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 !
As April leaves us and May approaches, we observe that June is waiting to mark the middle of twenty twenty-six. That's half-way through the year and 3 flowers are blooming...
The following comments are extracts taken from previous blog sites:
From the late Dave Loggins, composer: Uploaded on Jan 2, 2009.
"I would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts on "Pieces." I wrote it at a very special time of my life. Special, because I met the "love of my life" and had recently lost her. By chance, we were together for three consecutive Aprils and then she left me for good. Today, I don't know where she is or how her life turned out.
May is symbolic of the present, April was and still remains a sweet yesterday. I have never really gotten over "April" and the "pieces" still remain. Those sweet Aprils... It's my favorite song, too."
Tomas Rodriguez, blog reader, says:
It is a really beautiful song, but it is very sad. I also think that the memory that he has of the woman is really an illusion. What he is really attached to is the feeling of sadness and longing that is evoked by his memory of the relationship. At the end of the day she did abandon him [and ladies he did abandon you] so why honor her/him for that? Love God, love life and love yourself first...
Suituapui, blogger was in Singapore, 1973, says:
Ooooo...one of my all-time favourite songs. 3 Dog Night's ‘Pieces of April’ - 1973. I was in Singapore that year, Stamford College, Waterloo Street. Those were the days. I saw Heather and the Thunderbirds - Lost Horizon, Shangri La...and also another place, Malaysia Hotel...can't remember the name now. I saw a very young Anita Sarawak too - Top of the Hilton. Oooo...what memories. [Suituapui means 'Beautiful Fat Guy'].
Maggie May: Rod Stewart. With Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. YouTube Video by: Rod Stewart.
Poppa Madison, blog reader, says:
Pity so many young women of today don't merit this kind of romantic approach. I feel sorry for the young guys of recent generations who want to give their hearts to a lovely fair maiden, but more often than not come face to face with a gaggle of boozed up, foul mouthed, violent, out of their mind female juvenile delinquents when they go out try and find one they can give their all to.
50 years ago, I can vouch that we actually had real ladies and gentlemen with good manners and a sense of socially interactive behaviour that many of today's young lot could not even begin to be able to get close to understanding let alone emulate.
Wot a shame! 😱
[But don't forget guys, if April has left you, there's always May and June waiting...]
Rainy Day In June: Kinks. YouTube Video by: 1966 Stereo In.
The lyrics that go with many of these songs about loneliness could make the happiest person very depressed. So, let's look at the topic, within limited borders, and some of the pop songs that go with it. I'm no psychiatrist but writing only through the experiences of pop song lyrics.
Loneliness And Lost Love:
This one is, I think, the most common experience of loneliness any person could go through. So, when Singaporeans Fitzgerald and Pascal composed their huge local hit,'My Lonely Heart' and expressed, ‘Please return my heart so I may cry... Every night I pray... to meet you someday,' lovers connect with the song immediately. But in this particular instance the conclusion says it all, ‘I know it's true, I won't be seeing you.'
The lovers know that all's lost with no light in the distance. Like Georgia Gibbs, with her 50’s hit, was right when she sobbed, 'Guess it never pays to make your lover blue, Seven lonely days I cried and cried for you.' Lost love indeed.
Loneliness With Hope:
Here the theme takes a turn.
There could be some hope couldn't there, after a lost love.
'Maybe tomorrow a new romance, No more sorrow but that's the chance you gotta take,' brought about these lines that most people in break-ups often expressed and where most songs about loneliness derived. Roy Orbison made it huge with, 'Only The Lonely,' and with some clues of a new beginning. So, they might not be, 'gone forever, so far apart.'
Paul Anka is totally devastated as he cries, 'I'm just a lonely boy, Lonely and blue... I'd like to hear somebody say, I'll give you my love, Each night and day.' So it's not a breakup here. He has no partner to love because what he wants, 'is someone to love.' So there’s hope but with some desperation?
No war here; just an illustrative image to show a soldier boy with a suitable wartime background?
Loneliness As A Soldier:
Two wars [one?] are going on today and many people, including soldiers, have lost their lives. Many of them, who are away from home, experience loneliness on the battlefield.
In a 60s hit, Bobby Vinton lamented, 'I'm so lonely for my own, I'm Mister Lonely, Wish I had somebody to call my own... to call on the phone... Now I'm a soldier, a lonely soldier. I got no letter in the mail. I wish I could go back home.'
His experience as a soldier boy in the 60s rang true as the Vietnam War loomed in the distance. And our wars? Could we afford some more? Because war goes beyond loneliness...
