Singapore 60s Band Romantic Rhythmist: Randy [Stylers Pop Band]: Takes Andy To Town

Andy and Randy.

The difference is the 'R'. He's the Romantic Rhythmist.

Our meal of Hokkien Mee and Chye Tau Kway

were delicious and nostalgic.

Someday, our memories will remind us that we lived life to the fullest. Throwback Sunday 04 May 2025, a day of enjoyment with Andy Young.

总有一天，回忆会提醒我们，我们曾经活得充实。5月4日星期日，与Andy Young一起享受快乐的一天。

Suatu hari nanti, kenangan kita akan mengingatkan kita bahwa kita telah menjalani hidup sepenuhnya. Kilas Balik Minggu 04 Mei, hari yang menyenangkan bersama Andy Young.

Meeting Raymond who owns a shop selling 

musical instruments at Sim Lim Square.

With a Filipino customer who is also a musician.

Three old friends which includes Richard, a 60s

 music vinyl record expert, at Bugis Central.

Raymond in the background at his shop.

With Richard at his souvenir and vinyl record shop in Bugis Street.

Richard sells lots of Singapore vinyl records and international ones too.

Hey, Randy,

Thanks for coming over to Singapore for a visit. We visited friends too... Randy had to run to my car on a busy road junction because I stopped in the middle of heavy traffic... 🙂. And the Hokkien Mee and Chai Tow Kway we had for lunch were delicious. We knew each other about a 100 years ago... 

Here is the handsome young man with one of the best guitar groups in Asia 60s: THE STYLERS. "Geylang si-paku Geylang..."

Randy Lee [extreme left], handsome, young and dandy... 

with the Stylers at a Geylang residence where 

a house party gathered in the early 60s.

Images: Randy Lee [Copyrights Reserved]

The Stylers - 'Singaporean Love Story'.

YouTube Video by: Leamiri.

Randy Lee's Friends and Fans:

Dewi Sie

Freda W Hanum

Irene Yap

Alvin Tan

Jennie Law

Tin Leong Lim

John Cher

Foo Jong Fook

Artom Alfaren

Kim Seng Tan

Riki Young

Chew Ricky

Patrick Tay

Winifred Yee

Lily Choo

Chee Yen Ng

Yeo PN

Ngie Kiang Ko

Charley Neo

Wong Yoke Lan

黄映明

Ziling Linda

Chong Steven

Lucy Chai

田鸣

Linda Tan

Ahong Lob

Yf Penny

Andrew Teo

温华伦

Yanti Ndell

Jenny Mau

Kent Hew

Sudianto Ahmad

Mary Ho

Clara Tan

Francis Ng

春野玲一

Loh G Emily

Master Yean

Afai Vtjai

Sammy Bahri

Nancy Leong

เสาวณีย์ หมื่นสิรี

Chia Chye Lim

Ricky Ooi

Amiruddin Runtono

Kah Hee Ng

Kimchoon Lee

Teresa Thian

Robert Lim

Albert FooNew

André El Hidrofóbico Rock

Lincathong Hong

Anny Chong

Bok Khoon Koh

Wan Seng Tai

Ung Ngie Lee

Royal Yee

Ricky Tan

Gurdev Singh

Mansor Sulaiman Cms

Crystal Lee

Woong Irengg

Gilbert Foo

Richard Yew

Lange Kenneth Arthur

Hui Bee Bee

Sunny Wu

Tet Nyun

Kelvin KC

Sweetiemay Fanggo

Chong Chong Chong

Roland De Smet

Phua Thim Wan

曾桂喜

Keith Thng

Jean Wong

Rahim Tokuyo

Maidi Lei

Blu Tan

Jacky Lim

余珍珠

Tan Juke Boon

Ikhoo Bee Khoo

Kim Chan Chong

Ling Kwong Lin

廖貴祥

Pheck Hua Chew

Liu Sho

Roger Mak

YS Lee

Oliver Twist

Kahginn Tham

Adam Chow

Miasih

Chia Jimmy

Ted Chin Jong

Christmas Songs Made In Singapore: Naomi, Thunderbirds, Quests, Stylers

This posting has been rejuvenated. Merry Christmas 2023 

to all friends, readers and contributing writers.

