Jose Mari Chan's Big Hit: "Beautiful Girl": A Christmas Presence With Julie Anne San Jose

Beautiful Girl: Jose Marie Chan.

YouTube Video from: Aldrin Diana

SONGS I LOVE:

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I only heard Jose Mari Chan with Beautiful Girl in the early 90s. This carrier single from his album Constant Change sold very well and became a regional hit especially in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

250,000 Copies:

But not many people know it's written by a Filipino. It exceeded 10 times 'Platinum' status, more than 250,000 copies, so the Philippines music industry had to come up with the 'Diamond' Record Award for JMC. By now, and so many years later, it has probably exceeded the number of copies mentioned.

Lea Salonga:

Beautiful Girl was even covered by Asian stars like Aaron Kwok, Paula Tsui, Sally Yee, Sandy Lam, Kamahl, Tomomi Akimoto and Yasuo T while other JMC romantic favorites by countrymate diva, Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon.)

Christmas In Our Hearts:

Jose sings with: JULIE ANNE SAN JOSE

Again and again, his songs have rebounded as hits for other artistes. So when I asked some Filipino musicians working in Singapore about Jose Mari Chan, they exclaimed, "Christmas In Our Hearts!" because it is the industry's biggest selling Christmas album in history. 

He even sang it with Asia's Limitless Star, Julie Ann San Jose [images], the beauteous Filipino actress, singer and entrepreneur. Blessed with a great voice, good looks, a talented mind and rapturous fans, it looks as if JMC has got them all. 

(A recent email from MusicMeister Larry Lai about JMC woke me up as I realized that he is one Filipino pop singer that I had to include in my list of musical influences.

Beautiful Girl by Jose Mari Chan

Beautiful girl, wherever you are/I knew when I saw you, you had opened the door/I knew that I'd love again after a long, long while/I'd love again.

You said "hello" and I turned to go/But something in your eyes left my heart beating so/I just knew that I'd love again after a long, long while/I'd love again.

Chorus: It was destiny's game/For when love finally came on/I rushed in line only to find/That you were gone.

Wherever you are, I fear that I might/Have lost you forever like a song in the night/Now that I've loved again after a long, long while/I've loved again.

Beautiful girl, I'll search on for you/'Til all of your loveliness in my arms come true/You've made me love again after a long, long while/In love again/And I'm glad that it's you/Hmm, beautiful girl.

Image: http://girl-xinhonline.blogspot.com/

Information: Wikipedia, other Websites.

Original article: Andy Lim.

Jose Marie Chan

Christmas In Our Hearts. It's around the corner!

JULIE ANNE SAN JOSE

Christmas In Our Hearts:

YouTube Video from: MYX Global

JOSE MARI CHAN FT. JULIE ANNE SAN JOSE - 

 (MYX Live! Performance)

Beautiful Girl is dedicated to good friend, John Lim, 

the handsome young man on the flying trapeze.

80s Stellar TV Show With Much Cash Give-Away

           


Janet Basco: Carnegie Hall, New York City.

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Money To Be Made:

Whenever the opportunity arises and if it's worthwhile news I would include local pop music items from the 80s and feature television shows that were well received. One possibly successful series that attracted Singapore sitting room audiences had cash vouchers given away to lucky winners which included a top prize of $150,000.  That was a lot of money, and still is today! In one year alone the production gave away about $1.8 million.  This newspiece was reported in a local magazine in 1981. 

Yeah, the 1970s ABBA song, Money, Money, Money on TV Show.

Both Local and International Artistes:

The shows were telecast 'live' and included an array of stars that were household names those years. They included Singapore's Kartina Dahari, Ali Ahmad, Paul Cheong, Tony Castillo, Jacintha and The SBC Dancers. There were guest artistes from overseas and it included Jennifer Yen from Malaysia, Janet Basco and the WEA Dancers from the Philippines, Linda Lou Allen from London and The Wright Brothers from the US.

Jennifer Yen RTM Talentime Winner 80s.

Yes, and these stars were at the peak of their career during the 70s and 80s. The host for this particular show was, Mr Versatile himself, Tan Swee Leong who has been featured on this blog a couple of times. (Check Labels below).

Paul Cheong: when he was at his best. With SBC Dancers.

