Do Lyrics Matter? - Simon & Garfunkel 1966

**Simon and Garfunkel's: 7'oclock News, Silent Night (1966).

This song is set to various covers of TIME magazine. Thanks to 2005 Dave for pointing out that the announcer in this was Charlie O'Donnell who has done work for Dick Clark, American Bandstand, Monty Hall, Merv Griffin, Wheel of Fortune etc. So listen and follow the words:

"Silent night/Holy night/All is calm/All is bright/Round yon virgin mother and child/Holy infant so tender and mild/Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace...

This is the early evening edition of the news. The recent fight in the House of Representatives was over the open housing section of the Civil Rights Bill. Brought traditional enemies together but it left the defenders of the measure without the votes of their strongest supporters.

President Johnson originally proposed an outright ban covering discrimination by everyone for every type of housing but it had no chance from the start and everyone in Congress knew it. A compromise was painfully worked out in the House Judiciary Committee.

In Los Angeles today comedian Lenny Bruce died of what was believed to be an overdoes of narcotics. Bruce was 42 years old.

Dr. Martin Luther King says he does not intend to cancel plans for an open housing march Sunday into the Chicago suburb of Cicero. Cook County Sheriff Richard Ogleby asked King to call off the march and the police in Cicero said they would ask the National Guard to be called out if it is held. King, now in Atlanta, Georgia, plans to return to Chicago Tuesday.

In Chicago Richard Speck, accused murderer of nine student nurses, was brought before a grand jury today for indictment. The nurses were found stabbed an strangled in their Chicago apartment.

In Washington the atmosphere was tense today as a special sub-committee of the House Committee on Un-American activities continued its probe into anti-Viet nam war protests. Demonstrators were forcibly evicted from the hearings when they began chanting anti-war slogans.

Former Vice-President Richard Nixon says that unless there is a substantial increase in the present war effort in Vietnam, the U.S. should look forward to five more years of war. In a speech before the Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in New York, Nixon also said opposition to the war in this country is the greatest single weapon working against the U.S.

That's the 7 o'clock edition of the news. Goodnight."

INFORMATION:

Images/YouTube: From: rsensorat3, Dec. 07/2007. Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel (1966). Lyrics/Music: Josef Mohr, Franz Gruber. (Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme Album).

'The Who', 'Tommy' And Rock Operas - 70s

It was reported in the news media, Pete Townshend may have to quit the legendary band if his hearing gets worse.

Yes, the news item started me thinking about The Who, the rock group that sends the adrenalin pumping and ears exploding when I spin the turntable to play their hits. And Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend are no ordinary musicians, with the group literally bringing the stage to a 'destructive' end with their music and instruments.

"This fantastic group has sold about 100 million records and have charted 27 top forty singles in the United Kingdom and United States with 17 top ten albums, including 18 Gold, 12 Platinum and 5 Multi-Platinum album awards in the United States alone (Wikipedia)."

Frankly I got to know The Who a little bit after my acquaintance with Deep Purple's music and heard them only when they covered Johnny Kidd and the Pirates' Shakin' All Over in their Live At Leeds album in 1970. Not too late as I was a bit more matured to appreciate the music.

Of course there was also the rock opera Tommy that came in 1969 and others in the genre like Godspell, Hair, (with protest songs) and Jesus Christ Superstar (saw the stage musical in Australia, in November 1973). Pinball Wizard, Good Morning Starshine, Aquarius, I Don't Know How To Love Him, Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord, *Day By Day are some of the songs that not only entertained but excited listeners.

After Note:
If I remember correctly, Neil Diamond had a story to tell when he was interviewed by, Behind The Music. He was next to appear at a show that had The Who on stage. That evening the group smashed guitars to smithereens during performance and caused so much physical and emotional upheaval that the crowd had to be calmed and everyone reassured.  There was chaos and calamity. Quietly Diamond appeared on stage with his songs.  The people stayed to watch...

*Covered by The Blackjacks, Singapore 60s band.

Original article: Andy Lim Collection

Image: rockanthology69.blogspot.com/2007_04_01_archi...

The Stylers Revived: From Rhythmist Randy Lee

IMAGE 1: EARLY 1960s (posted Sunday, January 4th, 2009)

IMAGE 2: 1970

Coincidences can really mystify. When I was taking out a vinyl of The Stylers today and checking my blog for Comments, I saw Randy Lee's note on a Stylers posting (image 1) dated Sunday, January 04, 2009. It read, "Hi Andy, Members of the Stylers from left to right of the image: Randy Lee (rhythm guitarist), Frankie Abdullah (bass), Osman (drums) and John Teo (lead guitarist). Regard Randy. February 24, 2010 12:26pm.

