Michael Meets Melodians, Moonglows: Part One

Michael Bangar: Silver Strings Rhythm Guitarist

Michael Bangar played with the Silver Strings in Sentosa and Pek Kio Community Club in 2015 before I met him for the first time during the band's practice sessions. We were preparing for Media Corp's popular prime time slot, Not The 5 Show in April 2016.

After a few chats I asked if he could provide me his music history as a guitarist and singer. Michael had been playing with many pop bands in Singapore. He obliged and sent me a portfolio of his connections with the guitar groups from the 70's onward. 

He explained, "I paid my music dues learning and watching 60's Singapore bands like Silver Strings, Quests, Thunder Birds, Mysterians, Moonglows and other bands. In the late 60's I played in a few unknown bands. I was very low key." 

He went about honing his skills on the portable six-string instrument learning much from playing at clubs and events. Then when he was ready, "I went full time as a musician in October, 1984."

He joined Robert Shotam's band, The Silver Saddles with Sam Hussein and Sam Kassim. Robert was on lead, the first Sam was on bass, second Sam on drums and Michael himself on rhythm.  

There was a change of bands and Michael made his mark by teaming up with The Strollers 3 0 or Trio. Ali Hamzah was on guitars and Abdul Hais playing the upright bass (double-bass).  Sophisticated and pleasantly a gentleman in his ways, I asked about his unique surname. 

"It's Bangar not Banger," and added, "I'm Indian and have an international family consisting of members from many countries."  

Raised in the East Coast area Michael grew up in Katong and went to Telok Kurau Primary School and St. Patrick's Secondary School. He told me how he was traumatised in primary school by a nasty teacher. 

                                          *Video by Fabian Foo 

     Michael Bangar with Silver Strings @ Kallang Wave Concert 2016. 
(We were entertaining sports participants rather than 60's music enthusiasts.)

As a young teen he learnt guitar intricacies from his father, coaxing the instrument in an unassuming way. Playing and singing with ease, enjoyment and in a relaxed manner, his body language tells that he is an experienced musician.  A six-footer, he looks the suave, pop figure anyone would look up to. 

As of late, Michael is the only Silver Strings member to don shades during a gig. With his Ray-Ban glasses, he seems shrouded in mystery as he strums the solid guitar. 

As he tells his story, he remembers the famous 60's recording artiste Maurice Patton and The Maui Chimes who invited him to play. Patton was on both electric and Hawaiian guitar with Marwan on bass. Hassan Panjang played the drums. 

Lead guitar Ivor Lesslar (Cells Unlimited), 2nd guitar Donald Thaver ( Moonglows), Bass Jeffrey Pinto, Drums Ramon Francis ( Neu Faces), Sax Jerry Murad (Dukes) n lastly Mike Bangar on lead vocals n Rhythm guitar.

Before joining 60's pop stars The Moonglows, a drummer Maurice Limoco got a six months' booking at the old Queen's Hotel and invited Michael, Maurice Patton and Marwan to perform together. 

Climbing the stairway to fame, both as singer and guitarist, it was only natural for Michael to join recording artistes, the late Sunny Bala and His Moonglows. Sunny and Michael both played the guitars, Randall Morales was on bass and Cedric Cock on drums. 

Michael rattles off band names without pausing. He remembers every detail, time, dates and places. Each name or venue he mentions has a personal history in his book. And he says in all seriousness, "My father taught me the tricks and trade of playing the guitar. It's easy if you know how."

Read Part Two of Michael's story. Click connection:

http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2016/07/michael-bangar-with-his-multiple-bands.html

*Video was taken @ 9 am. when participants were preparing for the run. But the band had encores from the spectator crowd present. 

Images: A Personal Collection.

Article: As told by Michael Bangar to Andy Lim.
(Copyrights Reserved.)

(A) Milk Advertisement On Vinyl With Strollers

A well-known brand of milk produced a 45 EP vinyl to promote its reconstituted milk. It was distributed free by a local woman's magazine in its June, 1972 issue.

 

The Strollers' recorded in stereo the song, New Woman on Side One. On Side Two were four tracks promoting the milk product in English, Malay, Cantonese and Hokkien. The back jacket displays the lyrics and milk product. The front cover (image) is beautifully designed with three pretty Asian ladies depicting the new woman.

It is common knowledge that vinyl records were used in the 60s and 70s for advertisement purposes. And popular singers and bands were used to attract customers. Do you have this piece of vinyl?

Image: Andy Lim Collection.

HASSAN IDRIS - A TRIBUTE - BAND MEMBER OF THE STROLLERS HAS PASSED AWAY IN FEBRUARY 2021 - ONE OF THEIR ALBUMS FROM THE 70'S - NEW WOMAN.

