Wonder Woman Is 80 Years Young - Andy's Singapore 60s Music, Comic Book Fans Cheer

Image - mycomicshop.com

https://www.mycomicshop.com/search?q=Wonder+Woman+72

DC COMICS COPYRIGHTED.

Wonder Woman is 80 years young. 

https://cutewallpaper.org/21/lynda-carter-wallpaper/view-page-21.html

Lynda Carter [1975]

Miss World USA - 1972

NEW POST - NEAR 1300 VIEWS, 19 COMMENTS

I was crazily consuming comic books as a child, reading Batman, Superman, Plastic Man, Captain Marvel  and my favourite lady superhero, Wonder Woman. So engrossed in these colourful, attractive, addictive magazines that I forgot breakfast, lunch and sometimes dinner. Homework was left aside as a last minute jeopardy time and done in convenience within a few minutes. And my own wonder woman, - wonderful mum - shakes her head in despair.

The addiction went on to living room craze in the 70s and 80s, watching her again, enacted by the beautiful and magnificent Queen Lynda Carter.  These episodes lasted for a while, and then in  2016, Gal Gadot came along to take over the role. She is an enigmatic choice for the part, strong, remarkable and definitely eye-candy for her fans. A wonder lady from Israel. Whew... 

On 21st October, 2021, Wonder Woman celebrates her 80th.

https://www.wallpaperbetter.com/en/hd-wallpaper-pycut

Gal Gadot [2016] 

Miss Israel - 2004

Wonder Woman 1984 - Official Premier Performance

Hans Zimmer/Water Tower Music.

[Gal Gadot is on the left in white.]

Happy Birthday Wonder Woman.

 1970's from the TV series

YouTube video by TheRealWhatTheFudge.

[2] the 2016 theme from the movie

YouTube video by Arjun Pagidipati

Gal Gadot

Images

Used for fun and the love for 

DC Comics 'Wonder Woman'. 

[If illegal, please write in and images 

will be deleted immediately. Thanks.]

Andy 60s Music - Long Songs Of Long Ago - Ballads.

When I first heard El Paso by Marty Robbins, and this was in the late 50's, I thought it was one of the longest songs I have listened to, because, comparatively, pop songs of yesteryear were only two to three minutes in duration, and another minute would be mighty trying. But checking the statistics today, I found it was only four and a half minutes, a fraction of the length of some songs today.

El Paso was a ballad [slow song, themes of love, loss, etc.], in this instance, a gunfighter's tale to tell but definitely a bit lengthy for me. Today, it's a different mouse tale. Imagine the longest song in the Guinness Book of Records called Devil Glitch to be 69 minutes in length. But even then, there are many songs that are longer, as current rock and rap lyrics can be.

Donna Summer's Love To Love You Baby, a 70's disco number is something else. With up to 10 million views, there's something special to it but then, it's just disco muse with the title repeated... Oh. Nearly 17 minutes.

The very short list below are songs I am familiar with and very much on the top 10 before. They are pretty lengthy for me. 

If you know any 60's or 70's popular songs with more interesting vital statistics, just send in the details.

El Paso - A ballad by Marty Robbins.

YouTube video - V.A. HOSS

Songs From the 60s and 70s With Duration

1   Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan - [6 minutes, 9 seconds]

2  Hey Jude - Beatles - 7.11

3   McArthur Park - Richard Harris - 7.21

4   American Pie Don McClean - 8.37 [featured in 2021 movie, 'Black Widow']

5   El Paso - Marty Robbins - 4.38 [for comparison]

6   November Rain - Guns n Roses - 8.37

7   Stairway To Heaven - Led Zeppelin - 8.03

8   Love To Love You Baby -Donna Summer - 16.53

9   Chariots Of Fire - 20.41 [instrumental]

10  The Boxer - Simon n Garfunkel [5.08]'''

11  Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Madonna [5.30]'''

10 Devil Glitch - Chris Butler - 69.00

Richard Harris - McArthur Park

YouTube by gb

Don McClean's, American Pie was featured in 

Disney's Black Widow starring Scarlet Johannsson.

Image Credit - Marvel Studios.

Connect to American Pie stories

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2017/02/american-pie-day-music-died.html

://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2010/12/killing-me-softly-with-american-pie-don.html

'''Contributed by suituapui.

Images Google.

A Tribute To Mike [Beatles of Malaysia - Mike n Herb] From His Son Scott.

To all who sent condolences to Mike van Dort, his son Scott writes about him in remembrance. 

