Singapore Musician Ivor Lesslar Compared To Scotty Moore & James Burton

UP TO 400 VIEWS

I thought it important that our Singapore artistes be highlighted on this blog, so when accolades poured in after Ivor's performance I thought it best to post these comments.

REFERENCE: 

Hilary Francis Concert Esplanade Outdoor Theatre, 20th May, 2022.

SUBJECT: 

IVOR LESSLAR, SINGAPOREAN GUITARIST - A GIANT!

[1] ANONYMOUS:

I saw Hilary Francis and the SINGAPEACE band yesterday at the esplanade. Never seen any of the band before. I was blown away by Ivor's tone... Brilliant tone that clearly was down from fingers and not pedals. Economical but swinging guitar lines that clearly had drunk from the well of *SCOTTY MOORE.

I had to look him up and search for him... thank you for this background.

[2] UNKNOWN:

Thanks Mr Bangar for the write up of Mr Lasslar. I came to music very late but glad to know that he was from Cell Unlimited Unlimited. Mr Lasslar a very humble man, but when he is on the guitar, he becomes a giant, yes, truly professional, made me feel very comfortable when singing with him playing lead, hope to meet you again Mr Lasslar, cheers n God bless 🙏👏👏

ANDY:

Thank you both for writing to make your comments. I have already sent your mail to them. Also the comments are on Facebook under SG pianist, Mr Jalani Mohd's postings.

I try to promote our local musicians and music. The world will listen if we make our voices heard. So sing louder in a more melodious voice. And like IVOR LESSLAR, play like the great masters. But he's original too.

Cheers to Ivor and Michael.

Then the third letter came...

[3] JIMMY PRESLEE:

Thank you Mr. Michael Bangar for your true to life persona of Mr. Ivor Lesslar and thank you for the details of his younger days and I didn't know he was a member of the popular CELLS UNLIMITED. He is humble and lets his 'fingers do the talking'. You too Mr. Bangar share the humble and friendly character.

Yes, Mr. Lesslar reminds me of *JAMES BURTON backing Elvis and Ricky Nelson. I have the honour and pleasure to jam and share with Mr. Lesslar on stage twice.

Thoroughly enjoyed them. All the best to you both Mr. Lesslar and Mr. Bangar.

Cheers and God Bless.

And a fourth...

[4] FRED CHING (Facebook):

I can’t describe how lucky I feel because I have had the opportunity of a lifetime: seeing and hearing James Burton and Ivor Lesslar perform in Singapore. Incidentally Burton was here with all the original band members and singers to perform “Elvis The Concert” at the Indoor Stadium and Ivor, when he performed with The Quest Band at Queenstown Community Centre Auditorium during My Queenstown Festival. I had goosebumps pretty much during the whole show and Ivor makes anything look sexy with that hot red guitar. Here’s the homegrown band that once knocked The Beatles off the charts👍❤️🥰…

More about Ivor: 

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2020/09/ivor-lesslar-tall-dark-handsome-sg.html

NB:

It's good to know that at least now our local audiences and music fans have a platform to comment. We never had one...

 

*Scotty Moore and James Burton:

They were both powerhouses with the guitar, the former was with Elvis Presley most of the way during the King's career and performances. 

James Burton too, like Moore was one of the leading pop guitarists those years, backing Ricky Nelson, Johnny Cash and even Frank Sinatra.

Here's an article on Scotty Moore written by Henri Gann from California.

Click below:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2016/08/scotty-moore-influenced-me-henri-gann.html

Both guitarists: one a lead, the other the rhythmist: 

Ivor is on the left, Michael on the right.

Images: belong to Ivor Lesslar's and Michael Bangar's Collection.

Singapore Top Tourist Spots - 'Silver Strings' Pop Concerts [2008 - 2019] Part 1

The Esplanade where great music comes.

NEW POST - UP TO 1,400 VIEWS

In the past 12 years or so, from 2008 to 2019, the Silver Strings had performed at top tourist spots in Singapore. Below are only some venues, recorded at random.

