Gift To Andy 60s Music Blog For Nearly 6M Views: CAROL KAYE: First Lady On Bass: By Author Henri Gann [California].

Carol Kaye: First Lady On Bass. Read it out loud!

Old friend Henri writes again, after many, many years, as he sends me this gift below about his favourite instrument and about guitar lady, Carol Kaye. Thanks Henri. Our friendship never ends with this music connection...

My fascination with the Precision Bass began when I saw the late Nokie Edwards, one of my favorite members of The Ventures, playing bass in the group’s early years. I still remember that rich, crisp punch—the deep bass notes that could almost turn into a growl when pushed through a Fender Bassman amplifier.

Even today, that sound immediately transports me back to my teenage years and The Trekkers, when we tried to capture that same driving Ventures sound with our own bass guitar. Music has a remarkable ability to preserve a moment in time. A few deep notes from a Precision Bass, and suddenly I am young again.

Carol Kaye: Bassist, Guitarist

Carol Kaye 'Boogaloo' 

YouTube Video by: Sleazy Emotions.

My recent reading about Carol Kaye, now 91 and one of the most prolific bass players in the history of popular music, rekindled my interest in the Precision Bass. As a legendary Los Angeles studio musician, she played on thousands of recordings during the 1960s and 1970s, often providing the bass lines behind songs that became part of the soundtrack of our generation.

In 2025, Kaye declined her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in the Musical Excellence category. Among her objections was the way the story of Los Angeles studio musicians—and particularly the label commonly used to describe them—had been portrayed and commercialized over the years.

So, the next time you hear one of these familiar recordings, listen beyond the singer and melody. Listen for the bass. You may be hearing Carol Kaye:

“These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” — Nancy Sinatra (1966)

“Last Train to Clarksville” — The Monkees (1966)

“The Beat Goes On” — Sonny & Cher (1967)

“You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” — The Righteous Brothers (1964)

“Good Vibrations” — The Beach Boys (1966)

“California Girls” — The Beach Boys (1965)

“Homeward Bound” — Simon & Garfunkel (1966)

Les Paul with Carol Kaye: 

YouTube Video from: chris lentz

“Sloop John B” — The Beach Boys (1966)

“Wouldn’t It Be Nice” — The Beach Boys (1966)

“Wichita Lineman” — Glen Campbell (1968)

"Mission Impossible" Theme - (1967)

"The Addams Family" Theme - (1964)

"Hawaii Five-O" Theme - (1968)

"Take Five" - (1961)

For me, this particular Bass guitar is more than an instrument. It is a sound tied to a time in my life—the Ventures, the Trekkers, and the excitement of being young and trying to make music of our own.

By Author: Henri Gann.

Comments are welcome.

Author Henri Gann lives in California, USA.

He is one of the original contributing writers for this blog.

Thanks Henri.

Passing 5.8 Million+ Views.

Reaching 6 million as predicted by Henri Gann.

As of 25th August, 2026.

Images: Google.

A Music Letter From Shanghai To California n Singapore: Henri Gann

Henri Gann writes from a Chinese city...

'A Morning Walk In Shanghai'

YouTube Video by this blog's contributing 

writer Henri Gann since it started in 2009.

Thanks very much, Henri.

UP TO 300 VIEWS

Shanghai, an exotic city reflecting both its colonial past and its role as a modern metropolis tackling the climate crisis, felt to me like a society striving towards the same freedoms as the rest of the world. From the moment I stepped onto the Maglev train, which whisked me from the airport to the city in a mere eight minutes, I felt the contrast of old and new. We sped past lines of cars on the highway, while electric cars, motorcycles, and bicycles purred quietly through the streets, the only sound being the shrill whistles of policemen, which cut through the air like screeching birds.