Thanks Randy for writing. And as I blog on this particular post, I have another line-up of The Stylers (image 2) taken from one of their numerous Top Hits EP (1970) featuring, Knock Three Times, Who'll Stop The Rain (vocalist John Teo), Have You Ever Seen The Rain? (vocalist John Teo, Douglas Tan) and 500 Miles (vocalist Robert Song).

So from the left, there's Douglas Tan (bass ), Alvin Wong (drummer), John Teo (lead and anchor man), Robert Song (percussionist) and Rann Lee (rhythm). Depending on the dates of recordings The Stylers, personally, are as versatile as the music they play. And line-ups do change too.

Do you still remember The Stylers? Do write in to comment about their music!

Image: Back sleeve HREP/7005, Hoover Records Trading Company, Singapore.

Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

The Fabulous Falcons Fly At The Federal Hotel Cameron Highlands, Malaya 60s (Part III)

PART III: THE FABULOUS FALCONS, IPOH, MALAYA (60s).

Michael Ho, a school mate and I decided to form a band. We knew a guy called Christopher Choong. He played the drums really well and together with Thomas Ham, we formed a band. Forming the group was easy but we didn’t have funds to purchase expensive instruments.

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We cracked our heads wondering what we should do and our prayers were answered in our schoolmate Robert Ng whose father was a tin miner. As he came from a wealthy family he agreed to be our manager and would purchase all the necessary instruments. Cool!

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In those days, it was really something to have a manager in the band but we didn’t see the necessity to give it a name. We would gather at Robert’s house, a bungalow in Greentown, for practices everyday.

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We worked really hard and played even harder then. The hard work paid off when we got an offer to play in Federal Hotel in Cameron Highlands. We were really excited at finally getting a chance to perform especially on Christmas Eve. But what do we call the band? We can’t just go on and perform without a name.

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So we all sat down and picked our brains as to what name to give. We noticed that Robert’s dad had some stuffed and beautiful eagle-like birds, so as we took one. Robert mentioned that it was a falcon. We unanimously agreed that very minute our group would be named after the powerful, beautiful bird and thus The Falcons as a band was born.

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It was a great experience for us that night in Cameron Highlands playing till way past midnight and seeing people enjoying our music. After our first gig at The Federal Hotel in Cameron Highlands, our spirits were lifted and our confidence as a band grew. We were to play for many more gigs all over Ipoh and we continued to practice to increase our repertoire.

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Image/Original article (edited): Joseph Chin.

(5) Indian Connection In Washington DC, USA

(DJ Carlito from Richmond, Virginia, USA has been supporting this blog for a long time).

This posting is not an advertisement but to show what others are doing to promote music for a more creative and peaceful world.

DATE: Saturday March 27th, 2010 TIME: 9:30PM - 2:00AM VENUE: Heritage Lounge, DuPont Circle, 1337 Connecticut Ave, Washington, DC 20036.
OK, so if you're in the Washington DC area in March, go to his show huh! Good luck, DJ Carlito.

(I understand that there are many Tamil speakers in Jersey, USA. Is this true? I am interested because Tamil is one of the four official languages in Singapore. Anyone familiar with 60s Tamil songs?
Information: http://turquoisekid.blogspot.com/

(4) >B< French Connexion - Je T'aime Tant

Some of their more familiar and internationally well-known songs include: (1) Le Diable En Personne (Shakin' All Over) (2) Golden Earrings (3) Original Twist Guitar (4) Shazam. (5) Walk Don't Run (6) No Man's Land (7) The Mexican (8) Mustang (9) Lover's Guitar (Je T'aime Tant) (10) Hully Bach (11) *Marche Des Aigles (Under The Double Eagle) (12) Moulin Rouge (13) Caravan (14) Summertime (15) Original Twist Guitar (16) Mustang (17) Golden Earrings (18) Do You Wanna Dance? (19) Reflexion (20) Peggy Sue and of course (21) *Loop De Loop.

The video features Hully Guitars (sidebar). It was also released on vinyl in 1963 as Hully Bach, with a classical music introduction in the style of Bach. Written by famous American guitarist and singer Mickey Baker who lived in Paris since 1960. A really hot number!

The US and UK influence is strong. This group has a following in Singapore too, especially amongst the 60s band groups. Good sound, fantastic selection, French connection. Do you have any of the EPs?
Image: YouTube *On image.
Information: Articles from Les Fantomes Websites.

>A< Les Fantomes - Loop De Loop - Ooh La La

There were many guitar and vocal groups all over Europe in the 60s like The Jumping Jewels and The Blue Diamonds that Singaporeans are familiar with but one prominent group that made a name for themselves, especially in France, was The Phantoms.