Media Corp Studios ['Not The 5 Show' Channel 5 TV] 

Media Corp Studios ['Rolling Good Times' Channel 5 TV]

The Esplanade

Kallang Wave [National Stadium]

Kallang Theatre

Conrad International Hotel

RELC International Hotel [2015]

RELC International Hotel [2019]

Sentosa Beach Resort

Cruise Ship, Aegean Paradise [on board]

The Promontory, Marina Bay Sands

National Library, North Bridge Road

Silver Strings Latest Line Up 2019

2015

Silver Strings appeared twice for

 'Rolling Good Times' and 'Not The 5 Show'

on Channel 5 TV, MediaCorp, together with

Rick Astley and Dick Lee.

2009

The Esplanade where Silver Strings performed with

Brian Richmond helming the evening.

2016

The Strings at Kallang Wave, where the sports action is; 

this venue is part of the Kallang Stadium near the East.

2018

Conrad International Hotel in the city, 

a gig near the poolside.

Silver Strings Line Up November 2013 with charity shows

at Boys Town and a Malay old folks home.

2018

Kallang Theatre, one of the oldest venues

in Singapore commanded musicals like

'Phantom of the Opera', 'Les Miserable', etc.

2016

An open space where fans danced to the beat 

of the Strings playing in the Sentosa moonlight.

2016

The National Library, right in the heart of old Singapore; 

a senior spree at the foyer filled up 

the space when the Strings played 60s music.

2015

The Promontory at Marina Bay Sands had MCs

Moe Alkaff and Irene Ang singing in the rain with

 the crowd, to  the beat of the Strings pop songs.

2014 and 2019

Two shows were held at the RELC International Hotel beside 

the Orchard Road tourist belt. Larry Lai and Jerry Fernandez 

commanded the stage.Car parking costs as much as ticket prices.

2019

Silver Strings went on board the Aegean Paradise

to perform to a live audience, Las Vegas style, amidst 

jack-pot machines, casinos and music lovers.

Silver Strings Line Up March 2019

To find out who the SILVER STRINGS band members are, 

the reader needs to browse on the posts within this blog. Cheers.

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/search?q=silver+strings+orchard+road

We shall continue to PART 2 soon.

Images - GOOGLE. 

Disclaimer - This post is a personal one.

No intention for any commercial benefit.

Peter Chua: Best Singer From Singapore 70's

With the focus on the 1960's these last few months because of the SG50 National Jubilee, readers of this blog have learnt a bit more about Singapore music and need a respite. So, for a change, we go into the 1970's and allow John Cher (drummer and contributing writer) to introduce yet another one of his music buddies.  

"In 1987 for the first time I decided to join a church group.  This was the Music Ministry of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Quite strangely it was through this group that I really got to know Peter Chua Hung Yong.  Mr Talentime himself.

Peter attended the same school as I, (Montfort Primary and Secondary Schools) attended the same church and lived in the same kampong in U.S.A. Singapore. USA means, Upper Serangoon Area.

Peter first entered a talentime contest while in secondary school. He participated in the solo section.  He sang There Goes My Everything and not unexpectedly, he came in first.

Three years earlier I was in the school talentime, but in the band section.  My band came in second.    But then, there were only two bands!   For this particular contest my rhythm guitarist was a friend, Henry Tay.  

Henry had his own band and he had this fantastic guitarist. When I first saw him play, I was blown away. He was probably about 15 years old then.  The man was Rex Goh (image right).  Years later to be the lead guitarist of Air Supply!

Back to Peter Chua.    He first entered the TV Talentime series in 1976 and subsequently in 1978 and finally in 1980.   Almost immediately after the 1980 Show, he decided to join the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) as a full time singer.   He remained with SBC for nearly ten years.  

Back in those days, with the exception of Tracy Huang, I think an artiste is well known either on Channel 5 or on Channel 8. But not on both.  In the case of Peter he was well known on both channels, meaning he is known to both the English and Chinese speaking audiences.  

At that time, around the mid-80's,  the local press had hailed him as arguably the best singer that Singapore had ever produced.  Johnny Young Productions had offered to engage him to do concerts in Taiwan and Hong Kong.  However Peter declined because he could not agree to some of the terms and conditions stipulated by JYP.