Loneliness When Old:
'Ah look at all the lonely people, Picks up the rice in the church where the wedding has been, Lives in a dream... Then there's Father McKenzie, writing the words of a sermon that no one would hear.' How observant were Lennon and McCartney when they sang, 'Eleanor Rigby.’
'All the lonely people, where do they all come from?'
Most seniors who read this post know what loneliness mean. Health problems; spousal death; non-visiting children; friendlessness, etc. would lead to a nasty list. And like a friend mentioned, "Even Mother Earth rejects you!"
"Are you lonesome tonight?" No, not only tonight... it's, "Are you lonesome always?"
Hey, but what about Michael Jackson's, 'You Are Not Alone.'
General comments are welcome.
A 1926 song, Elvis recorded it in 1960 after his
army release. 2,000,000 copies sold by 1992.
Recorded in 1962, Vinton wrote it in the late 50s
during his army days as the Vietnam War escalates.
Bobby Vinton: Mr. Lonely. YouTube Video by: Diana N
Written in 1958 and released in 1959 with Don Costa,
after 'Diana' hit. It was featured in his movie, 'Girls Town'.
'Eleanor Rigby' [lyrics]: The Beatles. YouTube Video from BTA MUSIC.
“There goes my baby, There goes my heart, They are gone forever, So far apart, But only the lonely, Know why I cry.”
“Don't know that I will, But until I can find me, The girl who'll stay, And won't play games behind me, I'll be what I am, A solitary man, solitary man”
“Seven lonely days make one lonely week, Seven lonely nights make one lonely me, Ever since the time you told me we were true, Seven lonely days I cry and cry for you.”
'My Lonely Heart', a local recording; this vinyl piece was a sell-out in the 60's. One of the classics in Singapore's music history.
#An add on: The lyrics hinges on the fact that distancing oneself from the ordinary may lead to a lonely existence. There is also another interpretation, as explained by Cedric Collars, provided under the Comment Page. Do read it.
Frank Sinatra sings “I will drink the wine." YouTube video by: Amir.
Bootlegs are not legitimate commercial releases and are illegal but some collectors want them. It is true that all illegal items - not just records - are hard to advertise, buy or sell. So most bootlegs have little value.
In the 1960's they were called, pirated records.
They come in several categories though. Some bootleg LPs often feature tracks that have not been commercially released because the recordings are stolen ones. Some are illegal recordings of live concerts.
EPs include re-releases of rare or valuable 45s. Some bootleg 45s are exact copies of rare records with the original label graphics and numbers - these are known in the industry as counterfeits. In Singapore 60s, a record does not need to be rare. As long as it sells well, a bootleg copy is available.
During blogger's search for vinyl, he comes across many bootleg copies. Some of them are so common that they are worthless today, but some of these fakes are being sold in the market for a higher price. At the end of the day it depends on how much a buyer is willing to pay and how badly the seller is willing to part with the bootleg for the amount involved.
A cheap bootleg vinyl EP from Sungei Road,
a famous but defunct flea market.
The above vinyl, from a flea market, costs S$2.00 but may cost more today. It has a unique cover with our former Singapore sweetheart Heather's most popular song, Love Is Blue.
But what makes it special is Cliff Richard's pasted photograph below with the song Congratulations. Together with Green Tambourine, Heather (who was with The Thunderbirds and Diamonds Four), sings Kiss Me Goodbye. And the label is Hi Fi Record without a serial number.They could have been more imaginative.
Comment anyone?
Is this another counterfeit, this time of the Monkees.
From "eosyeo" who provided this orchestral version. Thank you very much eosyeo. Michael Bangar feels that My Lonely Heart is the best English pop 60's song composed locally. Hi Andy,
As usual on a Sunday, I listen to Brian Richmond's Vintage Sunday Morning Show and I heard him wish The Thunderbirds' Harvey Fitzgerald, "A Very Happy Birthday". He followed that up by playing their big hit here, My Lonely Heart.
If he does read your blog, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate him and the rest of the Thunderbirds for composing and recording this beautiful song and making it a part of Singapore's music heritage.
What a classic song it has turned out to be! A beautiful melody, a great arrangement, great vocals and chords and slide guitar work ahead of its time. A favourite among local fans.
To me, this song is probably the best English song composed and recorded by any Singapore band or artiste so far.
A really great job you guys who were with The Thunderbirds. Cheers !
Best regards,
Michael Bangar. Any opinion guys? Say your piece.
