RAF Based UK Pop Bands In Singapore 60's

After the appearance of the currently new Silver Strings in the last few postings we turn the clock back once again to the 1960's when kopi-oh meets teh-tarek (translated from Malay: when black coffee meets pulling tea).

The welcome sign outside the hotel bar read: "Go underground where anything can happen. And usually does. Tonight and every night from 9pm to 3am." Entry was cheap. And the advertisement was for the eve of Christmas and New Year. 

For 10 Singapore dollars you got a first drink and novelties. (I remember going to England in the early 80's and it was about S$8.00 to the British Pound). And two bands entertained, one the highly respected, Thunderbirds with Heather. And the other? Well, let's discuss the other...

The T-Set. Barry's on extreme right.

This group was one guitar gang performing in the 60's, imported as a package from the British Isles. No Singaporean among the members. Even the group's name had a British ring to it; the patrons who came to Hotel Malaysia were amused when they heard that T-Set was playing at The Pub which, of course had an English setting. Yeah, imagine, "Shall we have tea at The Pub today dear?"  Or more likely, "Gimme a Tiger!"

A Cuppa: not too familiar sight today. "When Bread Talks, Kopi Tiam."

Barry Walker, who wrote to me about this group was the lead guitarist and singer.  In the 60's the same members used to play as a group in cabarets in England but decided to come to Singapore to try their luck. 

Familiar with the local scene - Barry was around for four or five years since 1966 -  he had recommended T-Set to play, and at the Orchard Road area too. (Barry is featured on this blog with his other groups The Figure and In-Sect. Click Barry Walker under Labels below).



Better than coffee anytime!  A Goodwood Hotel Advertisement.

The other members of T-Set were Roy who played bass guitar, Chris the drummer and Mick who played keyboard.  These gentlemen were still unattached when they appeared at the club in the mid-1960's and except for Chris who had a quiet demeanor was already a father. 

According to Tea-Set, who loved to perform in Singapore, audiences here were polite and usually reserved.  Locals would rather sip their beers quietly and chat with their mates at the bar while Caucasians would dance to their music.

A Pinta: "Time for a Tiger."

On the other hand when they played back home patrons there could be rowdy, reckless and walk off during a session if they dislike the band's performance. A band member remarked that he would love to come back to live in Singapore permanently.

So guys, if you remember T-Set from the good old days when they played at the Penthouse Disco with two other groups called, Limited Stock and Faith , give us a write. Doesn't matter if you're in England or in Singapore. The boys would love to hear from you! 

Original article. Do Not Copy.

Thanks to Barry Walker for the images.
Other images: Google.

Written a couple of weeks back, I am dedicating this Barry Walker article to James Seah from our bloggers' group. He just loves the smell of Tiger...

Silver Strings You Tube From Orchard Road Central

These videos were not properly titled on You Tube by the owner because many cameras were used that evening to record the show.  Most of the videos were shot by amateur photographers from our audience. As such the pictures and sound were not clear. 

By featuring them on this blog we hope fans of the Silver Strings will be able to view them again and not traverse the internet to search for them. They have been put up because of some friends and fans who were asking for the recordings of this show which was held on the 15th of November, 2013 at the Platinum Club at Orchard Road Central, Singapore.

You need to return to the main page to watch these videos.

Enjoy.

Image: A Private Collection. Copyrights Reserved.

Silver Strings In TODAY News with Chris Toh

Music journalist Christopher Toh talks to Silver Strings' leader Audie Ng (08th November, 2013):

One of Singapore’s most versatile pop groups of the ’60s is back for one more hurrah.  “We want to bring back the memories of yesteryear!" said an enthusiastic Audie Ng over the phone.  There's a sold-out charity concert for Boys’ Town this weekend and a performance at a club in Orchard Road next weekend.

For these shows, The Silver Strings’ two original singers, Veronica Young and Andy Young, will be fronting the band as they will sing not only their past hits but also songs by other local groups from that era.

Silver Strings in the 1970s.

But Ng wasn’t keen to play that up. “To be honest, only three of us are from the original group from 1963/64: Myself, Andy and Veronica."  he explained.  While they also wrote their own songs, The Silver Strings were likewise seen as the band that could play with anybody, backing everyone from Shirley Nair to Mike n Herb and Anita Sarawak.

