Nancy Wilson: Goodbye: 1937-2018 A Lot of Livin' To Do

I'd like to thank Horace Wee and Stephen Han for their constant contribution to this blog. Without them and other contributors, this blog would go off track.

Goodbye Nancy Wilson:

My sister-in-law introduced me again to Nancy Wilson in the 1980s. Her stacks of Wilson's vinyl albums kept me agog for a long time.  Later when she moved out, she gave them away, unwilling to lug heavy-duty paraphernalia.  I was in shock, seeing Wilson's best selections gone to the karung-guni man (rag and bone guy).

Ms. Wilson has passed away at 81 years on 13 December 2018 and we all send our condolences to her family.

She likes to be known as a song stylist although she has other labels pinned on her like a torch singer (a very classic term indeed), the baby, Honey-Coated Voice or a jazz singer. But she is a stylist because, with 70 albums recorded in 50 years, that's a lot of special music by Nancy Wilson.

If I can connect myself to one song, just one, it will be: A Lot of Livin' To Do (Bye, Bye, Birdie: 1960) because it's when I first heard her in a record shop a long time ago in the mid-sixties, way before I remember her again afterward. Not her own original but a lovely song so vibrant and vigorous.

Horace Wee, famed hot rod guitarist from the '60s and afterward has this to say about her when he relayed the message of her passing:

"I saw her in the early years when she broke into the scene. Still, remember she was young and gorgeous in a white frock/dress highlighting her ebony tones. It was a jazz gig (long before her entry into pop) and showed off how good her jazz 'chops' were. I don't remember where it was but only a small jazz club.

The consensus at the time was that she had the potential to follow in the steps of jazz great female vocalists like Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn. She remained elegant in her late years, unlike a lot of African-American women who bloat up as they get older." 

Stephen Han, a pop 60's local music enthusiast, who also writes for this blog has witnessed many performances all over Singapore. He writes: "I was head over heels when I was treated to the Nancy Wilson Concert at the National Theatre in the '60s. She was a young and budding singer then, specializing in jazz and pops. Ms. Wilson sang beautifully and I enjoyed every moment of her performance."

RIP Nancy Wilson, you still got a lot of living up there with the other music greats. So a temporary goodbye then. 

Images: Google. 
YouTube Videos.

Blog poster showing Nancy Wilson appeared at the National Theatre Singapore 1960's which was torn down because of structural defects. Stephen Han attended her show.

International Stars @ National Theatre: Singapore 60s By Stephen Han

The National Theatre Singapore 60s had many international stars on stage.

UP TO 1,000 VIEWS, 70 CHATS & COMMENTS

Mr Stephen Han (right) was a pop sixties enthusiast way back when. He is still one today and a regular concert goer for many of the pop 60's shows so currently in demand amongst the seniors.

When I asked Stephen if he could write an article again for this blog he agreed. He writes well, has such a good memory, that remembering names and occasions have always been easy. This piece is the second by Mr Han. he has written one about meeting Rita Moreno at the Cathay Cinema.*

Again thanks, Stephen.

Singers, Bands, Local And Abroad:

The National Theatre had been demolished many years ago but the memories of the many concerts and shows still linger in my mind.

The first concert I attended in the early 60s was performed by Brenda Lee a.k.a. Miss Dynamite. Her voice was so sweet on numbers like 'Walk Away' and 'Johnny One Time' and so powerful on 'Dum Dum'. Petite and pretty Miss Lee was a great attraction with the crowd.

Brenda Lee: 'Dum Dum'. 

You Tube Video from: jukejointjohnny48. 

Thank you. Great sound.

I can also vividly recall that other American recording stars like Eartha Kitt, Nancy Wilson and my idols, Pat Boone and Johnny Mathis had also performed at this theatre. Popular big bands like Xavier Cugat, Edmundo Ros, Perez Prado and the German band James Last drew large crowds. 

During the British Invasion when the hits of the Beatles and other bands were popular, lots of groups from the United Kingdom came over to showcase their talent. I had the pleasure of watching The Bee Gees featuring the late Robin Gibbs as lead singer. Others who came included The Hollies, Dave Clark 5, Herman's Hermits, Freddie and The Dreamers.

There was a Taekwondo (TKD) variety show that featured the physical might of Rhee Khee Har. His wife was a local singer, very popular those years, called June Mok. Do you still remember that name?

It was an unforgettable sight watching Mr Rhee, a powerful man, displaying his kata (form) and quick-as-lightning TKD kicks. Bricks and planks were smashed to smithereens when he used his weapons, his hands. This Korean martial art was popular during the 60's. Even the Filipino group D'Starlites displayed their ability before each music performance.

Many of our Singapore concerts like these ones discussed were organised by pioneer show promoter, Johnnie Young. (Johnnie was a good friend of Stephen Han as the picture below shows; extreme right: Johnnie Young, with sweater: Stephen Han.) 

One of Johnnie's notable shows was the Sanyo Spectacular in 1969. It featured the well-known dancing duo, Sunny and Betty Low. They were a brother and sister team and wowed the audiences in the 60's with their rock n roll and famous Cha Cha Cha and Mambo steps and costumes.

Crowd favourites included Sakura and Rita Chao who sang with the backing of The Stylers, a band so famous that they were the accompanying guitar guys for many top singers and recording artistes for both the Chinese and English crowds.

As I write this article the sound of 60's music can be heard ringing in my ears.

John Calvert @ The National Theatre:

"I still recall my younger days at the National Theatre in the John Calvert Magical-Rama Show - Top Gunter."

"I saw John Calvert Magic Show at the Sky Theatre. He was assisted by the pretty Pixie Monteiro.

"He was good in hypnosis. During his show, he would invite about ten people and sat them on chairs and hypnotized them and made them perform funny acts to make his audiences laugh. I remembered he drove a car blindfolded through the streets of Singapore - Stephen Han."

Disclaimer:
Dates and venues may not be accurate as many postings on this blog have been written from memory. 

Written by Stephen Han.
Images: Stephen Han (Copyrighted). 
YouTube video: Heath Wilson (2013).