Free Admission: Invitation From Melaka Friends

The Valiants from Melaka, Malaysia

Hey Mr Andy,

The Valiants will be organizing a music fest in Melaka, Malaysia on the 16th of Sept. My dad, G.S. Dionysius would love to have u with us, please keep in contact with me. If u need any assistance in getting u a place to stay here. Kindly let me know. Have a great day.

Best Regards,
Joel BLACK Dionysius
Training Manager
U2Kumar
August 26th, 2012.

Reply:

Thanks Joel for your kind invitation. I really cannot tell you now if I can manage to go but I have put up the poster and your record cover again today.  I must thank you very much for the friendship and care you have shown to make us feel so welcome to join your gig. I have always known Malaysians to be the nicest people in our region.

I will surely try my best to be at the performance.

Yours sincerely,

Andy Lim
(You can write to me on Comments for Joel Dionysius' telephone number.)

GIG: http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2012/06/big-gig-in-malaka-near-jonker-walk.html

Click Valiants below under Labels to read more.

Image: Andy Lim Collection.

BIG GIG IN MELAKA NEAR JONKER WALK

Dear Singaporean surfers,

SUPPORT OUR MALAYSIAN MUSICIANS

1) A Malaysian reader of this blog,  Joel Dionysius  has specially invited us to a big gig on SUNDAY 16th SEPTEMBER.  You can read his letters under comments below.

2) Apparently The Valiants are organising this gig. Who are they? Read about them here:
     http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/search/label/Valiants

(DISCLAIMER: This posting is not an advertisement to promote the concert and Blogger has no part in its organisation.)

Valiants - Melaka, Malaysia, Bristol, England

(A) SOME SLEEVES SPEAK (Sleeve liners):
"Most pop fans here have been demanding a new sound in music for ages. Now Philips have found this sound and introduce to you - the Valiants (image). Malacca-based Valiants have been together for three years.

Last year they were joined by John K. Couzens - a modern musician from Bristol, England. With John's guidance they have sprung from being a popular instrumental group to the top close-harmony group in Malaysia.

For the past six months they have become the most popular vocal group in Malacca. Their act on stage has the two main essentials - versatility and variety. Just listen to these four numbers penned by lead singer John and you will agree that this new sound is here to stay."

(B) Andy's Comment:

The above sleeve-liner was written by one M. Hanny and some scribblings on it noted that the vinyl was catalogued by a radio station on 24th January, 1968. Using this date as a guideline, Couzens could have joined them in 1967 and the band could have been together since 1964 or '65.

They must have reached some peak in popularity in Malacca, Malaysia or else Philips would not have invited them to record.

Vinyl info: The songs include: Big Wheel, My Elaine, Running Wild, Daddy's Home. All songs are by Couzens. Vinyl #437833 PE. It is a mono recording.

The group members: John K. Couzens (lead singer), William Rodrigues (rhythm), Roger Foo (bass), Gerald Dionysius (lead), Nik Pinto (drums) and Peter John Cutting (manager).

                                      Valiants current line-up 

(C) *Peach Fuzz Forest Blog Posting:
"John was in the army and posted to Asia, where he hooked up with the band. The Valiants were an instrumental band until he arrived and added vocals, morphing them from **Indo-Rock to British beat. He wrote all the materials on this EP, although the band still sneaked in some twangs from their instrumental days.

John's wife was called Elaine (one song title) and came from Australia. He moved to Perth in the late 60s and formed Stonewall Jackson's Virginia Volunteers."

(D) Blog Comments:

1. Absolutely rare indeed, I wonder 'bout the other 2 tracks of the EP...

2. The other two tracks aren't as interesting, unfortunately! Pretty ordinary harmony pop.

3. Rare and great stuff, especially Running Wild; should've been an instant garage comp classic!

4. Very nice tunes!!! Rare and unique!!!

5. John Couzens looks like the singer in our rock band here in Perth around 1968/69. Does anyone know where John is at present?

Anyone know this band? Are they still around?

Edited article/Image: Andy Lim Collection.

http://peachfuzzforest.blogspot.com/

**Could be Pop-Yeh-Yeh since they were from Malaysia.

Francis Theseira - current band members from The Valiants - passed away on Friday morning (20.01.2017).