Saturday, January 09, 2010

Elvis Is 75 Years, Earns S$77 Million In 2009

At 75 years young Elvis Presley earned S$77 million in 2009. The King is still rocking everywhere. Trivia has it that an Elvis song is being played every 6 seconds somewhere in the world.
He was born on 8th January, 1935 and still going. Any comment?

Friday, January 08, 2010

Marianne Faithfull In Singapore? Book Reviews



There are books about Marianne Faithfull. Check the addresses below.

Memories, Dreams And Reflections with David Dalton published by London, Fourth Estate, October 2007 (image) are available at our library [English 782.42164092 FAI - (ART)] but it's not on loan. Strange isn't it?

Anyway, the book is anecdotal, conversational, intimate and revealing the iconic artists' raw and honest account of her life, her friends, her triumphs, and mistakes. As an example she, "muses nostalgically about afternoons languishing on Moroccan cushions at George (Beatle) and Pattie Harrison's, getting high and listening to new songs."

She is frequently baffled at her image in the press because when she opens the newspaper she reads of her own demise: Sixties Star in Death Plunge and "mortified by her history of reckless behaviour; not to mention her near-death experience in Singapore while looking for an opium den (Reviewed at amazon.com)."

An earlier 1991 book, Mark Hodkinson's, Marianne Faithfull: As Tears Go By, reviewed by Pieter 'Toypom' (Johannesburg) reveals the Swinging Sixties, then moves into her family history, her childhood and school years. She enters the pop scene in 1964 with the single As Tears Go By which is followed by a series of pop-folk hits. The author does a splendid job of describing her early recordings and the impact they made in the UK and USA charts.

Then came Mick Jagger and the scandals that plagued Marianne from that time forward. Her stage and film acting took precedence over the music and "it seems to be a professional rivalry that led to her separation and divorce from Jagger". The song Wild Horses on the 1971 Rolling Stones album Sticky Fingers preserves Mick's love for Marianne and feelings of regret in a moving way.

Blogger has not read any of them but some titles could be available in the bookshops. Perhaps some copies could be available for loan? Must be the 'opium den episode'. Not good for youthful minds. Staining our clean image? Comment anyone?


Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Casablanca Marianne Faithfull As Tears Goes By

How is the 1942 hit movie Casablanca, starring Humphrey Bogart, connected to rock group, The Rolling Stones? What's more popular than this rock group? And how does Marianne Faithfull fit into the picture?

The link that binds is the hit song, As Tears Go By. According to Wikipedia, the myth surrounding the song's genesis has it that Rolling Stones manager Andrew Oldham requested Mick Jagger and Keith Richards to get together and write a song, even suggesting what type of song he wanted.

The result was initially named As Time Goes By, the title of the song Dooley Wilson sings in the film Casablanca. But strangely, it wasn't popularised by the Stones but by Marianne Faithfull and the song reached number 9 in the British charts in 1964 and launched her career as a pop star at 17 years young (watch introduction by Paul Anka and interview with Brian Epstein, YouTube sidebar). The Stones recorded their version in 1965, the most subdued Stones blogger has seen in his life (YouTube sidebar).

Blogger loves the song. Marianne Faithfull's version is pleasant to the ears and as our local singers say, delivery on stage is not demanding. This song has been covered by others including Singapore's Naomi And The Boys.

Any comment about this beautiful classic?

Song Information: Wikipedia.

Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

Sunday, January 03, 2010

Ronnie Ong: Black Hills Of Dakota, 10,000 Miles, Vinyl Recording Sessions

Handsome and a hit with the ladies, he used to play with a band (picture below) in the 60s and 70s. Ronnie Ong also recorded Buttons And Bows, together with 10,000 Miles on Side One and on Side Two: The Black Hill Of Dakota and Dear Heart And Gentle People.

Recorded in Singapore: TNA TEP 213 EP. (image), the selection is 1950s cowboy songs.



Do you remember Ronnie Ong? He was known as Singapore's Trini Lopez. Is that him far left in the picture? Would you like to tell us about him? Do share with us your memories as Ronnie Ong was popular in the 60s too. He is also a crooner and sings jazz standards. Where is Ronnie Ong now?