During his tenure with SBC, Peter represented Singapore for a number of international cultural and music events, notably, the ABU  (Asian Broadcasting Union) Event.  He was also selected by the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board (STPB) for a series of shoots in various exotic locations, ranging from Club Mauritius, The Maldives, New Zealand as well as the major popular attractions of West Malaysia.. 

After leaving SBC,  Peter became a CD producer.  He was engaged by record companies to produce albums. Though he did some pop recordings, he was mainly into producing gospel songs and church hymns. He also had his own band,  The Swinging Js and later Peter Chua and Frens.  With his band, Peter played a lot at private functions such as company D and D,  weddings, anniversaries and other gatherings.  

The Ponggol Marina was new in the 1990's and Peter sang on board The Columbus, which was owned by Ponggol Marina.  Lawyer William Lai, the boss of P.M. was a supportive and good friend.  Doing his bit for charity, Peter was an integral part of the Lions Club Changi Band. Together with Veronica Young, guitarist Tony Kwek, Joe Woon, Victor Lum and others, they did several charity gigs for various good causes!

Peter and his band were one of the first performers to do the Coffee Shows at the Esplanade. They had performed five times at the Recital Studio. These were tribute shows to John Denver, Engelbert Humperdinck, Tom Jones and other stars from the 1960's. Of course there was an 'Oldies" show.   I had the opportunity to play the drums on three of those shows.  

Some of your readers will recall that Peter appeared on the original Rollin' Good Times with Douglas Oliviero and Lauretta Alabons some years ago. His fans must have missed him for the recent RGT series which was aired in May this year. 

He still gets lots of invites to sing at both commercial and charity events.  He enjoys these functions as he gets an avenue to keep in touch with his passion for singing and music and to meet with old friends.   In October this year, Peter will be the guest singer for Jerry Fernandez at the Pek Kio Performance Hall.

              Peter Chua: Love Me With All Your Heart by elvinkangsuperstar
I wish that the producers at MediaCorp  will plan a music show featuring artists such as Peter Chua and others from his era. This would facilitate to record the works of our very own singers and musicians.  It is a matter of time before it is too late to ever do it!  And that would be another opportunity lost.

Good luck Peter Chua and all local musicians!  All of you have, in your own way, helped to place bricks in the construction of our local music industry.   It may not be the greatest thing to happen in fifty years.  But it is not always about being the greatest or the best.  It is about all the fun and joy we shared during our journey together.

The best is yet to come!"

Comment anyone?

Written by John Cher.

Images from You Tube, Google and a Personal Collection.

Copyrights Reserved.
Thanks again to John who has so obligingly contributed another post.

Yusnor: 250 Songs Prolific Talent Heartfelt Lyricism

Young Yusnor

Yesterday:

In 1963, Mohammed Nor (Yusnor) and I used to take a chartered bum-boat every week day from Changi jetty to Pulau Tekong and back . He taught in a Malay primary school and I in a Chinese one.  L2 was so important those years and many teachers were picked to teach English, Malay or Tamil as a 2nd Language in most government schools all over Singapore including the off-shore islands.

In the boat Yusnor would relate to me how he became P. Ramlee's student and learnt the art of movie making from the legend himself.  The stories he told made our 40-minute boat-ride seemed shorter and the sea could sometimes  be rough during stormy weather.  Yusnor was also writing songs for our local pop bands, all 250 and more. That's a lot of songs!

A Changi Bumboat.

After some years as a teacher he was transferred to the Curriculum Development Institute of  Singapore (CDIS) to write text-books, lyrics and produce school documentaries during his ETV (Educational Television) years.   I went abroad but we kept in touch... 

On New Year's night 2014 we shall be watching a sell-out concert in honour of  this quiet and humble gentleman: 

*Di malam itu engkaulah bintang
Ramai yang datang bertepuk riang
(That night you are the star
Many who come will applaud with joy)

He is a true bintang (star) and hero indeed, a hero who uses his pen, which is definitely "mightier than the sword."  

