SINGAPORE 60's: ANDY's POP MUSIC INFLUENCE IS A PERSONAL MUSIC, MEMORY TRAIL. BLOGGER DOES NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO VIDEOS, AUDIO TRACKS AND IMAGES. THEY ARE UPLOADED FOR FUN, EDUCATIONAL, ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES AND HAVE BEEN CREDITED. BLOG IS NOT SPONSORED NOR ADVERTORIAL IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER. INFORM BLOGGER OF COPYRIGHT ISSUES AND POST WILL BE DELETED IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT COPY THE POSTS; GET PERMISSION N CREDIT ME IF YOU DO. ANDY LIM LA (NOVEMBER, 2008) - (新加坡六十年代安迪的流行音乐影响力), SUDI MAMPIR !
Thanks Freda. Your stories are definitely entertaining! Do read on...
I cannot believe my ears hearing that song 'Summertime Blues' (Eddie Cochran), I thought nobody even notices that song. My band had been playing and I sang that song almost every other night when we were in Hiroshima for the 6 months contract in Japan.
Our Japanese friends like it. I did not hear of it again any more or anywhere or of any band playing the song in Singapore or Malaysia since 1985 when I came back (cannot remember exactly which year). It had been totally out of my mind since then until I heard it from your blog today. All songs bring a specific memory of when, where and the happenings surrounding it, who you were with, or a special occasion.
The song 'Car Wash' (Rose Royce) brings back my memories with the Falcons years back in the 80s I think, a very popular Malaysian band. I was supposed to replace their singer who had to go back to the States, me practising the 'Car Wash' refrain almost every day just to get that essence; it was not easy but their vocalist sang that number superbly. As I am more of a lounge singer I did not join the band.
What memories you brought back...
Thanks for the oldies and they do click with me. I want to thank you, Andy, for bringing back the good old times in your blog. Cheers to you.
Wouldn't know much about songs to protest about, as long as they're good to hear or sing... just go along happily.
Author: Ms. Freda Hanum, who contributed many articles for this blog.
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Here are some very good musician friends from the 60's and 70's who made a name for themselves, even up to the 80's and 90's in Singapore.
I am highlighting a few whom I know personally and still keeping in touch with. Thanks guys for accompanying me and entertaining us these so many years. Have a jolly Hari Raya Puasa.
Click connections to read about each musician.
You can find these friends all over this blog. Just key in their names under SEARCH on the right hand column.
Wishing also my other Muslim readers, friends and contributing writers near and far, Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri Tahun 2023.
Comments are always welcome.
Hi Andy,
If music be the food of love, play on. Music is my passion and it might stem from the fact that I come from a musically inclined family, Hawaiian guitarist dad, pianist mum and 2 brothers, Daniel and David who played professionally on the guitar and piano, respectively. I was from Katong Convent School and love to write and compose poems too 😀. With the family and self introduction done, I will proceed with my own music path.
I will talk briefly about my music career with my band, a 4 piece all- group called The Teepees. I was a guitarist/ singer with the other 3 girls on the keyboard, bass and drums. We had contracts in Singapore and Malaysia. Sadly, due to family commitments, we had to disband and parted ways.
But many years later, we were approached by Jerry Fernandez from The Neu Faces to perform at the Concert Hall, Esplanade. That was in 2012. We were quite hesitant as we had lost touch with our instruments. After much persuasion, we decided to give it a try and practised relentlessly. Years later we were asked to perform at Pek Kio CC.
That was our last gig. We moved on with our lives. I moved on and continued with my passion for music.
It was in 2012 when I took over the helm of the ukulele group, GYUS ( The Golden Years Ukulele Strummers) from my Instructor who succumbed to an illness, and with 13 members in tow.
Initially, I was reluctant to take over the baton from him, but after much persuasion and consideration, and support from my husband, Vincent, I decided to give it a shot. It was from word of mouth and the members, mainly Seniors, grew to a hundred and more. Jamming sessions were held weekly at a Community Club (CC). It was a happy sight to see them letting their hair down, strumming and belting out songs from yesteryear.
We had a lot of performances. We were honoured to perform before President Tony Tan at the Istana, at VIP functions attended by the PM, Lee Hsien Loong and the Ministers. Our last ukulele performance was at the Concourse, Esplanade. The Teochew song which we played on that day went viral. Can you believe that? For the Teochew song, I listened to the clip sung by Peter Chua. No lyrics were provided. So I painstakingly listened to the song and wrote down my own lyrics and put in the chords.
We are not going to “Blame it on the Bossa Nova”, but all hell broke loose when Covid-19 created havoc. Haha! Oh well, like they say, all good things must come to an end. It has been two years since we last jammed. Anyway. It’s not over for me. Life has to go on and the sound of music continues for me.
Music keeps the mind active, and with that in mind and also to stay sane, I am still in touch with my guitar and ukulele, jamming occasionally at places of friends. After a storm, there will be sunshine.
Here’s a little poem composed by myself.
In body and mind, continue to be strong,
As the road to recovery is nothing but long.
Parts if played well, all will be fine,
Darkness will disappear, say hi to sunshine.
Times are trying, they will pass,
Believe that not all bad occurrences will last.
Wishing good blessings to each and everyone of you,
May what you dream and wish for come true.
Best wishes,
Anna Law
Images n Article are Copyrights Reserved and belong to the Teepees and Ms Freda Hanum.
