Barry Walker: Off-Beat, Multi-Racial Diverse Music Part One

Barry Walker came twice to Singapore recently but because of circumstances we never met. He wrote to me and has been kind enough to share his stories on this blog. Here is episode one of his pop music experience on our little island during the mid 60s:


Barry Walker today

"I first visited Singapore in 1957 as a young boy on my way to Kuala Lumpur with my father who was with the British Intelligence Corps.

I used to listen to as much music as I possibly could via a little speaker on our wall which I believe was called Rediffusion which transmitted one or two hours a day and a station from Australia very early in the morning, on an old valve radio. I was really smitten by The Everly Brothers, Elvis, Ricky Nelson and The Ventures among others.

I lived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya for four years and returned to the U.K. in 1961.  On my return I finished my schooling and joined the army as a Boy Soldier progressing to Senior Military in 1964, still retaining my musical interests.

Barry Walker and In-Sect at RAF Changi Mess

In 1966 I was posted to Singapore where a friend of mine John Reeves introduced me to The Figures. The original line up was Eugene Kwok - Keyboards, Victor Yeo – Rhythm Guitar, Patrick – Lead Guitar, Albert – Drums and Anthony Ho – Bass Guitar joined by me (image left). We hit it off and started practising really hard in a little government flat where all the local people would come to watch and listen. We cut our first record and started playing all over the island. *Charlie Charles had arrived in Singapore on his first military posting and took over from Albert on drums.

Eventually the hard work paid off as we started playing at most of the Army, Navy and RAF clubs in Singapore regularly before ending with the final line-up. The man responsible for getting our bookings was Fernando Young. The Dukes was a group that I sang with occasionally because when their singer couldn’t make it I would take over.  When they completed their residency at the Princes Garni Hotel, The Figures / In-Sect took over and played for more than a year.  This venue was where tea dances were held on Sundays.



Can play off-beat la?

There used to be a guest band every Sunday so two bands would play from about 2.30/3.00 to 6.00/6.30. The standard of musicianship was always very good and the place used to be packed. The strange thing was, most of the audience always used to ask ,“Can you play off beat lah?"

We never did find out what this meant. Fernando also managed this location. We also played at The Golden Venus with The Straydogs and various other local bands.


On Wednesday evenings there used to be a thing called Vespa Malam in Orchard Road which coincided with Pasar Malam (night market) so many people would stop and watch the various bands playing. We also played at The National Theatre and at The Capitol (the legend of local cinemas) on Sunday mornings. 





There were maybe 10 to 15 different artistes appearing all of whom were totally different. It used to start at 9.00am on the dot so we had to be there at some unearthly hour to set up and were then told roughly what time we would be on.



 Musical Express @ The Capitol Cinema.



All this was after always having played on Saturday evening, finishing around 1.00am, packing up all the equipment, driving back, unloading the equipment and trying to snatch maybe an hour's sleep before starting all over again for The Capitol and when that was finished, clear out and off to the Princes Garni for the Sunday tea dance. I don’t think many of today’s bands could have coped with that.  We must have been mad!

We had a guy, Colin Burnett whom I believe was the original roadie in Singapore who ensured all the equipment got from A to B and also helped us to set up. Some of the amplifers and PA systems were very heavy, especially on some of the stairs we had to negotiate to get to where we were playing. It was tough but very rewarding especially musically. By the way, we also had very demanding day jobs.

Calling for The Straydogs.

I don’t really recall an invasion of Western music. It was fantastic being part of a band that was always very multi-racial without realising, and also the diverse kinds of music each band member liked. I had records that I had bought over from the U.K. but Singapore was a great place to obtain any music you wanted really with a few exceptions."

*Formed in 1977 to promote Ian Dury's album New Boots and Panties on the first Stiff Records tour of the U.K., Charlie Charles was a member of  Ian Dury & The Blockheads. Charles passed on in September, 1990 and Barry was one of his pall-bearers.

For more articles about Barry Walker, his band members and his correspondence click his name under Labels below. Similarly with Eugene Kwok and The Straydogs.

Images and Article: Barry Walker (Copyrights Reserved). No parts to be extracted for use in any publication.

(Excuse the poor paragraphing. Blogger has no control with the template. BlogSpot still hasn't remedied this problem.)