Christmas In Style with the Stylers 

one of their best albums for the holidays.

Spend Christmas In Singapore By Listening To Christmas Songs, Singapore Style, 2021.

Christmas has always been an international holiday, with millions of people celebrating it. Songs about Christmas too can come by the hundreds of thousands and the vinyl records produced, since the time such companies were set up, could come into millions.

Singapore produced some of these records and the bands involved included, the Stylers, Quests, Naomi and the Boys, Thunderbirds, Travellers and, as the years marched on, many many more. 

I am glad to note that friend Kevin Mathews has a song in a specially made album about nine years ago, for the Rare Disorder Society entitled, Christmas Dream... with other local artistes on the list too. 

The loveliest of sights in Singapore, 

Orchard Road during Christmas.

Now in December, 2021.

https://www.visitsingapore.com/festivals-events-singapore/cultural-festivals/christmas/

Two videos below with the popular group, Sam Willows singing, I'm Gonna Be Loved This Christmas and good friend Albert Louis with Merry Christmas Singapore, a cheerfully recorded one with his group, Culture Vulture.

At this juncture and with Covid-19 still spreading, we need that Christmas dream - that the unpleasantries will end soonest. 

Check the blog post using connection below each pix.

Comments are always part of these postings, if you can.

A Merry Christmas to all.

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

at least credit me because copying is stealing. Andy.

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2011/12/questing-for-singapore-60s-christmas.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2009/12/merry-christmas-with-travellers-2009.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2009/11/8888888888888888888888.html

Both these covers have been contributed 

by Dr. Steven Farram, Darwin, Australia.

Thanks Steve.

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/search?q=peter+low+christmas

Kevin Mathews [Track 6] - X'mas Dream - 2012

Plus 13 more tracks. 

For Rare Disorder Society, SG.

Connect below and listen to all the songs.

https://christmasinsingapore.bandcamp.com/album/christmas-in-singapore

'I'm Gonna Be Loved This Christmas'

The Sam Willows.

[A Singapore Original - 2018]

'Merry Christmas Singapore' by Culture Vulture.

Percussionist Albert Louis uses ethnic instruments

and lyrics include SG humour and flavour.

YouTube video from Danny Ong.

Vinyl Records With Singapore National Theatre Covers: Heritage & Collectors Value

  UP TO 1,550 VIEWS, 

30 CHATS, COMMENTS

He's here again and has been around studying the local music scene for many years now. Pushing aside his busy lecturing schedule, Dr Steve Farram has contributed yet another article for the blog. 

Many thanks, Steve.

Hi Andy, 

I really enjoyed reading Michael Bangar’s reminiscences in his recent post about the National Theatre and all the bands that had played there. Some time ago I wrote to you about the Australian band The Troupadors who had had their photo taken at the phone booths at the old Singapore airport for the cover of one of their records; as had The Jets and at least one other band (I still can’t remember who the other one was!) 

I said then that there was an even more popular spot for record cover photo shots in 1960's Singapore. Yes, it was the National Theatre. Here are all the ones I have in my collection and a little bit of what I know about the various artists. 

Hi-Fi Twins and The Kings 

I have read that the Hi-Fi Twins were from the Philippines. They give the appearance of being a couple of old hands on the show scene and the songs they chose to record for this EP were mainly early 60s numbers like ‘Papa Oom Mow Mow’, ‘Papa and the Mama Twist’ and ‘Boom Boom’. 

They did get a bit more contemporary with their version of the Knickerbockers’ ‘Lies’. I don’t know anything about their backing band The Kings or if they ever recorded anything else. Judy Lee, I do not much at all about Judy Lee, but she appears to have been a regular on the live scene in Singapore. 

In another entry on this blog you can see that she once appeared on the same bill as Barry Walker & The Figures and a host of other artists at the Capitol Theatre: 
https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2013/07/barry-walker-off-beat-multi-racial.html

My favourite track on this EP is her take on the song ‘Mary Mary’. I don’t think the Monkees ever did a Chinese version, did they? I have read that Judy’s backing band on this record was her Blue Star label-mates The Jets, although it says nothing about that on the record itself. 

