BANDS THAT WERE SWINGING THE 40s & 50s

A standard jazz band that could be found in Singapore in the 50s night spots. The above image (borrowed from the Net) shows the piano, saxaphone, double bass and drums. The F-guitars were popular too and sometimes replaced the saxaphone. If it had been included then they call it a quintet.

I trawled the Net for days but couldn't get a proper image of a standard jazz band. Musicians like Charles Lazaroo, Horace Wee, Winston Filmer and Theresa Khoo are not featured on our websites. And these musicians are Singapore Idols. I could only find Charles Lazaroo's name on the list of the Siglap Secondary School Website because he composed the school song. He was a musician and a name to remember.

When you think about it, such information is not only nostalgia but a history of our local music scene. Wake up the heritage experts!

If you have photographs to share please write in.

YouTube on the right of this blog. Key in: old standard jazz

Odeon Cinema And Stage Shows, Pat Boone Movies

The Odeon Cinema was part of Cathay Organization and showed movies like April Love (image) or Bernardine, two of his starter flicks that made him a pop star. The building was near the junction of North Bridge Road and Bras Basah Road and was another hot spot for movie goers in the 50s and 60s.  

Movies like these have many songs that live in the memory of many Singaporeans and influenced the 60s music scene. Although the accompanying bands in the 50s were not guitar groups, they were smaller bands that consisted of a piano, a guitar, a double bass and drums. Some groups include a blowing instrument like the saxophone. This standard quartet would provide the accompaniment for the singer who would usually croon his songs like Pat Boone. 

I remember watching movies at this cinema with a friend but usually alone and paying a dollar for the front seats.  Access to this cheap ticket area was through the back part of the cinema as patrons had to pass a car park (one of the first of its kind) with a long ramp to its entrance.  It was also the place where band boys gathered with their instruments, prepared for their debut, since it was near the back of the stage.

The Odeon Cinema @ North Bridge Road with a car park behind.

Local bands will have their trios and quartets too. Most of them are professionals and entertain at the hotels, night spots and the 3 Worlds, namely at Great World, New World and Happy World. These muscisians can play on the spot because they read notes and also accompany dancers like strip artistes, acrobats, jugglers, etc who perform on stage. Tape recordings are few and far between then so music is 'live'.

Shops near the cinema include eateries, smaller restaurants, shirt shops like the famous CYC and others selling electronic goods like Sharp Calculators, stationary, etc. The coffee shops, usually at the corners of shop houses would have local food favourites like char kway teow, beefball noodles and fish ball soup.  

PAT BOONE 'BERNADINE' VIDEO BY Footsteps 11 Thank you very much. 

Life was so relaxed and easier then as cinema patrons come earlier before a show to either have an earlier dinner or walk around the area before plunging into the Odeon and immersing themselves in a movie.  

Image: Google imagesy
YouTube Video Footsteps 11

Original article: Andy Young Collection.

PAT BOONE - The All American Boy 60s Image

Pat Boone was so popular in Singapore in the 50s and 60s that the country even had an official Pat Boone of Singapore called Walter Koh. I could not acquire a picture of Mr Koh but if he ever reads this blog please get in touch by writing on the comment page. If anyone knows Walter Koh or has a photograph of him please contribute.

Pat Boone, during his Far East Tour, was in Singapore on August, 20th, 1970. He stayed at the Hilton Hotel at Orchard Road with his wife Shirley when they were on their way to perform in Bangkok, Thailand.

Reference: (1) National Heritage Board, Singapore Website. (2) Singapore Press Holdings.

Image: Pat Boon Websites.

Original article: Andy Lim

American Idol - Superman or PAT BOONE?

Pat Boone with Superman and Lois Lane.

Pat Boone is a superstar and like Elvis Presley dominated the pop music charts from the mid 50s onwards. With his clean cut, debonair and baby face image, this all American boy was a craze among the *teeny-boppers those days.

I remember watching his two movies, Bernadine and April Love where he sang many of his hits. They include the title songs and also chart busters like, Love Letters In The Sand, I'll Be Home, Friendly Persuasion, Don't Forbid Me, There's A Goldmine In The Sky and sober versions of Tutti Frutti and other rock and roll hits. When the older generation thought Elvis Presley the over sexed idol, Pat Boone was the ideal boy next door.

In a special edition (image above) even DC comics featured him and he was an icon for many years. (Note the price of comics then, 10 cents.)

*Term used in the 50s early 60s for teens, esp. girls, interested in the latest fashion, films and music.

Image: Google.

TONY ZEE PERCUSSIONIST, AT COSDEL STUDIO

Tony Zee (image) on the drums during recordings at Cosdel, Singapore in the 60s.