UP TO 1,000 VIEWS

I am Mike’s son (Herb’s nephew) and it has been truly incredible to read all the comments from people who met him way back in the day and from people more recently and how he made an impression and impact on them.

I just wanted to share my early memories of him teaching me HOW to listen and appreciate music from a very early age. I have great memories of being very small and sitting in our family house in Melbourne where he would put records on the turntable and ask me to listen to vocal harmonies and guitar parts. He would even repeat sections so I could REALLY hear and understand the parts. 

Mike and Herb continued to play music throughout my life - I remember being very little and attending one of their concerts with my sister (Mike’s daughter) in our pajamas, standing backstage! Over the years, we spoke about guitars and music and, in fact, we both own several of the same guitars (Taylor and Maton acoustic guitars). We used to trade tips on our guitars and how much we loved their sound.

Herb and Mike played a show in Melbourne some years ago and I even got to do their sound, which was such a great night.

Thank you for sharing your memories here - it has been a pleasure to read.

Scott Van Dort

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2021/10/rip-mike-van-dort-beatles-of-malaysia.html

鄧麗君 - Teresa Teng - 楓葉飄飄 - Maple Leaf Fluttering - Video Henry Chen（ 夢追い酒）Joey Koh Reminisces

鄧麗君 - Teresa Teng - 楓葉飄飄 - Maple Leaf Fluttering

Video - Henry Chen（ 夢追い酒）

UP TO 2,700 VIEWS

Letter below by Joey Koh:

Shalom Brother Andy, 

GREETINGS.

Many thanks for sharing this wonderful song "Maple Leaf Fluttering" sung by one of my favourite singers.

As A Young Boy

In fact, Theresa Teng (Lijun) was the first singer whom I knew when I was still in Tampines Primary School. I remember vividly my anxiety and challenge in trying to land the needle on Theresa Teng's solo album, an antique black round record, while the turntable was spinning. Lots of cold sweat and panic moments whenever the needle fell off the edge of the spinning circular record. 

I was always overwhelmed by the loud rattling sound with fear and worry! :(.  It really took a lot of practices with my fine motor skills and through many failures, of course.

Image from - https://nationalpost.com/travel/

As A Teenager

Well, Autumn is always my favourite season. It was also the best time I cherished the most before the super cold winter arrived. The thought of the frost bite, static, wind chill and walking back from the library or cateferia to our apartment at the wee hours, still haunts me as I feel the cold right down to my spine; it's like lightning. The temperature was always below 20 degrees ❄️🥶.

Despite these experiences, I always love the Fall season and its colours, like many of our friends do. The falling of the snow and maple leaves in the park or along the footpaths are the precious moments I cherish the most.

Thank you for being part of my beautiful memories when I was growing up as a teenager in Canada, especially during my 4 years in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Image from - https://sudhirtv.com/2012/12/19/

As A Soldier Boy

I fact, September 1982 was the most critical point and most memorable time of my life.

At 16.5 years young, it was a choice of either returning home to serve my 2.5 yrs of National Service or staying on to pursue and complete my undergraduate education before my compulsory military training in Singapore.

Thank you Lord for all the tertiary admission letters arriving earlier before September 1982...  And, with an exceptional and personalised letter from the Registrar of UW then, Mr Bellhouse, I was permitted to start as a freshman at the University of Winnipeg in Canada. Thanks for the official deferment and blessing from MINDEF, which was subjected to the approval of my exit permit extension every year.

Gratefully and Sincerely,

PTL💖

🙏🙏🙏

PS- Stay vigilant, stay home and take care always... 🙏🤗.

Joey Koh, soldier boy.

NB

This post is also dedicated to Jane and Adriano and those who are in Winnipeg/CAN and remember the Singapore delegation.

Connect to the special Autumn/October posting

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2021/09/song-titles-with-october-autumn-themes.html

RIP - Mike van Dort - Beatles of Malaysia - Mike n Herb - Silver Strings

MIKE VAN DORT [Beatles of Malaysia], 

brother of Herb who were both with the Silver Strings.

UP TO 2,000 VIEWS 

  30 CONDOLENCES  

Mike has passed away last night at 7.43 pm at the age of 77 years.  The sad news came from Australia when younger brother Herb called the Silver Strings leader/bassist].

Mike, with brother Herb, were Philips recording artistes accompanied by the group and had recorded four songs on vinyl in the 1960's. 

RIP Mike. 

All those musicians and guitar groups who knew you will miss you much.

Condolences to Herb and the Family.

Mike and Herb were touring with Malaysia's Falcons.

