Pop Music From Singapore 80's: 'Bloom Fund' Charity Drive For Retired Local Artistes: By Fabian Foo

From left, with TRCL CEO Colin Goh, Andy,

Fabian Foo [Author] and Richard Tham.

The 'Rice Company Limited' organised a Charity Drive

in support of retired local artistes.

'Don't Write Us Off Concert'

Blu Jaz, Eu Tong Sen Street.

The Central Clark Quay

Singapore

UP TO 650 VIEWS, 25 COMMENTS!

Hi Andy,

It was great that we managed to catch up yesterday with each other after such a long time. The meetup was fruitful as we got to attend a charity gig at Blu Jaz Club on 31st July 2025, where we enjoyed an evening of nostalgic music from our local talents.

It was so meaningful for many of our local entertainers putting their musical talents for a worthy cause, The Bloom Fund.

Let us hope that more charity drives for the music society will continue in the near future.

Fabian Foo

Author/Videographer.

Andy, Fabian [Author/Videographer], Colin [CEO], Richard.

With Richard Tham and John Klass.

Musician Clarence Tan, 

Singer Jimmy Yap, Andy, Fabian Foo

Stephen Francis, the man who organised the show and was

MC too, with good friend and recording artiste Irene Yap.

Clement Chow with his spectacular jacket and tie.

"There you are Clement, you're on my blog."

With good friend John Klass: DJ, singer, musician

and all-round entertainer, formerly from Gold 90.5 FM,

MediaCorp. 

Cedric Cork [Vietnam War active musician]

With DJ Larry Lai [Vintage RadioSG]

Singer Maia [from Irene Yap's FB page]

Sound Engineer Tony Teo, no sound, no show!

Actually, the most important man for the two nights.

Bellingham [from Irene Yap's FB page].

Jive Talkin' [from Stephen Francis' FB page]

Stephen Francis: Organiser and Musician.

YouTube Video by: Foo Jong Fook.

John Klass singing 'Footloose'

at Blu Jaz Club 31st July 2025 

YouTube Video by Foo Jong Fook.

Jive Talking: Fantastic Singapore Group at 

Blu Jaz Clark Quay 31st July, 2025.

YouTube Video by Foo Jong Fook. 

Speedway: 'Highway Star' 

Blu Jaz Clark Quay 31st July, 2025.

YouTube Video by Foo Jong Fook. 

Message From Colin Goh [CEO]:

My sincere thanks to you Uncle Foo Jong Fook for contributing to this blog and sharing your reflections on the inaugural edition of The Don’t Write Us Off Concert in support of The Bloom Fund.

By way of background, The Bloom Fund harnesses the power of the arts to support vulnerable seniors and foster meaningful intergenerational connections. Rooted in the belief that aging should be accompanied by dignity, creativity, and community, the fund engages seniors—particularly those experiencing isolation or cognitive challenges—through participatory arts programmes, creative workshops, and public showcases. By bringing together youth and older adults in shared artistic experiences, Bloom bridges generational divides and nurtures social cohesion.

More than just a fund, Bloom serves as a gentle yet powerful reminder that seniors, too, deserve the opportunity to grow, express, and flourish—especially in the later chapters of life.

A heartfelt thank you as well to Andy Young for so generously gracing the occasion. Let’s make time to reconnect soon—I’d love to hear more of your stories and insights on the music scene of yesteryear.

Author/Videographer.

Fabian Foo Jong Fook with Mrs. Foo

Thanking the folks below for their part in this Charity Drive'

It was truly the local Pop Singapore Concert for this 2025 year!

Stephen Pianist/Singer

Anthony Kwah on Keyboards

Jimmy Lee on Drums

Din Safari on Bass

Sebastian Ho on guitar

Regi Leo on guitar

Emcees for 2 nights- Chris Henson & Rob Collins

31st July: - Bellingham Band

31st- Jive Talkin' Band

31st- John Klass

31- Speedway (5 member band)

31st- Rozie Rahim

31st - Robert Fernando

31st- Clement Chow

31st- Shawn De Mello

1st August - Stephen Francis

1st - Maia Lee

1st - Jenny Vie

1st - Alia D’melda

1st - Jylian Khoo

1st - Dominic Wong

1st- Skye Sirena

1st- Jason Chung

1st- Rob Collins

DJs:

Dj Vijay

Dj Martin

Sound engineer- Tony Teo.

