Andy 60's Music First Time Favourites Since The 50's

COWBOY SONGS

they were once called. Now it's

COUNTRY AND WESTERN

'San Antonio Rose' - Lou Baldino 

(Featuring House of Hamill and Ken Nelson) 

YouTube Video by: House of Hamill.

Here's a video on Lou Baldino's 'San Antonio Rose'. My kinda music I could listen to all day...

When I sent this song around among my WhatsApp connections, they replied with all the support and agreed with my selection of what music was like those years when we were younger. 

Here are some reactions and replies from viewers:

Eddy Eng:

This is music!

Richard Rajoo:

Yes, I really love San Antonio Rose too, because I started learning to play the guitar with an elderly neighbor of Bukit Merah. He plays with the Clan Association in Chinatown. So I sing at all their events, mainly Hank Williams and others at the music sessions. It was a real experience for me to sing to mostly vernacular speaking audiences.

Rickie Chng:

Simply nice and relaxing.

Tan Soo Khoon:

Very enjoyable. Thank you for sharing.

Vincent Tan:

Thanks for sharing.

👍👍👍👏👏👏

Merlin Lim:

Reminds me of the late, great Chet Atkins. Beautiful way of playing; all the fingers and thumb are alive. Played chords instead of single notes; makes the sound whole, complete and rich. Would have loved to learn that style of picking and playing. Had the intention to learn but lacked the motivation. Thanks Andy.

Johnny Yeo:

Nice! Nowadays I also like erhu since I have been attending weekly classes for the past two years. I love the old spaghetti Italian cowboy movies and their soundtracks.

Horace Wee:

Good to know your endorphins are working well.

Not dolphins 😅

Ronald Ho:

Thanks Andy. I listened with my bass headphones. They are excellent musicians. Yes, my kind of music too. I grew up on country music. Thanks.

Cedric Collars [Perth/Aust.]

I remember that song played by Chet Atkins and sung by Willie Nelson. Ah yes, we did enjoy them but nowadays they don’t play that style of music artistry. It has been put in the annals of music history. Sadly, it is we people who lament on their passing.

Richard Tham:

Andy, I love country music. It makes one wanna get up and dance! Thanks for sharing.

Chet Atkins, Willie Nelson.

When Music Hits You, You Feel No Pain.

Jimmy Chng:

Yup, it's all pleasure to our ears! Good morning, Andy.

Wilfred Lim:

Yes, music lingers on momentarily... then it's whisk off like a puff of smoke...  Such is our life span... we're here today... gone tomorrow! Unless our lifetime is recorded in stone or digitally... we sail into oblivion. Cheers.

Merlin Lim:

Music gives you the highs, lows and flats. Without the cravings and withdrawals...

Anonymous: 

I remember calling them cowboy songs, like Have I Told You Lately That I Love You, and China Doll. Later on, we know them as Country and Western songs. Again, lyrics today would be understood differently, "I'm tired of crying, and all your lying. That's why I'm buying a China doll. Her eyes are bluer; her faults are fewer..." Not today's China dolls! Ha! Ha!

More comments are welcome!

Slim Whitman: 'China Doll' [1952].

(Country Music Greats) HQ

YouTube: FromTheBasement.

Images: Google.

Singapore 60s Music Makers: Cycling @ Ang Moh Kio, Paya Lebar, Thomson: By Ronald Ho.

UP TO 700 VIEWS 

Ronald and his group of cycling friends in the 1950's when

Singapore was wild with unguarded fruit trees and empty roads.

"I found a key which happened to be a master-lock key..."

https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/bicycle-lock-with-the-pole

A delightfully enchanting tale from good friend, Ronald Ho, that may not move any young person's heart today. But I love it! There were no handphones, lap-tops, digital games or bubble-tea drinks but lots of good 'clean' fun, fruits and BICYCLES! Thanks Ron.

Andy, all kampong boys somehow learn to ride bicycles even though they do not have the luxury of owning one themselves. I was one of them. Learnt to ride adult bicycles by borrowing them. We were poor and could not afford such a luxury back in 1950s. 

