Impian Bateks Pop Yeh Yeh Ismail Ahmad Tribute

The passing away of Ismail Ahmad revived some memories for music friends, Michael Bangar, Audie Ng and Jalani Mohamed. This article provides snapshots of his connections with other well-known band friends from the 60's and 70's.

Thank you, Mike, Audie and Jalani.

9th January 2018

According to an article by NUR DHUHA ESOOF from Berita Harian  Singapore, Ismail Ahmad, a member of Impian Bateks, passed away this morning aged 70 years. He had been hospitalised for the last six days at the Ng Teng Fong General Hospital. Mr Ismail was the keyboardist for the band. 

We send condolences to his family. May he Rest In Peace.

From Michael Bangar:

Hey Andy! 

I just read your write up - an excellent tribute to Ismail Ahmad. I have to add a little more information on this late gentleman who played excellent all-around keyboard, i.e. the piano, organ and synthesiser.

I knew him very casually in the early 70's. After The Impian Bateks disbanded he replaced Patrick Carrol on keyboards, who went on to join band The McCoys, with the superb band, The X'Quisites. The main vocalist and drummer Nick recently fronted The Beejays at the Kallang Theatre Concert on 23 December 2017. 

What a great band they were and they had a long stint at the Hotel Shangri-la's Lost Horizon Nightclub - a club you seldom hear about nowadays. I used to go watch them whenever I had a chance. Happy Times! When the band disbanded he spent a long while working in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

In the early to mid 70's, his younger brother, a very good guitar player Wan Ahmad formed a band called The Breed fronted by vocalist the late Allan Loh, who had earlier fronted The X'Quisites in their formative years. 

I used to replace Allan in the band, whenever he was called for reservist training. Wan had also played with the famous Malay Rock Band Sweet Charity. 

After The Breed split up, he went on to join his elder brother in Kuala Lumpur. The last time I met Wan he was still working and residing in KL. 

They also have a famous sister, the late 60's to 80's Malay vocalist and recording Artiste Aida Ahmad. Ms Aida was both well-known in Singapore and Malaysia.

The Impian Bateks' lead guitarist Harris has now, for a good 20 years or more, played the bass guitar for The Thunderbirds. 

The Late Mr Ismail Ahmad
(image from Berita Harian)

From Audie Ng:

Ismail Ahmad was with the Downtown band and accompanying handsome singer Halil Chik, also known as the Tom Jones of Singapore. They were sent to Taiwan and Japan.

The drummer Ariffin of the Downtown band performed at the Stadium Restaurant lounge called The Tilted Tankard. 

Jalani Mohamed:

He was living in Kuala Lumpur for some time. He came back to Singapore when he was unwell and was admitted to our local hospital. The doctors explained that he had would not have much time until I received the news of his passing...

According to the Malay newspaper, Berita Harian, he had been unwell since 2014.

R.I.P Ismail Ahmad. We will always remember you and your music with The Impian Bateks. 

NB:
Please let me know if there is any misinformation regarding the late Mr Ismail Ahmad as this tribute has been written verbatim. 
Andy Lim.

The images are from Google and Berita Harian. 

Mata Mata, RAF Soccer Team, 1st NDP Contingent, Roti John

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Remembering Our First National Day: August 9th 1966

Happy Tay who lived in Singapore during its early years contributes regularly to this blog.  He now resides in Vancouver B.C.

Hello Andy,

Sorry for being off the air for awhile.  I have decided to write to you, especially after reading the article from Allan Thompson.  I don't recall relating to you of my experiences with the RAF during the '60s...

Singapore's National Football Team in the 60s from gforce-guru.blogspot.com

I had signed up with the RAF as a police officer immediately after school and was 18 years old then.  I was sent to the RAF Base in Changi for my 6 months intensive training, where I excelled in soccer, representing the RAF Police and later the RAF Changi Team. 

Most of the players were Caucasians, made up of top footballers from the UK, and they were really good at soccer! To be picked, especially if you're a local, for the soccer team, you have to be really good.

The first National Day Parade at the Padang in 1966.

For this team, I was one of only two Asian or local representative for RAF Base, Changi, Seletar, and Tengah. If I remember correctly the other player, Hussein Hashim, also went on to play for the Singapore Malays FC.  

They really had great players at that time and  if you recall the Singapore National Team consisted of legendary players like Quah Kim Swee, Lee Kok Seng, Wilfred Skinner, Matmoon Sudasi, Lee Teng Yee, Ali Astar, Quah Kim Siak, Rahim Omar, Majid Ariff, to name a few.

After Basic Military Training (BMT), I was selected for further training with the Intelligence Unit since we were facing confrontation with Indonesia and the Communists. During this period, Singapore did not have its own police or army so we had to rely on the British and Malaya.  The rest is history.