The original Silver Strings adopted The Shadows’ set-up, with Ng on bass, David Chan on lead guitar, Merlin Lim on rhythm guitar and Danny Boy on drums.

“David left, and I got the late Dicky Tan to replace him and play on our records,” said Ng. With his astute guitar-playing and song-writing skills, Tan would be one of the key contributors to the band’s sound.

Read the full article:
http://www.todayonline.com/entertainment/music/veteran-pop-band-silver-strings-back-again

*****************************************************************************

Veronica Young, Andy Young and the Silver Strings 

Popularly known as the Connie Francis of Singapore in the 1960s. Veronica Young together with Andy Young and the Silver Strings will be performing at a dinner concert to help raise funds for Boys’ Town. All proceeds will go towards helping Singapore’s youth-at-risk from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds and families in crisis.  

Invitation of 1 guest is available for a $250 donation (for AES old boys and girls). Other contributions are welcome to help support Boys’ Town’s services and defray the fundraising event cost. All donations are entitled to 2.5 times tax exemption. 

We hope you can join us during this special evening and look forward to welcoming you and your guests."Boys Town Fundraising(The above article is an advertisement featured on Boys' Town FaceBook before the show. 

The postings these few days will probably be filled with Silver Strings photographs. We have not received the official ones from the organiser.  Performance was on 9th November, 2013.

Silver Strings Family from left: Rickie, Oliver, Patrick, Veronica, Nick, Audie, Andy.

Andy with Audie on stage: "Took a little trip to my Boys' Town..."



Veronica with audience participation

Silver Strings backstage.

Images from Veronica Young Facebook, Andy and Boys Town Photographers.

Penang Doc Lee Congratulates C/W Star Bobby Bare

*Postcard from Doc Lee

Medical doctor Lee Yan San, my blogger friend from Penang, Malaysia, has some good personal friends in the international pop music industry. One of them was the late Russ Hamilton -  Oh Yes, We Will Make Love - who was featured earlier on the blog.

Another good friend of Yan San is Bobby Bare, who together with Kenny Rogers and the late Cowboy Jack Clement were officially inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame during a Sunday evening on October 27, 2013 medallion ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee.

**Bare migrated to Los Angeles where he first tasted fame in 1958 when The All American Boy, a song he had co-written became a No. 2 pop hit.  Chet Atkins signed him to RCA Records in 1962, giving him a string of hits that included Detroit City, 500 Miles Away From Home, Miller's Cave, Four Strong Winds, The Streets of Baltimore and Margie's at the Lincoln Park Inn.

Bare was instrumental in establishing the Nashville careers of Waylon Jennings, Billy Joe Shaver and Shel Silverstein (edited).

                      Lee Yan San on You Tube singing Bobby Bare's The Giving Tree

In a sincere comment about Bare, Yan San concluded that,  “It is a near impossible job choosing my best Bobby Bare album as practically each album when released turned out to be my favourite after some play and I practically worn out playing most of my Bobby Bare LPs!”

Yan San and Russ Hamilton

You can read about Bobby Bare and Russ Hamilton by clicking Labels below:

*Bobby Bare inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Congratulations! Postcard designed by YS's daughter Hai Lin and sent to Bobby Bare.  

**. http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1716332/kenny-rogers-bobby-bare-jack-clement-inducted-into-country-music-hall-of-fame.jhtml

Lee YS Blog: http://lee-ys.blogspot.sg/
Images and You Tube from Lee YS.

Seriously Seductive Seniors: Silver Strings Session

Silver Strings - Seductive Seniors @ Play - 9th November 2013

Rickie Chng

Audie Ng and Patrick Chan

Nick Stravens

Oliver Bala

Veronica Young

Strings practising hard for gigs @ Bukit Timah and Orchard Road.
Have you read about them? Check posting below for individual profile.

Host Blogger Andy will sing with the group.

Images: Private Collection.

Silver Strings Play Songs By Local n Foreign Artistes

Group will play songs by local and foreign artistes.

