Later on in the evening, the lights were dimmed.
Just across Mountbatten Road and beyond a row of bungalows was the open sea at Tanjong Katong, where many young couples enjoy a private moment. The second image shows the Victoria Theatre with its clock tower where many dances and music events are held. It still stands today, renovated, stately and ready to stand for another 100 years and more.
Judy, Judy, Judy by Johnny Tillotson
was one of the favourites of the bungalow owner.
YouTube Video from: SVansay.
From:
http://PsychCentral.ComRick Nauert (PhD), Senior News Editor, Association for Psychological Science15.12.2008.
Image 1:
Home Party-1963 Andy Lim Collection.
Image 2:
Victoria Theatre - 1962 from National Heritage Board Website.
Victoria Theatre (posted on 4th August, 2010)" Reliving the Glory Days
The Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall in the heart of Singapore’s Civic District is one of the most historically versatile buildings in all of Singapore. In the course of its nearly 150-year history, apart from being a focal point for arts and cultural entertainment, this handsome Victorian-era colonial landmark with its distinctive Palladian clock tower, Italianate windows and rusticated columns was once a town hall, hospital and a war crimes trials court.
The history of this building is a fascinating one. In fact, you’ll be surprised to know that it wasn’t even originally intended to be a theatre. Designed by prominent architect John Bennett, it actually began life as the young colony’s Town Hall in 1862. The fact that it had two large halls on each of its two floors allowed it to stage concerts. And soon, while it thronged to the footsteps of municipal employees in the day, amateur groups were busy putting on plays and concerts at night.
When Queen Victoria passed away in 1901, the colonial government decided to erect a memorial to her long reign, deciding that a public hall alongside the existing Town Hall building would be a fitting tribute. And sensibly, they decided, in the name of continuity, to keep the same architectural style as the earlier municipal building.
The new building was christened Victoria Memorial Hall upon completion in 1905, and almost immediately, the Town Hall underwent renovations to turn it into a theatre, with the space between the buildings earmarked for a splendid clock tower. The makeover project (to turn the complex into three different parts) was completed in 1909 when Victoria Theatre officially opened.
In the period before World War II, the Victoria Theatre and Memorial Hall staged many concerts, musicals and plays, including a performance by Noel Coward in 1930. It was lucky to have survived intact during the Japanese air raids, and during the Japanese Occupation its strategic location in the city saw it being used as a hospital.
During peaceful times, it was also the scene of political milestones, chief among them the launch of the ruling People’s Action Party in 1954. And then in 1962, the original bronze statue of Singapore’s founder Stamford Raffles, which had been standing at the nearby Padang for years, was moved to the front of the building. When the Singapore Symphony Orchestra moved in 1979, the complex was renamed Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall.
To preserve the grandeur and allure of the old dame, it had closed later in 2009 for an extensive two-and-half year renovation, before reopening in 2013. So on your visit to Singapore, don’t miss your final chance to capture a slice of its old glory."
[This article has been edited to suit the time and format of this posting's publication. No other information has been changed.]
(I acknowledge the article was taken from the above website. This posting will be taken off if it contravenes copyright laws. Please write via the latest posting on this blog for removal. Thank you.)
This newspaper advertisement was published by Sarawak Press, Kuching. The Welcome Party
JUDY LEE
Kuching is a small town in Sarawak, Malaysia, so when a pop show that featured Singapore singers and bands made their way there, the population went wild. Nearly every young person in the area wanted to see them. According to Audie Ng who was the leader of the Silver Strings, everyone in the group was treated like international stars. They were all invited to the Governor's house for lunch, with reporters tailing them. After the interviews, they went to their hotel to unpack. Audie remembered an incident when they heard a knocking at their hotel door. Thinking it was the housekeeper coming to check the room, one of the band boys sauntered to the door with a cold drink in his hand and casually opened it. The shock he experienced lasted to this day.
The Odeon and Capitol Cinemas in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia in the 1960's.
Imagine his surprise and embarrassment when a group of teenage girls rushed in screaming with autograph books in their hands. They refused to leave until every member of the entourage signed them. Apparently, some of the boys had to hide under the blankets because they were still in their briefs. It was a hilarious situation, one where the Silver Strings could remember forever.