Today:

"Since the ’60s, one Malay music songwriter has stood out in Southeast Asia for his prolific talent and heartfelt lyricism, having lent his magic touch to hundreds of songs by artists such as P Ramlee, Saloma, Ahmad Jais and Anita Sarawak. Till this day, the songs of Singapore Malay music pioneer and Cultural Medallion recipient, Yusnor Ef, continue to be performed and enjoyed by many.

                                You Tube: Saloma: Aku, Dia dan Lagu. Yusnor Ef.

 Enjoy an evening of songs specially selected by Yusnor Ef, including Gelisah (Restless), Taj Mahal and Joget Malam Berinai (Wedding Night Dance) to be sung by ’60s and ’70s songbird Sanisah Huri, in a rare appearance, joined by other well-loved veteran artists Maria Bachok, J Mizan, A Razak, Zamzam and Rahimah Rahim.

Popular young artists Imran Ajmain, Sezairi, Maya Rahman and Zaibaktian will also grace the concert together with a special guest appearance by Malaysian singer, A Rozaini, who will be singing songs by A Ramlie such as Kasih Sayang Suami Isteri (Love Between Husband & Wife) and Hancurnya Istana Cinta (Broken Love Palace).

Accompanied by Orkestra Majlis Bandaraya Johor Bahru and guest musicians from Orkestra Melayu Singapura, this special evening features music arranged and conducted by renowned Malaysian composer, Datuk Suhaimi Mohd Zain, affectionately known as Pak Ngah.

For one night only, immerse yourself in beautiful songs that owe much of their appeal to Yusnor Ef's evocative lyrics."

Content from: http://www.esplanade.com/whats_on/programme_info/pentas_aku_dia_dan_lagu/index.jsp

Date: lst January, 2014, Wednesday.

Time: 8pm

(2hrs without intermission. Performed in Malay).    

Venue     Esplanade Concert Hall.

Images from: Google.

Read more about Yusnor by clicking his name under Labels below:

Tribute To Tina: Singing Her 60s Songs

Although the lady herself did not appear on stage till the end of the performance, the tribute concert on a warm August night had stalwarts on the Esplanade Concert Hall sing the songs made famous by Singapore 60s keroncong diva.


Esplanade Concert Hall with Video Interplay

Organised by the Esplanade and Associate Producer Norhayati Yusoff, in conjunction with this year's Pesta Raya - the Malay Festival of Arts, Sayang di Sayang proved to be one of the most enjoyable musical evenings I have experienced with a programme well detailed and a concert sensitively organised for singing sensation Kartina Dahari.


Orkestra Melayu Singapura with Amri Amin conducting.

I took the opportunity of taking my 7 year old piano-student grandson because I thought it best if I exposed him, while still at his age, to the rich multi-cultural heritage that we have in Singapore.  He was fascinated by the Wayang Kulit and other shows at the Esplanade's periphery but more so by the Singapore Malay Orchestra at the concert. 

It was a little dark from the circle seats but little Joshie, my little GS, managed to count the number of musicians with their instruments in the various sections of the 42-strong group.  The orchestra was lead by Amri Amin, music director since 2009.  His flair in music arrangement, together with the experienced singers on board, helped retain the original flavour of most of Kartina's songs.

TV 60s personality - Mr M. Ismail - remember him?

For me it was like watching a 60s Pesta Ria TV show all over again, with veterans Julie Sudiro, M. Ismail and composer  Kassim Masdor at the piano. (With his dark felt hat and sunglasses he resembled John Lee Hooker without a guitar.) English pop hits punctuated the concert of mostly Malay tunes once sung by Kartina.  With the other *younger and talented singers they provided an unforgettable evening of love and entertainment. 

The stars of the show with Kartina Dahari third from left.

It was interesting to see good friend #Yusnor Ef and DJ Brian Richmond discussing Kartina on the back-drop video screen in between songs but the grand finale was the best (image) when the theme song, Sayang di-Sayang played to an appreciative and hand-clapping audience where Kartina tearfully thanked musicians, singers and audience for their support in making the tribute show a success.

It was a fascinating music and cultural experience which took me back to Kampong Wak Tanjong and Kampong Melaka days in the 1960s.  Thank you Esplanade.

*The Late Kartina Dahari 

[12 November 1941 – 30 April 2014].

