Andy's Music Quote: "I Do It For Fun, Not For Funds!" Old Friends n New! A Happy National Day 2025. 'Here We Are.'

Andy's Original Music Quote:

"I do it for fun, not for funds!"

These are OLD friends and some NEW ones whom I 

met in 2025 because of this blog connection. 

Roll out the flags guys, it's Singapore's 

National Day on 9th August 2025.

A HAPPY NATIONAL DAY TO ALL ! 

OUR 60th BIRTHDAY.

Students who are still with me through the years,

30 years perhaps? OLD friends indeed, today.

And they all love pop music in Chinese and English

and read this blog too.

With busker and very OLD friend Ioleen Chia [pink] and her friends. 

Well known for her singing, guitar playing and drumming, Ioleen

used to be in an SG girl band in the 70s called, D'Aces.

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/search?q=ioleen+chia

Andy with OLD friend Fabian Foo, and very

NEW friends Colin Goh and Richard Tham.

Blu Jaz baby, for a Charity Ball!

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2025/08/pop-music-from-80s-singapore-in-aid-of.html

With NEW friend, Tony Goh [famed Tony, Terry, Spencer Group]

with OLD friend Jimmy Yap at Tony's huge recording studio in

the heart of Shenton Way.

'Here We Are': Singapore National Day Song 2025.

Official Music Video. 60th Birthday.

YouTube Video from: NDPeeps.

With NEW friends, Busker Christopher Nathan and 

on-looker Mr Kai at the Toa Payoh Hub NTUC. Chris

 sings and plays hot, hot  hits from the 70s, 80s...

"I DO IT FOR FUN, 

NOT FOR FUNDS!" 

SAYS ANDY.

 

He's an OLD neighbour and friend and I haven't met him for years!

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2025/06/60s-music-dog-songs-by-pet-shop-boys.html

With NEW friend Jean Granger from Paris, France, 

whom I met with OLD friend, the late Alfred Wong. Jean

loves pop music and familiar with songs from Gay Paree!

Singing 'Diana' with a NEW gentleman Robert Wesley Seng,

whom I met at the Singapore National Library Lobby. He is also

another well-known Singaporean music producer, song-writer,

arranger and photographer.

Riem de Wolff Blue Diamonds RIP (1943-2017)

UP TO 3,000 READERS

FOR THIS POSTING 

Riem de Wolff has passed away this morning at 9 am, according to an SMS received at 11.45am. Riem was the younger brother of Ruud de Wolff (1941-2000), both known better as the dynamic, guitar singing duet, THE BLUE DIAMONDS.

Singapore fans, friends and my blog readers who are familiar with the Blue Diamonds send condolences to Riem's family.

May you Rest In Peace Riem.

                          Blue Diamonds: Ramona. Video: hanniev12

A Tribute From Michael Bangar:

Hi Andy,
This is my tribute to a great musical talent the late Mr Riem de Wolff, together with his late brother Ruud, who was originally from this part of Asia. They were the 60's duo The Blue Diamonds.

Thank you and your brother for the wonderful music you guys shared with us all those years. Many many hits that included: Little Ship, Oh Carol, Cathy's Clown and the now standard, your version of Ramona which is probably the best.

How you guys turn on your vocal harmonies on us school kids (budding musicians) during the kampong days. Your songs brought the sunshine into our lives. So much fond memories that are still with us today.

                    Blue Diamonds: Potong Padi Video from: coockiestv

As a student, I first saw The Blue Diamonds perform at the Singapore Badminton Hall (if my memory serves me right). Then over the years, on TV every now and then. I also got to watch them when they guested on, Rolling Good Times held at Singapore's Indoor Stadium.


Besides them, the other guests included Johnny Lion and The Jumping Jewels, Anneke Gronloh, The Quests, Sakura Teng and the late Kartina Dahari with many other artistes. It was one of the best local variety shows in a long time.

Not long after Ruud's passing, I got the chance to see Riem perform solo with only his guitar at the now defunct Sparks Night Club/Disco at Ngee Ann City. For a couple of hours, he put on a great show and breezed through a lot of classic standards and oldies, effortlessly.  

What an entertainer, with only a guitar accompanying his great vocals. And when he got into The Blue Diamonds hit list, Vernon sang Ruud's harmony parts. What a memorable evening it was for me and my band partner at that time, the late guitarist Mr Donald Thaver.

Blue Diamonds: Sunny n Guantanamera. Video: Nostalgia Tube

Once again, thank you Ruud and Riem de Wolff - The Blue Diamonds, for all the wonderful music and memories. And wherever you guys are now I hope you continue your tradition of all those great music with those unique harmonies.