You cannot see the actual National Theatre building in the photograph of Judy here, but the fountains, the fence etc. make it obvious where she was 

Naomi and The Boys 

This was Naomi and The Boys first recording for Decca after a number of great records on the Philips label. My favourite track here is the Peter Thomas song ‘Bad Loser’. I don’t think anyone who is a regular on this blog needs an introduction to Naomi and The Boys! 

For those who don’t know, one place to start is Andy’s previous entry here: 

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/search/label/Naomi%20And%20The%20Boys

The Peels 

The Peels were a band from Bandung in Indonesia that released a number of records in Singapore. I have a few of their EP's, but they produced a lot more than I have. They seem to have been very popular in Singapore and Malaysia. 

This is the only record from my collection where the National Theatre is designated by its Malay name: Panggong Negara. I really like the song ‘Neng Geulis’. How many people in Singapore understood the Sundanese lyrics, I wonder? 

Teng Teng and The Stylers

I cannot read Chinese, but I was told the singer’s name is Teng Teng. Please tell me, anyone, if that is wrong. Teng Teng is very young in the photograph of the cover of this record, but I have seen some other records by The Stylers that seem to show a slightly older Teng Teng on the cover. 

My favourite tracks on this EP are the versions of ‘Hang On Sloopy’ and ‘Be Bop A Lula’. The Stylers backed many singers on albums and EPs (mainly in Chinese, but not always) and produced a mass of records of their own. Andy has written about them several times elsewhere on this blog, so find out more there. 

The Travellers 

I do not know much about the Travellers except that they released a number of instrumental albums under their own name and several albums and EPs backing various singers, always in Chinese. By the look of the cut of their clothes, I’d say this record was from the early 1970's. This is the only record of theirs that I own 

The Vantomites 
Judy Lee

The Vantomites offer a couple of instrumental tracks on this EP. I also have two EPs where they are backing singers Liu Zhong and Jing Jing. On those two records, they are recorded as the Vandomites on the record label. The photograph for this record seems to have been taken at about the same place as that for Judy Lee, which means you can see the fountains and so on, but not the National Theatre itself 

That’s all for now. There are probably other records showing the National Theatre, but these are the only ones I know about.

Best Wishes  
Steve Farram.

  1970 The Travellers ‎– 24 Non-Stop Dancing Music - You Tube Video by: fhlew888

Footnote:
These Chinese song/artist vinyl are becoming rare now. None going to print because they cost a fortune to produce and many collectors are just keeping them. Sungei Road (Singapore's Flea Mart), that was selling them, will close in July 2017. Used to cost $2 a piece. Lately, saw them for sale at $20 each.) 

The English Singapore collection, like the Malay ones, are going for more, some as much as $200 a piece. Andy.

Images: From Steven Farram.

Man From UNCLE Robert Vaughn Dead RIP

Did a Singapore 60's band record Man from UNCLE theme?

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. has passed away. Robert Vaughn, suave, serious but always with that certain charisma had made him the 1960's hero Napoleon Solo on the small screen at home.  Like James Bond. But he had a side-kick (60's heroes usually had partners in crime). He was called Ilya Kuryakin i.e. actor David McCallum.  

We rushed home to catch the series which came a year or two after national b/w television came to Singapore in early 1963.  Just as popular was the theme song. I don't remember any of our band boys playing this melody, not even the top names in our local line up. Perhaps it's because the music needed the big sound of an orchestra.

The original Jerry Goldsmith composition was recorded by Hugo Montenegro who carried the theme with style and pomp. It was typical background music that could create an atmosphere of suspense during a scene, common in 1960's TV shows. But one great Singapore band did record this movie theme.

Way back when, Marie Tang recorded an EP with a guitar group. She is the daughter of Wilma Tang, the late nightclub singer who used to perform at Ocean Park Hotel at East Coast Road, near St. Patrick's School.