The Talent Shows The show featured Bryan Neale the bouncing boy from England, Judy Lee TV and radio nightingale, Catherine Chong top a-go-go dancer, Shirley Nair Singapore Singing Sexation (as advertised). K.V. John was the compere for the evening and Robert Chua was the executive producer.
CATHERINE CHONG
There were two top bands in attendance then, The Silver Strings and The Jets. The line-up then for both bands were Audie Ng, Merlin Lim, Danny Boy and Dickie Tan. I provided the tag-line, "the big beat band with the big bang beat" when I was with them for one and a half years. Mike and Herb, Beatles of Malaysia, were the highlight of the show. The other band The Jets, had lead guitar Edward Tan, bassist Alan Poh, Harold on rhythm and Robert on drums. He was known as Singapore's dancing drummer. I remember they had one of the best instruments in the business, using solid Fender guitars on stage. Thomas Ang was their singer then.
BRYAN NEALE
There were two shows each evening at 6.45 pm and another at 9.15 p.m. and staged at the Odeon Theatre in Kuching.
A Good Deed Not Forgotten When the top Kuching pop band was invited to perform on stage, Audie Ng was shocked to see the lead guitarist carry an amplifier as small as a Rediffusion set with six batteries inside. Seeing it might not be able to amplify the guitar sound in the large cinema hall, Audie offered the group to use the Silver Strings Fender amplifiers.
AUDIE NG
He remembered very well that they played the instrumental Tabu with pomp, polish, and pride. The band leader was ever grateful for the favor and kept in touch with Audie and the band. "Twenty-five years later he came to Singapore looking for the Silver Strings and repaid his favor by allowing me to service all his four nightclubs in Malaysia," explained Audie who provides bands for entertainment places.
Shirley Nair & The Silver Strings -
You're the boy (Lyrics)
YouTube Video by: herecomeshariss
The Show Producer
Robert Chua said: "In 1966, I produced and staged pop shows in Singapore and Malaysia and was the manager of The Jets. I wonder how many of my friends in Singapore remember these pop stars?
KV JOHN (MC) SHIRLEY NAIR
Can you imagine tickets were S$1, S$2 and S$3 (then S$1 was HK$2)? This was before I secured a job with Singapore television when they rejected me as they considered me too young." Robert Chua was one of the youngest producers in S.E. Asia when he started.
"But when I got the job I worked about 7 months and produced more TV shows than any of their producers. After that, I resigned to join TVB and the rest is history!"
According to Mr. Chua, he was one of the youngest show producers in the 1960's. He was only 19.
ROBERT CHUA
From Merlin Lim [Rhythmist Silver Strings] 18th February, 2024:
While we were there playing on stage, dear Shirley Nair told me after the show. "That song, 'What Now My Love' brought tears to a member of the audience. It's a nice song and probably brought back memories to that person."
To bring tears to someone listening, while performing for them, is a dream, a very sweet dream come true.
Thanks for the memories. Let there be peace, love and compassion in this troubled world. Love transcends all boundaries. PEACE and BLISS to all.
Love: Merlin.
Images from Mr. Robert Chua's Poster on Facebook; A Personal Collection and Google. YouTube: Terry Snyder And The All Stars - Tabu. (1959). This article is Copyrights Reserved.
"Photo 3: My early beginnings in the world of Performing Arts. I am at the keyboard, my cousin on the violin and my other cousin the conductor. I think we played the **Blue Danube Waltz (image/1964).
It is not true that Flower Drum Song was the only item for the evening. The students put up many items to demonstrate their musical abilities across different musical instruments. This must have made their parents very proud."
Peter Chan who wrote the 3 articles in this series, became a part-time pop musician playing the Orchard Road circuit and SEAsia in the 70s. This article is the last.
**(Blogger's Note: Classical music has influenced pop music through the years. Click on, 'Classical Music Influence' under 'Labels' below to read articles on Mantovani and G.I. Blues.)
"Photo 2: Alfred Choo, the future international lounge pianist is at the keyboard. **Didn’t know the girls were already in hot pants back in the early 1960s. Back then we boys were curious whether the girls wore anything below that short chinese blouse.
The stage was the former Cultural Centre Center at Fort Canning, now demolished and replaced by the one presently at the rear of the National Museum (circa 1962).
Funny thing though, my late grandmother was roped in to cut and sew the costumes. Where’s the connection? She came from Toi Shan County, China to marry my grandfather in the 1910s.
