SINGAPORE 60's: ANDY's POP MUSIC INFLUENCE IS A PERSONAL MUSIC, MEMORY TRAIL. BLOGGER DOES NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO VIDEOS, AUDIO TRACKS AND IMAGES. THEY ARE UPLOADED FOR FUN, EDUCATIONAL, ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES AND HAVE BEEN CREDITED. BLOG IS NOT SPONSORED NOR ADVERTORIAL IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER. INFORM BLOGGER OF COPYRIGHT ISSUES AND POST WILL BE DELETED IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT COPY THE POSTS; GET PERMISSION N CREDIT ME IF YOU DO. ANDY LIM LA (NOVEMBER, 2008) - (新加坡六十年代安迪的流行音乐影响力), SUDI MAMPIR !
Very true dear friend! There were so many kind-hearted folks in the old days.
But I was also fortunate I had a very independent nature, unafraid to venture out alone even at night. My folks at home were never worried where I was or what I was up to. They knew I could look after myself pretty well in the 50's and 60's. 🙏😍
In 1960, I was in Primary Six at Geylang English School One. I was living with the family at Lorong 40, Siang Lim Park. But because I was sitting for the PSLE [Primary School Leaving Examination] and we had a big family at home, a decision was made that I should bunk with my elder sister's family at Dakota Crescent, in a ground floor shophouse unit. It was great for me as I could study quietly and walking to school was a breeze.
On many weekends night, I would go to the Happy World Amusement Park alone [also known as Gay World] as it was not far away for a twelve year old child. I would have no money to pay for the entrance fee or anything else. But I had observed other children entering free with adult parents or uncles and aunties. The trick?
I just stood near the entrance and always a kind unknown uncle going in will ask, "You want to go in?"
And "Yes!" was my reply.
Such friendly, kind uncles after getting me in for free will also ask what I wanted to see. My first request were the Wrestling matches inside the covered stadium.
"Come!" they'll say, as they bought tickets, and in we went. It was free again!
Happy World was a magical land at night for everyone. Food, music, dances, rides, local culture, shopping, delicious, chewy tidbits and more.
The story of my night adventures was featured on TV, "There Was A Time", a historical documentary by Media Corp, a few years ago.
Comments are always welcome...
Author: Dick Yip
UP TO 300 VIEWS
Here are some very good musician friends from the 60's and 70's who made a name for themselves, even up to the 80's and 90's in Singapore.
I am highlighting a few whom I know personally and still keeping in touch with. Thanks guys for accompanying me and entertaining us these so many years. Have a jolly Hari Raya Puasa.
Click connections to read about each musician.
You can find these friends all over this blog. Just key in their names under SEARCH on the right hand column.
Wishing also my other Muslim readers, friends and contributing writers near and far, Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri Tahun 2023.
Comments are always welcome.
There is never any intention to show-off or blow Eddie Calvert's trumpet here. Just an honest opinion and some fun and games when the world is in such a huge mess. If only more people would listen to their music and dance to the tunes; this world would truly be a better place to live in.
Andy,
Your blog will be considered a very important account on music of the 60's, especially in Singapore. Its history, the musicians and the bands, the songs they sang, it's all on your blog. Very nostalgic for those who lived through their heydays ad reference material for those after.
It is a reminder to the young that their ye-ye, gong-gong, ah-ma and por-por (grandparents) were young once and lived the the era of rock ad roll, jazz, rhythm ad blues and danced to The Twist and sang to The Young Ones. Indeed, those were the days, my friend.
Today, we often get news of a passing of a local music luminary.
Who carries the torch?
So please live live a long and healthy life, Andy! I wish you umor panjang, sehat dan kuat (long life, healthy and strong).
Merely speaking the truth. Your blog is an important document and I believe it is acknowledged as such.
Who carries the torch for Singapore music? The greats are taking their last bows. Who continues the legacy? Because I don't frequent the clubs, so I don't know the musicians or the bands. English radio stations hardly give the local bands any air-time.
Questions from an ignoramus.
[This short article is written by SL, a former NIE colleague, who is not a musician but has been observing the pop scene for some years. She has also contributed some articles. Thank you SL.]
Comments are welcome.
Name the song titles on some posters. Fun!
UP TO 1,200 VIEWS, 30+ CHATS, COMMENTS
"I knew Robert when he was band leader of, Naomi and The Boys with the late Moses Tay who played bass. We became great friends through music interactions during the 1960's when I was with Sonny Bala and The Moonglows, having done stage shows together at the Singapore Badminton Hall, the F&N Hall at River Valley Road and other popular venues.
We were in Vietnam too in the 1970's since our bands were under the same management. When the troupe returned to Singapore, Robert left for Guam shortly afterwards but we kept in touch only on Facebook with the other musicians.
My deepest condolence to Robert's family.
[And to my two late buddies too whom I miss dearly, Donald Thaver, Zul Sultan. You'll all be missed.]"
A tribute from Cedric Cork.
"One of the best Singapore guitarists and composers from the 60s." Horace Wee.
Article contributed by Cedric Cork.
Links to Naomi and The Boys:
https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2021/06/robert-suriya-naomi-n-boys-chats-with.html
https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2013/10/singer-songwriter-robert-suriya-to-be.html
https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2010/01/passing-away.html
Links to Cedric Cork, Vietnam War Stories:
https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2022/03/vietnam-war-with-singapore-music-maker.html
https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2022/02/vietnam-war-music-trail-singaporean.html