# The Late Yusnor Ef.

The above posting is a personal one.

*I am not familiar with the younger singers. Do excuse me.

Photos: Courtesy of The Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.

Christopher Toh Interviews Sing60s Music Blogger

"Heralding our heritage: Bloggers of all ages share what our past means to them." The extract below is  from TODAY Newspaper dated 13.07.2012. For the full story by Christopher Toh click the connection:


http://www.todayonline.com/CultureAndLifestyle/Music/EDC120713-0000014/Heralding-our-heritage



Andy Lim at the Esplanade

SINGAPORE - A group of bloggers will be giving a talk about our heritage, and what it means to blog about our heritage.  One of the speakers is Andy Lim, who used to sing with popular 1960s Singapore pop band, The Silver Strings. He said that keeping his blog has had a two-fold effect.

"These four years of keeping the blog have been rather rewarding," he told TODAY. "One reason is I got to meet so many of my old friends online, We didn't really have much social contact back then. But now we keep in touch through the Internet. The blog also brings the knowledge of our heritage to the youth of Singapore."

Lim said that his blog is a little different. "It's is more about the scene in those years. Like I talk about the night-clubbing and food scene."

Added writer Yu-Mei Balasingamchow, "Heritage is sometimes overlooked and taken for granted, but (thanks to the bloggers) when you see it described or in a photograph, you can make the connection." For Lim, he said that he hoped the talk will not only inspire younger Singaporeans, but older ones as well.

"Nostalgia is positive and personal history and pictures tell stories. I think it's really good for seniors as well as youth as it important to know about our heritage.  There is a line from John Fowles, who wrote The Magus, which says, 'Our present is our past.'"

Image 1: from the afternoon edition of TODAY newspaper in Singapore. Copyrights Reserved.

Images 2, 3: from The Esplanade Concert August 2010. Copyrights Reserved.

(The above  article is an edited version of the original.)

Thanks to the following for liking the postings: 

Poh Huat Tng

Ericbronson Wong

Stephen Francis

Michael Lang

Denyse Tessensohn

Koh Sui Pang

Stephen Han

Hiroshi Deguchi

Somkid Lakhawat

Rocker Lee

Herman S K Lee

Shaik Kadir

Winston Koh

Ivor Lesslar

Jimmy Appudurai-chua

Peter Cheong

Betts Manry-Chua

Chow Wen Hing

Chen Hui Si

Michael Fonseca

Rose Khoo

Lim Nance

AudMon Flotat

Ser Kiong Tan

Yen Chow

Lim Kuan Min

Yip Dick

Francis Anthony Rozells

Perry Koh

Philip Chew

Charlie Bogosoff

Jalani Mohamed

Gracie Teo

Ann Rowena Lim

COMMENTS:

Stephen Han

Enjoy your show

Andy Young

Thank you STEPHEN, ANN, GRACIE to start the roll...

Poh Huat Tng

Rock on guys

Andy Young

Poh Huat Tng keep on runnin'. thanks.

Andy Young

And BRIAN RICHMOND to keep everyone going...

Andy Young

A dozen years ago. 😀

Jalani Mohamed

Andy Young .. you were so COOL.. 😁😁😁

Andy Young

Jalani Mohamed YES, the sea-breeze did it. 😅

Martin Ong

Awesome 👍

Andy Young

Martin Ong thanks. Keep on rockin' bro.

Lim Kuan Min

Thanks for the memories with the late Billy Yap among the audience.😊

Andy Young

Lim Kuan Min yes, a great friend lost to nature. Thanks for the memory.

Reply3m

Andy Young

Thanks guys for the comments and LIKES. I guess nostalgia is very popular with everyone.

HAPPY 46TH, SINGAPORE NATIONAL DAY 2011

The Silver Strings - One of the first local bands in Singapore that started in 1964. Singapore celebrated its first National day in 1966.

1 Once Upon A Singapura: Esplanade Aug 2010 60s Music Stars & Crowd Celebrate National Joy

2 Moses Vadham, Regina Vadham With Brian

4 Esplanade Celebrates 45th National Day 7th August 2010 With Silver Strings In Singapore

More images at side-bar>>>>>>>>>>>