Tan Swee Leong Show Compere

Carnegie Hall, Malaysian Talentime:

Janet Basco is a Filipino singer. She is known for her hits, You Made Me Live Again, Minsan Pa, and My Girl, My Woman, My Friend  where she sang with heartthrob and countryman Jose Marie Chan, two of the few Filipino entertainers to have ever performed in Carnegie Hall in New York.

She represented Philippines in the 10th Tokyo Music Festival in 1980 and in the Asean Song Festival in Indonesia. She has appeared in numerous concert halls internationally. (Listen to her on Right Bar of this blog).

Jennifer Yen, who was known as Malaysia's singing sweetheart and a winner of the RTM or Radio Talivishen Malaysia Talentime Competition sang selected songs from her two English albums. She was poised and captivating with a pleasantly charming voice that is still recognised today.


Kartina Dahari was honoured in a show @ Esplanade in 2013.

They had been together for many years and appeared on Filipino television regularly in the 80s, sometimes accompanying singers as background dancers but usually highlighted as group performers on stage.  Like Singapore's Sunny Low Dancers during the 60s, The WEA Dancers were just as well-known in the 80s. They proved their talent when they appeared on this show with the SBC Dancers.

Tony Castillo helped to build the music scene in Singapore.

Honoured By Esplanade, Boy Wonder, London, Broadway Jazz,

Our own recording artistes Tina Dahari and Ali Ahmad need no introduction since both were regulars on the small screen (19 inches only remember?) over both the English and Malay radio stations. Kartina was featured recently at the Esplanade in 2013 where artistes of yore sang her hits from the 70s.

Broadway Hits from Linda Lou Allen

Tony Castillo was of course the jazz musician and singer whom Louis Armstrong called Boy Satchmo and arranged to have him perform at the Ed Sullivan in the US.  He had a big-band group, The Castillians that played in Europe and the United States.  Boy Wonder Castillo died at 64 in 2010. 

Paul Cheong was a home-grown talent and according to the magazine, "proves that he is capable of much more than cutting albums and spinning discs."  Another artiste in the series, Jacintha is a Singaporean singer and actress, well-known in parts of Asia-Pacific since the '80s.

Linda Lou Allen, based in London in the 80s, sang romantic ballads and Broadway jazz hits during the show. She was known for her versatility, energy and hot numbers.


80s WEA Dancers. They are on You Tube.

So what's the name of this show? Anybody still remember? Let me know. No prizes for the correct answer but it's so easy with clues everywhere. Which show can ever give away so much money?

Information and Images: Radio and TV Times 1981 and Google.
Thanks to Mun Chor Seng.

Groovematics: Singapore Private Clubs Play 60s

The natural talent, versatility and repertoire of Philippino musicians are legendary. These melody makers perform in many private clubs and nightspots all over Singapore. Our local islanders who love pops, throng these places to listen to singers like Laila, Vanessa and one man band Ging (lst image) over a glass of beer.

Handsome Ging is so deft on his guit strings that those who are familiar with his playing compare him to Carlos Santana. His rendition of Black Magic Woman, Oye Como Va and other Santana hits kept us enraptured the whole evening. The girls sing anything from the 50s and they sound as great as they look! Their version of Freddie Aguilar's Anak will pull the heartstrings.

Requests for particular songs from patrons were swift as drink-hostesses carried slips of paper to the two ladies on stage. The Groovematics kept the young crowd entertained. Image 2 shows promoter and Silver Strings bass guitarist, Audie Ng with his group. And where is this band playing? Cannot tell lah! But definitely not far from the Esplanade.

Images/Article: Andy Lim.

Young Musicians Play Western Oldies At Asian Resorts But They Are Not Playing South East Asian Pop 'Oldies'

Rest and Recreation:

During trips to Melaka and the Indonesian islands at the beginning of this year (2010), my family and I were entertained by young musicians who were able to sing and play songs from the past. These singers were either Philippinos or Indonesians.

Shadows to Dire Straits:

The top image shows a trio from the Philippines that were playing at a nightspot in a hotel at Mahkota Parade in Malacca. They had a repertoire of guitar instrumentals that ranged from The Shadows to Dire Straits. With fingers flicking on the accompanying synthesizer, one lone guitar plays the tune. Versatility is the name of the game as requests from the crowd came fast and furious.