Les Fantomes was one of the leading French rock n roll instrumental groups then. Most of their songs stayed in the typical European mid-tempo Shadows vein. The band was formed by Thomas 'Dean' Noton (lead), Dany Maranne (bass), Jacky Pasut (rhythm) and Charles Benaroch (drums), in the summer of 1961. Jean-Claude Champon aka Claude Channes replaced Pasut in 1962. The group played mainly guitar instrumentals and became known because of the influence by American and British bands like The Ventures and Hank Marvin (Shadows).

From 1961 until 1964 they released eight EP’s, five singles and two full albums. To date their most famous track remains Loop de Loop (image) from their sixth EP recorded in 1963. From 1962 to 1964 they were considered was one of the best instrumental ensembles in France. Later members included Roger David, Bernard Ferraro, Michel Gaucher.

Image: YouTube *On image.

Information: Articles from Les Fantomes Websites.

Singapore Connection: Phonographs, Records, Music From David Row Teachers Est (Part I)

The image attracts and there are some phonograph enthusiasts in Singapore who collect these players, which can still produce music recorded near the beginning of the 20th Century.

David Row from Teachers' Estate near Upper Thomson Road, Singapore has a collection that will astound you. From his Edison phonograph since the beginning of the last century to his beautiful AMI Continental 2 Jukebox playing 60s music 45 rpm singles, Row has them all. When blogger visited him a few weeks ago, the former listened intently to music played on various phonograph machines owned by Row.

He is also a collector of LPs, EPs and 78s. He has shelves full of vinyls that he has kept for more than 50 years. Name the song or record and he would probably have a copy.

Row has given talks at Community Clubs and other venues. He has appeared a few times in the daily papers where he explained the importance of passing time positively. "Hobbies," he said, "are important, especially at our age."

More about this remarkable gentleman in future postings.

Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

(2) USA Connection - Valentine's Day Posting From Dino Martin Peter's "Dean Martin" Blog

"I'm spending this Valentine's Day behind the bar at Green Street, and there's no where else I'd rather be! My sweetheart brought me flowers. I've got three Dean Martin records on rotation. I'm pulling shots of Leftist, that taste like dark chocolate covered orange peel, for all the lovebirds on their dates. I hope you are feeling the love buzz today like I am. What do I care how much it may storm? I've got my coffee to keep me warm. Happy Valentine's Day" (Devorah Freudiger, Feb 14, 2010)

Hey pallies, read DMP's blog and have a Dinotime!

Image/Article: http://ilovedinomartin.blogspot.com/

(1) Malaysian Connection - Joseph Chin (Lead) - The Fabulous Falcons (Part II)

It was around 1961 after giving up hockey that I found a new interest - music. It all began with the school talentime. In my school at St. Michael's Institution, Ipoh, the talentime was held every year featuring the Hawaiian Rhythmaires as the backing band for every hopeful contestant.

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The band consisted of my school teachers. I was particularly impressed with one teacher whose bass guitar resembled the one used by Paul McCartney of The Beatles.

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After watching them, I was really eager to learn the guitar. My brother was just an occasional player and played the guitar just to amuse himself but at least he knew a few chords. So that was how I started. I was also fascinated with talentimes too as they were really popular then. I recall several popular contestants at each talentime contests in at the YMCA, Ipoh. Deep inside I was wishing that some day, I would also make it up there on the stage doing my thing.

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In my parent’s house there was a Grundig gramophone and I used to play the black vinyl records over and over again so I could pick up the songs and commit it to memory. With guitar in hand, and an ear as near as possible to the gramophone speaker, I slowly and painfully picked up the notes of the songs. I was 14 years young then.

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Image: Joseph Chin today from 'Facebook'.

Edited Article: Joseph Chin Collection, Ipoh, Malaysia.

Blog: http://thefabulousfalcons.blogspot.com/

Abbey Road The Beatles - Wot's 'Appenin'?

Remember Abbey Road and this famous album (image) by The Beatles? What do you think is happening? Have they taken the famous zebra crossing away or what? Guess again.

The latest news headlines has it that the internationally famous recording studio complex at Abbey Road is for sale. This venue, besides recording other music artistes, played host to many of The Beatles recording sessions. Any takers?

Image: http://lahmode.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/beatles.jpg

New York University Tisch School Of Arts-Asia Singapore Student Follows Sing60s Music

ALEXA CARAVIA, who follows this blog, graduated Cum Laude with a BA degree in Magazine Journalism from the University of Florida in 2003. She worked as the Editor for Haute Living magazine and her work has been featured in various local publications including The Miami Herald and Miami Agent Magazine.