Changi Village from: www.singas.co.uk

I had served for 3 years before being recruited by the newly formed Singapore Police Force or Police Republic Singapura to serve as an instructor at the then Police Training School which was later known as the Police Academy. I was also involved in the first Singapore National Day Parade (NDP), marching with great pride, together with the first Police Contingent and led by the well-known Police Band. Policemen are known as mata mata (Malay word for eyes) in Singapore.

The starting point was then at Beach Road (opposite the SIR Army Camp). Singapore had only the SIR, or the Singapore Infantry Regiment, as its very own army. There were about 350,000 people who turned out in the city to celebrate that first birthday on 9th August, 1966.  Just thought you might find something interesting along the way of my recollection, Andy! 



Roti John

Another thing that I wanted to add were the many Mama (Indian) food stalls located along Changi Village, which were frequented by the RAF personnel and their families. One of the local food (and favourite) or rather comfort food that came to my mind was the popular *Roti John.  It was made of bread (in many ways similar to the present Subway) with fillings of fried egg, salad, onion, topped with tomato sauce and costing less than a dollar then. Later, beef was included but with an additional charge. 

Sunny Bala and Moonglows

On Fridays and Saturdays, we have our local band playing at some of the lounges at the Base itself.   They included names like Sonny Bala and the Moonglows, Impian Bateks, and others. They were very popular and most of these lounges were so filled that it was standing room only every weekend. These venues became a must go to places for the Servicemen  and their spouses or dates. Beers were very cheap then (duty exempted) costing less than a dollar a can! 

Those were the days, with lots of great memories, too!  Cheers my friend, and wishing you the very best.

Guru Happy.



The Impian Bateks.

Dear Happy,

Thank you very much for your regular and generous contribution to this blog. I appreciate what you are doing and hope readers, especially Singaporeans, are just as appreciative.

Yours Sincerely,
Andy.

*Roti John (a local version of an omelette burger but freshly grilled) is still very much in demand today and popular with both Singaporeans and foreigners.

Information from: Happy Tay Vancouver, BC (Copyrights Reserved).

Images: Google and Andy Lim Collection.

When Cigarettes Sponsored A Festive Ball Of Pops

Event companies in the 60s took advantage of festive occasions and organised socials to attract the merry-makers. These dance parties would usually be held at prominent hotels like the Adelphi or Ambassador and at popular venues like the Victoria Memorial Hall which had a fairly large floor for dancing.

Go-getters attended these functions to sweat the night to the beat of the top bands in town.  During a 65 weekend there was always a party going on somewhere on the island.  Singers, bands and dancers were glad to perform at such venues for publicity and sometimes for the generous renumeration.

Organisers would only approach prominent companies that were able to sponsor them because the overheads could be high. In 60s Singapore when smokers had more freedom to puff their stuff cigarette distributors were ever so willing to pay big money to advertise their product at such functions.

The particular event above (image) was one such example and mainly sponsored by a cigarette company. Besides the promotion in the newspapers, long and huge banners would be hanging in the dance hall.  Possibly free cigarettes would be distributed throughout the evening and cartons given out as floor  prizes. In the Easter Ball discussed, Edinburgh Cigarette Company was the main sponsor.  I searched the web but could not find the group's website although I found the advertisement (image left) in the Straits Times newspaper. I am wondering if the company is still in existence. Anyone?

Those years there were many brands on sale in the Singapore market. I remember Matterhorn, Lucky Strike, Consulate, Capstan and Players cigarettes very well. These companies did everything they could in the media to promote their product. One such company, famous Camels, raised eyebrows and sent smoke signals.

In the 50s  and possibly the early 60s, one of the most infamous cigarette advertising slogans was associated with this brand of cigarette: “More doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarette.” Apparently the advertisement began in 1946 and ran for some years in magazines and on the radio (image right).

And the pitch they used?  “Family physicians, surgeons, diagnosticians, nose and throat specialists, doctors in every branch of medicine… a total of 113,597 doctors… were asked the question: ‘What cigarette do you smoke?’ And more of them named Camel as their smoke than any other cigarette!"

Cigarettes or otherwise the Grand Easter Ball featured a number of guest stars who were popular in the 60s.  The advertisement is revealing since it also published the places one could buy the evening's tickets from.

Singapore had no SISTIC outlet then but equivalents like Winston's Arcade, Robinson's, etc. were around Collyer Quay in the business district while Katong Flower Shop was in the East Coast near the old Tay Buan Guan and Roxy Cinema. But most enthusiasts bought their last minute tickets at the door. Three bucks for a show and dance. Now it's $300/00.