Seniors and Connie Francis:

Surprisingly the two pretty ladies and young man were able to please the crowd of junior and senior merry-makers with whatever songs they wanted. Favourites for the night included selections from Cliff Richard, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Diana Ross and Connie Francis. After a little chat with the young man, he remembered he worked in Singapore in the 90s.

Bintan Island:

The second image shows a quartet from a holiday resort at Bintan Island. This group was playing in the large and airy restaurant that had its dinner tables extended to the pool outside. There were no requests as the young musicians, comprising of Indonesians, belted out songs accompanied by the keyboardist during our big 'makan' under the starry skies.

Partying today in Melaka, Malaysia.

https://traveltriangle.com/blog/malaysia-nightlife/

Calypso and Mambos:

Their repertoire was different as they played rhumbas, cha-cha-chas, calypsos, sambas and mambos. To cool the warm, tropical night the singers ended the evening with a selection of soothing songs.

Comment on Pop 60s Music In South East Asia:

1. While the trio in Melaka pranced and danced on the tiny stage provided, the foursome at Bintan were cool and relaxed in their seats. Different styles naturally. But both groups were effectively entertaining.

2. Sixties music lives on, even on the little islands and provinces in South East Asia. It would also be a good idea if some of these local artistes learn 60s music from their own countries, ie: the Malaysians learning 60s Malaysian pop music, the Indonesians playing 60s Indonesian pop music and so on. The Philippines has a wide repertoire of local pop music from the 60s. Why aren't they doing so?

Mambo Italiano: Sophia Loren 

YouTube Video from: AstroArt

3. Bands in the South East Asian region must play their own pop music 'oldies' from the 50s and 60s otherwise these local classics will just fade away. There are many more songs beyond Bengawan Solo, Rose Rose I Love You and Singapore Cowboy.

But a personal comment here; these highly skilled music people are lowly paid. What a pity because they deserve much more...

Any comment?

Image/Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

[This post has been updated on 17/7/23].

Jose Mari Chan: 60s Music Man, Filipino Singer, Composer, Business Man, Philanthropist (Pt I)

In 1974 he was honoured with one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) titles from the Philippines. It was a Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Philippines Association Recording Industry and The Metro Pop Foundation. And it's not Freddie Aguilar.

Jose Mari Chan can be categorised as a mid-60s music man. He came into show biz in 1966 when he hosted and sang on a TV show called, 9 Teeners.

His first single Afterglow was released in 1967 and his first LP (long play vinyl) album Deep in My Heart was issued in 1969. In 1973 he represented the Philippines in the World Popular Song Festival in Tokyo with his song Can We Just Stop and Talk A While.

From 1970 to 1975, he composed more than 20 theme songs for movies and some earned him nominations at the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Award. He wrote commercial jingles and the well known ones were the Philippine Air Lines Love At Thirty Thousand Feet and the Alaska Milk jingle. He was also at his peak with a series of TV network specials spotlighting his lyrics and music.

 Just as popular in the US, and with his degree in Economics, he moved to America and concentrated on his own business and remained there for 11 years. When he came back to the Philippines in 1986, he recorded Tell Me Your Name. This 60s musician had connected himself to the younger generation.

In 1989 he recorded, Constant Change and it was named Album of the Year by the Awit Awards (Philippines), equivalent to the American Grammy Awards. Chan is an international star and has appeared in the big cities in the US including Vegas and Carnegie Hall. He won the hearts and ears of UK and European fans and most of Asia.

Followers have found this philanthropist's love songs refreshing, captivating, heart-warming and lyrical. A Love To Last A Lifetime, Can We Stop To Talk Awhile, Afraid For Love To Fade, Deep In My Heart, Is She Thinking About Me and the 2005 South East Asian Games theme song are just some of the many compositions he penned.

I am thinking about Aguilar (Anak) and Chan... Two totally different personalities but both touched the hearts of people around the world with their hauntingly beautiful songs.

To read about Freddie Aguilar, click Labels below.

Information: Wikipedia, http://www.josemarichan.net/

Foreign [Asian] Songs Become English Hits [Part I]

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Asian Songs Become English Hits (1): 

It is a well-known fact that countless 60s popular and classical music from foreign countries become English language hits in the UK, US and other parts of the world. This posting will focus on some of these classics. We start in Asia.

Mandarin:

Rose, Rose I Love You is an English adaptation of the Mandarin song, Méigui Méigui Wǒ Ai Ni by Yao Li (1940s), the only song written by a Chinese to become a major English language chart hit.