Updated on 2nd February, 2025

Photo from left to right: 
Arthur Phua, Ronnie Ong, Albert Ventura, Yusof and Alphonso Soosay. Known as The Top Cats, they performed in the early 70s at The Pink Pussycat, located at Prince Hotel Garni at Orchard Road.

Horace Wee and Vinyl Recordings:
Famed legendary guitarist Horace Wee was in action during the recording. It was the first time a new guitar effect was used locally. There have been some discussions so comments are always welcome but keep them positive please. According to Mr Wee income was good then and he had gone through many such sessions but unable to remember specific ones. 

Horace Wee
Author

Alphonso Soosay and Pink Pussy Cat:

I remember Ronnie Ong was popularly known as the Trini Lopez of Singapore then. He was our lead Singer with “Top Cats” and also very popular with the ladies.

The Pink Pussycat Nightclub was formerly known as Prince’s Garni Hotel on Orchard Road, it began rebranding itself as a “Popular Music Club” with two resident bands nightly to draw the crowd and it was packed almost every night.

Ronnie’s nightly popular by request songs were: La Bamba, Lemon Tree, I Am Coming Home Cindy, If I Had A Hammer, Jeanie Marie, Sally Was A Good Ole Girl and many other popular hit songs of the charts then.
Alphonso Soosay
Author.

Some pieces of information were provided by Horace Wee, Jerry Fernandez, Alphonso Soosay, Michael Bangar and Ivor Lesslar. Thank you gentlemen. Appreciate corrections, if any.

Images: Google. 
Horace Wee (c).
Alphonso Soosay (c).

78 RPM - Gene Autry 'Buttons & Bows' Country

Sung by Bob Hope to Jane Russell in the 1948 film, Paleface, Buttons, and Bows won the Oscar that year for best song. It was written by composer Jay Livingston and lyricist Ray Evans, a prolific team who have written a great many hit songs including, To Each His Own, Golden Earrings, Mona Lisa, Silver Bells, Que Sera Sera, Dear Heart, and Tammy. 

I saw this movie as a child at the Queen's Cinema, Singapore. It was a real treat for a boy! And told my mum that she had a paleface too - I was only 9 years old - when she wasn't happy that I spent 50 Cents watching the movie from the cinema, which was a five-minute walk from my home. For a whole week, the topic was fresh in her mind.
As the world goes into the second decade of the 21st Century, I forward into the late 40s and managed to get a copy of Gene Autry's, Buttons And Bows on 78rpm, MR3814 Regal Zonophone.

There are people who do not appreciate such records and dump them into the waste bin outside the house. If you see some of these beautiful pieces, pick them up. They are worth treasures. You will never know how much they cost. And if you have a player, wow, that's another big deal.


On the flip side is A Boy From Texas - A Girl From Tennessee sung by our yodeling cowboy. 

Do you have stories and records you might want to share on this blog? Just write to me under the Comment page below.
Gene Autry sings 'Buttons and Bows' featured in a movie called, 'Paleface' (1948)

Original article: Andy Lim Collection.
YouTube Video.

Saturday, January 02, 2010

A Happy New Year From Singapore 60s Music


HAPPY NEW YEAR, HAPPY NEW YEAR


Happy New Year Lyrics: Sung/Composition: By ABBA. Songwriters: Anderson, Benny Goran Bror/Ulvaeus, Bjoern K.
No more champagne
And the fireworks are through
Here we are, me and you
Feeling lost and feeling blue
It's the end of the party
And the morning seems so grey
So unlike yesterday
Now's the time for us to say
 Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have a vision now and then
Of a world where every neighbor is a friend
Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have our hopes, our will to try
If we don't we might as well lay down and die
You and I
Sometimes I see
How the brave new world arrives
And I see how it thrives
In the ashes of our lives
Oh yes, man is a fool
And he thinks he'll be okay
Dragging on, feet of clay
Never knowing he's astray
Keeps on going anyway

Seems to me now
That the dreams we had before
Are all dead, nothing more
Than confetti on the floor
It's the end of a decade
In another ten years time
Who can say what we'll find
What lies waiting down the line
In the end of eighty-nine

Thursday, December 31, 2009

A HAPPY & PEACEFUL NEW YEAR 2010 !