I found a key which happened to be a master-lock key, and used it to borrow, without permission, an adult bike from an old man who left the bike locked while he went to work. My rides were from 1pm to 3pm till one day, he had the afternoon off and came back at 1.30pm to find his bike had been borrowed. 

He was understanding after my apologies but my Mum was furious and thrashed me in his presence. I was made to give up the master key. It was not until 1965 when I had to attend night classes at Lembaga for A level that I bought a $75 bicycle made in Taiwan from the savings I earned while working at Straits Times Periodicals as a clerk for 4 months (I quit as the job was silly and boring) and decided to further my studies. 

"My mum thrashed me in his presence."

https://sg.theasianparent.com/difference-parenting-styles-asian-western-parents

The bicycle was fun as the rest of the Meltones, except for Richard, could go biking. So Jimmy Appudurai, David Lim, Kelly Tan, Malcolm Alphonso, Billie (David's cousin), Derrick DeAlwis and I decided to ride from Katong to Lim Chu Kang to see Giles Miranda, our classmate who was at SAFTI. 

It was a ride I will never forget as it took us through the farms of Paya Lebar, Aw-Kang, and Angmo Kio to Sembawang, and through old Mandai Road during the expansion of Upper Seletar Reservoir, and through old Chua Chu Kang and Jalan Bahar. We had fun stealing rambutans, guava and other fruits from unguarded trees. On the way back, we took the west coast route and landed at old Bouna Vista Road (aka the Gap) where we were thrillingly rode our bikes downhill like Old Thomson Road Grand Prix motorcyclists. Luckily, no one fell or was injured. But we lost half of the rubber on our brakes. 

"It was a ride I will never forget..."

https://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/reminiscences/singapore-cycling-1961-63/

Here is a quote I took from Google AI on the Gap: "Yes, South Buona Vista Road in Singapore was once known as "The Gap" from the 1950s to the 1970s. The road is a curvy, winding, and narrow rural road that runs through hilly terrain and connects Dover to Pasir Panjang. Locals also commonly refer to the road as "99 bends". 

It was great to be young. I will not trade my youth days for anything.

Any comment my dear reader? Always welcome for one.

"We took the west coast route...known as The Gap"

https://www.pppea.org/buona-vista-gap-hill-an-interesting-past/

"We had fun stealing rambutans, guava 

and other fruits from unguarded trees."

https://tendergardener.com/rambutan-season-is-here/

Fats Domino: Rockin' Bicycle. 

YouTube Video from: Fats-4-Ever.

Author: Ronald Ho.

Images: Google; A Private Collection.

Ronald has other stories to tell.

Click his name under 'Labels' below.

There are other bicycle tales too. Click 'bicycles'.

If you take information from this article for your own use, 

credit the writer, blog and me because copying is stealing.

Andy.

Jimmy Appudurai-Chua: A Tribute From Ronald Ho [Meltones]

     UP TO 1,600 VIEWS. 

      35 COMMENTS,       

CHATS, CONDOLENCES

TRIBUTE to JIMMY APPUDURAI-CHUA 

It was supposed to be a sunny day but the news early this morning that Jimmy Appudurai-Chua, my very good friend, my Meltones bandmate, my classmate from 1955 at St Patrick’s passed away in hospital in England at 8.30pm 29, August 2023 made my sun set. His 76th birthday is 31, August – just two days away.

Jimmy spent most of his adult life in the world of music playing his guitar gleefully and wonderfully. He was happiest with a guitar in his hands. From the Meltones in the 60s to the Straydogs in the 70s and many gigs, he left for England and continued playing music with many bands including the UK Meltones.

Jimmy is one of the nicest people to have walked this earth. He was always cheerful and positive, never had an unkind word and always encouraging others. He lived simply, loved his char-siew, always loyal to his friends and a kampong boy at heart.

From the sandy road of Jalan Sempadan to the green fields of St Patrick’s, Jimmy grew up playfully and happily with his close friends.  From the music stages in Singapore to the music stages in the UK, Jimmy entertained with his guitar skills and in synch with his band-mates. And for his undying love for Mary, the mother of Jesus, he now walks into her arms in heaven. 