(Extreme right: Harvey Fitzgerald; song composer with Thunderbirds.) Images: Google. Comments: Hi Andy, Michael Bangar’s letter gives a perfect intro. Although My Lonely Heart isn’t the most recorded song I know. See below for some script for a post and images attached. Best Steve
Andy Young,Michael Bangar and Steve Farram during a lunch munch in SG. My Lonely Heart Hi Andy, I was very interested to read Michael Bangar’s comments about The Thunderbirds’ song ‘My Lonely Heart’ and recall him telling me exactly the same thing when I had the good fortune to meet him at the City Square Mall in Singapore back in 2017. I knew that other artists had covered the song and checked my records when I got home to find which versions I had. The results were a bit surprising. I have four other versions of the song all sung by female performers. Three of the four versions are sung in Chinese (Mandarin? I am not sure) and only one of the four artists was from Singapore. The other three were from Hong Kong. They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so clearly these recording artists were strong admirers of Harvey Fitzgerald’s song. The recording from Singapore was by Rita Chao & The Quests. The Hong Kong recordings were by Donna, Fung Po Po, and June Mok. Only Fung Po Po sung it in English. Best Steve.
Images: Google and Hiroshi Deguchi from Japan. Thank you Hiroshi. Picture shows Derrick Fitzgerald with Thunderbirds at the Carriage Bar York Hotel. Video: YouTube.
Usually, Singapore celebrates Children's Day on First October but from 2011 onwards it will be on the first Friday every October. So for this year, it's on the 5th. Just as we honour the children, we must also remember the impoverished and homeless ones around the world. 1969 hit Nobody's Child by British singer *Karen Young (image 4) highlighted the plight of a blind and unwanted child in an orphanage. The song originally written by Cy Coben and Mel Foree was first recorded by Hank Snow in 1949 and had been covered byartistesthat included George Sheridan and three of the Beatles. Another group called The Traveling Wilburys that had Bob Dylan as a member recorded the song for a benefit (image 2). Asian artistes included Agnes Chan and Irene Ryder, both from Hong Kong on Life Record and Pon EMI Regal.
Singapore has two versions, one on a Philips Product Long Play by 60s stars, Heather and The Thunderbirds (image 2, details below**) and the other by Lisa Lim and The Stylers on Amigo Records (image 1). Nobody's Child: Cy Coben and Mel Foree.
(Refrain) I'm nobody's child I'm nobody's child /Just like a flower I'm growing wild/No mommy's kisses and no daddy's smile/Nobody wants me I'm nobody's child... As I was slowly passing an orphan's home one day/I stopped there for a moment just to watch the children play/Alone a boy was standing and when I asked him why/He turned with eyes that could not see and he began to cry... Some people come for children and take them for their own/But they all seem to pass me by and leave me all alone/I know they'd like to take me but when they see I'm blind/They always take some other child and I'm left behind... No mother's arms to hold me or soothe me when I cry/Sometimes it gets so lonely here I wish that I could die/I'll walk the streets of heaven where all the blind can see/And just like the other kids there'd be a home for me... **PSY 112 275 Philips: Heather - Harvey and The Thunderbirds, 'Birthday'. Side One: I'll Never Fall In Love Again, Birthday, Nobody's Child, Early In The Morning, Special Delivery, The Ballad of John and Yoko. Side Two: Wonderful World, Tracy, With A Little Help from My Friends, Train, Romeo And Juliet, Time Is Tight. To read about The Thunderbirds click Labels below. Image 1, 2: Andy Lim Collection. Image 3, 4: Google. *There is an added Karen Young biography and connection on the Comment page. She had passed on in 1991. Click Comments below.
From left: Freddie Kang (Thunderbirds), John Cher, Andy Lim (Silver Strings), Derek McCully (The Tornados). One of the reasons why I write this blog is to get like-minded music people to meet and chat; so this blog is like a cyberspace kopi-tiam (coffee joint). It has been happening since because John Cher who appreciates this blog and its usefulness, has been doing something similar. He's been gathering music-makers together for personal chit-chats in the real kopi-tiams. And I must thank him for his innovative ways in getting people together.
On Friday last John and I (Silver Strings) met, but this time with two legends who are still around. I remember this gentleman meeting Rickie Chng (SilverStrings lead) and myself at Novena Square, twelve months earlier, thundering into the mall and announcing himself with his sirens and beepers as he approached us (image: 2). Freddie Kang (record cover image: 2nd right), was from the Thunderbirds, one of the top ten bands from Singapore 60's that was still playing some years back at the Carriage Bar in Orchard Road.
