SINGAPORE 60's: ANDY's POP MUSIC INFLUENCE IS A PERSONAL MUSIC, MEMORY TRAIL. BLOGGER DOES NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO VIDEOS, AUDIO TRACKS AND IMAGES. THEY ARE UPLOADED FOR FUN, EDUCATIONAL, ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES AND HAVE BEEN CREDITED. BLOG IS NOT SPONSORED NOR ADVERTORIAL IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER. INFORM BLOGGER OF COPYRIGHT ISSUES AND POST WILL BE DELETED IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT COPY THE POSTS; GET PERMISSION N CREDIT ME IF YOU DO. ANDY LIM LA (NOVEMBER, 2008) -
(新加坡六十年代安迪的流行音乐影响力), SUDI MAMPIR !
Paul shows his versatility on the saxaphone n harmonica.
Paul Ibrahm
SELAMAT HARI RAYA HAJI 2022
He's very young when I knew him and one of the most talented persons I met those years when life was simpler. We practised together with TheVelvetones for only a few times in this large bungalow house near Sims Avenue.
Even at that very young age, I could see the potential in Paul. It was the mid-sixties.
We stayed friends but hardly had a chance to meet after we moved house. When we got connected again, I discovered he had become a well-known singer and music personality, known by almost everyone. It was already past the year 2000.
My dear readers, here's PAUL IBRAHM, the handsome music maker who was with so many Malay pop groups, they have become uncountable. Like the saying goes, if you're no good you're gone after one band.
The photographs below are a tribute to him, as a good friend and an all-round professional Singapore music hero.
Thank you Paul, for being a friend.
Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri To All My Muslim Friends and Readers.
We welcome comments, thanks.
Tania and Zul
Wat d Funk.
Foreign Policy
The Flybaits
Paul is third from left with the swinging punch.
Next to him [2nd right], is the late Dicky.
Man Kida, Malaysia's top guitarist of left-handed,
Paul Ibrahm (Tania) is a good friend, having known him since we were in a band called The Velvetones. This period was the early 1960's when every pop guitar group in Singapore was in its infancy. The kampong bands (Malay = village) started in the living rooms or compounds of houses. Such similar styled bands in the West would be called, garage bands.
The Velvetones used to practise in a huge bungalow diagonally across from the former Chief Minister of Singapore's corner home at the T-junction of Sims Avenue and Lorong 39 (Malay = Lane).
It was there that I met Paul, young and handsome, fashioned with an Elvis Presley haircut with some sideburns showing. Usually with a short-sleeved shirt and drain-pipe trousers, he would come over in his usual casual and easy manner to belt out songs with the Velvetones. He's good.
We kept in touch for a few years now and during our chats he told me about his home at Lorong 40 which was just across Geylang Road from Lorong 39.
So it is here that I take my leave and allow him to relate his story. Thanks Paul.
Chand-ni Raat, Siang Lim Park, Lorong 40.
Johari Salleh went on to become
RTM Orchestra Conductor,
Aziz Jaffar, actor for Malay Film Productions.
"Yusof B (composer of Nona Nona) is my uncle, my late mother's elder brother. B stands for Bluguk. Wak Rahman, father to well-known singer Alina Rahman was Yusof B's younger brother. There were four siblings and my mother was Fatimah, Yusof B's sister. I have lost touch with Kak (Sis) Alina, I wish somebody could provide me with her phone number.
So much of Malay music originated from Lorong 40. Osman Ahmad lived there; Johari Salleh joined Radio Talivishen Malaya (RTM) and became their conductor.
The famous Indian band, Chand-ni Raat was near my home in Siang Lim Park. It was probably the first rock and roll local band in Singapore. It won so many awards during band competitions.
Yusoff B
Wandly Yazid
Some residents who lived at Lorong 40 went to become well-known actors when they joined the Cathay KerisStudio at Jalan Ampas. These Malay gentlemen were Aziz Jaafar, comedian Wahid Satay and Ahmad C, to name just a few.
Then there was composer Wandly Yazid, singers Jasni and Julie Sudiro. Julie used to hang out at our house almost every other day as she and Alina Rahman would come for lunch time and again to their aunt's and uncle's home.''