Lucky for us, she brought with her to Singapore plenty of chinese culture; she knew everything about the clothes and style of yesteryears, intricate Chinese buttons, pretty samfoo and unique pig-tails. She also knew the feminine art of using a hand fan. If you look at the photos, you find the boys and girls dressed up in various Chinese outfits.
Alfred Choo, the senior student of Foorman’s was the Music Director. Choo later became a top-notch hotel pianist in Hong Kong’s Peninsular Hotel and at the Marco Polo Hotel in Singapore."
Original article/image: Peter Chan.
Note from Blogger: They were wearing hot pants since the 50s, Peter!
**Short Shorts (1958) by The Royal Teens [Spoken:] Ooh man, dig that crazy chick/Who wears short shorts/We wear short shorts/They're such short shorts/We like short shorts/Who wears short shorts/We wear short shorts. [Repeat 2x]
"Photo 1: When I look at this 1962 photograph, the first thing that strikes me are the stage props. Don’t they remind you of those seen at a Chinese wake? Or do they look more like the 1950 anti- government street demonstration with all those banners?
Remember the musicals I was discussing in the previous posting? Well this time I am not in the audience but as a performer. And in one of the biggest and most popular musicals in the 60s, Flower Drum Song. How did it happen? It was in 1962 when Foorman’s School of Music - the place I attended my piano lessons - gave a public concert at the former Fort Canning Cultural Center, Singapore.
Flower Drum Song is a musical comedy set in San Francisco's Chinatown concerning old-fashioned Chinese and modern Chinese-Americans clashing over tradition and trying to find romance. That’s all I knew except for the big names like the darling Nancy Kwan and handsome James Shigata. The concert finale was set to the music of Grant Avenue, one of many songs taken from the musical."
"I do say I don’t enjoy or know very much about stage plays or musicals until I was in one myself (Flower Drum Song). My introduction to the theaters was when a friend got me some free tickets to watch his son perform in Oliver! at the London Palladium (image).
Soon, I learnt there was a way to buy more economical tickets if you bought on the afternoons just one or two days before the actual performance.
I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed the performance and in the next few weeks, while on a business trip in London, my family sat through Jesus Christ Superstar, Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, Martin Guerre, and Phantom of the Opera, well before they hit Singapore shores."
Image: from e-bay.
(Original Article: was contributed by Peter Chan who was a Singapore 70s pop musician but now a successful business person.)
The large and excited crowd at the Those Were The Days Concert at Orchid Country Club on the 24th July, 2009. Digital camera clocks don't lie. At 23:29, they were still rocking the aisle with Hey Jude.
Performers have the crowd to thank for the success of the concert.
The old Esplanade in the 60s when the Victoria Memorial Hall and Theatre played hide and seek behind the trees. Many couples, young and old, walked the evening to enjoy the sea breeze and lapping waves. Others would steal away from the dance floors and ear-splitting music to seek solace and moonlit charm as they sit amidst the bushes and cobbled-stoned paths.
It was also called Queen Elizabeth Walk. Were you around then? Serenading to your companion?
We have gone a distance since our bands and singers appeared at the Singapore Badminton Hall and National Theatre in the 60's. According to The Straits Times 'Life' section (13.02.09) the country will have 14 more concert venues when the Integrated Resorts (IR) are completed with 23,000 spanking new seats.
Hopefully the authorities will not forget our own music makers of yesteryears and allow them the opportunity to organise concerts and perform their pop classics as such gatherings have proved successful in the past.
The poster tells it all. It was held on Monday, 15th December 2025 with the hospital's popular, The Art of Healing programme that has been going on...
The lady who introduced the musical group. A pretty MC indeed: Ms. YVONNE.
The singers who brightened the Hospital that day. Richard Rajoo is at far right. Cheers for taking time off to entertain the crowd.
Part of the audience and music participants watching from the side-lines.
Dr. Bernard Thong, Chairman of the TTSH Medical Board and Dr. Devaraj, Director of TTSH Corporate Communication can be seen at the microphone. 
Mr Roney Tan, the man behind the organisation, has planned many such events for the hospital with his family and friends. He is related to the late Mr. Tan Tock Seng.
Mr Richard Rajoo and blogger Andy chat during the short interval. They exchanged notes about the show and TTSH's Atrium longevity as a music venue.
Quite a gathering in the audience that includes out-patients, music and food enthusiasts, some staff-members and concert lovers.