More videos and photos coming in. Check this blog everyday!

 

Not everyone can be featured though! 😸

Andy 60s Music Blog: New 2023 Comments With 3,333,333 Views!

Thanks to old and new supporters 

as this blog reaches another milestone.

Comments below from:

Alex Tan Sing [MC, Entertainer, 

Singer/Songwriter, NUS Dean's List]:

"That's great to document and support local!!!

Thanks for your kind encouragement, spurs me on!!!"

April: 2023

Mr. Kuo Tung Pang [Republic SG Navy]:

"Dear Mr. Andy, Thanks for sharing 

such lovely enchanted memories."

April: 2023

Manny Said  [Pop Yeah Yeah Band: 'Rhythm Boys']:

"Thank you champ. Brings back good memories.

Thank you Andy. Keep up the great work.

My admiration for you always."

May: 2023

Fabian Foo Jong Fook [Videographer]:

"So nice and humble of you to recognise our local talent.
My great respect for your effort in promoting local music."

October: 2023

[70's Guitarist from Japan]

May: 2023

Richard Khan [Drummer 'October Cherries']:

"Thank you so much and keep on doing what you're doing.

I love it pal."

July: 2023

Larry Lai  [60's Rediffusion DJ]:

Andy, Thanks for keeping the 60's music alive!"

October: 2023

Jimmy Chng [Musician]:

"Yours is about the only blog that I've come across that is neither advertorial nor sponsored. It makes reading the many interesting articles more pleasurable - no irritating adverts bombarding the screen of your mobile/computer/tablet. Kudos to you for keeping it this way."

July: 2023

Wilfred Lim [Architect, Musician]:

"What you are doing for others through your present MUSIC BLOG will be remembered for perpetuity, that is when you are long gone... people outside your own family will remember you as the creator of this music blog.  Well done my friend! This blog is your niche. No one can take it away. God Bless you my brother! Am proud of you!"

August: 2023

Cedric Collars [Flight Engineer/Musician/Pianist: Perth Australia] 

with Stephanie Collars:

"I can't say anything that hasn't been said about your blog but can only add that you my friend have started something that has a very high benchmark and support from the musos and those who have dreams of being one. Well done mate "

November: 2023.

Blog Statistics Record High: Singapore 60's Music Stories Appeal To International Readers

UPDATED TODAY: 7 September 2017

VIEWERSHIP: 1,432,419

Writers who contributed to this blog

Allan Thompson, John Cher, Michael Bangar, Henri Gann,

Crystal Abidin, Joey Koh, Fabian Foo, Steve Farram, Horace Wee.

I have a dream, a fantasy
To help me through reality
And my destination
Makes it worth the while...
(Abba)

The number of supporters for this blog is staggering.
Readers and technical know-how from social networking services include:

Blogspot
You Tube
Google+ 
Twitter 
WhatsApp 
emails
John Cher's Facebook 
Larry Lai's WhatsApp

Because of these connections, this blog has blossomed by 20,000 viewers, from a mere 36,000 monthly reads in October to 56,000 by December. Big for a small niche like Singapore pops and its influence.

This year the writings, You Tube videos and local 60's music information from:

Allan Thompson (UK)
John Cher
Michael Bangar 
Henri Gann Trekkers (US)
Horace Wee
Steve Farram (Aus)

CYLin
Laurence Lim
Su Go (Aus)
Joey Koh
Crystal Abidin (Aus)
Fabian Foo 

Audie Ng
Mike n Herb (Aus)
Happy Tay (Can)

and others 

were contributing factors to the success of this blog. Names are not in any order and two ladies wish to remain anonymous. Let me know if I left your name out 😔.

                Larry Lai, Audie Ng, CYLin, Su Go, Happy Tay, Laurence Lim

                                              Mike and Herb

Of course when the big guns came in to support both directly and indirectly, the blog had a blast. 

Stephen Fry
Scott Page
Russell Hitchcock
Rick Astley
Rex Goh

and local stars like: 

Dick Lee
Jack Neo
Moses Lim
Chua En Lai

and Silver Strings' Singapore TV appearances helped much to boost the ratings.

Comments from regulars too played a great part towards increasing readership. A whole lot of you guys, thank you.

Less texting? Yes but more blog reading, especially this blog. I dare say, no other active Singapore 60's music stories than what you can find from here.
Short of boasting 😮...

