Mike and Herb: Beatles Of Malaysia Make 60s Music History! By Herb n Barbara Van Dort

The late Mike Van Dort [right] and Herb Van Dort, presently in Australia. 

This article has been written by sister Barbara and Herb. 

Below is a Christmas message I received from Barbara, Herb's sister, about how the two brothers, Beatles of Malaysia, started their music career and became a household name. 

Thank you both, Barbara and Herb. It's a late posting and I have explained why, but it's better late than none at all. 

A December 2023 Christmas Letter:

Dear Andy,

My apologies for not getting back sooner, in Cairns and Townsville are just now recovering from Cyclone Jasper and it caused a lot of havoc. We lost power and flooding in the suburbs still and it hasn't stopped raining. Plenty of debris everywhere.

Now this is from Herb to you. It's been sometime since I last wrote to you.

I remember that I mentioned that I was going to tell you how Mike and his brother Herb got started in the music scene. Well it all started when we heard the Beatles song on the radio and we loved what we heard. So we went and bought  their LP record "I Saw her standing there" and learnt their song and harmony.

Image from:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/229699807/the-beatles-i-want-to-hold-your-hand-bw

Now where we lived in Butterworth, mainland - Malaysia , there was a group of guys that had formed a band  and we would have jam sessions with them and also there was Rocky Teoh (Malaysia's Elvis Presley). We became very good friends.

Now there was a live variety show that came to Butterworth with bands and performing artists. The band was the Ipoh Falcons and they backed all the singers, just to name a few Rocky Teoh (Elvis), Rubiah Lubis (Connie Francis), Rudy Locke (Cliff Richard), and a lot more other artists and of course, dancers.  The show was called "Sakura Presents",  and it had all the performing artists and all backed by the Falcons. 

The show's first port of call  was in Butterworth and they had 2 nightly shows, 6.15pm and 9.15pm and the tour was in Butterworth for 2 days. We both heard about the show and went to the 9.15pm show on the first night , mainly to see Rocky Teoh. 

On stage with the duo on a Cathay Organisation cinema stage.

The show started with the Falcons playing 2 instrumental songs and they were fantastic. Their showmanship playing got the audience in a frenzy and the Falcons were rocking and rolling . Then came the artists one by one doing their stuff  and finally when Rocky Teoh came out, we both shouted out to Rocky saying, "Knock 'em out Rocky!" 

He did a very good show and the audience kept shouting for more. He saw us and waved to us to come backstage. So during the interval, we went to see him and he asked us if we were still singing all the Beatles songs and we said, "Yes." He asked us to come to the theatre during mid-morning (2nd day and last day)  and we had a practice session with the Ipoh Falcons. So we did and  when we went to the theatre for a practice, Rocky had told the managers of the tour to listen to us perform.. 

We practiced 5 songs with the band and I can remember 3, they were, "I Saw Her Standing There, Can't Buy Me Love, and She Loves You."  We did both the 6.15pm and 9.15pm and the audience kept shouting for more and more and we did the 5 songs. (Beatlemania was everywhere. I guess Mike and Herb's performance just enhanced the Beatles popularity). As soon as we finished both the shows, the manager of the variety show asked us to sign a contract to join the troupe. 

I told him that I was still at school and Mike said that he was learning to be a diesel mechanic. The manager informed us that the show was only going for 6 days. Well, we signed  the contract and told the manager that we would be there at the theatre to be picked up. 

We went home and asked our parents if we could go on this tour; it was only for 6 days.  We asked our mum to tell Mikes' employer and my school that we were both sick and we will be away for one week. Our parents agreed and so off we went.  

Rocky Teoh Malaysia's Elvis helped to make Mike and Herb 

famous by giving them a start and allowing them 

to join his Malaysian and Singapore tours.

The manager decided to change the name from Sakura Presents to The Beatles of Malaysia with huge banners with wordings and performances on stage with 2 hours of non stop entertainment featuring Mike and Herb, Rocky Teoh other artistes, dancers, comedians. The show sold out for every performance and we had the audience screaming for more when we were singing with the backing of the incredible Ipoh Falcons. Our Beatles hairstyles just got the whole crowd into a bigger frenzy.

As I said before Beatlemania was everywhere  and that made Mike and Herb stars of the show . The show was so successful that the Cathay Organisation gave the tour to all their theatres to perform all over Malaysia, Sarawak, Brunei, Jesselton, Sandakan, Semporna and also Singapore.  

The Beatles of Malaysia show was so successful that it lasted for almost 7 months . We were performing 16 shows a week  and in the last 2 months it was 17 shows a week.

Mike and Herb accompanied by the Falcons of Malaysia,

On stage performing at a cinema in Malaysia during their tour.

2 shows 6.15 and 9.16 Monday to Friday = 10 shows.

3 shows on Saturday, 3 shows on Sunday 1.15pm, 6.15pm and 9.30pm -6 shows = 16 shows. 