(6) Eugene Kwok Singapore Concert Pianist In Chicago, From 60s Band "The Figures"

"Eugene Kwok has performed in public since he was eight. Turning professional at a very early age he has performed before Princess Margaret at a State Banquet in honor of her royal visit to Singapore. He has also performed for the Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Nations.

His recordings for Radio and TV Singapore (RTS) also included his arrangements for big bands, and for the Piano and String Trio. After performing for many years at the Goodwood Park Hotel, Singapore he continued at the Mandarin Hotel, Singapore.

Eugene performed at the gala openings of Nordstrom at the Old Orchard Shopping Center, and at Nordstrom in the Woodfield Shopping Mall. He was also featured in recitals at Nordstrom Oak Brook and performs at various libraries in the Chicago area. He is also a piano teacher.

Eugene performs for private and corporate functions. These include showers, wedding ceremonies and receptions, seasonal celebrations, communions, anniversaries, christenings, birthdays, recitals, store openings, and formal dinners." (Quote)

Comments from concert goers: (1) "It was wonderful. Eugene was truly a gift and so needed food for the heart and soul." (2) "Excellent. The artist was so professional and modest -could have listened forever to his beautiful playing." (3) "Your performance was outstanding. You're an incredible talent. Our patrons and guests thoroughly enjoyed your program. We would like to invite you back for Sunday, September 29..."

Blogger thanks Barry Walker for this introduction to Eugene Kwok. To read more about him, the internet has many websites about this remarkable Singaporean 60s musician. Anyone familiar with Eugene Kwok (Singapore 1968)? Do write in.

Image: Taken from Rocket Record Cover, P.C. Collection.

Information: http://home.comcast.net/~eugenekwok/index.html

(5) Singapore 60s UK Frontman Barry Walker Writes From London About Charlie Charles

********************************************************************UK/US BANDS IN SPORE

NOTE FROM BARRY TO ANDY:

"Good morning, The drummer in question was Charlie Charles (left image) who was the last drummer with The Figures (1968 - right image with Barry Walker) and drummer of The In-Sect. Just before Charlie returned to the UK he formed a band called No Sweat in Singapore.

On his return to the UK Charlie and I met up again. He was drummer for Link Wray the famous American blues guitarist and later formed Loving Awareness. They recorded a brilliant album recorded at Earth, Wind & Fire's studio in the USA. Following that, he became the drummer for Ian Drury & The Blockheads and a very sought after session drummer.

Sadly, Charlie died a few years ago.We were very good friends right up to his untimely death. I was a Pall bearer together with his son Hughie and the rest of The Blockheads at his funeral. He was a brilliant drummer whose timing was The Best.

Listen to the song Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick. Also in both groups was Eugene Kwok who in my opinion was the BEST pianist/keyboard player bar none in Singapore. Eugene is now a top concert pianist in Chicago."

Best regards,

Barry Walker, London.
January 28, 2010 5:49 PM

Comment anyone?

Images: From P.C. Collection.

Original article: Barry Walker of The Figures, Singapore 60s.

(Click 'UK/US Bands In Spore' below to read about him.)

(2) Barry Walker "The Figures" - Rocket Label

The UK/US BANDS IN SINGAPORE:

THE image shows the record sleeve cover of a guitar group called The Figures that featured Barry Walker (Singapore: 1968) from the armed services in Singapore 60s and the same leading man who also fronted The In-Sect later. The Figures had local boys Albert, Patrick, Eugene, Philip and Victor accompanying Walker

This group recorded on Hi-Fi/Stereo Rocket Label (DEP - 1009) playing: Midnight Hour, Stand By Me, Love Is Blue and Peter Gunn's Theme. This mix has been covered time and again by other Singapore bands including, Heather and The Thunderbirds, The Trailers, Charlie and The Boys.

Other British and American servicemen that had appeared together as a group or multiracially with our local boys included The Dee Tees (1964), The Misfits (1964), The Harmaniacs (1965), The Easybeats (1965), The Toadstools (1965), LBJ and The Presidents (1965), The Motifs (1966), Split Image (1966), The United Noises (1967), The Summer Of Love 1967) and many more.

And one British drummer who played in Singapore 60s, gained international fame when he joined a UK group called Ian Drury and The Blockheads. Know this drummer? Have you heard of other British or American groups that played in Singapore in the 60s and 70s? Do you have a friend who is familiar with them? Do write in.

Image: P.C. Collection.

Reference: A.N. and G.C.