This Silver Strings line-up below will perform *a Charity Concert in Bukit Timah on 9th November and @ Orchard Road on 15th November 2013, where they will play 60s music by both local and foreign artistes. 


Rickie Chng plays lead guitar and has been with Shadows' styled groups since the 1960s. During practices with him and the rest of the Silver Strings for the upcoming gigs, Rickie has provided strong and confident backing for the singers. His prowess as a guitarist shows when he tackles with ease the opening bars to each number rehearsed.

Rickie played for a while with The Trailers during Singapore's golden music years and has been within the guitar circuit since. A regular at the Tanglin Community Club he is currently playing with another band, The Esquires.  He believes in Fender and owns a Stratocaster 40th re-issue.


Patrick Chan, who plays rhythm used to perform with D Peddlers.  According to him, his group was, "playing for kicks in a bungalow at the Norfolk area."  It was great fun during his short bachelorhood days before pursuing a career in the Civil Service and business world afterwards.

A dedicated guitarist, he currently plays lead and sings with his own group called, Pat n Patricians and shares musical fellowship with friends who likes to sing 'live' and social dance at Whampoa CC . Their repertoire includes pop rock, country and evergreens.  Pat also plays for charity, grass-root activities, social functions and at their weekly Sunday T- Dances.  He owns a Fender Stratocaster, the model used by Stevie Ray Vaughan. He rocks with Chuck Berry's JBG.















Oliver Bala's fascination with drums started when he "was captivated by the radio sounds  of the Beatles Rubber Soul album in 1965." His mother's present of a Lucky Star drum-set during his school years led him to take up the skill with heart n soul.  He played with various bands up to 1971 when he started his professional career in the education service.

He only played seriously again in 2005 jamming with friends but intensified when he retired from 2009 and bought a new Tama Superstar set.  Oliver admits that he is a fanatical Beatles fan and his drum influences as a child were Ringo Starr, Tony Meeham and Bobby Elliot. He also does some lead, backing vocals and, "plays the guitar, piano and various percussion instruments."  His rendition of  Orbison's Pretty Woman is hot!

Nicholas Emile Stravens (Nick) played keyboard since 1970.  His first club scene was at Toby's Paradise with a band known as the New Generation which became The Change. The group performed at 3 venues each night, The London Scene, The G-Room  and the Oberoi Imperial Hotel.  They later did stints at  West Point, Golden Million, Golden Mikado, Barbarella and the El Amigo.

While in the SAF's first ever talentime, Nick walked away with the 1st prize and won the title of Singapore's Lobo. After ROD he got together with the band Shang, performed at the Ion Bar at Apollo Hotel, took over from Sonny Bala and transformed the music scene there. They did stints in Indonesia, Malaysia ,Taiwan, Brunei and Philippines.  Then came a Malay album they recorded, road shows for SBC and performed at National Theatre gigs.


Audie Ng, bassist and band leader needs no introduction. Since 1963 this music-maker has been in the business both as boss man and bass man.  

          
Veronica Young, known as Singapore's Millie Small and who sings like Connie Francis, will take the Silver Strings to new heights when she sings with them this November.




Andy Young, first 1960s front man for Silver Strings and Music Blogger today, appears with the gang.

Hungry Ghosts Festival: Singapore's Halloween, Devil Woman

    BE WARNED.  GRAPHIC PICTURES    

MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN.

Cliff Richard's Version: Devil Woman. 

Beware, the devil woman... evil eyes. 

Official version.

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My memory of the 60's does not bring back the frightening fun of Halloween because not many locals knew about it like they do today. It was confined amongst the Caucasian households while many Chinese homes followed the religious 7th Moon or Hungry Ghosts Festival where spooks and demons were the order of the season. And this year it's this month of August from the 3rd...

Again, my tale is not of haunted hospitals at Changi, the lady ghost at Bishan's MRT nor the kampong spirit at Bidadari that we read about in the newspapers but a psychological trauma I experienced as a child that even troubles me to this day (or night).

As a young boy, I had always been petrified and disturbed by an old folktale about skin coloured bats hanging upside-down from tree branches.