In the early morning, I wandered through parks where older adults danced and sang joyfully, or played instruments like the flute, saxophone, and clarinet. The street food vendors in their small shops sold $1 meals to loyal regulars, creating a warm, communal atmosphere. I walked through the old city streets at the Bund, Huang Pu Road, and the French Concession, savoring each step.

Every day, I indulged in the incredible street food—the delicate xiao long bao became a staple for me. I discovered the unique flavors of Shanghai’s lo mien, the stringy noodles, sesame buns, scallion pastry bread, egg and scallion buns, pickled vegetables with braised pork, crab soup buns, and an array of rice cakes. Best of all was a burrito-like wrap of youtiao (fried dough) and scallions, dipped in mint sauce.

This, I realized, is the inner soul of Shanghai—where tradition and progress blend effortlessly, and the flavors, sights, and sounds linger long after you leave.

ILYA SEROV - 'C'est Si Bon'. 

(featuring: The Swing Kittens) 

YouTube Video by: Ilya Serov.

Author, images, videos by

 Henri Gann [sunglasses].

Beautiful Shanghai

[Strains of 'Red River Valley'.]

YouTube Video from Henri Gann.

Disclaimer:

This blog post is non-promotional, receives no financial

gains and written only in fun; with songs to dance to.

Kenny Rogers: A Tribute From Henri Gann (The Trekkers)

Life has a way of simplifying things. Just when we were mesmerized by the news day after day with the spread of the Corona virus and states and countries lockdown to prevent the pandemic, stock market crashes that robbed us of our paper wealth, our thoughts are halted by the news of Kenny Rogers death last night.

I have never been a fan of Kenny but when I went through his list of hits, I find myself listening to music that was once my favorite. Just listen to 'Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town' (1969) which to this day still rhymes in my head when I think of Kenny. How about 'Islands in the Stream' (1983) with Dolly Parton. I remember hearing from others or even finding myself singing to the high pitch portion of the tune. 

And in my quiet moments sitting in an airport lounge or restaurants or driving my car through the busy traffic of the LA Freeway, I would find myself humming to the tune of 'Lucille' (1977), 'We've Got Tonight' (1983) with Sheena Easton, a song which best described as will bring tears in your eyes and likewise with 'Through the Years'(1981) and 'Don't Fall in Love' with a 'Dreamer' (1980) with Kim Carnes.

Kenny had his hit with Sheena when she was at her peak career, an unusual combination for two rock stars at that time. Dolly in 'Today' (2017) said Kenny was always like a brother to her. Kim Carnes multi Grammy journey and famous for her hit 'Bette Davis Eyes' took her duets further by doing a duet  with Kenny Rogers after a successful hit of 'Make No Mistake He's Mine' with Barbara Streisand.

Here's his family farewell release on Kenny Rogers who passed away at the age of 81 late Friday, March 20, 2020.

"Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family..

The family said they were planning a small private service out of concern for the national COVID-19 emergency."

His songs have endeared music lovers and touched the lives of millions around the world," said the statement posted by his representative Keith Hagan.

A three-time Grammy winner who sold tens of millions of records

He went on to have 24 number one hits and was a six-time Country Music Association Awards winner.

AFP News March 21, 2020.

In 2013 Rogers was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

RIP KENNY ROGERS & CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY AND LOVED ONES.

This tribute was written by Henri Gann (L.A. California).


Watching him live by Joey Koh.
https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2016/08/kampong-boy-meets-kenny-rogers-sheena.html

China's 60s Pops Golden Jazz Musicians: Peace Hotel (和平饭店) Shanghai (中國上海): Henri Gann

UP TO 1,100 VIEWS

Henri Gann travels much when he works and play. This former guitar boy with 60s 'Trekkers' SG band loves jazz. Here's his story about the oldest jazz band in the world. He took his precious time to write me his piece from China's most fun city.

Thanks, Henri.

My recent travels to Asia took me to Shanghai, a city once known as the Paris of the East or the Pearl of the Orient. While at the Bund, I came across the Peace Hotel, a place much wrote about in the history of Shanghai.