In her spare time, Alexa freelanced heavily for local and international film and television enterprises. Her clients included Estefan Enterprises, Chivas Regal, Univision, Nickelodeon and Negra Modelo. Her first short film, In Limbo, received the Honorable Mention for Artistic Short Film at the Louis Wolfson II Florida Moving Image Archive Film and Video Awards.

This summer, her second short film, Shoo, received the Audience Choice Award at MOCA's Optic Nerve X Film Festival. Her short films and music videos have screened widely at art shows and film festivals throughout Miami, including the Miami Independent Film and Music Festival and the Rewind & Fast Forward Film and Video Festival.

She is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts degree at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts-Asia in Singapore and has studied with famed writer/director Todd Solondz as part of NYU's Masters Class.

Article: From her profile. Thank you for being part of Singapore 60s Music.

Fabulous Falcons - Ipoh Malaya 60s (Part I)

You've heard of the Fabulous Echoes from Hong Kong but just as popular in the 60s was a group that made a name for themselves as recording artistes and as a pop instrumental group in Malaya (Malaysia today). 

These boys are The Fabulous Falcons (image) and have appeared in numerous functions, stage shows in their country, together with Malaya's Elvis Presley, Rocky Teoh. 

"I am a musician and have been one since the 60s when I was a teenager. Though I play the keyboards, the guitar will always be my first love... (Joseph Chin)." Thanks to Joseph for his immediate and positive reply and for access to his photographs and articles.

There is another group called The Falcons too but they are from Kuala Lumpur, Malaya in the 60s.

More about him and the group in future postings.

Image: Joseph Chin Collection, Ipoh, Malaysia.

For full story: http://thefabulousfalcons.blogspot.com

''Its regarding Joe Chin, lead guitarist of the Falcons from Ipoh which was mentioned here as Mike & Herb's backing band in early 60s. He passed away in Ipoh on 2nd June 2021 at aged 74.''

The above note came from JC for Mike van Dort's post.

Connect

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

8.10.21

Adrian C. Tills - British Royal Navy - 1960s

Hi Andy,

How are you ?

Chris of the garagehangover site passed on some correspondence he had from Adrian C. Tills. Adrian was a member of the British Navy based in Singapore for two years in the 1960s. He wrote songs for Rose Iwanaga, the Reyes Sisters, EveyLyn, Evelyn Bridger and Janice Wee. He put out his own records under the name of Roy Stevens.

Do you or any of your musician friends remember Adrian? He would like to get in touch with anyone who remembers him. He would particularly like to get in touch with Mr Lee H King, who was A & R manager at Fajar Records and then for Philips Far East. Have you ever heard of him?

Please let me know if Adrian’s name rings a bell with anyone and if there is any news about Mr Lee H King.
Regards,
Steve Farram

Darwin, Australia.

From Steve Farram's posting:

"My favourite is Please Tell Terry, which is a straight ahead pop song and the only one without the annoying strings or horns. This song and Say You’re Mine are credited to Adrian C. Tills. I have not been able to find out anything about Adrian and do not know whether these songs are cover versions or were written for the band. I have seen Adrian’s name on a record from a Singapore singer also, so perhaps he was a local..."

http://www.garagehangover.com/?q=taxonomy/term/667/9

(Do write in if you have. I am sure there are people out there who are willing to share information or photographs with others,)

Gōng Xĭ Fā Cái or A Happy Lunar New Year To Everyone!

Valentine's Day Songs From The 40s, 50's, 60s

UP TO 1,500 VIEWS

"Valentine’s Day is the February 14th holiday where lovers traditionally exchange love notes and romantic gifts. According to the U.S.Greeting Card Association, Valentine’s Day is the second most popular day for sending greeting cards trailing only Christmas. Recently, more and more valentines are sent electronically."

I went through many websites in search of songs suitable for Valentine's Day and then realise that many songs from the 50s, 60s, and 70s are love songs, meant to be sung anytime between lovers and not necessarily during special occasions.