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010 TO EVERYONE. LET'S HAVE MORE YEARS OF FUN AND BLOGGING SINGAPORE 60s MUSIC. CHEERS!

ABBA was a pop music group formed in Sweden in 1970, consisting of Anni-Frid Lyngstad (Frida), Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson (the B-boys) and Agnetha Fältskog (Anna). Both Anni-Frid and Benny were married.

So were Bjorn and Agnetha but both couples later divorced. They became one of the most commercially successful vocal groups in popular music, and topped the charts worldwide from 1972 to 1982.

Image: jerseyarts.wordpress.com/.../
Website: http://www.abbaworld.com/ You Tube Sidebar: Brighnights June 4th, 2006.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Singapore's 60s70s October Cherries' Website

JAY SHOTAM HAS PASSED AWAY ON 4TH OCTOBER 2019.
CLICK BELOW TO READ LATEST:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2019/10/rip-jay-shotum-october-cherries-andy.html

Read all about their history, tours, CD releases on their own website at: http://www.octobercherries.com/

The October Cherries, a group that has existed since the mid-sixties, were a highly successful band in their country Singapore. Unfortunately, music piracy destroyed almost everything. Far Away Now is one of their hit songs that made it to number one in Malaysia.

They moved on to conquer Europe and they are still recording today. Jay Shotam (Lead singer): Far Away Now was on the first October cherries LP entitled, Meet the Cherries, a copy of which was given to Dick James, President of Dick James Music, in the UK, a big name in the music industry. He liked the band's songwriting ability.
In the early seventies when our manager Bal Shotam visited him to try and get a publishing tie-up, Dick James commented on another track on the LP called Na Na Song and said that it might be suitable for a new artist he had called Elton John. Nothing transpired. But Bal recalls another person who was with Dick and him, who heard the songs on the demo tapes.

An edited version, from YouTube: keithyoong (April 01, 2008). Check it out! Great website!

(2) Barry Walker "The Figures" - Rocket Label

The UK/US BANDS IN SINGAPORE:


THE image shows the record sleeve cover of a guitar group called The Figures that featured Barry Walker (Singapore: 1968) from the armed services in Singapore 60s and the same leading man who also fronted The In-Sect later. The Figures had local boys Albert, Patrick, Eugene, Philip and Victor accompanying Walker

This group recorded on Hi-Fi/Stereo Rocket Label (DEP - 1009) playing: Midnight Hour, Stand By Me, Love Is Blue and Peter Gunn's Theme. This mix has been covered time and again by other Singapore bands including, Heather and The Thunderbirds, The Trailers, Charlie and The Boys.

Other British and American servicemen that had appeared together as a group or multiracially with our local boys included The Dee Tees (1964), The Misfits (1964), The Harmaniacs (1965), The Easybeats (1965), The Toadstools (1965), LBJ and The Presidents (1965), The Motifs (1966), Split Image (1966), The United Noises (1967), The Summer Of Love 1967) and many more.

And one British drummer who played in Singapore 60s, gained international fame when he joined a UK group called Ian Drury and The Blockheads. Know this drummer? Have you heard of other British or American groups that played in Singapore in the 60s and 70s? Do you have a friend who is familiar with them? Do write in.

Image: P.C. Collection.

Reference: A.N. and G.C.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

(1) British/American Servicemen Music Influence In 60s Music Scene At Military Base

UK/US BANDS IN SINGAPORE:

With the British military presence aplenty at the naval and air bases in Singapore until the early 70s, the import of the latest R&B, pop, rock n roll music from Britain and some from the US was common. These men in uniform had a strong cultural influence on the youths here, especially when they armed themselves with solid twanging guitars, thumping skins and clanging cymbals.