In the last 2 months it was as above except Sunday , we had a 9 am show as the rest.

I have to say that it was a fantastic variety show and we had the best  times of our lives having fans chasing us and screaming and signing autographs.  It was our very good friend the late Rocky Teoh who gave Mike and Herb our start in the Entertainment Industry. 

My late brother and best friend Mike and myself Herb, once again have to thank Rocky Teoh for giving us our start. The rest is history!

Please find below the photo of Herb as Santa Claus🧑‍🎄 ready for a function. He is again booked in for the 21st Thursday 6.30pm  in Palm Cove Life Savings Club, Cairns Queensland.

Herb, of Mike and Herb fame as Beatles of Malaysia, 

dressed as Santa Claus [2023 December] 

for a Christmas show in Cairns, Australia.

In the meantime Andy, I wish you and your family a Very MERRY and BLESSED CHRISTMAS and a safe NEW YEAR. Here's hoping that 2024 is a very good year for everyone.

Kindest Regard,

Herb and Barbara.

[Copyrights Reserved]

With the late Mike, Danny Boy [drummer], 

Andy [blogger] and Herb, writer of this article

during a concert at Vivo City, Singapore in 2009.

Article and Images have been copyrighted.

If you take information from this article for your own use, 

at least credit me because copying is stealing.

Andy.

A Christmas 2024 present from Freda Hanum, 

the most active and creative member of girl group

The Teepees, from Malaysia and Singapore.

Hari Raya 2023 Singapore 60's Malay Pop Musicians: My Special Friends.

SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDIL FITRI 2023

TO ALL READERS, FRIENDS & WRITERS!

UP TO 300 VIEWS

Here are some very good musician friends from the 60's and 70's who made a name for themselves, even up to the 80's and 90's in Singapore.

I am highlighting a few whom I know personally and still keeping in touch with. Thanks guys for accompanying me and entertaining us these so many years. Have a jolly Hari Raya Puasa.

Click connections to read about each musician.

You can find these friends all over this blog. Just key in their names under SEARCH on the right hand column.

Wishing also my other Muslim readers, friends and contributing writers near and far, Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri Tahun 2023.

Danny Boy, actually Mohd. Khan from 

'The Silver Strings' who later stormed 'The Thunderbirds' 

with his quick lightning sticks on the drum-set.

Connect:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2009/07/danny-boy-percussionist-silver-strings.html

Mohd. Jalani, the piano connoisseur who amazes with his

keyboard capers. He entertained at top hotels in Singapore.

Jovial but patient, Jalani is indeed a good friend.

Connect:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2009/07/keyboardist-who-goes-overboard-nani.html

We were friends since youth, Paul Ibrahm was 

singing and playing with me and The Velvetones but 

later performed with many top bands in Singapore.

Connect:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/search?q=paul+ibrahm

Freda Hanum, Rose Kassim, Rumini Ra’oef and Anna Law

are The Teepees and conquered all nightclub territories

in Singapore and internationally. One of the best girl bands ever.

This poster has been specially created by

Freda Hanum, keyboardist for Teepees.

Thanks Freda.

Connect:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/search?q=teepees

A good friend indeed, the late Abdulah Yusof Nawawi or Bobo, 

was not only a great guitarist but was an entertainer on stage, 

jumping and prancing with his fabulous antics.

Connect:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2009/07/bobo-lead-and-rhythm-heavy-metal-or.html

Comments are always welcome.

Siti Nurhaliza - 'Nazam Lebaran' 

(Official Music Video) SuriaRecordsSRC

From: YouTube.

Rolling Stones Celebrate Chap Goh Meh In Singapore

UP TO 3,100 VIEWS. 24 COMMENTS

A Chap Goh Meh Posting 2018

A Chap Goh Meh Treat 16 February 1965

This story has been told many times but not from the man himself because he was there on stage with his own group and facing a crowd that was so huge you think it was a free show. Big money to pay for a performance which cost as much as $8 per head. It was the 60's.

I must thank Audie Ng, leader and bass guitarist of the Silver Strings for penning his experience when he appeared with one of the most exciting bands in the world.

An illustration of The Rolling Stones on stage which mostly result in healthy chaos and noise.

In 1965, The Silver Strings was invited to be the introductory band for the hugely successful and well-publicised Rolling Stones performance at the Singapore Badminton Hall on February 16. 

It was Chap Goh Meh and you can imagine the crowd, noise and fanfare the whole show created. It was chaos night with fire-crackers on the streets outside at Guillemard Road and twanging guitars with screaming Mick Jagger at the microphone and his troupe on stage.

The Badminton Hall during its hey-day when it was used daily for a different purpose.

The Straits Times headlines the next day read, Stones Lose To Firecrackers. Pandemonium At Badminton Hall As British Pop Group Clashes With Chap Goh Meh.

