Andy 60's Music Friends, Readers and Students Through The Years

With the late Jimmy Chan on stage, Andy singing 

 'My Mother's Eyes' n 'Walking My Baby Back Home'.

Practice session at a music studio before 

the anniversary show with the late

Jimmy Chan, Sandie, Eliza, Jimmy Yap 

[singing ambassador], Audie Ng, Wen Hing.

 

Singapore's Tom Jones today Jerry Fernandez, 

show promoter and MC for pop shows.

The big eat at an Indian Restaurant where we bare 

our teeth with mutton, prawns and nasi beryani.

I organised this group of students from NUS when we met

 for an interview and discussion about 60s pop music. 

From left: Andy, Hafizah, Deborah, Clifford, 

Jerry Fernandez, Michael Bangar and Winston Koh. 

With Michael Bangar, his wife Jenny and La Salle student, 

Lydia Kok whose exhibit of a jumpsuit styled from the 60's 

was accorded exhibition status at in New York.

Clarence Perera plays with style and panache 

during his performance at RELC in November 2019.

He has been sending daily prayers on WhatsApp

for many years now...

The Teepees made a fantastic appearance at the Pek Kio

 Community Club  to resounding applause that brought 

the house down with their rendition of dance music 

and hot pop. They were a hit girl band in the 70's.

 

With Johnny Yeow (Silver Strings lead guitar), 

Winston Koh (sings Cliff Richard) and 

Charlie Yap  ('Locomotion' bandleader)

At Singapore Cricket Club, courtesy of Winston.

Good Friend Winston Koh, who sings like Cliff Richard 

 and no one knows the difference on record. He's good.

In Brisbane, Australia at 'Bee Gees Way'. 

The Aussie shop keepers were so relaxed, they sold 

Beatles gifts rather than Bee Gees souvenirs, "G'dai mait."

Singapore Top Tourist Spots - 'Silver Strings' Pop Concerts [2008 - 2019] Part 1

The Esplanade where great music comes.

NEW POST - UP TO 1,400 VIEWS

In the past 12 years or so, from 2008 to 2019, the Silver Strings had performed at top tourist spots in Singapore. Below are only some venues, recorded at random.

Media Corp Studios ['Not The 5 Show' Channel 5 TV] 

Media Corp Studios ['Rolling Good Times' Channel 5 TV]

The Esplanade

Kallang Wave [National Stadium]

Kallang Theatre

Conrad International Hotel

RELC International Hotel [2015]

RELC International Hotel [2019]

Sentosa Beach Resort

Cruise Ship, Aegean Paradise [on board]

The Promontory, Marina Bay Sands

National Library, North Bridge Road

Silver Strings Latest Line Up 2019

2015

Silver Strings appeared twice for

 'Rolling Good Times' and 'Not The 5 Show'

on Channel 5 TV, MediaCorp, together with

Rick Astley and Dick Lee.

2009

The Esplanade where Silver Strings performed with

Brian Richmond helming the evening.

2016

The Strings at Kallang Wave, where the sports action is; 

this venue is part of the Kallang Stadium near the East.

2018

Conrad International Hotel in the city, 

a gig near the poolside.

Silver Strings Line Up November 2013 with charity shows

at Boys Town and a Malay old folks home.

2018

Kallang Theatre, one of the oldest venues

in Singapore commanded musicals like

'Phantom of the Opera', 'Les Miserable', etc.

2016

An open space where fans danced to the beat 

of the Strings playing in the Sentosa moonlight.

2016

The National Library, right in the heart of old Singapore; 

a senior spree at the foyer filled up 

the space when the Strings played 60s music.

2015

The Promontory at Marina Bay Sands had MCs

Moe Alkaff and Irene Ang singing in the rain with

 the crowd, to  the beat of the Strings pop songs.

2014 and 2019

Two shows were held at the RELC International Hotel beside 

the Orchard Road tourist belt. Larry Lai and Jerry Fernandez 

commanded the stage.Car parking costs as much as ticket prices.

2019

Silver Strings went on board the Aegean Paradise

to perform to a live audience, Las Vegas style, amidst 

jack-pot machines, casinos and music lovers.

Silver Strings Line Up March 2019

To find out who the SILVER STRINGS band members are, 

the reader needs to browse on the posts within this blog. Cheers.