The presence of these soldiers also provided the infrastructure for a successful music industry as many local band boys and girls eagerly went on stage at tea dances and nightly gigs to strut their stuff. The dashing men in uniform also brought their imported music vinyls - singles, EPs and LPs - to lend to our local band members during their visits to the gigs and tea-dances in Singapore 60s. And so the influence and exchange began.

Despite the music being tagged as part of 'yellow culture' in later years, the government was not able to halt the increase of western pop culture while the the uniform personnel from abroad were were still around during the 60s. But when fisticuffs led to brawls and big bar fights, and when the idea that consuming illegal drugs became a day to day affair, the authorities were on the alert.

So when news of drug consumption and especially casualties amongst this popular industry in the west abound, the authorities here in Singapore acted. The denouement was in the early 70s, when they eventually withdrew their forces from Singapore.

In the above photo can you recognise Barry Walker or any other officer who was in a band?
Image: British Military Base Copyrights Reserved from P.C. Collection.

Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Remembering Dean Martin - From Andy To DMP

FROM DMP's BLOG:
"Hey pallies well our month of Dino-remembrance started windin' down. But, still a few more Dino-days to honor our Dino and his passin' on Dino-winter-day...

Gotta 'fess up that I just had to share this trib to be able to one more time share my fav of fav Dino-seasonal clips....loves this version of the white stuff more then I can ever say. To read this in it's original format, clicks on:

(On December, 25th in 1995, actor and singer Dean Martin passed on at the age of 78. Martin was born Dino Paul Crocetti in Steubenville, Ohio, in 1917. From then on it's show biz history when this great man - Elvis Presley's idol and favourite singer -flooded the 50's to the 90's with his magical, music and movie moments. Long live Dino Martin.)
You Tube: DinoLewis1945

Sunday, December 27, 2009

John Lennon: "Nowhere Boy" - New Movie

Nowhere Boy is a biopic about John Lennon's childhood and has never been told, so now Beatles fans will be able to gain insight into his fascinating life. This press release information was provided by Tom Ortenberg, Weinstein Company president of theatrical films.


"The film will examine the effects each woman and their custody fight had on the young musician." The movie will also focus on Lennon’s bond with Paul McCartney, and concludes when the Beatles leave Liverpool and proceed to Germany. The title is taken from Rubber Soul’s Nowhere Man. The film went on general release in the UK on 26 December 2009.

Information from: Rolling Stone Magazine & Wikipedia.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Singapore Idol 2009 And Sing60sMusic Idols

The winner will emerge and there will be one Singapore Idol 2009. Who will win? Sezairi Sezali or Sylvia Ratonel? Blogger wishes the two of them all the best.
It'll be butterflies in the stomach, lots of sandpaper in the throat and a Ferrari engine replacing the heart. The whole body quakes like jelly... That's how a singer feels just before he or she hits the spotlight on stage. But once the adrenalin goes into the bloodstream it's all touch and go.
If you have gone through this blog for the past year, you might have been reading about our 60s Singapore Idols (image). And there are so many that a year's blogging hasn't done much justice, especially when you need to mention the music influences from around the globe.
So as some of us take a break during this Christmas season, we wish the two Singapore Idol 2009 participants all the best. May the better person win! It's on at the Singapore Indoor Stadium this Sunday, 27th December 2009 at 8pm.
Image: National Heritage Board, Singapore.
Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Mary's Boy Child Harry Belafonte 60s Christmas



SONGS I LOVE:

Mary's Boy Child is a 1956 Christmas song, written by Jester Hairston, first sung by Belafonte and covered by more than 30 singers far and wide.


Mary`s Boy Child (Harry Belafonte)


Long time ago in Bethlehem

So the Holy Bible say

Mary's boy child, Jesus Christ

Was born on Christmas day.

Hark, now hear the angels sing

A new King born today

And man will live forever more

Because of Christmas day.

While shepherds watched their flock by night

And see a bright new shining star

And hear a choir sing

The music seem to come from afar.

Now Joseph and his wife Mary

Come to Bethlehem that night

And find no place to born swee' child

Not a single room was in sight.

Hark, now hear the angels sing

A new King born today

And man will live forever more

Because of Christmas day.