The two bands, Les Kafilas and Bateks (image above left) were there to relieve The Silver Strings and were known as guest bands. Siva and James Choy or Cyclones (image right) had a large following and these supporters would have been there that evening. 

If I am not mistaken Veronica Young (image left) had just joined the Strings. She is also known as Singapore's Millie Small, having won the competition held at the Great World Sky Cinema accompanied by the group. I was actively fronting the Strings during this season.

Images: from The Straits Times newspapers, websites on cigarettes and private collection.

Original Article based on lst image: by Andy Lim.

Impian Bateks: Rudyn Dan Ismail Ahmad

*Latest News (09/01/2018)

Kematian Ismail Ahmad - Death of Ismail Ahmad.
Extract at the end of this posting.

Pop songs with car themes were blazing the Top Hit Charts in the US in the 60s especially with the Beach Boys Fun, Fun, Fun. Similarly, our local pop stars did the same. Malay singer Rudyn *al-haj (image 3) is associated with his well-known hit Naik Kreta Ku (Drive With Me) or literally translated, 'Hop Into My Car.' He made this particular recording with Cosdel (CEP 3009 - image 4) and backed by his own group The Bateks (as in kain batek or sarong material).

After some changes within the group and because of unavoidable circumstances they joined forces with another called D'Impians (dreamers) and formed The Impian Bateks (Indonesian spelling: batik - image 2). This group was just as popular outside the Malay community playing western music.

Having an academic degree was rare in the 60s but Rudyn was one of those who had a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Temple University in the U.S. Rudyn whose full name was Khairudin Haji Hashim, besides singing Pop-yeh-yeh music with his group, also served as a Planning Officer for Sabah Film Production. In November 2007 Rudyn passed away in his hometown at Johore Bahru, Malaysia. He was 61 years young.

Music and lyrics for Naik Kreta Ku were by Rudyn himself while the other three, Selendang Hitam (The Black Veil), Terima-lah Lagu Ku (Please Accept My Song) and Berjumpa (Meeting) were originals by The Impian Bateks. Did Rudyn cut another record with a group called The Falcons singing Naik Kereta Baru (Hope In My New Car), Bukan Salah Ku (Not My Fault), Pengembara (Wanderer/Vagabond) and Selamat Hari Raya (celebration after fasting month)?

The Impian Bateks were as popular under their own banner with previous recordings (Cosdel CEP 3005) like Gadis Sekolah (School Girl), Wanita (Woman), Siapa Juwita (Who's That Girl) and Mengapah (Why). Another recording with Panda (YHEP 111) had Dari Ku Untok Mu (From Me To You), Guru Baru (New Teacher), Sekolah Ku (My School) and Oh Posmen (Oh Postman).

Song themes were typical teenage angst and schoolgirl crushes. Pen-pals were also actively pursued by our youngsters and a record cover (image 1) that looks like an addressed envelope with stamps could sell. "Ku rindu pada mu, Ku ingin bertemu selalu... (I am lovesick and wish to meet you often...)"

Both Rudyn and Impian Bateks were a force to reckon with in the Pop-yeh-yeh 60s era. They stood among the top Malay artistes then and their wide popularity spread across Singapore, Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei. If you are familiar with them, please contribute more information.


SOME SLEEVES SPEAK (MALAY):

"Rudyn al-haj ada-lah sa-orang penyanyi berbakat dewasa ini, yang munchul di-tengah kemainan lagu2 pop yang pesat. Dengan kugiran Impian Bateks Rudyn al-haj menyanyi dengan gaya dan suara yang tersendiri. Rudyn berjaya menawan hati peminat pop dengan bentok lagu yang tersendiri.

Rudyn al-haj ada-lah bekas ahli kugiran yang kini sudah tiada lagi, tetapi Rudyn berjaya dalam usaha-nya merakamkan empat buah lagu2 pop pujaan ramai." Sharikat Cosdel Singapura. (Record back sleeve cover). Kalau kenal kugiran ini, harap beri maklumat.

*Term used for a Muslim who has made a pilgrimage to Mecca.

9th January 2018

According to an article by NUR DHUHA ESOOF from the Berita Harian Singapore,
Ismail Ahmad, a member of Impian Bateks, passed away this morning aged 70 years. 

He had been hospitalised for the last six days at the Ng Teng Fong General Hospital. Mr Ismail was the keyboardist for the band. 

I send condolences to his family. May he Rest In Peace.

Image: FORD 1907 Model R/Universal Cars Ltd, Singapore
Translated information about Rudyn: Malay Wikipedia.
Information/Images: radiodiffusion.wordpress.com
Article: compiled by Andy Lim

                                      Video by Nasri Kelan. November, 2012.