Picture 1

The Peace Hotel is a very impressive building on Nanking Street and it can be seen from the Bund. The granite structure building looks very much like the colonial buildings of Old Singapore. Additionally, it has a distinctive pyramid rooftop which can be seen from the Bund.

Picture 2

As I entered the lobby of the hotel, I was instantly struck by a feeling of the hotel past. Beautiful chandeliers and stained glass windows were displayed as it once was showing the grandeur of the hotel. The hallways were an art gallery.

Photographs of the silent movie star Charlie Chaplin, the renowned rocket scientist Qian Xuesen and the British war hero Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery were displayed together with photographs of the American President Bill Clinton, the father of radio Guglielmo Marconi, the famous British Playwright Sir Noel Coward and Edgar Snow, the man who had met Mao Tse Tung and who wrote the Red Star over China, a best seller book in the 60s.

Picture 3

Also lining the lobby hallways of the Peace Hotel were photo displays of many movies filmed at the Peace Hotel. Some of these were Shanghai Triad, the Empire of the Sun, the Silent War and the Last Aristocrats to name a few.

Picture 4

As I reached the far corner of the lobby and adjacent to the dining room, I finally came upon the famous Jazz Club. I was in awe looking at the pictures and newspaper clippings of the musicians who had once played at the club. It was estimated that the current jazz musicians had been playing together in the band for decades and that their ages ranged from the 80s to 90s.

Picture 5

As I entered the room, the rich mahogany dark wood furniture and wall paneling reminded me so much of the Old Raffles Hotel in Singapore. Sitting in rows and facing the bar counter were five musicians dressed in white suits and sitting upright with their musical instruments. If not for their silver hair, one would never have guessed their ages.

Picture 6

As the trumpet blared away together with the alto and tenor saxophone, the musicians played the Saints Go Marchin' In, to the beat of the drums, the double bass and accompanied by the piano. I could not believe the energy the musicians had displayed even after all these years and nightly performances. The carried on with, The Entertainer, the theme song from Sting (video below). It was a blast.

When they played Misty and Sinatra's It Had To Be You an elderly couple could not resist the dance floor. The audience applauded to every piece of the band's performance and the musicians always acknowledged with a modest smile, a nod or a wave to the crowd.

As I left the club, I could not help but feel nostalgic to the changing times after listening to the jazz musicians. In watching them perform I had added a sense of hope to my own pursuit of a fulfilling life.

Shanghai Bund by The Shanghai Sisters: Winnie Ho, Janet Lee, May Mow.

The Guinness World Records in 2006 had designated the group the Oldest Peace World Jazz Band. 

 Henri Gann with Andy Young: The guy who hates to be photographed with me. But he's OK alone, with his hat and sunglasses.

Images and Article: Henri Gann.

The Beatles, Sing, Jennifer Hudson, Golden Slumber & Me

A big thank you to Henri Gann (The Trekkers 60s Guitar Group SG) who has contributed more than a dozen articles for this blog. That's a lot of articles.

An article by Henri Gann (California), written some time ago was left in the vaults of my archives. When he reminded me today, I realised I had forgotten all about it. My apology Henri, but here it is and in colour. I'm glad to have paid for the Starbucks coffee and cakes at Raffles City, otherwise, there'll be no end to your, "Why didn't you blog my story?" 

09.09.2019.

Kidding, Henry.

The Beatles Music and Me...

The music lovers of today who had transitioned from teen to young adult in the 60s era are often reminded of at least one Beatles hit associated with different stages of their life. Psychologist attributed this to a phenomenon called the Reminiscence Bump. 

*The reminiscence bump is the tendency for older adults to have increased recollection for events that had occurred during their adolescence and early adulthood.” Wikipedia

Picture 1

While in a Strawberry Field recently with my granddaughters in Northern California, their words of C’mon Papa, try these strawberries. They are so sweet and a picture of John Lennon at the Strawberry Barn House had my earworm ringing repeatedly with the melody of Strawberry Fields Forever and Lennon’s Imagine.