Albert Louis explains that it is difficult to ascertain who is the best as the drummer must feel the music and would use different strokes when playing. For example in rock and jazz drumming, the person needs to understand and feel the rhythm. Technique is necessary but without that particular *groove (pop music with a good beat) all the strokes in the world would not help. According to Albert, drumming must be "in the blood."

*groovy = a word used in the 60s to mean exciting, modern, fashionable.

(Final extract from Albert's perspective about drumming.)

(Image: Audie Ng's Collection)

The Trailers Guitar Group: Top 10 Bands From Singapore 60s

The Trailers (above image) has drummer Tony Zee (on green seat) whom Albert Louis has highlighted when I asked him about local percussionists he admires.

Albert wrote: "Locally Tony Zee comes to mind. He was the pioneer of studio drumming in the 60's, 70's and 80's, which requires precision in timing and technique and he used to rule in this area and being a first class sight reader he was quick to pick up what is latest in drumming from books and worked very hard to improve and keep up with the times.

He can be seen in the band in the programme called, "DON'T FORGET THE LYRICS," hosted by Gurmit Singh and currently on Channel Five."

Thank you Albert ('Drumming For Health' concept: Read previous blog) for your insight on drummers you admire both local and foreign.

The Trailers:

The Trailers 「特丽乐队」 was one of the most versatile and talented bands to emerge from Singapore in the 1960s。 Formed sometime in 1964 by Victor Woo (lead guitar) and Eric Tan (bass)，the band had a number of line-up changes in mid 1966 with Benny Koh (vocals)，Edmund Tan (rhythm guitar)，Tony Zee (drums) and Michael Teo (keyboards)。

That first single contained the group's original composition, [Do It Right] backed with the instrumental [Thunderball]。The single went on to be a number one seller in Singapore。

Later in 1966, the Trailers had another hit with their second single, another original, the excellent 「Don't Laugh (You'll Cry)」，backed with a great version of Little Richard's [Lucille]。

This was followed in early 1967 by an all instrumental EP (vinyl record)，with new keyboardist Jimmy Chan who had replaced Michael that yielded one of their most evergreen tunes，「Phoenix's Theme (贺新年)」，which apparently is still a feature of many Singaporean Chinese New Year celebrations。

The joyous instrumental rendition of a popular Chinese New Year's song, [Phoenix's Theme」 in western Chinese tune became a standard. This reminds of Chinese New Year in Singapore in the 60's，the family dinners and visits, the red packets, the red fire crackers, the smell of the black powder, school holidays。 The melody for the Spring festival injected the spirit of splendour and goodness for each New Year。

The Trailers: I'm Ready Now: 

YouTube Video by: My Moody Heart.

Another standout tune is 「Alisan (阿里山)」，based on a Taiwanese folk-song that praises the beauty of the Taiwanese maidens from the island's highest peak。 「Ding Ding Song] was also based on a Chinese tune and [Lara's Theme」，from the film Dr Zhivago is the odd one out. All the Trailers recordings appeared on the Cosdel label but starting in early 1968，a number of Cosdel artists received international release through an arrangement with RCA。

Article On You Tube By: 

fhlew8: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uirhMDjCBdg

BILLY COBHAM - Fastest & Most Explosive!!!

BILLY COBHAM - "a world class master of his instrument", recorded with MILES DAVIS in the late 60s, and is "a total consummate percussionist." (From: DrumSoloArtist.com)

IAN PAICE - DEEPEST OF PURPLE - SINCE 1968

IAN PAICE - My Fav Drummer says Albert Louis

Below is the lst part of an essay about Ian Paice ('Deep Purple' drummer), Tony Zee and drumming in general, written by Albert Louis a Singapore percussionist, ('Drumming For Health' creator and former Culture Vulture member):

 

I grew up during the rock era and my favourite drummer is Ian Paice of Deep Purple whose technique was so advanced for a rock drummer that no one came close. I saw him live at the National Stadium when he was 58 years old and even at that age he had not slackened in his power and played like he did in his albums.

 

 It is easy for drummers of the present generation to bring drumming to another level as videos, drum teachers and pioneers like Ian Paice help to set the tone.

Another drummer, Billy Cobham comes to mind too and it was in the later part of the seventies that he was doing what the present set is doing now because these people are simply "the animals of drumming". Albert concludes by naming David Wackle whom he places in the same category.

 (The 2nd and 3rd part of this essay are on separate posts.)

Albert Louis Writes About Drummers Galore!

More about Ian Paice (image above) and Louis Albert ('Drumming For Health', former Culture Vulture member) who writes about his favourite drummers and local boy Tony Zee.