By and by they find a little nook

In a stable all forlorn

And in a manger cold and dark

Mary's little boy was born.

Hark, now hear the angels sing

A new King born today

And man will live forever more

Because of Christmas day.

From: You Tube: Inky261. Thank You!

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas To All Readers Everywhere!

The Travellers is quite a well-known garage band from Singapore. Like The Stylers and The Melodians, they accompany singers in the 60s and 70s, especially those who record for smaller companies. These labels have released covers in English, Chinese and Malay. The originals are the ones usually in Chinese and Malay. Blogger has seen recordings where The Travellers accompany a singer like Zhang Xiao Ying.

The particular record highlighted (image) is one of many vinyls cut specially for the Singapore Christmas season and produced by Sina Records (HB-244). The selection is "played by" the group and includes, Jingle Bells, Mary's Boy Child, We Wish You A Merry X'Mas, Silent Night and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.

As blogger explained in earlier postings, these records are actually dance music and usually played during house parties for people who cannot manage live-bands. The Travellers are part of this Non-Stop Dancing Music genre. We might call it elevator music now.

Does anyone know where The Travellers are now? If you are a former member or a friend who knows where they are, do write. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year everyone!

Image/original article: Andy Lim Collection.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

(2) Songs, Music & Dances In Singapore 40s Slow Fox Trot Waltz, Swinging Before The 60s

ENTERTAINMENT IN SINGAPORE BEFORE THE 60:


The crowds were there during the weekends and the tea-dances were usually filled to the brim. Weekdays would bring in a small crowd to these cabarets but the prices of tickets were not as expensive. And the imported music? Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong and Bing Crosby melodies, playing to the rhythm of rag-time, boogie-woogie, honky-tonk and of course jazz. The floor was crowded when the orchestra played the blues and dance music in slow-fox trot and waltz. The reason is obvious.

(*Beginning in the late 1920s, dancers in the US enjoyed doing an energetic dance they called the Lindy-Hop. Critics called these gyrating dancers 'jitter-bugs (image)', and in the late 30s the name was applied to the dance itself. What was now known as the Jitterbug was also called Swing, and would remain popular into the 40s.

*There were also many popular dances in the 30s, including the sophisticated Continental and Carioca, the carefree Lambeth Walk and Big Apple, and the Latin-inspired Rumba and Conga.

*In the late 30s, jazz that was written for dancing broke off into its own musical style... swing music. Performed by big bands, swing would become the most popular music style in the 40s.)


The song list played in these cabarets might include: April In Paris, The Way You Look Tonight, Goody Goody, Ebb Tide, Harbour Lights, Lullaby Of Broadway, I'm In The Mood For Love, It's Only A Paper Moon, Lady Of Spain, All Of Me, etc.

In Singapore, with some influence from HK, Shanghai and Malay culture, the cabarets would have a mix of the West and the East and the locals songs might include the ones sung by our 40s Shanghai ladies ( Zhou Xuan, Wu Yingyin, etc), peppered with the ronggeng, samba, rhumba, Latin music and old Malay songs.


*Reference for 3 paragraphs: http://www.angelfire.com/

Original article: Andy Lim Collection

(1) Singapore Tea Dances In The Late 30's - Live Music, Entertainment And Cabaret


ENTERTAINMENT IN SINGAPORE BEFORE THE 60s:

Tea-dances didn't start in the 60s with The Trailers at the Palace Theatre in Katong, East Coast Singapore nor did it start with The Checkmates at the Golden Venus nightclub at the end of the shopping strip at Orchard Road. Tea-dances were around way before the 40s. And with a poster to prove.

The orchestra, with at least 8 musicians, used to be called "live" because they were all on stage providing the swingingest music ever. If one looks at the year, it was 1939 and way before the Japanese decided to make our beautiful country its island gateway - about 22 years before Cliff Richard and The Shadows landed in Singapore.

There is a difference though, because, at this tea dance, one had to pay for a female dance partner as patrons were not allowed to bring female companions. For S$3.00 (expensive!) a patron would get 3 tickets to dance thrice with whoever he wished. Male friends would go as a group and buy beer for the night, sitting at tables provided in the cabaret.