Paul, with his talent and versatility went into the limelight during the 60s and beyond and joined one of the best rock bands in this region, TANIA. He was with a few other bands before joining this forceful group but that's another story.
Paul and I knew each other when we were young. The connecting link was this group called THE VELVETONES. We were neighbours - that's how band boys got together sometimes - and gathered some evenings to sing with this band. Our focus was a huge bungalow across the narrow road from the former Chief Minister Lim Yew Hock's corner house at Sims Avenue. We gathered there time and again. And I met Paul.
Paul is as good with his voice as he is with his wits. A naturally quiet person he only gives his lot when he sings and performs on stage. From ballads to rock, Paul Ibrahm carries a song well. Now you know why he's with TANIA.
We lost contact for many years; I kept on looking for him. We're in touch now. Thanks Paul for saying hello with such fantastic pictures.
The question here is, which one is Paul and what were the bands that he used to play and sing with? Anyone?
Here are some very good musician friends from the 60's and 70's who made a name for themselves, even up to the 80's and 90's in Singapore.
I am highlighting a few whom I know personally and still keeping in touch with. Thanks guys for accompanying me and entertaining us these so many years. Have a jolly Hari Raya Puasa.
Click connections to read about each musician.
You can find these friends all over this blog. Just key in their names under SEARCH on the right hand column.
Wishing also my other Muslim readers, friends and contributing writers near and far, Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri Tahun 2023.
Danny Boy, actually Mohd. Khan from
'The Silver Strings' who later stormed 'The Thunderbirds'
This year is a fast moving one. It seemed like only yesterday I was thanking everyone for the support given. So again dear people, truly appreciate the success of this Singapore music blog because of the solid backbone of viewers, visitors, friends, folks, contributing writers, readers , What's App. phone kakis, not forgetting Facebook, Twitter and StatsCounter too.
Special thanks to Blogspot.com n Google.
It's coming to 3 million views soon.
Thank you.
The list below shows wonderful friends from all over the globe, who helped to guest-write, although quite a number have been doing so many times before.
I guess writing is also a mental remedy to ease the pain of a Covid-19 quarantine that comes around this season. Writing is a balm for the mind, eases the pain somewhat...
Their articles have approximately between 1,000 to 2,500 viewership each and written between December 2020 to November 2021.
Thank you all so much.
Guest Writers
Mrs. Elaine Sung-Tang
Mr. Henry Gan [California]
Ms. CY Lin
Mr. Stephen Han
Mr. Chow Wen Hing
Mr. Horace Wee
Mr. Tan Soo Khoon
Dr. Phil Chan
Mr Robert Suriya [Boys/Guam]
Mr. Paul Ibrahm [Tanya]
Mr. Jimmy Chng [Decibels]
Mr. Joey Koh
Mr. Daniel Abidin [Dukes]
Ms. Eunice Chua [SG uni]
Ms. Megan Lye [SG uni]
Mrs. Judy Chong-Lee
Mr. Martin Ong [Cliff R/Sarawak]
Mr. Fred Ching
Ms. J. Dick [Manitoba]
Mr Cedric Collars [Perth]
Mr Suituapui [Sarawak]
Mr Scott van Dort [Melbourne]
Their articles can be read by writing their names on the SEARCH BOX on the right column of the blog page.
German synth-pop band Alphaville originally recorded "Forever Young" [1984 debut album] and was a huge success in Scandinavia, German-speaking European countries and Singapore; became a signature song for the band and covered by numerous singers. The late Ms Branigan covered it in 1985.
YouTube Videos of Winston Koh and Perry Koh are included.
These two gentlemen are not related.
November and December 2019 with earlier months thrown in were interesting times for the blog. Meeting new friends and a trip to camel and desert country made the year all the more exciting. I try to connect songs that I learnt as a child in Singapore with my recent adventure.
Music makers support one another: Pat 'King' Koh's (2nd right)
performance at the Esplanade 2019, had an audience of
friends like Gregory, brother Perry Koh, Rickie, Andy, Laurence
and Pat himself with Ernesto. Pat has a show in Hawaii currently.