The Kalong Wheh-Wheh (above) is supposed to be a giant bat with a horrendous female face and large breasts.  Don't think of glamorous superhero Bat Girl here. Think more bat-like Pontianaks!

Devil woman you're evil like the dark coral reef

Like the winds that bring high tides, you bring sorrow and grief. (1)

These creatures hook themselves on wayside tree branches that grow along Singapore's old roads and dusty lorongs (lanes) in the 60s.  But here's something else. They only appear at twilight, symbolically a time and condition of decline.

So as darkness falls in Singapore these giant bats fill the evening sky and swarm onto large trees. Loud cries of "Wheh! Wheh! Wheh!" fill the air as they seek the comfort of the high shady greens.

"Be careful," my mother used to warn me, "the creatures spy on young children who are still not home for dinner when the clock strikes six. Be out there and you're in trouble!"

How they victimize their human prey is still a mystery to me. Mum never went beyond her horror story and left the rest to my imagination.

She did, however, explain that these giant human-like bats originated from Indonesia. Bat is kalong in the Indonesian language.

Apparently, they are also known as *Hantu Tetek (ghosts with breasts: image 2) in local Malay slang.  She uses them to suffocate her victims while others claim they are behind her. Others insist she is a Balinese witch.

"She doesn't suck your blood," mum emphasised, "but wrap you up close to her soft body and fly you away..."  By this time my whole being slumped in fear and my heart thumped with cemetery-like precision.

"OK mum, I won't be late for dinner."

She smiled.

Wonder if these creatures are still around today in our modern metropolis. The strange repeated occurrence of trees that fall during rainstorms in the evenings... Hmm!

It doesn't matter whether it's a Chinese ghost, English ghost or Malay ghost. They are ghosts! So be careful.

If you have Hantu Halloween Horrors, Hantu or Hungry Ghosts stories to contribute, please do.

She's just a devil woman
With evil on her mind
Beware the devil woman
She's gonna get you from behind. (2)

Careful of Hungry Ghosts everywhere. 
Don't play, play! Better pray, pray!

In South East Asian countries like Singapore and Malaysia, the 7th Month Festival is when the Hungry Ghosts wander the streets.

Lyrics

1. Devil Woman: by Johnny Lion.
2. Devil Woman: by Cliff  Richard.

Images: Google.
http://draculavanhelsing.blogspot.sg
An original article.

Johnny Lion and The Jumping Jewels with Devil Woman. video by Donald Duck.

Images: Google
You Tube Videos: by Donald Duck and Peter Tan.

               Getai Show @ Bukit Batok Getai Seven Month Hungry Ghost Prayer

*Singaporean Is Elvis Presley Of Vancouver Canada

Happy is the Elvis fan who enters Graceland

1) When Happy Tay wrote to inform me that he was going to Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee this year I asked if he could be the blog's official Elvis ambassador. Not only did he oblige but sent pictures as well.

2) Lately, I found out that he is popularly known as the Elvis Presley of Vancouver, Canada. I asked him about it and below is his story explaining what actually happened. Personally I think he looks a bit like Elvis doesn't he?

Happy Tay with a friend @ Graceland home of The King.

1) Hello Andy,

Here I am, reporting back from Graceland, Memphis, home of King Elvis Presley, mission finally accomplished.  It was "surreal" to be visiting Elvis home, with a fantastic and unbelievable feeling, just walking through his home.

 2) Dear Andy,

That's just an "unofficial" title, nothing important to put in print really!

Having done a few performances at local churches (one of them was 'Aloha Hawaii' with about 350 dinner guests, and me, dressed in an Elvis white jumpsuit) and some other private events, fans here started calling me Elvis (even the Sisters in my church addressed me by the name).

Happy with one of the original Elvis costumes. A personally tailored one costs US$4,000.

The only professional appearance I did was during a local Sold Out Elvis Show (he was then the winner of the Elvis World Champion held in Las Vegas). The venue of the show was at one of the local hotel here a few years back, when some local Caucasians ladies who were there to watch the Elvis performance, started to scream out my name - don't know how they knew me - and wanted me to go on the stage to sing! They kept shouting that I was the local Elvis, and wanted me to do a number too.



