In Remembrance Of James Choa On His Birthday

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John Cher remembers James Choa who had passed away on the 27th of March, 2011.  As usual, the gentle heart that he is, John contributes yet another story for this blog. My thanks again for his generous contribution. 

Each month means different things to different people.  For me, the month of March will always be about the birth of my eldest son. I am so grateful to God that he is enjoying his career in a local bank and enjoying his family life even more!

The Ides of March or the 15th March will forever mean the day Julius Caesar was assassinated, by some of his most trusted friends too!  Then last year, 15th March, my youngest grandchild arrived. She will be one year old in a few days!

On  March 3rd,  for many years, I spent time with my buddy, James Choa (image: in red).  I would call him to wish him, "Happy Birthday" and he in his cheerful and amicable ways will thank me for remembering.  

One of his very favourite lunch places was a coffee shop right at the end of Sembawang Road (image: end of article).  The place has a very Malaysian "feel" to it. James loved the Malay *nasi padang there and would always order more than enough when we were there.  After a hearty meal, we would then swing back to his home to do a few songs on his keyboard.  On hindsight, sometimes we may have annoyed his wife by doing one song too many! My sincere apologies Mrs Choa!

James was a member of a few notable bands; The Gaylads, The Flamingos and for a while with The Mysterians as well.  In the 1990s, we were together in a band called The Swinging Js, backing former SBC singer, Peter Chua.    

About this time, we were also involved with The Lions Club, Changi. Our dear friend Sally Chia (previously with SBC), Veronica Young, Lawrence Lee, Tony Kwek, James Choa, Peter Chua, Victor Lum and Joe Woon were also members of the Club's band. 

We did quite a few charity gigs together and we were all proud to have in small ways contributed towards the Club. Talking about the Club, it's inevitable that we remember our good friends and our bosses at The Club, Charlie and Dora Chan.

In 2006, James was given the Passion for Life Award. The awards were organized by Baxter Healthcare. James was unwell in 2001 and not in good health for more than a year. .  

After a hiatus of more than one year, the self taught pianist returned to the House of Peranakan Cuisine in Meritus Negara Hotel to sing and to play the piano. In his own words " I like to keep myself occupied, and I like meeting and talking to new people.  The important thing is your attitude in life". 

James had a large following at Hotel Negara and his regulars included High Court judges and ministers. One night when I was with him, #Mrs Goh Chok Tong was there with some friends. She requested for Have I Told You Lately That I Love You, a Country and Western classic.

On another occasion, the brother of President George Bush was in town and he was taken there for dinner as well.  It's not unfair to say that the visit caused quite a bit of security inconvenience to the other diners and hotel guests!

Today is again March 3rd and what I would give to trade for the chance to have nasi padang and to sing a few songs with James!  James loved music, whether playing, singing or just listening to others perform and nothing made him happier than to play music.  He told me many times that if not for his passion he would have died "a long time ago".

There are still so many more songs to be sung brother James!  Thanks for your years of friendship.  Thanks for all the fun we had together!  I know that you are still with all your friends in spirit.  And no, I did not forget. Happy Birthday James!

Until we meet again, May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You.  Today, and always!

Read more about James Choa. Click connection:

(1) http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2009/04/blog-post_5568.html

(2) http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2011/03/james-chua-flamingoes-has-passed-away_28.html

*Nasi Padang = Rice eaten with Malay dishes like Satay, Curry Chicken, Rendang Beef, Chilly Squid and Prawns, Fried Fish, Vegetables with Coconut Milk, Potato Patties, Malay Salad or Gado Gado, etc.

#Wife of the previous PM of Singapore, after Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

An Original Article by John Cher (above, on drums). 

You Tube Video: Have I Told You Lately That I Love You by paolo1.
Images: A Private Collection; Google.  Copyrights Reserved.

This article does not promote any food product or shop.

Goodbye James, You Tried Your Best. We Love You.

James Choa: Keyboardist with The Flamingos and singer with The Gaylads has passed on. He was one of the key figures who appeared very early in Singapore's pop music history. James was active since the mid-50s with the combo and singing quartet.

