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.

Larry Lai, Tan Swee Leong, Jimmy Chan: Mary Ho Hosts

Jimmy Chan Piano Solo 

'Tian Mi Mi' [甜蜜蜜], 'Dayong Sampan' [in Malay]

YouTube Video by Jenny Vegan Ahimsa.

From left: Mary, Jimmy, Swee Leong, Sandie, 

Dennis, R, Larry, Andy, Edmon, Selina

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Singapore rock guitarist Grandma Mary of You Tube fame (3 million plus hits) organised a party. Former Rediffusion DJ's Tan Swee Leong, Larry Lai, pianist extraordinaire Jimmy Chan and yours sincerely came with wives and friends Selina, Sandie, R., John, Edmon and Dennis.  There were some other guests invited by Mary. The spread then; Mary, mee-siam, music and merry mayhem throughout the evening. 

There was a lot of food and drinks for all as we tasted the famous mee siam cooked by Swee Leong. His dish was the hightlight of the evening. It was delicious and a period of slurping time with the usual clinking of wine glasses. Mary was generous with her supply of catered, quality dishes on the table.

Since the guests were entertainers, the night was filled with songs as Jimmy accompanied them. A, You're Adorable, Walking My Baby Back Home, April Love, C'est Si Bon and piano instrumentals were played with selections from pop musicals like Evita, The Eddie Duchin Story and others. 

As usual, Swee Leong was the life of the party with his special rendition of Perry Como's 1949 hit, A, You're Adorable. Larry too, after much much persuasion, contributed a song. The highlight was Jimmy's version of, To Love Again, the theme melody from the movie, The Eddie Duchin Story, based on Chopin's E Flat Nocturne. Pity Grandma Mary did not chip in with her solid guitar solos or else we could have enjoyed some Santana music.

Other melodies from both the 50's and 60's flowed throughout the evening and filled the night as Jimmy's dexterous fingers danced and skated on the ivories. The night ended too early but it was already one o'clock when we went home to hit the sack. Thank you gracious Mary for the occasion.

Images: Mary Ho Collection.

What Terrible Twins? Larry Lai And Tan Swee Leong

Singapore had its first independent cable station in the 60s called Rediffusion. Back then the term DJ or Disc Jockey was practically unheard of in conservative Singapore. I still remember using the term, Announcer during the 50s when listening to such programmes on the radio.

To be a DJ in the 60s was the ultimate. It is a profession that promises fame and fortune. Larry Lai and Tan Swee Leong were two of the most prominent personalities at Rediffusion. With their faultless and fluent British accent on air and sometimes cheeky capers, Larry and Swee Leong became household names. "Like Kleenex!" Larry remarked.

So here they are again, the Terrible Twins. But how terrible can they be? Both were just carrying out their duties. Larry Lai (left, in case you still don't know and haven't been reading this blog too carefully) was up the ladder of shelved Long Playing records, searching for vinyls to spin for his new show Disc Jockey Parade which aired in September, 1960. Slim and trim, he was still a teenager then, at 19 years young.

Tan Swee Leong (right) was at the Rediffusion studio recording his Jazz Beat programme which aired on Tuesdays at 9.45pm. "Latest" photograph could denote they were new on the broadcast scene and still learning the ropes? Both were clean-cut and widely admired by our Singapore ladies.

The two images are from the weekly 'Rediffusion Times', a magazine in English, Chinese and Malay, produced by the first ever cable company in Singapore. I could not connect the site to this blog. Sorry, perhaps they are restrictive with copyrights too. If there is any objection regarding this posting please inform and it shall be deleted. Andy Lim.

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