Andy 60s Music Blog Helps Students & Communities

Pix is for illustration only.

College students

I've been helping college students with their term papers since 2009 when younger readers write to me asking for help about Singapore music in the 60's. Two professors had also contacted me regarding documented materials and information.

I will usually meet them at a fast food outlet and chat with them for about two hours. The students are mostly tertiary ones from the universities and polytechnics. Most of the term papers they are writing pertain to the history of local popular culture in Singapore. 

Media

Some producers and film makers from radio, TV, production houses and local/foreign newspapers, write to me requesting for permission to document and film my  small record collection of local music and my hands-on experience as a 1960's band boy (it was a short stint). 

The band and I had appeared twice on Channel 5 prime time slots during, Rolling Good Times (2015) and Not The 5 Show (2016), both of which drew quite large home audiences.  Brian Richmond interviewed me for five slots on his Sunday With Brian radio show.  

In 2016, I had been invited by two producers to appear in another television series about Singapore in the past but had since passed it on to others because of family commitments.

The Singapore You Tube sensation, Shirley Nair's, You're The Boy, which drew three quarters of a million viewers (750,000+), acquired some content and members of the band from this blog. Laurence Lim, a singer with The Trebles group from the 60's appeared as a 'grandfather' on the video.

Arts Organisations

Arts groups and related organisations had also commented on the blog and invited me to talk at workshops and in staging street gigs and in-door concerts, but I left this specialty to the event experts that are around after briefing them on the types of music and performances required for the events.  In related activities the band had performed at the Esplanade, the RELC International Hotel at Orchard and other venues.

Blog Statistics

The statistics available regarding this blog has not been enhanced in any way, not with purchased statistics from any source, nor with Google+. X [former Twitter], is a natural exposure where people interested in Singapore 60's music have written in. 

Why?

This posting is not a show of feat but to remind us Singaporeans, that even without much fanfare we should try to help our country men and women in some way, even if it is an insignificant one.

My reward? A young writer I met at an interview once told me, "Mr Lim, every time we look for information regarding local music of the past, we are directed back to your blog!" Can I ask for more?

You can find most of the above stories on this blog if you browse through the postings. Or click Labels below.

Yeah, for local 60's music.

To connect:
Use Comment below, leave your email address; reply will be confidential.

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Letters from students and others:

Hi Andy,

(1) I am M and I am a student from... Singapore. I am currently doing research on the 1970's long hair ban in Singapore and I am looking to speak to individuals whom have personal experience with the regulation. I am particularly interested in individuals whom were involved in the music scene too... M.

(2) I would love to meet and interview you to learn more and recover the music scene in Singapore during the 1960's. I understand that album sleeves are a niche topic, nevertheless, the historical context you are familiar with is very helpful to me to remap how the production of local music and the socio-cultural atmosphere of that time... B.

(3) Hi all, I am in search of possible audio interview of Yardbirds with late legendary Tan Swee Leong at the MacDonald House just prior to their Jan. 18, 1967 concert at the National Theatre, many photos have been found on line from various sources... Anon.

(4) Happening every... we look to celebrate 60's music with a twist. With a live DJ on the decks, we mix 60's music with lounge beats as we look to create a cozy atmosphere for dining. Is there any way that I can contact you in private, and if possible invite you down for a session, so we can gather feedback? I believe this is an untapped field in Singapore, and we will be honored to get your opinion on this... X.

(5) I'm Ms S. from S. Publishing, an educational publisher in Singapore.  We would like to use a hi-res image of Silver Strings playing at the National Theatre in our music textbook... 

(6) Can you contact me? I'm doing research on TV history series for Singapore which covers pop culture. Would like to tell you more about it privately. Not sure whether you'll have access to my email when I post this. But I'll check back for your response. And see how we can touch base - CL. 

(7) In any case, it would be a pleasure to have a chat with you! I am free any weekday and the timings you mentioned are fine. Which day would be most convenient for you? C.

(8) Hope you had a fine weekend. My name is R., and I am writing from SG-based production outfit Peddling Pictures. We are researching for an upcoming documentary programme for CNA. Would you be available for a research call, about Daisy Devan? At your best convenience. Thank you so much and I hope to hear from you soon. R.

Just a few of many letters to this blog for Singapore 60's music information assistance, etc.

60's Music Scene With Grandpa: 'Treasure Hunt' Part 2

On the Singapore Memory Trail:

If your grandchild asks you this question then it's time to visit Stamford Road because there's this exhibition at the National Museum which picks up from the Treasure Hunt series on Channel News Asia recently. 

I am not promoting for this group but because there's a segment at the exhibition which discusses local music from the 60's I thought some of you readers might be interested.

Local Bands and Records Exhibit.

Songs recorded by The Silver Strings and Trailers played on a portable turntable during the documentary are highlighted.  I had a chat with both show hosts Anita Kapoor and archaeologist, Lim Chen Sian. Another glass cabinet shows some of the local pop music record covers from that period.  