Connect -

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2016/12/christmas-gift-beatles-of-malaysia-mike.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2021/10/a-tribute-to-mike-beatles-of-malaysia.html

MIKE, who has passed away, is on the right. 

Younger brother Herb is beside him.

At the RELC International Hotel [2014] , Singapore

Mike and Herb performing. Mike, with dark hair 

and more passive, has just passed away in 

Melbourne, Australia. 

YouTube video by Fabian Foo [Singapore].

RIP - MIKE VAN DORT [RIGHT].

Herb [left]

Images - A Private Collection.

Songs of October - Rustling, Crispy Autumn, Chilly, Gusty Winds

Nat Cole, Simon and Garfunkel, 

Barry Manilow, Donna Summer

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30 COMMENTS, CHATS

From late September, October and November the leaves start to change colour and fall in abundance on the earthy ground.  Green, brown, red, yellow, orange, gold; chase one and somehow you can catch the hue you're seeking. 

Living in the tropics, I miss these 3 months, having lived in Canada for some years. This is the period when ''autumn leaves start to fall, [J. Kosma/1945]'' rustling and crisp; the wind is usually chilly and often times gusty...

https://giphy.com/gifs/autumn-fall-leaves-pRqILh4QXAXHq

''From the dew-soaked hedge creeps a crawly caterpillar

When the dawn begins to crack, it's all part of my human almanac

Breeze blows leaves of a multi-coloured yellow...

For lack of sun because the Summer's all gone...

Yes, yes, yes, it's my autumn almanac...''

[The Kinks - Autumn Almanac - Ray Davies 1967]

Official video - The Kinks - Autumn Almanac

There are at least 100 pop songs in English with autumnal themes. Here are a handful of them from the 1950s onwards.

This October - Julie London

Secret Oktober - Duran Duran

October Song - Amy Winehouse

When October Goes - Barry Manilow

October Skies  - Mumford and Sons

August October - Robin Gibbs

October Road - James Taylor

October - U2

October [Autumn Song] - Tchaikovsky

Nat King Cole - 'Autumn Leaves' [c. 1945/r. 1955]

YouTube video from beralts

Autumn Leaves - Nat King Cole

Autumn Changes - Donna Summer

Autumn Almanac - The Kinks

Autumn in New York  - Billy Holiday

When the leaves come falling down - Van Morrison 

Leaves that are Green - Simon and Garfunkel

Readers are welcome to add in more titles.

Connect to other similar topics.

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2020/09/come-lovely-september-morn-in-rain.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2009/09/january-february-march-april-may-june.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2021/10/teresa-teng-maple-leaf-fluttering.html

Images - Google. 

YouTube - beralts.

R.I.P. Chris Ho - Singapore - This September Morning

 

Chris Ho [X'Ho] had passed away peacefully in Singapore at 4.37am on Monday 27 September 2021. I had missed him lately on the radio while driving around and listening to his broadcast Homestretch.

He had a band during his earlier years fronting, Zircon Lounge. A singer, DJ, writer, producer he was.

Condolences to his beloved mother.

RIP Chris.

Readers, do write in anytime...

Images - Google, Facebook.

Zircon Lounge - Cover My Eyes

YouTube video by - Famous or Forgotten Music

[This blog is neither sponsored nor advertorial. Images and video are for fair-use. If they are disallowed for publication, do write in and they will be deleted. Thanks.]

September In The Rain - Sarah Vaughn - Sweden Live - Mercury Records - Comments By Cedric Collars [Perth Australia]

Andy 60s Music Chats - Decline Of Singapore Pops?

[The chat below appeared under Comments 13 years ago. Up till today, I still don't know who JOY is. Perhaps she could reveal herself soon...]

Why did the 60s music scene suddenly disappear, asked Joy.

Joy Gives Her Views

   UP TO 1,400 VIEWS,   

40 CHATS n COMMENTS 

Anonymous said...

There's no doubt in my mind that this blog is making tremendous progress. Andy is showing admirable perseverance so I hope others will show their support. Though I was not part of the musical scene in the 60s, I find this blog interesting as it helps to fill up many gaps in my knowledge of this aspect of my teenage days.

Roger

24.12.08 

Anonymous said...

I wasn't part of the scene but what I'd like to know is... why did it suddenly disappear?

Joy.

25.12.08 

Anonymous said...

Good question. I've also wondered why. It was a golden age of local musical talent never to be repeated. Perhaps, the pull of economic opportunities in the 70s led to the decline?

Roger

25.12.08 

Roger 

Anonymous said...

Hey Roger!