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/search?q=silver+strings+orchard+road

We shall continue to PART 2 soon.

Images - GOOGLE. 

Disclaimer - This post is a personal one.

No intention for any commercial benefit.

Psycho [1960] - Anthony Perkin's Letter To Stephen Han

 UP TO 1,300 VIEWS N 20 COMMENTS

Anthony Perkins, young, handsome 

and a big hit with fans all over the world in his 

starring role in the movie PSYCHO [1960].

A personal letter from Stephen Han 

"When I was young, I used to listen to music of all genres, be it pop, country or jazz.  As for movies, I like the action, drama, comedy and musical ones. I was obsessed into writing to my favourite pop or movie stars for their autographed pictures. Not all of them would rely but I did receive from Brenda Lee, Anne Murray, George Straits, Helen Shapiro and a few others.

As for film stars, I had some lovely photos of Sandra Dee, Susan Pleshette, Connie Steven’s and Elizabeth Taylor. However, I was really surprised to receive a quite long letter from Anthony Perkins. Remember him, I guess the Pioneer or Silver generation did for his excellent role in the hit “Psycho”, in which he starred with Janet Leigh. He played his part cleverly and the movie was a box office hit. I hereby leave you with the letter that I had from him."

Thanks Stephen for allowing us to read Mr. Perkins' letter to you. It is certainly very rare that famous movie stars would want to reply personally to their fans. This missive is a treat indeed. Andy.

A personal letter from Anthony Perkins to Stephen Han:

Anthony Perkins, actor, 

director, singer died in 1992.

[Copyrights Reserved]

'Psycho' [1960] Theme song that starred

Anthony Perkins n Janet Leigh

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

Echoes of Psycho 

Bernard Hermann

by Singapore Symphony Orchestra

17-18 September 2021.

Victoria Concert Hall

Click below for details

https://www.sso.org.sg/orchestra-season/red-balloon-series-echoes-of-psycho

Images from Google 

YouTube video from 'Music Scenes'

Charlie Watts - Goodbye Rolling Stones Drummer

2nd June 1941 - 24th August 2021

UP TO 1,100 VIEWS. 20 COMMENTS.

Charlie Robert Watts, famed 'Rolling Stones' drummer had passed away aged 80. He had been with the group since its inception. According to the media he was a private person and usually very quiet, avoided the limelight before and after performances.

''The classic Stones sound is built primarily on Keith Richard's endless variations of the three chord trick... occasionally shaded by country stylings... from vocalist Mick Jagger's construct functional melodies, to carry lyrics often infused with primitive sexuality, driven on a metronomic dance beat by drummer Charlie Watts. [Paul Du Noyer - The Story of Rock n Roll]''

RIP Charlie. Singapore sends condolences to the family. 

Let the drums roll on, up there with Don Everly who had just left the music world.

The Stones were in Singapore in 1965 playing to a full Badminton Stadium during Chap Go May. Check out the story below.

 https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/search?q=ROLLING+STONES

Images GOOGLE. 

''Metronomic dance beat''

 by Charlie Watts in Green T. 

At Hyde Park with Rolling Stones [2013]

'Honky Tonk Woman'

YouTube video by Vinicius Barbosa.

The significance of Charlie Watts' drumming

in 'Paint It Black' by Rolling Stones, as commented

by blog reader FL. Official Video.

Don Everly Dies - Tribute To Everly Brothers - Henri Gann California US

Andy,

By now I guess you must have heard the news on the passing of Don Everly. I did not know that Phil Everly had passed away about 7 years ago. 

Henri Gann

UP TO 800 VIEWS N 12 COMMENTS

From - gfycat.com

My tribute to the Everly Brothers

In late 50s: listening to 'Wake Up Little Susie' and 'Bye, Bye Love' with a windup gramophone player at a beach picnic in Changi. 

In the 60s: hearing stereo music high fidelity for the first time and captivated by the sound separation of the Everly Bros hits of 'Walk Right Back', 'Take a Message to Mary', 'So Sad', 'All I Have To Do is Dream', 'Bird Dog', 'Cathy's Clown', 'Til' I Kissed You', 'Let it Be Me' and 'Devoted to You'. Singapore 60s music fans will remember the Blue Diamonds singing many of the Everly Bros tunes in addition to their own hit 'Ramona'.