Marie Tang wrote me a note some years ago because she was a talentime participant and talked about Uncle Larry Lai (well-known Rediffusion DJ), Uncle Charlie Lazaroo (pianist in the radio orchestra) and The Man from Uncle. Here's her letter:

Hi Andy,

Wow! This is really a surprise! The one and only E.P. (Extended Play Record) I cut was with *The Stylers, and I have some very fond memories of the many practice sessions we had during those days for my record, which also contains the song from The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Uncle Solo! Oh my goodness! I was only 15 years old then...

You have a very interesting blog and it will surely bring back many wonderful memories and smiles for many of us who contributed to the music scene during the 60s. 

Your posting of my mum... I've just sent it to her through MSN and she too was mesmerised and surprised.

Marie Tang.
2009.

*The recording was done with The Comancheros not The Stylers. 

Read her letter by connecting below:

http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2010/05/marie-tang-larry-lai-and-man-from-uncle.html

http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2008/12/wilma-tang-female-vocalist-60s.html

Images and Video: Google and You Tube.

Tan Swee Leong @ Capitol Cinema By Ronnie See

Ronnie See is a successful business man today. He also fronts his own band, The Burns, a guitar group that has been around since the swinging sixties. We have been in touch and despite a busy schedule, Ronnie has agreed to write again for this blog in appreciation of the late Tan Swee Leong. Thank you Ron.

Dear Andy,

I wanna say to you that you’re a man with ‘big heart’ who’d put in so much time bringing so much information about the 60's music scene in Singapore.

The good old sixties would have been lost without you, as no one could have written so much as you did; it’s truly remarkable and admirable on your part for keeping the 60's musical & entertainment trajectory alive.

Mr. Tan Swee Leong (right) was a good man and good friend to many! He was certainly a live-wire with his own wits and sometimes uncanny ways; that’s how he roused the crowds on an Early Sunday Morning show. 

As he was hosting the Musical Express at the Capitol Theatre during the 60's, there was never a moment of dullness, and the show was lively and charged throughout. 

The Capitol would be filled to its brim every weekend (Sunday) and even at 9.00 am the audiences thronged to fill up the cinema hall. That was the fondest memory I had of him as we were the resident band, Ronnieand The Stylers, at that time (image below with arms akimbo).

Andy, we all thank you for posting so much for the Singapore 60's music, which would have otherwise been lost!

The above short story is a mark of respect to Mr. Tan Swee Leong whom I’ve known since 60's but we’ve lost touch over the years since I left the music scene. This is just to share with you, how much I remember him with his wonderful showmanship as an Emcee/Compere - full of jokes and wits. I’m sure many would have agreed if they had seen him on stage!

My condolence to his family for the passing of the great Master of Ceremonies, Tan Swee Leong!

Once again, wishing you and family A Joyous Merry Christmas and A Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year 2016!

Warmest Regards,

Ron.

Article by Ronnie See of Ronnie and The Burns. You can read more about Ronnie by clicking Labels below.

Images: A Personal Collection.

Huang Qing Yuen (黃清元) Recorded 800+ Songs And More...

Image: From Giam Bistro

  UP TO 14,000 VIEWS  

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A Goat Year Posting:

I am not too enthusiastic about Chinese New Year anymore because like Christmas and other festivities it is so commercialised that I immediately leave shopping malls that play CNY songs especially when the number one ear-breaker, Quo Xin Nian or He Xin Nian is heard. No offence meant. 

But reunion dinners and visiting friends are a must.

So blogging during CNY becomes a problem because I don't want to post cliched stories about fire-crackers, reunion dinners or ang-pows. But I need to feature a Chinese singer especially for surfers who love local Mandarin fare.  I am also thinking of Valentine's Day which was just celebrated by lovers around the globe.

Mun Li uploaded by Mr Rainbow64. Thanks, Vernon Cheong.

I rummaged through my record collection of Chinese EPs bought at random during these past years at Sungei Road and vinyl shops, wondering who to write about when I chanced upon this image of a bespectacled gentleman among my dusty records.  He has a clean cut with Tancho greased hair and staring at me with a pleasant half smile.  Ah, a posting at last.

