National Theatre Singapore Charity Concert 1965: Robin Chng

Robin Chng has kindly written this article to highlight a charity show staged at our famous theatre on 27 March 1965. He was the organising committee secretary. I am still wishing that more Singaporeans like him could donate music stories to this blog. . Thank you so much, Robin, for your generosity and contribution.

"273 EXCLUSIVE CHARITY CONCERT 1965" at the National Theatre.

The Gan Eng Seng School Old Students Association.
More than half a century ago when tragedy befell a member of our group of bosom buddies (former classmates in secondary school), we got together and decided to help raise funds for our unfortunate buddy who became paralyzed as a result of a swimming mishap. A fellow paralytic Johnny Ang whom older readers would probably have heard of also chipped in (National Library archived articles from The Straits Times) after learning of our buddy's plight. As mentioned in the articles, we got together to help raise funds for paralytic Tham Kok Seng to enable him to purchase a possum machine. It would have been a cinch today with crowd funding but alas this was in the sixties.

As pop bands performances were a draw in those days, we decided to organize a variety concert featuring local pop bands, a magic act, dancers and even someone who could coax music from a saw with a violin bow. After forming a committee and assigning the various roles amongst ourselves, we went about seeking sponsors, artistes/performers, emcee, choosing a date for the concert and booking the venue. The date and venue for the concert - 27 March 65 and The National Theatre - were duly chosen. Quite aptly, we named the concert "273 Exclusive" as it was to be held on 27/3/1965.

As it turned out, the concert opened to a sellout crowd much to the delight of the organizers and all participants who made the event possible. I have kept the concert's programme booklet all these years - the accompanying photos capture the programme booklet in its entirety. All the participants who are still around today are probably grand-fathers/mothers. They would be proud to show this record to their families their sincere contribution to Singapore's cultural and LQ heritage. Seniors reading this article are likely able to remember the distinguished guests, radio personality, the then Minister of Health and all the artistes who performed there that night. Younger readers may have also heard of them, perhaps from their parents.

On a side note, many of us from the pioneer/Merdeka generation are deeply saddened that our National Heritage Board wasn't able to gazette the National Theatre for conservation. Singaporeans from all walks of life had generously and proudly contributed their hard earned money to the "a-dollar-a-brick" fundraising campaign. Most notably, even trishaw riders and coolies contributed too. This despite their meagre and irregular earnings. Together with funds jointly donated by the government, our National Theatre was officially opened on 8 Aug 1963.

Throughout its 23-yr span, many famous pop stars and bands performances were held there. Regrettably, this iconic building had to be demolished due to structural problems and was torn down in Aug 1986. A crying shame I might add. Structural problems could easily have been corrected with the building technology available then. Our country's finances were sound too. Conserving the theatre was thus clearly doable.

Everyone who had heeded the call to give generously towards the building fund were thus dismayed. It was truly a "peoples" National Theatre, built in no small part through the support of the citizens and yet didn't deserve to be conserved. 

Were you at this concert with a star-studded cast of Singapore artistes? Do write in to tell us. 

This article has been written by Robin Chng. 

Robin or 'Joe' had since passed away in June, 2022.

The article and images: Copyrights Reserved.

Read about his brother Jimmy Chng and The Decibels:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2012/01/decibels-65-band-in-making-part-one.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2012/02/decibels-band-in-making-1965-1970-part.html

Wilson David With Bassist Alan Poh's Songs

One of the more well- known singers in the sixties Wilson David was a name to contend with. Together with other local pop singers Mr David drew crowds to the shows they performed in. They had fans from all over Singapore and from our neighboring countries like Malaya, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei and even Thailand.

Pop concert sponsors and those interested in promoting our talents introduced these young and budding artistes to recording companies. Philips, RCA, Cosdel, EMI and a few other well-known ones took the opportunity to contract them for vinyl releases.

The singers were paired off with local guitar groups and papers were signed and sealed. One of the most respected recording companies, Philips, used the studio at Kinetex Singapore and had David with his backing group The Jets to accompany him singing four songs.

Two of them were covers from the fifties; "Jezebel" by Frankie Laine and "Yours" by Vera Lynn. The other two, originals by Alan Poh (image: 2nd from right) and bassist with the Jets were, "I'll Never Be Mad At You" and "I Love To Be By Your Side." It was necessary by then to have original songs in the repertoire for local releases.