The English lyrics were written by a British DJ, Wilfred Thomas and recorded by 50s pop singer Frankie Laine and the Norman Luboff Choir, with Paul Weston and his Orchestra in 1951. The song, with different English lyrics, was also covered in the UK by Petula Clark (1951) and by Kyu Sakamoto (1960s).

Japanese:

The second Asian song, Sukiyaki by Kyu Sakamoto went to the top in 1963. So far, this is the only song by a Japanese singer to hit the ceiling in the U.S. The Japanese title is Ue O Muite Aruko, which means I Look Up When I Walk. It is definitely a Singaporean favourite even till today. The Blue Diamonds (Holland) recorded it with English lyrics in 1963 and personally, is one of the best versions!

Filipino:

Another Asian pop classic, the very famous, Anak (1971) or child is a Tagalog song written and sung by Filipino folk-singer Freddie Aguilar. It has been translated to over a hundred local and international languages. The English version, by Aguilar, is a direct translation of the original and should not be missed by anyone who loves a beautiful rendition of an exceptionally sad song.

Image: Google.

Original Article: Andy Lim

Sukiyaki Blue Diamonds

Karaoke + 60s Lyrics + Arrogance = Fatality

IMAGE: EMPTY KARAOKE JOINT

The family maid confirms the story in the newspapers about karaoke joints in the Philippines. You can sing, Fly Me To The Moon (Brenda Lee or Sinatra) , Release Me (Engelbert Humperdinck), and songs by Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra or others but don't ever sing one particular tune by Mr Blue Eyes. My Way, a Paul Anka original, could be your last song.

According to the newspapers, even the authorities are uncertain as to the number of people who have gotten into fatal fights after singing this number. One newspaper article reported that at least 6 enthusiasts, who sang this particular composition, groaned their 'swan song'. It has become so serious in the past years that My Way is not on the playbook list. Apparently it has happened in Malaysia and Thailand too where fights occur over microphones, song choice and nerve shatteringly bad vocals!

Roland B. Tolentino, a pop culture expert, at the University of the Philippines commented that since the Philippines is "a very violent society, karaoke triggers what already exists when certain social rules are broken (New York Times)."

Are the lyrics so arrogant that some listeners cannot connect with the words? Below are some choice phrases that might just trigger that anger:

And now, the end is near, And so I face the final curtain.../Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew, /When I bit off more than I could chew... /But through it all, when there was doubt, /I ate it up and spit it out.../I faced it all and I stood tall... /To say the things he truly feels /And not the words of one who kneels. /The record shows I took the blows... (Composition: Paul Anka)

Fatalistic predictions? Do these karaoke brawls occur in sexy Singapore? Comment anyone?

Information: The Straits Times Singapore (World - Regional - February 8th, 2010).

Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

(2) From HK Vintage Pop Radio Website

[1] 

"Teresa Carpio is like the Aretha Franklin of Asia. Seriously respectable, seriously extraordinary. Her career and fame skyrocketed after her stint in Japan, followed by a superbly successful release of English albums in Hong Kong. 

Now teaching singing lessons in Toronto and occasionally performing, Teresa remains the most soulful, enchanting and seriously spectacular diva."

[2]

"This fan had the pleasure of being on stage with Teresa Carpio but cannot remember the date. It might have been around 1978 or 79. She was the star of the production of City of Broken Promises. Also in starring roles were James Shigeta and Byron Webster. She was absolutely fantastic. She did a lot of singing in the production and this fan was taken aback with the emotion that she portrayed. Every performance, she cried real tears. It was amazing to witness."

[3]

 "She is a role model for singers and this fan first listened to her songs in the mid 70s. Since then she had never come across another singer anywhere in the world who can really make you grow to love the songs the way she did. Would very much like to get in touch her."

Teresa Carpio: 

We May Never Love Like This Again. 

YouTube Video: Teresa Carpio

[4]

 She has performed in many countries as far apart as Singapore, Malaysia, Tahiti, Brunei, the USA and Canada. Always helping the needy, she hosted her first charity signature gathering in Singapore when she was only 18.

[5]

Is Ms. Carpio [below] still singing now or has she officially retired?

https://alchetron.com/Teresa-Carpio

Above quotes from: hkvp - Hong Kong Vintage Pop Radio. 