It displays Singapore recording artistes The Silver Strings, Trailers, Crescendos, Keith Locke, The Quests, Naomi n The Boys and Shirley Nair.  Can you name the songs that were recorded on these particular vinyls?  No prizes but I am sure many of you cannot identify them.

Display Board of Local Music Record Covers.

There's also a general information board that explains the history of the National Theater and another that describes what Singapore in the 1960's was all about.

These exhibits took time to collect and display and historian Ms Tan Teng Teng had many hours setting them up before the big day.  She had to come to my home, catalog every vinyl record she took from me and insure them for $500 each. Then she placed them in plastic pockets to make sure they stay unscathed.

Information Board explaining the 1960s.

A whole array of stuff can be viewed from the 50's up to the 80's and they all come from the people's collection that was telecast a few weeks ago on Channel 106. 

From kopi-tiam (coffee-shop) paraphernalia to a large garden fountain, from a Green Spot thermometer to a humongous car, you can have lots of fun guessing in which period they were used.  Unless you've seen the series you might be making wrong guesses.

I must thank pop blogger James Seah (left) for promoting my blog on his.  He is seen with the Museum's Senior Officer for Marketing and Corporate Communications, Norfaiz Noeryamin.

Since all TV participants for 'Treasure Hunt' were invited for the big day, we tagged along.  That's grandson Josh below in red, with pop TV host Anita Kapoor, on my right.  Archaeologist Chen's busy with other guests.

Don't forget to identify the songs from the vinyls above. Come on you guys, give it a try. And check out the treasures which you can view until the end of April, I think.

Check James Seah's Blog: http://blogtoexpress.blogspot.sg/
Images: J. Collection.

Part I: "Treasure Hunt" - Backstage With Andy: Channel News Asia's Latest Documentary

On the Singapore Memory Trail

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1. The Television Series
Treasure Hunt is a six-part series that will unravel Singapore’s history through the things we keep in our homes. Our two Treasure Hunters (hosts Anita Kapoor and archaeologist Lim Chen Sian) are on a search to uncover treasures. 

Hosts Anita Kapoor and Lim Chen Sian.

Chen and Anita will travel the length and breadth of the island – visiting ordinary people at home, antique shops, junk yards, archives, shops, and offices – all in the hopes of unearthing things of national heritage. Their challenge is to put together The People’s Collection, an assembly of objects to fill the concourse at the National Museum of Singapore and tell a very personal history of our island.

TV Chat where Andy talks about vinyl and
Trailers: 'Phoenix Theme' with Hosts.
YouTube Video from fhlew888

2. The Museum Exhibition
Following the telecast of the documentary series, a special exhibition (a collaboration between the National Museum and Media Corp Private Ltd/Channel News Asia) centers on the idea that here is a little bit of history in all our homes, and involves a call to Singaporeans to bring out the objects that they hold dear. 

Vika Arliany experienced producer for Treasure Hunt.

 

The items showcased in the documentary, ranging from intricate memorabilia to the cherished heirlooms of individuals, families, collectors, and institutions across the country, will be presented at the National Museum of Singapore as part of a special exhibition highlighting our collective heritage. 

Featuring the personal stories behind each of these objects and their collectors, this exhibition is a testament to how everyday items, which may otherwise be left unappreciated, could be significant to understanding one’s heritage. 
  
3. Behind The Scene
My contribution of local Extended Play vinyl records for the People's Collection is negligible but I thought it would help to make others, especially youth,  appreciate our golden age of music in the 1960s. Local bands like The Silver Strings, Trailers and the songs they recorded on vinyl have been discussed.


Vika Arliany:
The people behind the scene that I met before and during the filming included Vika Arliany, the producer who came to my home to meet me and select the records. She's a joy to chat with, an experienced lady with some years of producing documentaries.

Lim Chen Sian and Anita Kapoor
 Chen Sian is fun-lovingly serious.  He's got a tightly filled roomful of books piled up from floor to ceiling.  Even fanned me during a warm afternoon shoot. Sweet, enthusiastic Anita is always asking questions. And boy, does she know her stuff.  Great hosts!

Rebecca Wai and Ooi Kim Keat
Youthful and cool Rebecca Wai (above left), armed with a large camera, made sure we were comfortable during the shoots, helpful and cheerful throughout.  Then there's cinematographer, Mr. Ooi Kim Keat (hidden behind the video-cam, left) with his angles, focused shots and close-ups. 

Tan Teng Teng
Only met historian, Ms. Tan Teng Teng (with fountain, above right) a few days ago to provide her the vinyl records for the exhibition of which she is in charge.  A very informative lady she is. She had to tabulate, insure, pick, deliver, sort out, arrange and display these very expensive personal treasures.  

@ The National Museum Stamford Road.

Debra Chong
Last but not least (she's the first actually), there's quietly pleasant Debra Chong (left), research writer, who contacted me through this blog earlier, introducing and inviting me to participate in this project.  I got to talking. She's an intelligent listener and that started the record spinning...

Article in Part 1 from
CNA Website.

Images from Media Corp/Channel News Asia and private collection of Rebecca Wai, Tan Teng Teng, and blogger.