Like Engelbert Humperdinck and Tom Jones, our singer from the 60s is a living legend. With his recognizable strong baritone voice, he has endeared himself to so many fans from all over South East Asia.  It is common knowledge that telephones at broadcast stations keep ringing as fans call to show loving support for this heart-throb after his songs have been played.

More importantly, he is also know as the Chinese Elvis Presley of Singapore. Ah! Leave him alone. He is just as great without a copycat name. 

Followed by ladies everywhere he appeared.

Crooner Wong Ching Yian, a veteran on stage and who has recorded about 800 songs, is a pleasant but serious looking gentleman. He looks more like a university professor than a pop singer. His admirers come from a matured age group who would probably be in their 50s  or beyond since he rocketed to fame in the 70s after winning a competition. Wong became one of the Far East Top Ten Singers in 1975 with contemporaries like Wan Sha Lang, Fung Fei Fei and Jenny Yen.



Youthful Huang Qing Yuen in the 60s

 It has been rumoured that grandparents take their grandchildren to watch him sing at the various venues when he appears on stage.  Huang Qing Yuen  (黃清元) as he is known in Pinyin began his singing at the youthful age of 19 but not before he participated in some contests and talentimes. He remembered his prize for one contest - two large cases of soft drinks.

Stylers accompanied Huang Qing Yuen on his recordings.

It hasn't been a smooth road for Wong. In 1988 a serious heart condition forced him to give up singing but with the proper medical care he managed his health and did an encore performance in 1995. Wong explained that he would carry on with his singing for as long as he could because of his fans. He added that he would never retire since singing is his second love. A devoted family man, Wong admits that they are his first love. Talk of Valentine's Day!

His first hits were Man Li and Lu Dao Xiao Ye Chi, the same two songs that he sang during competition.  All these years Wong has been recording and many of his 800+ songs can be found on CDs nowadays.

Some of his songs with translated titles and thematically suitable for 14th February include Goodbye My Love, Bitter Wine, A Woman's Heart, Forget Me, My Love, Missed Chances, Cheers and many others.  His first hits Man Li (lady's name) and Lu Dao.... (Green Island Song) are Chinese hits and have been recorded by others.

He released his Golden Hits in the late nineties and with modern recording techniques plus newly minted songs he felt that he could go on for some years.  Bands that accompanied him during recordings were well-known guitar groups The Melodians or The Stylers and had cut vinyl for companies like Panda and Cortersions Records.  His songs usually carry the same theme - love.


Maurice Patton and The Melodians.

Because of his fame and popularity, Wong had many tribute artistes who impersonated him. One well-known performer was Lee Jung Ping who won a Huang Qing Yuen Impersonation contest in 1996. Wong who judged some of these contests was neither concerned nor unhappy that others were copying his style. He felt they had to find their own since mimicry would not take them far in the entertainment business.


A near iPod and one to play Wong's vinyls. Neat.

He used to run a family jewellery and cosmetics business assisted by his wife. He is probably in his mid-60s by now. I understand he used to perform at a hotel along Bukit Timah Road near Raffles Town Club. With more than 40 years of stage and recording experience, I wonder if he is still singing today. Anyone?

Happy Lunar New Year and Valentine's Day 2015 to lovers everywhere.

Images: Andy Lim Collection.
Information based on an article by Sharon Wong, July 1997, New Straits Times.

Posting done on Acer A500. My DELL computer went sour on me weeks ago.

SLIP NOTE:

Thanks to Erwin Maisch, Malvin Chua, group 'Take Two' member Paddy and my MacPhersonian gang for the publicity on FACEBOOK, comments of which I have published on this posting. Appreciate your support and kindness.

Rita Chao And Mike Ellery Have Both Passed Away!

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RITA CHAO PASSED AWAY IN JULY 2014.

ONE OF THE BRIGHTEST STARS IN THE SINGAPORE 60s MUSIC WORLD MS CHAO LEFT A LEGACY THAT WILL BE REMEMBERED BY ALL WHO KNEW HER AND LOVED HER, BOTH AS A SINGER AND AN ENTERTAINER.