By the 80s: While listening to their latest hit of 'Wings of Nightingale' on my McKintosh, I had discovered the full bodied sweet sound of tube amplifiers. For the first time, I felt like I was in a recording studio while listening to my records. 

Also in the 80s, I was fortunate to see the Everly Brothers performed at the Greek Theater and Hollywood Palladium. Seeing how natural they were on stage and hearing them sing in "perfect harmony" still intrigued me to this day. 

Don Everly - RIP

Don Everly died at age 84 in his home in Nashville, Tennessee and Phil Everly passed away in 2014 at age 74 in Los Angeles, California. Simon and Garfunkel and the Beatles attributed the Everly Bros to be their major influence in music. Jerry Lee Lewis said it best when he described the Everly Bros music as an "integral fabric of American pop music." 

In 1986, the Everly Brothers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2001, they were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Cathy's Clown YouTube 

video by ko ati. Thank you.

Interesting Comments from Paul McCartney and Paul Simon:

Paul McCartney - “When John and I first started to write songs, I was Phil and he was Don." 

Paul Simon -" I was completely star-struck and extremely impressed by their humility and gentleness of soul" when I finally met the Everly Bros years later. 

(Bob Greene of CNN, Jan 12, 2014)

Now back to my Spotify and listening to the Everly Brothers and their hits of the 60s!

Article by Henri Gann.

Images - GOOGLE.

Tan Soo Khoon - Former MP & Speaker of the House, Pop Singer

Tan Soo Khoon has the crowd 

mesmerised when he performs.

UP TO 5,100 VIEWS

    40 COMMENTS     

Tan Soo Khoon's eyes light up when you talk to him about three subjects, and they all begin with the letter P.  Seriously, he'll chat with you in earnest about Politics. And he's well-versed with the topic. That's the first P.

He is the only person in Singapore who can face the microphone in a large hall and engage himself as a Speaker. With his robe and wig on, he's on higher ground than any Minister. Now that's something because Soo Khoon [SK] used to be an elected  Parliamentarian in Singapore and the Speaker of the House. That's the second P. 

Since this blog is about local music, can you guess his third favourite topic that starts with P ?

Guess it. Because when he appears in front of the microphone this time, he doesn't speak but sing his favourite hits with charm and ease. You've never heard a sexier, ''Uh, huh, huh...'' before. Yes, his body quivers when he sings Elvis and strums his guitar. Presley it is, the third P.

SK is such a busy person so it took me a while to chat with him on WhatsApp getting details about his singing, love for pop music and answering some questions. When he finally relented and had some time to relate his music journey, I thought it most appropriate to post it during National Day - Singaporeans' special day, about a very special person.

And don't skip his story below; he's got two beautiful ladies to accompany him on the keyboard. Find out who they are.

Thanks SK for the first ever love story on this blog about an MP and his music.

 

Chatting with former Speaker Tan Soo Khoon on his music journey:

"We started playing as a band sometime in the mid 1990’s. I  self-taught myself guitar strumming when I was in school but laid it off while in university and when I started working. In the 1970’s a good friend of mine, Noor Quek (who herself is an accomplished singer and keyboardist) would occasionally get together with me to jam, and then that was it. 

We got together again and started playing as a band sometime in the mid 1990’s. The earliest members were my old ACS Primary One classmates. Eric Tiong (drums), Ronnie Teo (lead guitar), Sim Kheng Chin (Bass) and we called ourselves The Young Once. 

Over the years, the band has evolved with different musicians including Henry Chua, Franklin Wong, Tony Kwek, David Loh ,Ted Ha,  David Chua, Andrea Teo, Benson Goh, Eunice Olsen, Arthur Lim, Arshad Hamid, Archie Ong. These are all good musicians who have helped us tighten our rendition of many songs.

 

I want to add that we all get together just for the fun of it. Our love of music is the bond that keeps us together and strengthens our friendship over the years.

The first time we played together as a band was at a charity event at the Ritz Carlton some time in 1998. We  play at charity events and some of the venues we have played at include hotels like The Mandarin, Shangrila, Hilton, Marriott, Concord, Orchard, Regent and The Four Seasons as well as the Esplanade Recital Studio.

