Recorded in Singapore: TNA TEP 213 EP. (image), the selection is 1950s cowboy songs.
Do you remember Ronnie Ong? He was known as Singapore's Trini Lopez. Is that him far left in the picture? Would you like to tell us about him? Do share with us your memories as Ronnie Ong was popular in the 60s too. He is also a crooner and sings jazz standards. Where is Ronnie Ong now?
Updated on 2nd February, 2025
Photo from left to right:
Arthur Phua, Ronnie Ong, Albert Ventura, Yusof and Alphonso Soosay. Known as The Top Cats, they performed in the early 70s at The Pink Pussycat, located at Prince Hotel Garni at Orchard Road.
Horace Wee and Vinyl Recordings:
Famed legendary guitarist Horace Wee was in action during the recording. It was the first time a new guitar effect was used locally. There have been some discussions so comments are always welcome but keep them positive please. According to Mr Wee income was good then and he had gone through many such sessions but unable to remember specific ones.
Horace Wee
Author
Alphonso Soosay and Pink Pussy Cat:
I remember Ronnie Ong was popularly known as the Trini Lopez of Singapore then. He was our lead Singer with “Top Cats” and also very popular with the ladies.
The Pink Pussycat Nightclub was formerly known as Prince’s Garni Hotel on Orchard Road, it began rebranding itself as a “Popular Music Club” with two resident bands nightly to draw the crowd and it was packed almost every night.
Ronnie’s nightly popular by request songs were: La Bamba, Lemon Tree, I Am Coming Home Cindy, If I Had A Hammer, Jeanie Marie, Sally Was A Good Ole Girl and many other popular hit songs of the charts then.
Alphonso Soosay
Author.
Some pieces of information were provided by Horace Wee, Jerry Fernandez, Alphonso Soosay, Michael Bangar and Ivor Lesslar. Thank you gentlemen. Appreciate corrections, if any.
Images: Google.
Horace Wee (c).
Alphonso Soosay (c).