Ronald Ho. 

30 August 2023. 10.27 am.

Image: FB Copyrights Reserved

Thanks to Ronald for keeping in touch and writing this piece within an hour, when he confirmed Jimmy had passed away. 

Jimmy Appudurai-Chua with The Meltones. 

Ronald Ho sings: The Young Ones.

Esplanade Theatre: 10 March 2017

YouTube Video: Fabian Foo.

If you take information from this article for your own use, 

at least credit the blog and me because copying is stealing.

Andy.

Connecting to other Jimmy A's posts: 

1. his life story.

2. with Meltones and

3. a student fan, Straydogs, Andy.

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2020/06/jimmy-appudurai-chua-singapore-born.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2020/08/the-meltones-as-related-by-ronald-ho.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2019/08/straydogs-freedom-played-lecture.html

Jimmy Appudurai with Straydogs: Esplanade 2015.

YouTube Video: Steve Ferzacca.

The MELTONES as related by Ronald Ho

UP TO 1,800 VIEWS

     FOR THIS POST  

Original Meltones 1966: L to R: Ronald, David, Jimmy, Richard, Malcolm.

Meltones at house function 1968 and at SIA CLUB 2018.

For a band to get together again and 50 years later with the same boys is truly remarkable. This group has not changed members so when I asked Ronald if he could do a short write-up he agreed. Ronald sings as his famous brother Raymond (Crescendos) does. Thanks for taking time off  to write your 60's music adventure my friend.

Andy, 

My brother Raymond was original Crescendos. My siblings are all musically oriented, play guitars, sing but never went professional except for Raymond. My other brother Rennie back in the 70s also sang with some groups for many years but stopped after he started work with a Japanese company, Ataka. I, with Jimmy Appudurai, Richard Ang, David Lim and Malcolm Alphonso started the Meltones in 1963.

 We continued playing as a group till the 70s and performed at many gigs... Ocean Park Hotel, New Penangway, high teas, functions, and RAF Changi. We were part of the Push Push Show Tour back in 1966 or so with the Quests and performed at JB, Muar, Melaka, KL, Ipoh and Penang. But Meltones never played professionally or regularly. We each had our various careers. Except Jimmy who went on to play professionally.

 But in 2013, Meltones came back together again and started playing again at various functions. In 2015, we performed at the Esplanade Open Air theatre. In 2016, we performed at the Esplanade Recital Hall to 3 sell out shows, and again in 2017. And in 2018, we performed at the Esplanade main concert Hall. Jimmy flew in from England in all instances to perform with us.

 At our 2nd recital Hall show, I brought in the Crescendos,  as guest artistes. But just Raymond and John performed. Again, at the final main concert hall show in 2018, I brought in the Crescendos as guest artistes. 

In 2019, Meltones performed at Pek Kio Community Hall as invited by Jerry Fernández. And at National Library as part of Arts Festival. New Meltones is still alive but without Jimmy who is stuck in England.

 Our members are Richard Ang (lead guitar), David Lim (bass guitar), Kelly Tan (rhythm guitar and vocals), Hansen Beng (drums), and myself Ronald Ho (vocal singer and spokesman for the group). We play songs from the 60s and 70s and cover a huge span of music.

 Article and Images: Copyrights Reserved.

YouTube Video: Foo Jong Fook.

 Written by Ronald Ho. 

Jimmy Appudurai writes: 

This is so cool, I remember the pictures but not seen them for a while... brilliant... love playing with them, so much fun. Never ever talk about money. 

Even coming Singapore to play. They will use their payments for my airfare plus they provide me meals as well... amazing guys.  If the payments do not cover the airfare, in two cases both Ronald and Malcolm will subsidize the extra; they never want me to lose out. 

There is that loyalty thing ingrained in my classmates; they are so special. One of those bands that made no records and all totally around still today. They are all from the same class at St. Patrick's School in Katong. And they are Catholics except me. 

Thanks Andy for your wonderful blog xxxx.