Malaysia Pop Muzik 60an - The Strollers

The Strollers is a famous Malaysian band formed in 1965. Not many people outside the country know them but, according to fans of the band, they were the most famous rock group in Malaysia from the 60s up to the 70s.

The middle 60s line-up consisted of Michael Magnus, Bill Chang, Hussein Idris, Ramli and Nand Kumar. They were famous for their originals like, Silly Joke, Do What You Gotta Do, Just As I Am. Other songs include, Bus Ride, Children, Fire, Please Don't Let Me Down, You, Maybe Tomorrow and My Girl.

A label from Spain managed to get this particular psychedelic album, Waiting Is... (image) and put the songs on a CD a few years ago. Another label from Korea had made an 11-track vinyl LP. Fans claim that the amazing album, recorded in 1973, had great musical composition, sound production and sung in perfect English with fantastic keyboard, guitar and flute accompaniment.

The group also backed a singer called Charles Tyler who came from London, England. It was a song called, Little Boy In Moscow and was recorded in 1972.

LINE-UP [from Peter Niktos YouTube site] -

Michael Magness — keyboards, vocals

Nand Kumar — flute, harmonica, percussion, guitar, vocals Hassan Idris — lead guitar, acoustic guitar, backing vocals Billy Chang — bass, backing vocals Hussein Idris — drums, percussions, backing vocals

HASSAN IDRIS - A TRIBUTE - BAND MEMBER OF THE STROLLERS HAS PASSED AWAY IN FEBRUARY 2021. - ONE OF THEIR ALBUMS FROM THE 70'S - WAITING IS.

PETER NIKTOS has a collection of recordings on his YOUTUBE site. Check them out. THE STROLLERS with WAITING IS.

Information may have changed as the years go by.

Image: from Strollers Website.
Original article: Andy Lim.

SINGAPORE GOVERNMENT BANS LONG HAIR?

pOp 6Os music icon: Cliff Richard with his longest hair ever. 

Was he in Singapore? Check it out...

[pin by: Kayla Coleski]

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/795940934138539351/

Singapore Poster That Discourages Long Hair.

UP TO 21,000 VIEWS, 

25 CHATS, COMMENTS

Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh...
'What's Going On?' - Marvin Gaye

In the early 70s government offices in Singapore clamped down on males sporting long hair because it spelt gangsterism. For present generation readers who don't believe this is true, the above poster from the 70's National Library Archives proves it.

Led Zeppelin  (Google Images)

I remember an incident where a man with long hair was queuing up at a government department to pay his bills. He was told by an officer that he would be served last. The man was taken aback but quietly took his place at the end of the line.

To make matters worse, the country discouraged and finally banned pop music as it was termed yellow culture. Singapore's pop music industry faded after all its glory and support from that generation.

The industry was a thriving and decent way for both amateur and professional musicians to make an honest. But because of these circumstance it died an unnatural death. Many enthusiasts moaned the local pop music's demise and up to this day the industry never really recovered.



Bee Gees in Singapore

Jimmy Page and his new band Led Zeppelin had their show cancelled on 14th February, 1972 because they refused to cut their long hair. Also in the same year the Bee Gees were all here in Singapore to play their music but were forced home immediately after performing on stage at the National Theatre on March, 21st because their hair were too long.



The Hekk that performed at Hotel Malaysia in Singapore in March 1973, was a five piece band much renowned for their long hair by the Australian rock group circuit. Each member of the group gave up two feet of their beautiful locks so that they could perform for three months at The Pub and Discotheque. The members were Peter McCormack, Anthony Sampson, Edwin Boath, Veda Man and Peter Austen.

The Strollers from Malaysia. (Google Images).

Below is a Singapore Press Holdings unedited description to explain the above poster: 

"The government is to step up the campaign against the cult of the long unkempt hair among males in the Republic. For some time now certain government departments, like immigration and schools as well as institutions of higher learning had been taking action against males with long and unkempt hair. 

The campaign will take another step forward when all government offices dealing with the public will display posters in English, Chinese and Malay with the message: 'Males with long hair will be attended to last' (20.06.1972)."

To be fair to the Singapore government, not only did this island discourage males from sporting long hair.  Other countries in the 70's followed the same trend. Cities like Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Seoul in South Korea, Melbourne in Australia and even Dublin in Ireland were strict with male students who sported long hair. 

I guess Singapore went just one step further. It included all males, young and old.

You Tube Bee Gees - Lonely Days (1970).

Image 1: National Heritage Board, Singapore.
Images 2,3: Google.