When he left the group, he went solo and with his impactful Fender Strat and appropriate amplifiers became a successful one-man band for 16 years at Riverview Hotel. (now known as Four Points by Sheraton) You have to sit with Freddie to know him better. He's got lots of history to tell and the two hours I spent with him hardly covered the first pages of his life story. The other gentleman is one I had met when he with his group performed at the Temasek Club some years ago, with the band's rhythmist at that time, Arthur Lim.
The band is called The Tornados and he was from St. Andrew School. They made a record with the Sundowners. This grey-haired gentleman sat beside me with his numerous stories of knights in shining armour riding in fast Lamborginis, Ferraris and Aston Martins. Derek McCully from the famous McCully clan in Singapore told John, Freddie and me about how he decided to: Only play the guitar for fun And not to chari-makan... The question is, how did he *chari makan? Definitely not with his guitar and Hank Marvin riffs. Although he was just too good with The Shadows repertoire of instrumental hits, he did something else to earn a living.
Derek McCully (left) with an Aston Martin Lagonda.
As I explained this posting is just a teaser. So for more stories about The Thunderbirds and The Tornados, watch out for them soon on this blog. Not the usual, who joined the band and who left, but a peek into their background and what made them take up the solid guitars they armed themselves with. Our own Guitar Heroes! *literal: looking for food = earn an income.
Images: A Private Collection and Star On-Line. Videos have been disabled.
The brand new Singapore National Stadium @ Kallang Singapore's most iconic songs will be featured in a mega-concert next year (2015) at the new National Stadium to celebrate the country's 50th Anniversary. According to a newspaper report, Sing50 will feature local artistes singing 50 songs in various genre and the four official languages.
Below is a personal list of local pops in English that have been composed by our own musicians. The idea is to reminisce with the older generation songs they grew up with and to introduce to the younger generation melodies that resonate so much with the history of this island.
Sausolito - Western Union Band (1970s) - MrRainbow
Perhaps some of them may not be appropriate for such a celebration but these were top songs that had charted the hit parade in Singapore 60s, 70s and 80s. There are 9 songs altogether but this posting is just a suggestion to start the ball rolling. The list is not in any particular order.
Image from: Zazzle Invitations
The 60s Shanty - The Quests Selina - The Dukes It's All Over - Naomi and the Boys You're The Boy - Shirley Nair and The Silver Strings My Lonely Heart - The Thunderbirds Do It Right - The Trailers (2 instrumentals, 2 lady singers, 2 male singers). The 70s Sausolito - Western Union Band Singapore Cowboy - Matthew and The Mandarins The 80s Within You Will Remain - Tokyo Square
Within You'll Remain - Tokyo Square (1980s) - scorpiossnakes
I am not familiar with songs beyond the 80s. You can start your own list and if your favourite song has been left out, include it.
Read what others say. Clickcommentsbelow.
You Tube videos.
Image Google and Zazzle Invications
These
specially selected songs represent the milestones in the music scene in
Singapore and they represent the journey of the average Singaporean. -
See more at:
http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/music/story/sing50-mega-concert-next-year-will-feature-singapores-50-most-iconic-songs-201#sthash.G0Y5E1A6.dpuf
SSingaSingapore's
most iconic songs will come to the fore in a mega-concert at the
National Stadium on Aug 7 next year. - See more at:
http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/music/story/sing50-mega-concert-next-year-will-feature-singapores-50-most-iconic-songs-201#sthash.G0Y5E1A6.S
Front Cover of Souvenir Programme: From Boys' Town Facebook.
47 Years Ago Today:
In the 60s when a variety show was held, either at the most popular venues like the National Theatre at Tank Road, Victoria Theatre at Stamford Road or in smaller venues like the FnN Hall at Kim Seng Road or SJAB Hall at Beach Road, the souvenir magazine was usually a simple 8 to 10 page booklet made out of typing paper. At times it consisted of an A4 size paper folded and stapled into place to form the evening's programme.
The Early Bird Line-Up of The Thunderbirds
The inner pages were usually printed in black and white with a mildly colourful cover page done using silk-screen printing in two colours and the paper's white background (image one). Graphics could be quite attractive depending on the amateur artist's ability and committee in charge.
Personally David, Merlin and Danny Boy (Osman) were the nicest guys ever!
The rest of the pages would be filled with pictures and write-ups of our local pop stars while the centre-fold revealed the programme for the evening. It was standard procedure.