The show was held sometime after Veronica Young won the Millie Small Competition at the Sky Theatre at the Great World Amusement Park, Kim Seng Road. Accompanied by The Strings, she achieved instant stardom and all were invited to play with the Stones after that.

The second line up of the Silver Strings during the Stones concert at the Stadium. 

Kingsley Morando was the show manager and assisted by Wilson David (Singapore's Elvis Presley impersonator in the 1960's) the Rolling Stones were contracted to perform in Singapore by Singstar's Freddy Eu (Eu Tong Sen Street was named after this family.)

The Silver Strings line-up included Audie Ng (bass), David Chan (lead), Merlin Lim (rhythm), Danny Boy (drums) and Veronica (vocals). Apparently, the instruments used that evening were supplied by the event company and amplifiers belonged to The Dukes but this information was unconfirmed.

A Rolling Stones $2.00 ticket stub from the website The Lion Raw.

Audie remembers that the show opened with Veronica Young singing her signature hit, My Boy Lollipop followed by Stupid Cupid, These Boots Are Made For Walking, Where The Boys Are and See You Later Alligator. These songs were at the top of the 50's and 60's hit parade and brought the capacity crowd to pitch rock and roll fever. It was just the ignition key as to what was to follow.

The Rolling Stones rolled into the Stadium late because of the traffic jam and the tremendously energetic Chap Goh Meh (literal: 15th night) crowd on the streets. 

It was the last night of Chinese New Year and the community was celebrating it with vigour and the unbelievably loud explosions of firecrackers. The whole of Guillemard Road, from Geylang Road and the Kallang area, was overflowing with merry-makers. Since the Badminton Stadium was easy to access from most parts of Singapore - they converged there - you can imagine the pandemonium it caused.

"I doubt this phenomenon can ever be repeated in Singapore!" remarked Audie when I interviewed him for this story.

For illustration only: The Rolling Stones - during their early days when young, raw and hot.

Well I told you once and I told you twice

But ya never listen to my advice

You don't try very hard to please me

With what you know it should be easy...

From the opening lines of The Last Time, the show erupted like dynamite, this time from the top English band of the century. 19th Nervous Breakdown, Honky Tonk Women, followed and the crowd went wild. Even the ballad, As Tears Go By had no had no calming effect on the crowd. They were swooning and singing every line as if they were the composers of the songs.

Nobody really sat on the wooden chairs that night. From the jumping and screaming British servicemen and their families to the sensible Singaporean fan, there was no time to relax. Some of the younger Caucasian girls sobbed on bended knees and broke down hysterically. Even our local teenagers were screaming throughout the concert, enjoying live rock music that was a rarity those years.

Rolling Stones Singapore Concert 1965 promo acetate. Video from Parlogram YouTube.

When Satisfaction came on the sound system to announce it was the grand finale; the crowd wanted more. The packed stadium was like a burning furnace in Singapore's weather. The only factor that saved the evening was the breeze that came in through the huge window-like openings above the hall; natural ventilators they were since the twirling fans bedecking the high ceiling didn't help much. 

The Straits Times report about the show that evening attracted many newspaper readers.

An incident mentioned was the gatecrashers who tried to come in and a gate collapsed as the police (or mata-mata) were called in to help with the milieu that resulted. I understand the Black Marias and Ang Chia (Red Vehicles) were outside the stadium too. These were huge vans that would transport rioters and put them in lock-ups.

Now those were the days of rock and roll in Singapore in 1965 when our tiny island left Malaya to become an independent city-state and boys were still roaming the streets with long hair. What a way to go.

The more expensive $8.00 ticket with row and seat number. It was a lot of money those years.

The performance described was only part of the whole story. Many people saw this show and it was an unforgettable double happiness, Chap Goh Meh evening and the Stones presence.

Did you attend this particular concert and do you have something to say? We need some more information. Do write on the comment page. This concert was also the first time the Stones performed in Singapore. They came a few more times afterwards. 

Any comment?

Thanks to Dr Steve Farram (Darwin U.) for the inspiration, after enticing me with the video and ticket as bait, to write this article.😉

Article: All Rights Reserved.
Images: The Straits Times and Google.

l'll See You In My Drums 60s Music DANNY BOY

No mystery here! He has been around since the Silver Strings started in the early 60s. Circulating among the best in the South East Asian region, Danny Boy has played with the top musicians including The Thunderbirds for more than 15 years at a well-known local nightspot. And more than 45 years of total commitment has made him the drummer that he is now.

He plays any song you ask him, from Jazz to Jambalaya, from Cha Cha to Chiquita music, Mr Mohd. Khan [his real name] takes them all. Once I asked him how he manages his style and repertoire, his reply was, "If you love what you do, you can do it... always!"

Danny is a gentleman all the way and a professional when it comes to practices and concerts. His heart and drum-sticks are always with the Strings. Personally? He is the ultimate in local drummers.

Image/Original article: Andy Lim.