My birthday candles sheltered by a gentle palm
as they were being lighted. It was November end...
These two pretty ladies sang too.
She's definitely the prettiest lady singer in Singapore. Alexandra Hsieh
hits beautiful notes singing the best selection of jazz classics.
And she tap dances too, exqusitely.
A wise quote from a man who knows his wife well.
Or learn it the hard way. You'll never win.
Tan Soo Khoon who's had a huge birthday bash
at his home this year. I missed the bash but caught him
singing Sloop John B? on video.
Today: Anna Law from Girl Group The Teepees:
Singer, guitarist and cheer leader.
Hubby Vincent (below) is very supportive. Fantastic.
Jimmy Appuduria-chua, one of the most polite musicians. Friendly, helpful, he is also a humble guy. So many write-ups about Jimmy in the international papers about his ability and prowess on the solid guitar. He's a living legend and lives in England.
Sheik of Araby by Michael Alf Trio: One of the best instrumental versions currently. Video from YouTube by ulivids: Uli van Royen.
Here's Belinda Poh who wrote two articles that made a sensation on the blog. Her common sense approach to problem solving kept many people reading her posts. She had a few thousand readers in a short time. Thanks Belinda. We've yet to meet. And with her hubby too.
Steve Ho and Peter Han from Tokyo Square busk at a shop in Upper Bukit Timah Road. I managed to visit them. Together they are regulars at China Town and Kreta Ayer Chinese Theatre.
Steve Ho with his Busker Boys is on YouTube. Check him out soon.
Another unassuming musician who doesn't tell the world he's the best. Tony Ng is one great keyboardist and peranakan who gets along fine. He plays often for charity.
Jimmy Chan with Sandy Loo and friend. It's Ernesto again. He's appearing everywhere on this blog. Jimmy tinkles on the piano keys, Ernesto strums.
With Chew Hee Hong, after the cruise concert, a great lunch at the Mandarin and chicken rice. Hee Hong is a pop 60's music enthusiast and a fan.
Winston Koh sings Cliff. Always a health enthusiast, Winston has walked most of Bukit Batok and the Jurong greens. He knows Cliff's repertoire so well, he's sung 95% of them.
Winston Koh sings: Move It.
Here's Perry Koh again, a picture I stole from his profile. Perry, like Alexandra sings the jazz classics, crooning too like his dad, Walter Koh (Singapore's Pat Boone). They belong to a well known Peranakan family of entertainers. You should listen to him sometimes with 'Fly Me To The Moon' and 'New York, New York.'
A childhood friend, Paul Ibrahm (centre), used to sing with The Velvetones, then proceeded to fame with Tania. He's still in touch when we said hello on the internet. Quiet and a lady-crusher with his good looks, Paul is still the usual nice guy. Next to him is Ahmad Albar, Indonesia's #1 rocker, from the band, Godbless and his wife, Dewi.
Yen has kept in touch for some time and organised a lunch recently. She is an independent thinker and helped me with some research on Chinese songs I posted, sometimes with her dad's help. Doesn't call me 'Sir' anymore. Also an art lover and artist. Thanks Yen.
He's a great man and reading Tolle helps us to consider that we need to control our Ego within. Suggestion that we separate E, from GO and let it go. From an old book, 'The New Earth'. Like my poster? It's original.
It wasn't really an official visit. But he came all the way up to the 15th and there we were. The former President is 1.85m tall. I didn't mention if this scene is Singapore. Fun and games. I guess this picture is an ego booster? 😐
Here's someone who helped me buy the John Lennon semi-solid smooth and slim guitar I wanted. With Michael Bangar we were at Swee Lee where I met Helmi (left), the expert with drums and guitars. Thanks Charlie Yap. I have still to buy the guitar though.
With the SGCC group at the Bar and Eddie in red.
I'm no drinker but just to support them as a coffee man.
Good friend Larry Lai, Rediffusion DJ (in a white jacket) and wife Selina.
The Sheikh of Araby. Great song. So is the car.
You know the 60's rock n roll term, "Dig that crazy chick". But there's also another term using dig, like, 'I'm just taking a dig at someone..."
Yes, we're just taking pleasant digs at everyone. Cheers.