(D) Jamaican Jive, Combo Band, Not Belafonte

The Mysterians only single on Cosdel with My Girl Les and *Forget The Time sold quite well even though there was not much airplay on Radio Singapore or Rediffusion. Even today people still remember Forget The Time. Singer Mike left the band after the record was released.

There were two more releases afterwards, a single, You've Got To Move On and Searching, and an EP, Forever, They Lied, Is Everything Alright and Down In The Valley. But this time around the band had Leroy Lindsay (image) from the U.K. fronting them. And Searching had shades of Jamaican jive and combo backing. I love the exceptional presence of the harmonica (mouth-organ) in Is Everything Alright?

There were also changes in the band line-up when Michael Gan and Charles Koh replaced Mike and Jeffrey Tan. From 1970 to 1979, James Choa (check previous postings) from The Flamingos Combo and Gaylads vocal group, joined the Mysterians. James Choa is one of the best keyboardist in Singapore.

With new members came a new policy and although they retained the group name, they identified themselves during their performances. They had nothing to hide. The third record (image) shows the very distinguished studious looking gentlemen with their glasses.

Image: from EBay. Original article: Andy Lim

(2) Canadian Influence: Local Vocal Groups

Remembering the late 50s and 60s, James Choa (check his posting earlier) recalled the good old days of radio and his own vocal quartet, The Gaylads who played to full houses in the nightspots in Singapore with their band, The Flamingos.

They sang songs by The Diamonds, like, Little Darlin', etc. Now there are hardly any pop quartets that have survived in Singapore. But we have cappella groups though.

In fact in the late 50s and early 60s another vocal group called The Three Bambinos were just as popular. Then came The Crescendos and The Sundowners who were able to cut records with international labels.

Incidentally, most of the Singapore vocal groups discussed came from the Katong area in the East Coast. I wonder why?

Image: Universal Music Singapore.

Original article: Andy Lim

Singapore 60s Music. Singapore Blue Diamonds

Off the cuff: After winning the Singapore Blue Diamonds contest, James Choa and the rest of The Gaylads (popular 60s group with The Flamingos - Posting: April, 9th, 2009) were given a singing contract and arrived in style at the Merlin Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, to be resident vocal group at the Harlequin Room with a full band to accompany them.

They were driven all the way, by car from Singapore to KL, by Tan Swee Leong at the helm of his Ford Anglia. Mr Tan, a celebrity himself, was also the MC for their shows and James remembered they had a fascinating 3 weeks at the hotel.

Since it was the 60s they had time to see the sights in KL during the day and had comfortable accommodation at the hotel itself. Besides a full allowance, The Gaylads were also provided with whatever creature comfort they needed during their stint at the Merlin.

(Image: The real Blue Diamonds with Anneke Gronloh. From National Heritage Board, Singapore.)

Singapore 60s - JAMES CHOA with The Gaylads

Yes, GayLads but they are far from being 'gay' because the word simply means 'happy' in the good old days. And happy were the folks who watched them for the first when they participated in the Singapore Blue Diamonds Competition in the early 60s. They clinched the title with The Antarctics acquiring second place.

Andy Lim interviewed JAMES CHOA (image: front) recently when he related his musical experience and career as a member of the GayLads and The Flamingos Combo.

"I started singing at the age of 17 in 1959 as a singing group called, The Gaylads with classmates, Philip Goi, Charles Koh and Razak Rahman (image: from left). We won a few talentime contests including the title of "The Blue Diamonds of Singapore" when both The Blue Diamonds and Anneke Gronloh were in Singapore. They were part of the panel of judges for the competition.

After winning the title we were featured in the first few RTS (Radio, TV, Singapore) shows called POP INN and DENDANG RIA. We sung for the very first LIVE show in Singapore, produced by well-known ballet dancer, Mr Vernon Martinus.

In the mid-60s the group enlarged from a singing group to a combo band and included in the group was Jimmy Chan, pianist (currently at Marina Mandarin Hotel), Audie Yusoff and Sidek (took turns to play lead guitar), Tommy Tan was at the drums and Robert Song, percussionist/singer. The combo carried on till 1970 but was disbanded because Charles Koh went into the medical profession and became a successful gynaecologist in the U.S.