You can see the wonders of a fairy tale
You can see the future even if you fail
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see...


Thanks to local and international readers, contributors, friends and fellow countrymen. You made my dream.

Happy New Year 2017.

Songwriters: ANDERSSON, BENNY GORAN BROR / ULVAEUS, BJOERN K.

'I Have A Dream': lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

STATISTICS BELOW CAPTURED ON 2nd JANUARY 2017

Readers today:

1,158,364

31st December, 2016

57,000+ readers today.

24th December, 2016

54,000+ readers today.

TWITTER

Abba: I Have a Dream

GOOGLE +

Images: A Personal Collection and Google.

Fabian's Music Milestones In Rock n Roll Singapore

UP TO 1,300 VIEWS & 14 COMMENTS

Fabian Foo supports this blog for its cause and has commented on the postings about our local music in the 1960's. He is also an avid photographer and a movie-maker having recorded many videos on You Tube showing performances by our local 60's music boys and girls.

When I asked him if he could write an article about his experiences as a young man enjoying his rock and roll years, he responded immediately and positively.  As he starts the engine of his vintage beauty, let's ride with him and enjoy his music milestones.

Thank you very much Fabian for this nostalgic piece.


Dear Andy,

Music lover of the 60's

From my young days of a 10 year old, I have been listening to music when my paternal uncle would play his singles vinyls both in English and Chinese. I remember that he liked Rita Chao and Sakura songs both in Chinese and English. As a young teenager at 14, my parents subscribed to Rediffusion and I started to listen to programmes like Top Tunes of The Week, To Each His Own etc. 

Mike Ellery, Larry Lai, Joseph Goh and many others were answering requests on radio and Rediffusion throughout the weekend. On some occasions I also made requests on radio sending greetings to friends and classmates. Also I participated in some programmes sponsored by Hacks and Hudson sweets guessing the top 5 songs of the week ( in the order of merit) and managed to win token sums on some occasions.

However in the year before PSLE examination, there is a red mark in one of my result slips, my parents immediately took away the Rediffusion subscription. I brushed up and assured my parents that I would get into and be within the top 5 students in the class. My efforts paid off and in the next semester I was honoured to be in the top position in class. It was a great Rock n Roll feeling in those early years of 1962 to 1965 when we had the Beatlemania craze, Rolling Stones, Herman Hermits, Yardbirds, Peter & Gordon, Lulu, Petula Clarke, Cilla Black, Gerry & The Pacemakers, Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck and many others. 

Those years in secondary education (1966 to 1968 ) were also exciting for me. I remember that a group of us ( cheeky boys ) will sit on the last row in class. We had pocket size transistor radios and when the subjects were not interesting, we listened to music and songs on the quiet. Also a few of us saved our pocket money (skip recess) and hit for Kwang Sia Record in Hill Street to buy our singles and EP. 

Those were the good old days when we saved and built up our vinyl record library and kept ourselves occupied by cleaning them every few months. The biggest regret is that the whole set of LPs ,EP's and singles were thrown away when we started our journey into married life and there is no space in our new home to store away those precious vinyls. What a pity as they are now worth every ounce. 

During the late 80's my passion for music continued and visiting Tower Records ( Pacific Plaza ) and other record shops had been a good pastime. I began to buy and keep some compact discs of the 60's music. The good time I had is knowing so many of the 60's musicians in the late 80's. We were then active members of the Lions Club movement and the club had some of the best 60's music makers in the local scene. Names like Veronica Young, Henry Chua, James Choa, Tony Kwek, Lawrence Lee, John Cher, Victor Lam and others. 


After each monthly meeting on Friday evening, the group of musicians would start to jam and we all enjoyed our fellowship and fun. The club did a great show for charity in September 1989 known as “Thanks for the Memories” and all the local bands performed to a full capacity audience at then The Neptune Theatre. We contributed our time and effort to help the needy but same time we enjoyed good music and long lasting friendship. That is the power and influence of music …

Fabian Foo 
Copyrights Reserved

               The Silver Strings Perform: Video by Fabian Foo December 2014

            Fabian Foo Videos on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/user/jffoo289

These items below that were mentioned by Fabian Foo are still around and we can find them if we look hard enough but they are hardly used today. The mint sweet was popular with school children then.

If you have a story to tell about your experiences in the past please write in and it will be published.

Images: A Personal Collection; Google.