Beside Elvis, being my favourite singer, I enjoy the music and songs of Cliff Richard and The Shadows, Ricky Nelson, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, Trini Lopez, Glen Campbell, Beach Boys, Everly Brothers, The Drifters, The Platters, Tony Orlando & Dawn,  John Fogerty & CCR, The Eagles,  Kenny Rogers, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Martina McBride, Anne Murray.''

When I asked SK if he had attended concerts of international pop stars, he replied that he had seen some of them. With much persuasion he mentioned, Cliff Richard & The Shadows , The Blue Diamonds, Anneke Gronloh, Helen Shapiro, The Drifters, The Platters,  The Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, Tony Orlando, Engelbert Humperdinck, Michael Jackson, Skeeter Davis, Pat Boone, Frances Yip, were some of those he had seen perform ‘live’ [some images below].   

''Oh, I left out Paul Anka among the artistes and enjoyed listening to him too. Then there's Tom Jones and the Righteous Brothers. I always wanted to see Elvis perform . I would have loved to go to Hawaii or Las Vegas to see his concerts but in those days,  I didn’t have the money to fly that far!'' 

Live Concerts that Soo Khoon had attended 

Skeeter Davis, Engelbert Humperdinck, 

Anneke Gronloh, Michael Jackson

Soo Khoon has become so well-known among the pop stars mentioned, he has even appeared as a duet with the late Riem De Wolff [images below], younger brother of Rudy, both known as the Blue Diamonds, international stars from Holland/Indonesia.

I mentioned that former DPM Tharman wrote an article about why he likes Shirley Nair’s singing, so I asked his opinion about our Singapore band boys and girls from our Golden Age of music in the 60s.

''We have good local bands and musicians that I enjoy watching over the years, The Quests, Andy and The Silver Strings, Veronica Young, Vernon Cornelius, October Cherries, Zul Sutan & Tania, The Checkmates, The Dukes, The Mysterians, The Thunderbirds, Matthew and The Mandarins, The Tornados, Stephen Francis, Danny Koh, Jeremy Monterio, Tony, Spencer and Terry are some of the great local entertainers I have watched over the years. Many of them are still rocking away!''

And that's true with SK also. He used to, ''shake the House in Parliament'' with his fiery speeches.  Now he shakes, rattles and rolls at the places where he performs and sings Elvis or other pop hits.

There's  much more to learn about Soo Khoon and his music, the guitars he uses, the fully-equipped sound studio at his home and what he does for charities. But that's another tale to tell.

Thanks SK for sharing a part of your life with us.

Read the comments below. Do write in to provide yours too.

A Happy National Day 2021 to everyone. 

[Article and images belong to Tan Soo Khoon; Google.]

 

Singing as a duet with the late 

Riem de Wolff [Blue Diamonds] 

at local charities and performances.

Andy 60s Music - Happy National Day 2021 PARADE 21 AUGUST

National Day Celebration

UP TO 1,100 VIEWS

The NDP 2021 Parade and Show is set to start at 6.05 pm this Saturday, 21 August 2021.  Catch it on local free-to-air broadcasters as well as on the NDPeeps YouTube channel and social media platform.

The NDP 2021 Show segment will be hosted by Joakim Gomez, Eswari Gunasagar, Fauzie Laily, and Patricia Mok. It will be held in addition to the Parade and Ceremony segment.

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Thanks for support guys. This blog would never have been successful without its visitors, writers and friends from all over the world, checking in day after day, night after night to view its contents and comments.

A Happy National Day From The Blog!

Keep safe, wear your masks, etc...

Covid-19 Masks 7 Lady Singers, 2 Actors. Guess Who Quiz

UP TO 450 VIEWS

7 singers and 2 actors - all ladies.

Now who can they be...

Don't read the clues. Try first.

Pretty women they are, one from Africa, another misses her Sonny, the other her race car driver. And her fingers rich with gold after her 9 to 5 debut, singing Elvis with tights, going gaga; and one with grease in her hair... 9 ladies. Cheers.
 

Encouraging everyone to still mask up, 

avoid crowds, even after your vaccination. 

Nicole Scherzinger sings 

'Phantom of the Opera'

YouTube video by NscherzingerFan

Images from GOOGLE.