The Surfers from album cover.
The printing would usually be done manually using a *Gestetner duplicating machine. Such a procedure saved cost but with a little more financial backing the organisers would have the programme printed professionally by a company as the Peep Pop Show programme (image 4) shows.
A Typical Pop 60s Show. The Best There Was, And Well Worth The Entrance Ticket.
Again the choice depended upon the organisers' financial situation and whether there were advertisements between pages. These advertisements from sponsors would certainly have covered part of the cost.
Siglap Five With Jeffridin.
The above show sponsored by Boys Town OBA could have been less expensive to produce in the 60s where bands performed because they loved the glamour and glory of being pop stars. Some bands were also eager to help out with the charities that needed assistance. Mostly the boys and girls who participated were doing the gigs for fun and enjoyment while earning an honorarium.
Checkmates - Without Doubt In The Top Five Category.
This particular charity event showcased the best of the guitar groups from the 60s. It could have had attracted a large audience at the National Theatre seeing that it was held on 9th December 1966, exactly 47 years ago since it was a time of year-end festivities like Christmas and New Year. It was also the school holiday season. Boys Town had organised successful shows like this one to help raise funds.
From Velvetones To Firebyrds. Recorded too.
The bands featured that night need no introduction. Except for one or two, the line-up of artistes were the best from our local 60s stable. They were well-represented with an array of top singers and guitar personalities from Singapore. Even bands from the UK were participating and included singers like Brian Neale, Leroy Lindsay and Winston Walters. Terry Marsden compered the show.
The National Theatre Singapore (1963-1986).
If you had attended this particular show 47 years ago please write in because it would be exciting to have you bring back memories that happened nearly half a century ago. You don't have to give your name. Would really be great cause I know hundreds of people would have been involved in planning and executing such a large happening.
*A Manual Office Duplicating Machine
Images: From Boys' Town Facebook and Bloggers' Collection.
After the appearance of the currently new Silver Strings in the last few postings we turn the clock back once again to the 1960's when kopi-oh meets teh-tarek (translated from Malay: when black coffee meets pulling tea). The welcome sign outside the hotel bar read: "Go underground where anything can happen. And usually does. Tonight and every night from 9pm to 3am." Entry was cheap. And the advertisement was for the eve of Christmas and New Year. For 10 Singapore dollars you got a first drink and novelties. (I remember going to England in the early 80's and it was about S$8.00 to the British Pound). And two bands entertained, one the highly respected, Thunderbirds with Heather. And the other? Well, let's discuss the other...
The T-Set. Barry's on extreme right.
This group was one guitar gang performing in the 60's, imported as a package from the British Isles. No Singaporean among the members. Even the group's name had a British ring to it; the patrons who came to Hotel Malaysia were amused when they heard that T-Set was playing at The Pub which, of course had an English setting. Yeah, imagine, "Shall we have tea at The Pub today dear?" Or more likely, "Gimme a Tiger!"
A Cuppa: not too familiar sight today. "When Bread Talks, Kopi Tiam."
Barry Walker, who wrote to me about this group was the lead guitarist and singer. In the 60's the same members used to play as a group in cabarets in England but decided to come to Singapore to try their luck. Familiar with the local scene - Barry was around for four or five years since 1966 - he had recommended T-Set to play, and at the Orchard Road area too. (Barry is featured on this blog with his other groups The Figure and In-Sect. Click Barry Walker under Labels below).
Better than coffee anytime! A Goodwood Hotel Advertisement.
The other members of T-Set were Roy who played bass guitar, Chris the drummer and Mick who played keyboard. These gentlemen were still unattached when they appeared at the club in the mid-1960's and except for Chris who had a quiet demeanor was already a father. According to Tea-Set, who loved to perform in Singapore, audiences here were polite and usually reserved. Locals would rather sip their beers quietly and chat with their mates at the bar while Caucasians would dance to their music.
A Pinta: "Time for a Tiger."
On the other hand when they played back home patrons there could be rowdy, reckless and walk off during a session if they dislike the band's performance. A band member remarked that he would love to come back to live in Singapore permanently. So guys, if you remember T-Set from the good old days when they played at the Penthouse Disco with two other groups called, Limited Stock and Faith , give us a write. Doesn't matter if you're in England or in Singapore. The boys would love to hear from you! Original article. Do Not Copy. Thanks to Barry Walker for the images. Other images: Google.
Written a couple of weeks back, I am dedicating this Barry Walker article to James Seah from our bloggers' group. He just loves the smell of Tiger...