(1) Teresa Carpio Vivacious With Verve, Vitality, Voice Cover Girl Playboy Mag HK'86

One of the most dynamic Asian singers that I've heard on vinyl is Teresa Carpio (b 1957). With verve, vitality and a voice that can only come from the gods, Carpio is great indeed. Her 2nd vinyl in 1976 (image) features many songs stretching from the 50s to the 70s. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, Feelings, Fernando, Do You Know Where You're Going To and How High The Moon are interspersed with I'm Easy, Loving You, Never Can Say Goodbye, Stay Awhile and Love Hangover, Do It Yourself, Can't Help Falling In Love and As Sure As I Am Standing Here. (1976 EMI/HK/EMGS 6001).

Carpio who sings in English and Cantopop is born in Hong Kong of Philippino descent. She won a song contest at 6 and by 1975 has her own TV show. Her family is musically talented. There's so much information about her on the Internet that it is unnecessary to repeat what has been written. Just check-out the websites.

Four points to note: (1) she has appeared on the cover of the December 1986 issue of the Hong Kong edition of Playboy magazine, which features a tasteful topless photograph of her, (2) has a daughter called T.V. Carpio who is a star in her own rights, having acted in Law & Order, The Jury and Rent, a Broadway musical, (3) appeared with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra in 2003 and (4) cut about a dozen album from 1975 to 1990.

Reference: Wikipedia. Image/Article: Andy Lim Collection.

Philippines Rivera Floods - 70s Songbird Gracie

The people from the Philippines that blogger has encountered are mostly warm, gracious and gifted with music in them.

D' Starlights and The Fabulous Echoes came in the 60s and Freddy Aguila later. In the 70s a pretty young Philippino lady sang her way to the hearts of nightclubbers in Hong Kong and S. E. Asia with her beautiful voice and charming personality. 

Gracie Rivera signed up with EMI/HK and produced a number of English records. This particular selection from GRACIE (image) includes: Torn Between Two Lovers, Fairy Tale, Morning Of My Life, Somebody Waiting, Both Sides Now, The Music Of Love, It's Time, Fly Away, Like A Sad Song, I Am A Rock and personal favourites, Erestu and of course Amazing Grace. 

Gracie Rivera: House of the Rising Sun: An Animals Original. Thank you.

EMI Records were big because they released a string of English albums in the second half of the 70s by artists that included Teresa Carpio, Esther Chan, Rowena Cortes, Felicia Wong, Tracy Huang, Frances Yip and Gracie Rivera.

Then there was George Lam, The New Top Notes and The Western Union Band. Two independent labels also released English albums in the 1970s. The company's main rival was Polygram.

The vinyl was recorded in 1977 (EMGS 6012). It was arranged and conducted by Fabulous Echoes and Kong Ling personality Vic Cristobel. 

Comment anyone?

Hey Paula: Paul & Paula US Pop 60s Music Beautiful Philippino Singer Beautiful Voice - Maria - Backstage With Andy

When Ronnie See of The Burns wanted a lady to duet with him singing, Hey Paula, they found the correct choice in Filipina singer, Maria, presently singing in a private club in Singapore.

With a voice as sweet as a nightingale's, Maria interpreted her lyrics so beautifully, it gave everyone present at the rehearsals plenty of goose pimples. She carried the song with a particular charm no one could match.

"Hey Paul, I've been waiting for you,/Hey hey Paul, I wanna marry you too/If you love me true, if you love me still/Our love will always be real, my love, my love."

Her timing was perfect and the duet went without a hitch. Maria, we hope to hear more of you soon.

Image/Original article: Andy Lim Collection

Freddie Aguilar Anak Philippino Music Influence

(UPDATE: 27 May, 2025) 

FOLK singer and Original Pilipino Music (OPM) icon Freddie Aguilar died Tuesday. He was 72. Reports said Aguilar passed away around 1:30 a.m. at the Philippine Heart Center.

RIP FREDDIE. 

THANKS FOR 'ANAK' N YOUR LOVELY MUSIC.

CONDOLENCES TO MR. AGUILAR'S FAMILY.

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41 CHATS, COMMENTS.

This blog does not usually discuss late 70s music but there's always an exception and this particular song is going into that territory.