I can still remember when the Beatles first had their hits of Please, Please, Me ( 1963 ), She Loves You ( 1964 ) and I Want To Hold Your Hand ( 1964 ). Groups in Singapore were still playing Cliff Richard and the Shadows and there were others that were beginning to play music of the Beatles while I was preparing to leave for America.

The Beatles continued their popularity in America with hits after hits in years to come. Remember We Can Work It Out ( 1965 ), Eleanor Rigby ( 1966), Penny Lane ( 1967 ), Lady Madonna ( 1968 ), Something ( 1969 ), Let It Be ( 1970 ) and many others.

Picture 2

During that time, their music had evolved into lyrics which were more poetic and with it a minstrel beat to go with it. I have to admit that these new Beatles sound had a calming effect on me during my difficult transition years as a young adult in a distant land away from home. I especially liked their lyric poem from Yesterday ...all my life seems so far away; There are places I remember...I know I’ll never lose affection, For people and things that went before, and Help me get my leg off the ground. 

By the end of the 60s, I was convinced that listening to the Beatles can be great therapy for many just like it did for me. Just consider the words from Lucy in the Sky of Diamonds ... picture yourself in a boat on a river, With tangerine trees and marmalade skies; All You Need Is Love ... there’s nowhere you can bet that’s isn’t where you are meant to be; Gonna get by With A Little Help From My Friends; and Hey Jude, remember to let her into your heart, Then you can start to make it better.

Picture 3

The Beatles music continued to be a part of my life in the 80s as my kids were growing up. Yellow Submarine was their introduction to the Beatles and they loved it and wanted more. 

Now 50 years later while watching the movie “S-I-N-G” with my grandkids, it was Jennifer Hudson’s singing of Golden Slumber that gave me the Reminiscent Bump. As with many of the Beatle songs, this song carried messages which provoked deep thoughts into the meaning of life.

Picture 4 

A special thank you note to Dr. and Capt. Woody Lockhart to take me on a flight above Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco to celebrate my 50th Anniversary in America. 

There are places I remember... I know I’ll never lose affection For people and things that went before, and Help me get my leg off the ground. 

Images and article: Henri Gann Copyrights Reserved.

Dick Dale: RIP: A Tribute From Henri Gann LA California

He was known as the King of Surf Guitar. He was the icon of Southern California Surf Rock Music.

Dick Dale’s guitar choice was the world-renowned Fender Stratocaster. This was also a guitar of choice of many rock musicians of the 60s.

Dick Dale had an unusual style with his guitar. He was left-handed but chose to play his guitar upside down. Using a fast up and down strokes with his pick, he created a unique style of guitar solo now often imitated in surf rock music. You can hear his guitar riffs on hits like Miserlou and Hava Nagila.

Dick Dale wanted to create a surf sound with his guitar solo. Together with Leo Fender, they experimented and used powerful electronic tube amplifiers to produce a loud undistorted and sweet guitar sound. The sound was further enhanced by passing it through an echo chamber to simulate the time delay effects of crashing waves. Both the Showman amplifier and the Fender Reverb Unit are must-haves for today’s surf rock guitarist. 

As reported in tonights' CBS evening news, Dick Dale was a two-way pop culture artist: the surf guitar of the 1960s and the retro cool of the 1990s in the movie Pulp Fiction. He played with blazing speed until the end part to pay his medical bills.  He was 81 years old on March 18, 2019.

From all friends and fans in Singapore, R.I.P. Mr. Dick Dale. Condolences to his family.

Henri Gann is an old friend who lives in Los Angeles, California, US. and knows more about surf guitarists than many of us. He migrated to the US many years ago and was the lead guitarist of his local guitar group, The Trekkers. Henri has written many articles for this blog. I must thank him for alerting me on the death of Mr. Dick Dale.