----------This Album Is Before Our Time-----------

----Benny Goodman - The King Of Swing----

The Benny Goodman Story was a movie many jazz fans would cherish. It featured a truly, great clarinetist who was born in the late 1900's and lived till the 1980's. This 'King of Swing' was still around when they featured him in a movie which became a success in 1955. Steve Allen starred as Goodman in this classic.

His music included, 'Don Be That Way', 'Avalon', 'Sing, Sing, Sing', 'Stomping At The Savoy' and the favourites of the 20th century, 'Moonglow' (Kim Novak danced to it in the movie 'Picnic") and 'Memories Of You'. These melodies are the ones stamped and sealed in my memory after I learnt about his music from the movie. It was also the first time I learnt about Carnegie Hall.

Benny Goodman who was born in Chicago was a great influence and instilled the love for jazz in the average man. Singapore musicians were strongly influenced by his style too and the Capitol Cinema showed the movie to capacity crowd. I was a teenager then and Goodman started my love for jazz.

There are numerous sites on the Net about Benny Goodman.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/ key in: benny goodman

St John's Ambulance Brigade HQ - Beach Road

The St. John's Ambulance Brigade Headquarters at Beach Road, which was opened by the late President Yusof Ishak in July 1960, where hundreds of dinners and dances were held nearly every weekend during the 60s and 70s.

Different MCs, band groups, singers, comedians, dance troupes exhibited their talent and skill at the recreational hall of this once popular meeting spot. Many guitar groups that had made a significant impact in Singapore 60s music would have appeared at the SJABHQ.

--The Old Esplanade Where Vows Were Made--

The old Esplanade in the 60s when the Victoria Memorial Hall and Theatre played hide and seek behind the trees. Many couples, young and old, walked the evening to enjoy the sea breeze and lapping waves. Others would steal away from the dance floors and ear-splitting music to seek solace and moonlit charm as they sit amidst the bushes and cobbled-stoned paths.

It was also called Queen Elizabeth Walk. Were you around then? Serenading to your companion?

----The Satay Club Where Bands Gathered----

The Satay Club off the old Esplanade in the 60s was the rendezvous for many band boys after they completed their gigs at the Victoria Memorial Hall. Some band groups would come from the St John's Ambulance Headquarters at Beach Road and gather round to talk and drink the night away.

--- The Real Millie Small - My Boy Lollipop ----

In late 1963, Millicent Small, a Jamaican teenager recorded, 'My Boy Lollipop' in London, released it in 1964 and topped the charts all over the world. It sold about 7 million copies reaching U.S. Billboard Top 100 and the UK Singles Chart. The music style was bluebeat, a music genre from Jamaica. She was popular up to the 70s and had minor hits later called, 'Sweet William' and 'Bloodshot Eyes'. Some critics called her a 'one-shot novelty artist'.

Millie Small was with Peter Asher of the well-known Peter & Gordon duet in the 60s ('World Without Love' was a smash single). She is now living in the U.K. and had lived in Singapore for 3 years in the early 70s.

Millie Small Of Singapore With Silver Strings

A lucky start for Veronica Soon (with beehive hair) who became Veronica Young and had The Silver Strings to accompany her for the Millie Small of Singapore Competition at the Sky Cinema. 'My Boy Lollipop' became my girl never stopped as they rocked the house. She won the title.

Image shows the singer on stage and the band on the ground. Other contesting bands waited their turn on the front row seats of the cinema. Officials, organisers were at the sideline. It was pretty congested space. But it was the 60s.

Image: Silver Strings Collection

Anita Sarawak - Nymph At Song - With SS

Anita Sarawak who is an international star and in the Las Vegas strip for many years started her singing career at dinner and dance functions. Picture shows her fronting The Silver Strings at the Singapore Insurance Companies Employees' Union in November, 1968 at the Victoria Memorial Hall, Singapore.

According to Audie Ng, who felt that he gave Anita her first taste of show biz, she is still the best singer amongst the lot he knows personally.

2nd image shows Mike n Herb with Audie Ng in full regalia. Pictures tell stories.

Images: Silver Strings Collection.

Silver Strings With Shirley Nair, Mike & Herb

These images are studio shots for the groups' record covers. Photographs are non-detachable from the pages of The Silver Strings Albums.

Lead Guitar is Dicky Tan after David Chan left the scene to pursue his own career.

------------The Quests (Singapore)------------

---The Quests (Singapore) with their best hit ever, 'Shanty'.---

The instrumental, 'Shanty,' managed to replace The Beatles, 'I Should Have Known Better' in the 1964 Singapore hit parade charts. It was written by Henry Chua, bass guitarist for the Quests.

Surfers from overseas who wish to read more about The Quests (Singapore) should best check out the band's own personal websites and blogs as there are so many of them on the Internet.

The Quests is the most popular Singapore guitar group in the 60s.

Image: Key in: quests shanty 1964

Thank you.