Thanks for the reply. It was definitely a vibrant scene during the 60's. Talentime aplenty and bands sprouting out from all corners of this little island. Nope, I wasn't born during that period, but I was lucky enough to be educated about the scene by Dad, albeit his disapproval but till this day I don't know why.

My first taste of The Silver Strings came in the form of a video titled Those Were The Days playing Apache to perfection. From then on, I've developed and affinity for local bands. The list could go on and on. From The Stray Dogs, Siglap 5 to Naomi and The Boys and who could forget Thunderbird's, 'My Lonely Heart' and the success of The Quests?

To say that it was a Golden Age of local musical talent never to be repeated? Well perhaps you're right. The only gripe I had about the bands in the 60s was their need to sound like someone else (foreign?). Maybe I'm wrong but perhaps this was their decline? Or could one of 'the member's statement' [1] that The Quests had become so big that other bands had to improve their game be true?

By the mid 70's, the world embraced the arrival of Abba and Bee Gees. In a way, music was revolutionized. Disco's were the placed to be and it was the period of technology, the beginning of the space age some called it. By this time, the local scene was already in its dwindling state. Only a handful of local bands survived. Black Dog Bone? Matthew and the Mandarins? 

By the 80's, the only thing i remembered was Max Surin's Tokyo Square alongside Linda Elizabeth and of course Dick Lee. It wasn't up until the 90's when there was a so called emergence of the local era, with some bands even citing influence from the 60's local era. They're a different breed of course but no short of talent.

Sadly though, the nation wasn't interested. Perhaps the influence of local radio stations playing songs from foreign artistes led to this demise. One could never fault them though. After all, radio stations are financial institutions.

Late 90's and early 2000, the scene finally gains momentum, that of course, after the government announced that it was going all out to support local arts. Venues and platforms were in placed to showcase their talents. Bands were starting to get recognition and quite a few have gone on to play in other countries and won MTV awards. Are we finally seeing the rebirth of the local scene?

One question remains though, will we ever recapture the spirit of the 60's, where everybody wanted to be part of a band and when practically everyone was looking forward to parties and dancing to a band? Like I said, I wasn't around during that golden era, but my guess is as good as yours :)

Joy

26.12.08 

Andy said...

Hi Joy,

Thank you so much for the feedback. Your comment, I hope will encourage others to write to this blog. I have learnt much from you.

Cheers.

Anonymous said...

Like everyone else the musicians of the 60s had to face the stark reality of making a living for themselves and their families. Perhaps this was one of the principal reasons for its decline.

However, some soldiered on and are making a scraping a living playing at night spots, clubs etc with some being forced to moonlight in a second job in the day.

26.12.08 

Anonymous said...

No really Mr. Andy, please don't say that.

Its pioneers like you that I have a lot to thank for; and that too for many many reasons.

I've always been a firm believer that Singapore's education system should provide more information on our musical heritage. What's the point of just confining it to the museum?

Anyway, will definitely keep a lookout for your shows. Have a rocking great new year and stay *young always!

Joy

26.12.08 

THE SIGLAP FIVE

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Hi Joy & Roger,

Thank you both again. I guess if it's a meeting of minds then I have to be the grateful Chair, nothing much to do except to allow this natural flow of information which our country needs so much. Please don't stop writing.

Cheers,

Andy

26.12.08 

NB - [1] Name withheld.

Click 'comments' below to read the essay type replies. Cheers.

Andy & Professor Dr. Steven Farram, 

from Darwin, Australia.

Steve is a 60s music enthusiast and

writes for this blog. Check him out.

Tokyo Square - Within You Remain

Mid Autumn Festival - Harvest Moon - An International Festival [中秋 - 丰收月是国际性的]

UP TO 1,500 VIEWS - 7 COMMENTS

The Mid-Autumn Festival or Harvest Moon Festival 

is celebrated by almost everyone in the world. 

The article below discusses the nationals that do. 

The song Shine On Harvest Moon explains it too.

''Since January, February, June and July,

S'no time, ain't no time to stay outdoors and spoon.

So shine on, shine on harvest moon

For me and my gal/guy...''

The moon is usually a romantic symbol of love.

''Do not swear by the moon, for she changes constantly. 

Then your love would also change.'' 

[Romeo and Juliet - William Shakespeare].

Image from - twinkl.co.uk [Singapore]

 The Chinese celebrate it traditionally by eating moon-cakes and 

praying to the Moon Goddess for prosperity. Like the roundness 

of the moon, it's for completeness and unity in family.