A citation explaining Sun Records at 706 Union.

I was dumbfounded, and pleasantly surprised, that I had some fans. Well, I was invited to the stage by the Elvis performer to do a number which I did, and to their satisfaction, of course.  I remember among the many paying guests that evening, was the Consular from Singapore and the Director of the local UOB Bank, among many other luminaries.

So, there you are Andy, that's how I got to be called Elvis here. Comprende?

Cheers,
Happy.

With the original microphone used by Elvis Presley at Sun Records.

Dear Happy,

Thank you very much for being such a sport with pictures of your Graceland trip and explaining how you got to be called Vancouver's Elvis. Now we also know why you are called Happy and how as a former Singaporean and a present Canadian you are able to shed your inhibitions and perform on stage like The King. 

Your sincerity shines through and you truly make us all feel good. Keep the Singapore name flying.

Yours sincerely,
Andy.


Happy Tay stays @ the Heartbreak Hotel. Check out his side-burns and sunglasses man!

*Disclaimer:
It's all in fun and games.  As Happy Tay explained in his email, this title is not an official one but we're just wondering who the real Vancouver Elvis is?  Or is Happy the only person who deserves it?  Anyone? Especially those from Canada?

Hey, Wilson, you reading this?

Images and article provided by Happy Tay - August/September, 2013.

SILVER STRINGS NIGHT @ ORCHARD ROAD

TONIGHT: 15th NOVEMBER @ 8PM!

We're meeting again since the Esplanade Concert in 2010. At our age we're wondering when there'll be another get together.

*Please excuse the print error: Spore (Singapore) should read: S'pore's (Singapore's). Although the titles had been won in genuine and official competitions, both Veronica and Andy have abandoned these titles many years ago but for 60s music authenticity and flavour the producer of the show included them. 

Located right in the heart of Orchard Road, the venue has been selected because of its convenient accessibility by road and train.

Image: Audie Ng. Copyright.

Zhou Xuan (周璇) On Artistic Vinyl Record Covers

Zhou Xuan's first album Wandering Songstress 天涯歌女

SOME SLEEVES SPEAK:

Continuing with the same theme, here's another revelation on Chinese record covers.  Chow Hsuan or Zhou Xuan (周璇) was one of the top seven-star singers in China from the 30s to the 50s and many of her songs are still favourites and being played even today. 

I have a collection of six Zhou Xuan records. That's about sixty songs altogether and includes titles like A Mahjong Game, Choosing A Wife, Little Bridal Chamber and the famous Wandering Songstress (天涯歌女).

These albums had been compiled many years after the original recordings and would not be in their respective order of production. Except for some slight scratching and hissing sound, they play well on the turn-table. But this posting is neither about her nor her songs.

This personal collection of vinyl discs are 33rpm Long Plays but come in a 10-inch and not 12-inch format.  Talk of outsourcing, this collection has many countries to its origin.  Although Zhou Xuan was from China, the record was issued by The Gramophone Company Ltd of Hayes, Middlesex, England.  The collection was recorded in Hong Kong but produced in India (like many of Cliff Richard's records).

Her third album.

The record label reveals a media company well-known in the earlier part of the twentieth century for its pre-movie documentaries in the cinemas. Pathe (image) with its cock-crowing icon is well known by many readers of this blog - you have to be at least in your 50s to remember this one.

Now here's the surprise. The unique drawings on the record covers had been painted by two Singapore artists; the earlier ones by Ms Nah QH and the later ones by Mr Tan KC. The first image above is described on the back sleeve and shows a "reproduction of a Chinese village scene of some *thirty years ago (probably 50 years ago today).  It depicts the Wandering Songstress on her travels from village to village, inn to inn, eating-house to eating-house earning her living by song."

Back Cover of Fourth Album

I guess the art form like the brush strokes, colours and Chinese characters reveal the artistry of paintings done those years.  But honestly, I am no art critic and the illustrations are as modern today and look good enough to be hung on the wall.  But the bonus about this collection is the English translation of the Chinese titles as it helps non-Chinese readers to understand the theme of each melody (image 3).  Wish they would do that today.