MAY SHE REST IN PEACE

When I posted the above news item a few readers wrote in to comment about Ms Chao. Writing to a few friends who had worked with her on stage, I received three replies, one each from Ronnie See of Ronnie and the Burns; Victor Koo, a blogger; Larry Lai, 60s DJ from Rediffusion and Danny Koh, pianist and leader of Danny and The Musicators.

From Ronnie See:

Rita Chao was popular during the 60s; she was singing a duet with Sakura Teng during the Musical Express Sunday Morning Show at the then Capitol Theatre. The duo was better known as the a-go-go singers. Rita has a sweeter voice than her partner Sakura.

Both of them are pretty good but Rita has a slight edge over Sakura because she sings both in English and Mandarin. During that time Henry, Soon Yin the Managing Director of local EMI was promoting them.

I was singing with The Stylers then and backed the girls and the late Soo Yin too during the morning show. Tan Swee Leong was the emcee. Rita's manager was none other than her elder sister Mimi Chao. I am not sure if Rita had emigrated but Sakura lives in WC, USA.

                                               The Stylers
From Larry Lai:

I remember Rita Chao as a sweetly innocent girl, but painfully shy and reticent. In all the times we worked together with Sakura, I hardly had more than a few polite words with her.  Her sister Mimi, who was her manager, was the one I negotiated with...  I wish her well.

From Danny Koh:

I did two records with Rita Chao but was not close to her at all. Tony Zee, the Trailers' drummer, had worked with her during recordings too. It has been a long time.

Rita Chao with the Chinese [Mandarin] version of  WOOLY BULLY. Thanks to YouTUBE and video enthusiast, 'stereocandies.' 

From Mr Rainbow

Rita Chao, aka Seow Mei-Mei, the A-Go-Go Queen of the 60's. Recorded her first EP with The Quests that included one of her greatest hits during that period, Shake, Shake, Shake or Yeow, Yeow, Yeow in Mandarin. 

Like Sakura, she sang in Mandarin, English and Japanese. Most of her recordings were accompanied by The Quests. Sixteen Candles was one of her most popular English songs.

From Victor Koo:

I remember being mesmerised by the young pretty faces, the sweet singing and the suave dance moves of the a-go-go duo Rita Chao and Sakura Teng when I was a kid in the 1960s. 

I was staying in a cramped 4-storey SIT flat in Cheng Yan Place with my parents and 4 growing siblings. Lying down on a bed, I watched their performances from a close distance via our very first black-and-white TV set mounted on the wall next to the bed, much like in the hospitals nowadays. I believe this could be a contributing factor to my developing high myopia from a very young age. 

*As for Mike Ellery, I remember him as a DJ. His voice came through the Rediffusion service which we also subscribed to at $5 per month in those days. 

Fortunately, there was a limit to how loud the Rediffusion set could be turned on. Hence my hearing was not badly affected by Mike Ellery's music. May Rita and Mike rest in peace.

From Kwee Eng YouTube (2016):

Further to my comments on the 2-2-15 on Rita Chao, I thought Rita's fans might like to know more  about Rita. Rita was a Singaporean, the youngest of six children. She had 3 brothers and 2 sisters and mother, aged 91, alive and well. Rita's family kept the sad news at low key.

They only disclosed the sad news when Rita's old pal, duet singer and Singapore TV show partner, Sakura came to Singapore in February 2015 and wanted to visit Rita.

Only then, Sakura learnt that Rita had passed away and so were the Singaporeans!. Rita's ashes were scattered into the sea. The above info was from one of Singapore's newspaper when I was in Singapore.

Image/Video from Google and YouTube.

MIKE ELLERY AT REDIFFUSION STUDIOS IN THE 60s SINGAPORE.

*SLIP-NOTE:

NOT SOMETHING I LIKE TO DO, ANNOUNCING THESE NEWS PIECES, BUT MIKE ELLERY HAS JUST PASSED AWAY ON 3rd FEBRUARY, 2015. 

TRAGEDIES ABOUND AS FATHER TIME COMES AROUND!