The fact that David was also Singapore's answer to Elvis Presley made the recording and advanced publicity all the more important for its success. Below is the write up on the back sleeve cover of "Wilson David accompanied by The Jets."

Some Sleeves Speak:

"Born on October 4th, 1940, Wilson David started his singing career when he was only sixteen.  Slowly but surely he managed to build himself up to such an extent that for the last three years he has been able to maintain his position as the beat king all over Malaysia. Yes Wilson is undoubtedly the teenage solo singing craze nowadays, for every time he makes a public appearance, it is only with great difficulty that he tears himself away from his screaming, clapping audience.

Wilson's greatest assets are a good mellow voice with an equally good range and style, and a terrific sense of rhythm and showmanship. Wilson is a perfectionist by nature and is never satisfied with his own performance regardless of how well he is received.  He always feels he should have done better since his one aim is to satisfy his listener to the fullest.

From the muscle wrenching glory of the athletic track to the limelight in rhythm and blues to the torrid tempos of the bongos, that's the life of Wilson David, who is currently the undisputed idol of the local teenage pop fans..."

How come today's Singapore boys and girls are not screaming for our own home grown artistes?

Images: Personal Collection.
Article: Original and Back Sleeve Cover Write-up.
You can read more about these artistes by clicking on Labels below.

Magazine Memo: RAF Changi Connection Part IV

Jumping Jupiter! Well, here's a blast from the past and sent all the way from the UK by great friend Allan Thompson. He has sent me images of our pop scenes in Singapore 60s. The above groups and singers is a page taken off Goodwood Park Hotel magazine from a programme for ‘The Goodwood Presents...', a show held at The National Theatre on Wednesday 23rd September 1964. Direct quotes below are from the page:

.

Crescendos:

The first Singapore vocal group/band to have their songs released by an international recording group: "The Crescendos, Susan Lim, John Chee, Raymond Ho and Leslie Chia are today the best selling artistes on the Philips label. In a short space of a year these young Malaysians have achieved the distinction of having one of their hit songs 'The Boy Next Door' included in the 1964 'Big Hits' record. it is expected to be released in early October.

.

Susan the lead singer of the group is in her final year in school and plans of the quartet's future can only be drawn in 1965. Since they started their singing career a year ago, they have recorded 12 numbers and sold 35,000 in Malaysia alone. In the last ratings of Philips 20 discs on Philips international label The Crescendos recording of 'The Boy Next Door' held second place."

.

Wilson David:

"Malaysia's Beat King is undoubtedly the teenage solo singing craze, teams up with the Jumping Jupiters to cut his first disc on the Philips International label."

.

The Jumping Jupiters:

"A group of talented and energetic instrumentalists, popular on TV, radio and many a stage show now cut their first disc on Philips International label. Wilson David and The Jumping Jupiters appear by courtesy of Asia Promotions."

.

Comment:

In the above write-up about the Crescendos, Singapore was still with Malaysia until August 1965, so the group, which was formed in 1961 and Susan Lim only 15, were still "Malaysians." One of the Crescendo boys remarked in a recent interview that they were lucky and had just happened to be at the right place, at the right time. But they were talented too. Twelve Crescendos numbers sold 35,000 copies. That's still a record today or has it been broken?

.

Wilson David cut an EP with Jumping Jupiters and 2 more EPs afterwards accompanied by The Jets and The Moonglows. He had sung with the Stompers, Esquires and Quests. Wilson was popularly known as Singapore's Elvis Presley. Just wondering why no one has put on You Tube the EPs of Wilson David? Comment anyone on this article and magazine comments?

.

Images: Allan Thompson Collection.

Wilson David Sings Dean Martin On A-Go-Go Shell Record

Philips Records and Shell Petrol produced a few EP vinyl specials to promote A-Go-Go Shell in the 60s (image) - Philips 112000DE.

Wilson David's cover of Dean Martin's, That's Amore is one of the songs featured. Wilson often sings this number during his live shows in Singapore.

The other songs included, Honey Bee by P and B Group, Spanish Flea by Pablo Rotero and the Shell Song by Ger Van Leeuwen Orchestra.

Many business companies in the 1960s advertise on both Long Plays and Extended Play vinyls to advertise their products. Check March 21st 2009 and April 1st 2009 under 'vinyl records'.

Image: From Andy Lim's Collection.