So there you are, the lady's from China, her songs were recorded in Hong Kong, the cover pictures were done in Singapore, the records pressed in India and the whole package controlled, produced and issued by England.  If you are complaining about outsourcing today just remember that it's been practised a long, long time ago.

(This posting is a byte size or bite size information about what little I know, to share with some of my younger readers. If you wish to know more about the other 4 covers and songs recorded just write in.)

You can read more about Zhou Xuan by clicking her name under Labels below.

Article/Images: Original/Own collection.

Tony Still Has That Old Black Magic! Part Two Bennett Singapore 2013 Show Review

Tony Bennett had passed away in New York, on 21st July 2023. 

RIP Mr. Bennett. He was in Singapore about 10 years ago today. He's really got rhythm! [22.07.23]

Without fanfare, Tony Bennett came on stage and stood with his jazz quartet rather than in front of them. He had been introduced by his daughter Antonia who had kick-started the evening with her lot of songs that included Embraceable You and five other tunes.

Image: RunningIntoTheSun

Under the quietly dimmed, blue lights Bennett wooed his audience with his raspy voice and friendly disposition. There were no pyrotechnics, flashing lights, huge screen backdrops or half-dressed sizzling ladies dancing around a wrecking ball.

Bennett gave his all that night. Although I cannot recall some of his songs at the concert I remember most of them, Watch What Happens, They All Laughed, Maybe This Time,  Just In Time, One For My Baby, and my own jazz anthem, I Got Rhythm.

His banter on stage was lively and connected lyrics from "old songs" (his description) like, Who cares  to current situations:

Let it rain and thunder,
Let a million firms go under.
I am not concerned with
Stocks and bonds that I've been burned with!*

Without much ado and hardly a sip of  water he continued with, Boulevard of Broken Dreams, For Once In My Life, That Old Black Magic and The Good Life for good friend Lady Gaga.

It was loud and clear when Bennett introduced his band, "drummer Harold Jones was Count Basie's best" and double-bass player is "Marshall Wood" but because my wife and I sat some distance behind we couldn't hear the names of the pianist and guitarist.

Checking the websites I found out that they could be Lee Musiker and Gray Sargent respectively but I am not sure.  As a quartet these gentlemen were incomparable and when each gave his solo performance or accompanying Bennett singly they were masters with their artistry and skill. 

Images taken at Star Performing Arts Centre Singapore, 11th September, 2013.

He embraced the audience with his classics while they clapped the evening on. The Way You Look Tonight, The Shadow Of Your Smile and his signature tune, the magnum opus by Cory and Cross from 1953,  I Left My Heart In San Francisco seemed like new compositions when the maestro interpreted these evergreens.

He did a special duet with Antonia who came back on stage as both sang, Old Friends.  In between melodies Bennett said that once he received a letter from Switzerland where the writer thanked him for resurrecting a song. He was surprised when the signature was Charlie Chaplin's who composed,  Smile.  Following the theme he sang, When You're Smiling.

Near the end of the concert Bennett remarked,  "We travel all over... but we're so impressed with Singapore. Usually we can't wait to go to the next town after a show but here... we wish we could stay for a week." 

Bennett's grand finale came as a surprise when he sang, Fly Me To The Moon without the microphone but although we were three quarters hall away we could hear him bright and without strain. Talk of voice power and his age. Are you listening Stan Lee?

The fantastically enthusiastic crowd wanted more and the band waited in anticipation but he left the stage to a standing ovation. 

That old black magic has me in it's spell
That old black magic that you weave so well
I hear your name and I'm aflame...**

Read Part 1 below. Click connection:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2013/09/singapores-tony-bennett-crooner-billy.html

Images from: Running Into The Sun feature Antonia and Tony Bennett @ Star Performing Arts Theatre on 11.09.2013. Copyrights Reserved.

*Song: Who Cares? by George Gershwin, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, written for 1931 musical Of  Thee I Sing.

**Song: That Old Black Magic. Music written by Harold Arlen, lyrics by Johnny Mercer.

Original Review by Andy Lim.

Tony Bennett Sings A Medley of Songs. 

YouTube Video: TODAYonline: 

Star Theatre, Singapore,

September 11th, 2013.