Image provided by Henri Gann.

YouTube Video 

Instrumentals by Dick Dale:
Riders in the Sky, Nitro, Banzai Washout, Spanish Kiss, Esperanza, Taco Wagon, Wild Wild Mustang, The Wet Paradiso, Bony Moroni, Miserlou, The Victor, Bandito, Mister Eliminator, Little Miss Twist.

COMMENT SECTION:

Stephen Han:
The surf guitar man

Andy Young:
Yes, and his songs are fabulous.
Thanks, Stephen.

Hiroshi Deguchi (Japan):
Cool but something Arabic, these are impressions I got when I first heard his songs. It sounded extraordinary to a boy of 14 living in far out in the country in Japan. There was no such thing as an electric guitar in my world during those days. RIP Dick Dale.

Andy Young: 

Thank you, Hiroshi. 

The unique thing about you is your ability to express your thoughts about music ideas in such a way that I now understand the situation in Japan during those years. Appreciate your sharing sir.

Andy Young:
Thank you Henri for the extra piece of information you provided on the Comment Page. Your knowledge with the late Mr. Tan (TMA) regarding sound engineering is beyond me but I am sure others will acknowledge your expertise.
Also thanks to readers above who commented on Dick Dale's tribute post.

The Ventures Nokie Edwards: A Tribute By Henri Gann

Nokie Edwards from The Ventures. Another guitar hero is gone in 2018.

Another music maker bites the dust. 

Nokie Edwards from The Ventures, whose guitar instrumentals are played even today, died at 82 years on 12 March 2018. Walk Don't Run and Hawaii Five 0 with other Ventures great hits have always been performed by local Singapore bands since the 1960's. 

Two guitar bands emerged the leaders in the 60's, the Shadows and the Ventures. If the opening number on a local stage by a guitar group is not Apache (The Shadows) then it's either Walk Don't Run or Perfidia from Ventures. 

Nokie Edwards Custom Signature Model Telecaster designed for Fender.

Telecasters and Mosrite guitars were what Edwards used when he's playing. He even designed one called the Nokie Edwards Custom Signature Model Telecaster for Fender using gold and ebony for parts.  

Edwards played lead guitar and bass with the Ventures from 1960 to 1968, then from 1972 to 1985 and as a guest from 1999 to 2012 before he passed on in 2018.

The internet is filled with condolences and sad goodbyes for the famous guitarist who died in Alabama on Monday. Singapore guitar groups wish him a fond farewell too.  There's so much to read about him on Websites that we can only wish him to play more music in the Great Beyond. Twang the guit loud up there, Sir.

May you Rest In Peace, Mr Nokie Edwards. 

Nokie Edwards Lead guitar: Wipe Out, Bulldog, Sleep Walk. Video from: janelvis66


Images: Google.
Video: YouTube. Thanks to janelvis66.

Henri Gann's (Trekkers Singapore Guitar Group 60's) tribute to Nokie Edwards.

The Peggy Tann Story Part 2 By Henri Gann

Part 2

The Peggy Tann Story by Henri Gann appears below. It is the last part and I wish to thank my good friend again for taking much trouble to research, write and produce it. If you have photographs and recordings of Peggy Tan to spare please write to me on the Comment page. Andy.

 UP TO 4,500 VIEWS  
SINCE PUBLICATION.

Picture 5

The ads in the local Straits Times would often read " Dance to the HH Tan's Orchestra and hear Peggy sing ". They would be performing at the El Amigo Nightclub, the Ocean Park Hotel, the Mandarin Hotel or the Cockpit Hotel. 

Many times they would find themselves playing at fashion shows alongside with Joan Booty Modeling Agency. In one instance, they went all the way to the Federal Hotel in Kuala Lumpur just to play at the Press Queen Beauty Pageant.