So here's my own personal list of love songs for Valentine's Day with the #first and last song as favourites:

1) #Have I Told You Lately That I Love You? - Jim Reeves

2) Fly Me To The Moon - Brenda Lee, Frank Sinatra
3) Eternally - Petula Clark

https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/vintage-valentines-day-photos/

4) Unforgettable - Nat King Cole
5) Fascination-Jane Morgan
6) I Love You For Sentimental Reasons - Dinah Shore

7) A Groovy Kind of Love - Mindbender, Petula Clark
8) All You Need Is Love - Beatles
9) Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond

10) Can’t Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley
11) I'll Be There - Michael Jackson
12) I Love You Because - Jim Reeves

13) I Want To Hold Your Hand - Beatles
14) You Belong To My Heart - Bing Crosby
15) You Belong To Me - Jo Stafford

16) The Twelfth of Never - Johnny Mathis
17) When The Girl In Your Arms - Cliff Richard.
18) #And I Love Her - Beatles

 http://popmusic.suite101.com/article.cfm/most_popular_valentines_day_songs

These songs will never ever antagonize another (see posting below) unless of course, you are singing them to the wrong person? Would you agree?

https://rushcreekvintage.com/products/handmade-antique-valentine-card

A Vintage Valentine's Day: An Oldies' Playlist.

YouTube by: Conceptually Yours.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTbIdiJeGOQ

Original Article: Andy Lim Collection.

Images: Not meant for sales connection but for copyrights reason.

Karaoke + 60s Lyrics + Arrogance = Fatality

IMAGE: EMPTY KARAOKE JOINT

The family maid confirms the story in the newspapers about karaoke joints in the Philippines. You can sing, Fly Me To The Moon (Brenda Lee or Sinatra) , Release Me (Engelbert Humperdinck), and songs by Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra or others but don't ever sing one particular tune by Mr Blue Eyes. My Way, a Paul Anka original, could be your last song.

According to the newspapers, even the authorities are uncertain as to the number of people who have gotten into fatal fights after singing this number. One newspaper article reported that at least 6 enthusiasts, who sang this particular composition, groaned their 'swan song'. It has become so serious in the past years that My Way is not on the playbook list. Apparently it has happened in Malaysia and Thailand too where fights occur over microphones, song choice and nerve shatteringly bad vocals!

Roland B. Tolentino, a pop culture expert, at the University of the Philippines commented that since the Philippines is "a very violent society, karaoke triggers what already exists when certain social rules are broken (New York Times)."

Are the lyrics so arrogant that some listeners cannot connect with the words? Below are some choice phrases that might just trigger that anger:

And now, the end is near, And so I face the final curtain.../Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew, /When I bit off more than I could chew... /But through it all, when there was doubt, /I ate it up and spit it out.../I faced it all and I stood tall... /To say the things he truly feels /And not the words of one who kneels. /The record shows I took the blows... (Composition: Paul Anka)

Fatalistic predictions? Do these karaoke brawls occur in sexy Singapore? Comment anyone?

Information: The Straits Times Singapore (World - Regional - February 8th, 2010).

Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

(B) Will The Dukes Be Back To Rock N Roll?

Zainal Abidin is a generous man. He doesn't sell his Dukes CDs but distributes them without charge to his friends, colleagues and business associates. He is, by the way, the bass-guitarist for The Dukes, a well-known Singapore 60s band that kept the rock n rollers on the floor at the Hotel Prince Garni with their beautiful music. He appeared with his group fronted by Winston Walters, Bobby Lambert and other vocalists at the hotel at Orchard Road.

The image shows Zainal with his bass and Billy Martinez (son of 60s music teacher Harry Martinez) on the keyboard. They were both entertaining friends and family at Freddie Kang's birthday treat on August 24th, 2008 at the Riverside Hotel in Havelock Road, where Freddie appears. Freddie was a former keyboardist with The Thunderbirds.

Come on you Dukes supporters, what do you have to say? Will they make a comeback like The Silver Strings, Ronnie And The Burns? Let's hear from you!

Image: Zainal Abidin Collection.

Nancy Sit 薛家燕 Sandra Xin 筷子姐妹 Re-Union

It was an exciting year for Seniors when these two famous ladies decided to form a duet and perform at Genting Highlands.

The Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner was on 13 Feb, 2010, 6.00 pm at Genting International Convention Centre, Malaysia.

A newspaper report of their show:

"Nancy Sit is a Hong Kong actress with the TVB network. Her acting career dated back to the 60's, when she was a popular teen idol alongside Connie Chan Po-Chu and Josephine Siao.

Sit recorded many albums in her teens, and later served as a mentor to Anita Mui. Sit decided to get back into show business in the early 90’s and was able to capitalize on the popularity she had achieved as a teen idol, even after so many years.

Sandra Xin is a former Taishan Canto-pop singer, active in the 70's. During the late 60's her career began under the Hong Kong English pop group named the Chopstick Sisters. 

The group did not last long. In 1974, her Cantonese TV theme song, The Yuanfen of a Wedding that Cries and Laughs made Canto-pop the new music phenomenon." 

Fly or drive all the way for your re-union?