The 20 or more "charming dancing partners (image)" in waiting would be sitting in a row in front of the orchestra. Blogger has been told that some cheeky patrons would place the ticket stub on the low-cut dresses of these ladies. A dance usually lasted about 3 minutes ie, the duration of the music. Remarks made after the gentlemen returned to their seats? "One dollar gone!" Those who just wanted a drink,"the first class bar" mentioned in the poster provided the water-hole.

Image: National Heritage Board, Singapore.

Original Article: Andy Lim Collection.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

A List Of 60 Christmas Songs From The 60s



"I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus Underneath The Mistletoe..."


    UP TO 45,000 VIEWS.   
RECORD BREAKING POST!

60 Christmas Songs From 60's

1) Sleigh Bells (Gene Autry)
2) Jingle Bell Rock (Bobby Helms)
3) Little Saint Nick (Beach Boys)
4) Frosty The Snowman (Patsy Cline)
5) Please Come Home For Christmas (Dion)

6) The Christmas Song (Bing Crosby)
7) Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)
8) Step Into Christmas (Elton John)
9) Winter Wonderland (Dean Martin)
10) Do You Hear What I Hear? (Carpenters)

11) Silver Bells (Elvis Presley)
12) Frosty The Snowman (Beach Boys)
13) Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (Crystals)
14) Run, Run Rudolph (Chuck Berry)
15) Oh Holy Night (Nat King Cole)
The Quests: Wishing You A Merry X'mas.

16) Merry Christmas, Baby (Otis Redding)
17) Jingle Bell Rock (Chubby Checker n Bobby Rydell)
18) Blue Christmas (Elvis Presley)
19) There’s No Place Like Home (Carpenters)
20) Sleigh Ride (Neil Diamond)

21) My Favorite Things (Supremes n Diana Ross)
22) Rudolph The Red-Nose Reindeer (Cadillacs)
23) Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree (Brenda Lee)
24) We Need A Little Christmas (Percy Faith)
25) Little Drummer Boy (Pete Seegar)

26) White Christmas (Drifters)
27) I’ll Be Home For Christmas (Fats Domino)
28) Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano)
29) So This Is Christmas (John Lennon)
30) Blue Christmas (Fats Domino)
31) O Little Town Of Bethlehem (Elvis Presley)
32) I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus (Ronettes)
33) White Christmas (Bing Crosby)
34) Silent Night, Holy Night (Jim Reeves)
35) Jingle Bell Rock (Brenda Lee)

36) Rudolph The Red-Nose Reindeer (Crystals)
37) Let It Snow, Let It Snow (Dean Martin)
38) Up On The House Top (Eddy Arnold)
39) Merry Christmas, Darling (Carpenters)
40) Frosty The Snowman (Jackson 5)

41) Comfort And Joy (Simon & Garfunkel)
42) The First Noel (Elvis Presley)
43) Frosty The Snowman (Ronettes)
44) Jingle Bell Rock (Bill Haley & Comets)
45) I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (Brenda Lee)

46) Winter Wonderland (Engelbert Humperdink)
47) What Child Is This {Greensleeves} (Moody Blues)
48) Winter Wonderland, Silver Bells... (Carpenters)
49) The Christmas Song (Natalie n Nat King Cole)
50) Here Comes Santa Claus (Elvis Presley)

51) Sleigh Ride (The Ventures)
52) I’ll Be Home For Christmas (Beach Boys)
53) Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree (Dion)
54) Twelve Days Of Christmas (Perry Como)
55) Deck The Halls (Smokey Robinson n The Miracles)
'It's the most wonderful time of the year' Johnny Mathis. 
Thank you YouTube Video by WacDanaladis.

56) Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (Beach Boys)
57) It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas (Perry Como)
58) It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year (Johnny Mathis)
59) Away In A Manger (Ed Ames)
60) The Christmas Song (Alvin n The Chipmunks)*

Images/gif - from Google.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2024 EVERYONE.
WE MADE IT !!!
                        
  MERRY CHRISTMAS 2024. WMADE