Occasionally, Peggy and her father would travel to perform in the clubs of Hong Kong. In 1959, they were invited by John Calvert to play with his troupe on his Around The World Tour. That was a major event as reported in the Straits Times by reporter Emma Baptista. 

However, during the interview for the show, Peggy surprised her fans when she said that she would prefer a "quiet life " away from the limelight of show business. (Straits Times Feb 6, 1959). By that time, Peggy had decided that playing for dances at the clubs and hotels were to be her forte rather than touring and playing at fashion shows.

Picture 6 

In later years, Peggy named her band the Prince's Trio or Quartet. In a very short period, she was the resident group at the Prince's Tea Room and the Jennifer's French Restaurant; both at the Cockpit Hotel. 

Years later, Peggy would eventually accomplish resident group status at the Shangri-La Hotel; thus fulfilling her dream of being a professional musician in a luxury 5-star hotel.

The Recording Artist

Peggy released a total of 5 albums/records in her career. Her first attempt at recording was on local music with a good folklore story. She recorded the famous Bengawan Solo, an Indonesian/ Malaysian song made popular after the 2nd World War; and the ever popular Soochow Serenade, a romantic poetic melody from a popular 1942 post-war movie "Suzhou Night" sung by the late Chinese-born Japanese Singer and Actress Yoshiko Yamaguchi (Wikipedia). On subsequent recordings, she selected classical jazz pieces, movie themes, and popular hits. (see list below)

Her favorite musicians were the legendary pianist Oscar Peterson and the great organist Jimmy Smith. The jazz and pop singers she liked were Nancy Wilson, Vic Damone, Peggy Lee and Johnny Mathis. Peggy played many of the themes from the movies and that was a good reminder of the great era days of movie classics.

Picture 7

Filipino producer Gene O'Campo and recording engineer KK Wong both worked with Peggy on her "Love" with Life album. They were very impressed by her flexibility, versatility, and tenacity in her pursuit of perfection during the recording sessions.

Peggy had left us a legacy of beautiful dance tunes and lyrics for her memory. A talented musician, she was just too shy for fame. 

As she stated on the cover of one of her LPs "I live to communicate with my audience, and if this succeeds, I feel so much better." 

For her, that communication with her audience was dancing to her music. That was her passion and her satisfaction was the enthusiastic fans.

Read Part 1: Connect below:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2017/08/the-peggy-tann-story-part-one-by-henri.html

This posting is an original article by Henry Gan and is Copyrights Reserved. 

Images: from Henri Tann, Google.

Picture 8

       

    " Au Revoir Peggy! "

My little boat is like a note

Bouncing merrily along

Hear it splashing up a song

     https://youtu.be/JFmhpUdYB38

Here's my Spotify Playlist on the Music of Peggy:

https://open.spotify.com/user/henrig1234/playlist/12S7iIb7n9jEHweXdw5Kmp

( copy and paste )

And some YouTube link to her music selection:

   1.  If Ever I Would Leave You -  B.Adair

          https://youtu.be/92I1yiBBuX

   2.  I Will Wait For You - Lisa Lovbrand

        https://youtu.be/QJZZXDqbC5s

    

   3.  Something Stupid ( Frank and  

           Nancy Sinatra )

           https://youtu.be/PoSbnAFvqfA

Picture 9

    4.  Unchained Melody ( Nora Jones )

          https://youtu.be/stzo-8N1dhQ

    

     5.  Hati Yang Luka ( Betharia Sonata )

            https://youtu.be/vFaO21qwCaM

• this article was inspired by a sad note from Melvyn Tan in Andy's blog regarding his aunt Peggy Tann ... " my dearest aunt passed away at 7:55 am Wednesday, May 11, 2016, and had left us with a treasure trove of her music and sweet memories of her soul. "
• Peggy was a good friend of my uncle when I was a kid and I had heard stories about her from my brother to whom my uncle had confided in.