Salute, fellas!

PS: 
Just to add brother Andy: We last met Riem at least about 10 years ago, one night at Adam Road Food Centre. The 4 of us were having supper after a gig. He and a few friends came to check out the Centre's favourite Tulang (Bone Soup). 

He knew Ivor Lesslar (lead guitarist for a number of bands), and came up to say hello and chatted. Ramon Francis, Jeffrey Pinto and I met him for the first time. He was a very warm and friendly person as far as I can recall.

RIP Mr Riem de Wolff.

Condolences below from:

Louis Soliano (Award Winner Percussionist):
Years ago my dad, with Jose Daroya's band played for the Blue Diamonds at the Cathay Restaurant. RIP Riem.

John Cher (Drummer Silver Strings):
Sad news. RIP Riem.

Richard Khan (Drummer October Cherries):
Ramona no more. I knew he was in a critical condition. No way out. 😢

Ronnie See (Burns Leader, Rhythm, Singer):
Sadly losing one of the great musicians. Condolences to his family. 

Horace Wee (Guitarist, Saxophonist):
RIP Riem, the Lord will welcome you.

Michael Bangar (Rhythm Silver Strings):
Oh dear. May the Lord Bless His Soul. RIP Riem.

Victor Lam (Burns Drummer):
RIP Riem: Sad new for us Blue Diamond fans.

Jimmy PresLee (Elvis Tribute Artiste):
Heard from Larry Lai last week... sad.

Irene Yap (Singer Recording Artiste);
So sorry to learn that. Beautiful harmony.

            Blue Diamonds: Save The Last For Me. Video: Christa Kinder

Oliver (Drummer Silver Strings):
Sad.

Sam (Fan):
Sad.

Jalani (Pianist):
RIP

Jan Cheong (fan):
Eternal rest grant unto him oh Lord.

Lim Kuan Min (School principal, blog fan):
RIP

Dr A. Khoo (Lecturer, fan);
RIP

Tan Soo Khoon:
Sad news. (Check Comment page.)

Charlie Yap (Bass Locomotion):
Yes. He's the last Diamond. Sad... That's life. One by one...😐

Fabian Foo (video cam enthusiast, fan);
Oh dear, another one popular singer has passed on. RIP.

Christopher Toh (Music Journalist TODAY newspaper):
Sad news indeed! Yeah, I think I met him some years ago. Vernon C. introduced me before they went on Brian Richmond's show...

Ioleen Chia (Drummer Tepees):
I didn't know him personally but I was a fan of the Blue Diamonds. RIP.

Rickie Chng (Lead Silver Strings):
May his family members overcome this feeling of sadness.

This list will go on. Do write in...

Many Facebook comments below. Click Comments. 

With blogger Andy Young, the late Riem de Wolff, Larry Lai, the late Jap Chong, Vernon Cornelius. 

Click to read other Blue Diamonds stories:

http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2011/01/when-60s-seniors-met-roof-came-down.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2011/02/its-singer-not-song-vernon-at-large.html

http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2010/09/riem-de-wolfe-blue-diamond-at-serangoon.html

http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2010/07/blue-diamonds-sparkling-as-usual.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2010/01/blue-diamonds-national-service-in.html

http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2009/11/8.html

Images: Google, A Personal Collection.
Videos from YouTube

Oldies But Goodies Keep Seniors Jiving The Nite

Oldies But Goodies with Eric, Irene, Ioleen, Audie and Patrick.

Even today a new 60s band is in the making with active music veterans in the line-up. Rightly so, Oldies But Goodies not only describe the songs they sing and play but also about the members themselves. 

From left stands Eric Chia experienced lead guitarist, Irene Yap former recording artiste last seen and heard fronting Locomotion, and Ioleen Chia who plays the drums like Ringo but sings like Paul.  The guy on bass guitar needs no introduction. Boss of  The Silver Strings and now this band, Audie Ng still leads the pack.  On the extreme right is Patrick Chan who strums and sings with the personality of a tough Texan cowboy.

Irene sings Chubby Checker.

They made their appearance on Friday 5th July 2013 at the Corpthone King's Bar at Havelock Road. It was a one hour show and the floor was packed with rock and rollers enjoying themselves to classics like Silver Threads and Golden Needles, Where the Boys are, Let's Twist Again and Burung Kakak Tua. Instrumentals included Willy and His Giants pop hit, Ajoen, Ajoen and a Boy and His Rollin' Kids favourite, Midnight In Malaya.


In the heat of the beat.