Shine On Harvest Moon [1955] - The 4 Aces

YouTube Video from 'CatsPjamas1'

Thank You.

Have a grand tong chu pia eating spree everyone.

Cheers.

Connect To Other Moon Festival Postings On This Blog

And Listen To Chinese Songs

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2018/09/mooncake-festival-in-singapore-2018.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2013/09/mid-autumn-festival-in-mood-for-moon.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-moon-represents-my-heart-by-siti.html

Neil Young - Harvest Moon [1992]

YouTube video from vikoRock10

Thank you.

Images and YouTube Video - 

In case of copyright issues, will be deleted immediately.

Please inform on Comment page.

Cinema Poster From 'Shine On Harvest Moon'

https://www.cinematerial.com/movies/shine-on-harvest-moon-i37273

Cyril Terrence de Souza RIP - A Horace Wee Tribute - Andy 60s Music

Terrence de Souza

UP TO 2,000 VIEWS 24 COMMENTS

He leaves to dance with the flowers and butterflies. To jam with his pals again in heaven.  

Cyril Terrence de Souza was another unsung hero of the Singapore music industry.

He was a warm, kind and generous person and never had a harsh word and always had a calm pleasant disposition. Known by many in the musical circles, he was never one to push himself to the forefront, preferring to diligently play his designated role as a pianist accompanying many of the industry stalwarts.

Over the many years that I’ve known him, playing together in the radio orchestra or meeting him somewhere when  he was playing a solo piano gig or with a small group, it was always - hi, haven’t seen you for ages, how are you and a grin. A quiet man of few words, I never actually engaged in a long conversation with him. When I tried, he always responded in a sentence, probably followed with an agreeable nod or a yes. Very sparing in his words. He did move about with his residences, and I would often ask where he stayed or generally what he was up to. At one time he was staying across the road from me at a house in Gerald Drive.

He was already a working pianist from the 60s but worked in the library of Radio Singapore for many years. It was like he was a pianist-in-waiting for the radio orchestra. The day finally came when he secured the position of pianist. I guess he was really biding his time and jumped at the opportunity.

I would not categorize him as a jazz pianist though he could play in that vein. He could be described as an all round pianist, that could function in any music environment, group or as a solo lounge pianist. There were times I would get up to jam with him if I happened upon one of his gigs. He’d just ask for the tune I wanted to play, nod his head and proceed to play an introduction.

Besides gigging in his later years, he also gave piano lessons. I had heard he was living in Australia these years, and it was a surprise when I found he had returned to Singapore. That was only a few months ago, when his cousin Boni de Souza mentioned visiting him. From the photos, he had aged appreciably and was wheelchair bound.  One never knows the day when life ends and for Terry it was just a few months later. I’m still happy to have recalled some of the times in this quiet man’s company.

Condolences to the family.

Rest In Peace Cyril Terrence de Souza.

16th September 2021.

Written by Horace Wee [Copyrights Reserved].

Image from Val Ortega.

Love our SG musicians, do leave a comment...

Singers Called 'Johnny' - Covid Stay Home Quiz - Andy 60s Music

From - Classic Mood Experience - YouTube 

'JOHNNY B. Goode' by Chuck Berry.

Stay Home. Do A Quiz. [Not Safe Out There].

UP TO 250 VIEWERS

Singers Named 'Johnny'.

Some time ago, this blog featured pop singers named BOBBY. Today the focus is on famous gentlemen named JOHNNY. But according to a website, there are 206 famous Johnnys around. So many.

In no particular order, here they are folks. Guess who. Only 6 from the lot and 2 are still around...

Clues - song titles include words like - motion, certain, come lately, the line, rain, clearly.

Ha, ha, good luck folks.

From - commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File

pininterest.com/jimmymeadows18

www.whosdatedwho.com

qobuz.com/ie-en/interpreter

en.wikipedia.org/wiki

gossipgist.com

Images

Google and captioned from relevant websites to cater to the new copyright laws. Please inform and images will be deleted immediately.

Pop 60s Bands And Singers Quiz - Who Are They?

Images of 3 pop bands, a singer and 2 vinyl record covers.

What are the names of the 5 groups/bands and the singer.

Which group had their greatest hits on this vinyl record cover.

Who is this singer? Part of the song title is on the image.

This symbol is a give-away. No Clues.

Wow! That's a blimp. And in red too. 

Well, they are royalties but one has gone already.

Too easy and another give-away! Is this an album they recorded?

STOP HERE, STOP.  DON'T GO BELOW FOR ANSWERS.😎

Images - GOOGLE.