I became a teacher and subsequently a sales person at an MNC. Since my first love is music, I learnt to play the keyboard and joined another group called, "The Mysterians" but we played only for private functions and at the camps at Sembawang.

As the years passed, I played and sang at the restaurant called, "House Of Peranakan" at the former Hotel Negara when it was first opened in 1998. I am still performing there now but the hotel has a new management and it is called The Claymore. I used to play every night but during the latter part of 2006 I performed only thrice a week.

Jimmy is now a full time pianist at Marina Mandarin. Philip, Razak, Sidek and Tommy as far as I know, are still actively involved in their own business or working with some companies. Audie Yusoff has passed on."

And what is one wish that James has today? "To continue playing on the keyboard and sing. Do come to see me at The Claymore Hotel and enjoy peranakan* food too. Great combination!"

For your information James plays, standards, jazz, country, rock and roll, especially hits from the 50s and 60s. For some musical memories check him out!

Off the cuff: After winning the Singapore Blue Diamonds contest, James Choa and the rest of The Gaylads (popular 60s group with The Flamingos) were given a singing contract and arrived in style at the Merlin Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, to be resident vocal group at the Harlequin Room with a full band to accompany them.

They were driven all the way, by car from Singapore to KualaLumpur, Malaya, by Tan Swee Leong at the helm of his Ford Anglia. Mr Tan, a Rediffusion Cable radio celebrity himself, was also the MC for their shows and James remembered they had a fascinating 3 weeks at the hotel.

Since it was the 'they had time to see the sights in KL during the day and had comfortable accommodation at the hotel itself. Besides a full allowance, The Gaylads were also provided with whatever creature comfort they needed during their stint at the Merlin.

*Peranakan food is Chinese/Malay cuisine which originated from Malaka (Malaysia) and Indonesia.

SLIP NOTE: (4 years have passed.)

"I met James again the few years before he passed away.  It was a long absence. He was living up North and I had to drive quite a distance to meet him.  As usual James was warm and kind, always insisting that I go into his room where he would play with his new Yamaha keyboard which he had bought not too long ago. He had his music books ready, his song sheets and the new shiny microphone on a stand close to his keyboard.

He made sure I knew my chords before we started on a song and when everything was ready and he was satisfied he would ask me to sing my favourites.  He would always provide an appropriate introduction especially if he knew the song. The standard pieces were never a problem since James played nearly every night at lounges, nightclubs and stages all over Singapore when he was active with the Flamingos and his own group The Gaylads from the 50's to the 80's or 90's.

At his home, I would sing my usual songs and James never tried to check me or advise me in any way, except only when I asked him.  So it was like, "Yes, that's a great song, so try to give it more depth by putting in more feel to this part..."  Or, "Why don't you try a higher key?" Otherwise we would just relax and try out as many songs as we could.

He looked relaxed with his new keyboard but I knew he was suffering within, what with his ailment and his inability to move about too much.  Deep down was a man so engrossed in his love for the music that it must have helped him along day by day.  James suffered much when he was still alive but he never showed signs of despair or frustration.  He was always happy, positive and ever ready to play for his next gig or private party.

James had to travel a long way to the place he played which was at Orchard Road. He also had to pay a lot of money for his taxi fares.  But the journeys and time he took was worthwhile since it distracted him from his own ailment. I have always thought that the amount he received as payment was far from what he should be getting. From my observation (I may be wrong), it only covered his cab fare with a few dollars left for him. And his fare from the North to Orchard Road was exorbitant.

When he called me on the phone it was always with his peranakan greeting.  It would always be, *"Apa macam baba? Bila lu mau datang sini? Come over now."

There were many times when I could not oblige him because I was busy with home and the grandchildren but there were occasions when I drove to his work place to see him play but honestly, it was few and far between. I should have visited him more often.

On the day he passed away, he was going to play at a party somewhere and I remembered he told me about it. But he never made it. The party he was going to was a bigger one with the Lord to care and look after. Rest in peace James; we love you very much when you were around and love you just as much now you're not."

*How are you brother. When are you coming here? (Translated from Malay.)

An Original Article (Copyrights Reserved).