While sexy songstress Irene faced the colourful disco lights, the band remained faithfully in the background accompanying her solo pieces.  With her alluring vocals she warmed and drew the mostly senior dancers to the floor.  She was a hit as the crowd clapped after every song that she sang.

When she came over to the bar to join me and her husband Freddy for a breather, drummer *Ioleen burst into flames and gave her own rendition of I Saw Her Standing There.  This petite lady had the house thumping with the song while a group of seniors behind me stood up and screamed throughout the Beatles' number.

Where The Boys Are

Patrick made his debut with Cliff's Young Ones,  Billy Ray Cyrus' Achy Breaky Heart and a few other rock goodies.  His voice truly packs a punch. Patrick once played lead with a group called Peddlers. 

Cool Audie with his signature million dollar smile kept the band rolling throughout the night while lead Eric controlled the frets in fierce concentration as melodies flowed for an unforgettable evening of oldies but goodies.

A thank you to Freddy and Irene for the cranberry juice and accompanying me at the Club D Connection Lounge's comfortable bar. Well done guys. Encore performance soon?

*Ioleen Chia is a busker at the Orchard Road area. Check her out!

Images from Audie Ng's Facebook.

(This posting is not an advertisement to promote the band or nightclub.)

Ioleen Chia: Ovation In Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia

I first met Ioleen by chance late last year (2011) when she was chatting with a friend at the Lido Cinema in Orchard Road. She was carrying an expensive Ovation (image) and when I asked about her guitar and introduced myself she remarked, "I thought you look familiar." With my grandson beside me, I requested Beautiful Sunday, his favourite. Ioleen whipped out her guitar and burst into the Daniel Boone classic. She still busks today, at the Orchard Road area.

During our conversation I was surprised when she revealed that she is the daughter of the late Mr. Chia, who used to run the Garrick Cinema at Geylang Serai in the 1950s and when young Bollywood was trying to woo the world with its music and dance fantasies.

I remember long lines of Indian, Malay and Chinese Singaporeans queueing for movie tickets at this cinema which was situated at the entrance of Onan Road. It ran for four decades, from the 1920s until 1965, when it became the more sophisticated Galaxy Cinema. When I told her I have a blog and my keen interest in documenting 60s bands she agreed to tell her story.

Here's Ioleen's experience from mid 60s to early 80s:

"I started playing the drums, which is my first love, at the age of 13. My brother who was also playing in a band inspired me. He taught me my first tempo which was the twist. After he left the group I took over the drums and with 4 other members called our new line-up D'Aces. We did a lot of singalongs, current pop songs and even played jazz numbers.

Eventually we did gigs at the Royal Air Force Singapore during the weekends and this contract lasted for a couple of years. We also appeared on local television, at tea dances at the Golden Venus and played with the Trailers during their stint at the club. Other nightspots that we performed at included the Barbarella Disco at Ming Court, Talk of the Town at High Street and even at the Garrick Cinema.

            Ioleen Chia with her band Oldies But Goodies before performance.

I played with the Valiants too (a Singapore group and not the one from Malaysia). Because of my studies I left the group. We disbanded and could not take up an offer to play in Europe.

After completing my studies, I went solo doing the circuit and accompanied myself on the guitar. I was contracted to play at the Imperial, Cockpit and Equatorial hotels. There was a period when I was singing duet with Simon Koh who played the keyboard. l learnt a lot from Simon.

I performed in Japanese cities like Nagoya, Fukuoka, Kumomoto and on Kyushu Island. After Japan I entertained the folks in Taiwan for a couple of years and also had stints in Malaysian nightclubs and engagements in Kuching.

In later years I performed at the Marco Polo Theatre and the Golden Million Lounge at Peninsula Hotel. Those were memorable years. By the end of the 70s, bands playing western music weren't much of a draw at the pop clubs, hotels and entertainment establishments were hiring Filipino groups rather than local musicians. They were inexpensive to engage. By then Chinese music was getting more popular too.

I had stopped playing music for many years but since I was missing all the fun I decided to come back on the scene and started busking about 2 years ago. It is less wearisome and stressful and I have more time for myself. As a music maker I am an all rounder and it isn't difficult to please the passing crowd with my repertoire of songs. I try to play all types of music."

When I left Ioleen that day with my grandson beside me she was singing and strumming a jazzy version of Charles Chaplin's evergreen, Smile as we said our goodbyes. Thanks Ioleen, for the memories.

Please support Ioleen and all our local buskers always.

Images 1: Along Orchard Road. 2: Oldies But Goodies outside a hotel. 
Andy Lim Collection (Copyrights Reserved).