Most 60s music lovers and those in the business, play this song over and over again because of its haunting melody and heart rendering tale of a parent’s love for a wayward child. It has captured the ears and hearts of many Singaporeans and to many, it seems to be the only folk song that comes from this beautiful country of music, love and 7,107 islands.

The original Tagalog version that brought it an international success, climbed fast to the top ten charts in Japan and Europe; over 30 million copies were sold worldwide, with more than 100 cover versions and 55 conversions in 27 languages, including English.

The singer is Freddie Aguilar, the one Asian singer, and composer who broke into the western market with this unbelievably poignant song. Aguilar has been given the distinction of being the only Asian artist to achieve worldwide fame. It was such a big hit that Billboard Magazine reported it as a No. 2 on the Top 100 Hits of the World in the 80s. He received an Asia Star Award in 2008 and is President's Duterte's favourite singer.

Go to any nightspot in Singapore today and the song is still being played by our local artistes, sometimes in Tagalog and sometimes in English. I first heard it sung by a Filipino singer at the former Glass Hotel at Havelock Road.

18 April 2015

Organised by musicologist, Dr. Joe Peters (he likes my blog), I met Mr. Aguilar during one of his special performances here about four years ago when he was invited by the Singapore Management University where he described his early years as a music maker and his life and performances. He went through much hardship but settled into an astonishing career. His son performed too with their accompanying band, if I remember correctly.

Good friend Rickie Chng (lead Silver Strings) accompanied me to the talk and short performance. 

An Original Article: Andy Lim.

Two friends, Dr. Joe Peters, who loves this blog and old friend, Dr. Kirpal Singh, NTU/NIE lecturer in the 2000s. They were with Freddie Aguilar at the talk given by this famous Filipino pop singer and icon in 2015.

Goodbye Mr. Aguilar. 

Rest In Peace...

Hong Kong Pop 60s Music - Queen Kong Ling

Kong Ling (image) never looked back when she was the winner in an inter-school singing competition in the early 50s in HongKong. Within three years, she became just as popular in Singapore as she was in HongKong when she became a resident song bird in a local nitespot.

Like many singers in the 60s, Kong Ling gained popularity by covering pop English songs translated into Chinese dialects and Mandarin.

In 1960 she cut her first album, but her second Long Playing record, “Theme from a Dream," made her part of the 60s family when Diamond Records had a full studio orchestra to back her.

Like Sakura Teng, Rita Chao and other Mandarin pop singers, Kong Ling has this distinguishable Cantonese diction and grammatical swings when she sings her English covers, but it's part of the Eastern charm many fans find enduring. She's best singing in Mandarin and dialect. "Roses are red, my love, violets are blue." Off beat and cha-cha-cha! But definitely not off-colour!
(Image: A rare find indeed).

Hong Kong 60s Music - The Fabulous Echoes

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The Fabulous Echoes were three Filipinos, a Scotsman and Sri Lankan lead singer Cliff Foenander. They were the most successful of these early 60's bands in Hong Kong, appearing on two Diamond Record albums fronted by Kong Ling and on four other albums proving themselves as a rock n roll show band.

The Fabulous Echoes line-up was: Tony Ruivivar (guitar), Bert Sagum (tambourine, vocals), Terry Lucido (piano), Stan Robertson (bass), Danny Ruivivar (drums), and Cliff Foenander (lead vocals). 

Cliff Foenander, their lead singer, was Sri Lanka's "crooner king" in the late 50's and 60s. He joined them and their first hit, "A Little Bit of Soap" (1964 - Diamond Records) was for 25 weeks at #1 on the Hong Kong Charts and a hit in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, The Philippines and Sri Lanka.

Some of their more familiar hits were: "Dancing on The Moon," "Sukiyaki," "'The Wedding,'" "Skip to My Lou," "Way Back When" and "This Land is My Land." They have also accompanied Hong Kong singer Kong Ling with the Diamond Music Company Studio Orchestra.

The group changed their names in 1968 and called themselves The Society Of Seven. They were contracted to play in Las Vegas and became as familiar as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Pat Boone.

Ed Sullivan signed them up for two shows and when telecast, was seen by an audience of more than 40 million viewers. The group played in Vegas and for more than three decades, kept the pace. Foenander passed away in late 2000 but the group, with a new line-up, are still playing.

Images Google.

A Little Bit of Soap: Fabulous Echoes.

YouTube Video by: candy60s1