SINGAPORE IDOLS IN THE 60s:
Most times Singapore 60s idols, like Rita, Sakura or Lara (image), get bouquets but sometimes a few get brickbats. Even the most popular of singers or bands get negative remarks thrown at them while others get boos from an unpleasant group in the audience. At its worst, the really unlucky ones would get tiny missiles in their paths.
*"I was scared stiff and shivering. He wanted me to do a folk song called Scarlet Ribbons. When I performed that song in Chin Hoo Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, I had a stone thrown at me. It did not hit me but it hit my guitar."
*"I was nervous, scared and I wanted to pack up and go. No way was I going to perform to people who boo and throw stones... When I went up to Penang, I faced a more matured audience. I went down quite well with the audience and this made up for my disappointment."
*"I was scared stiff and shivering. He wanted me to do a folk song called Scarlet Ribbons. When I performed that song in Chin Hoo Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, I had a stone thrown at me. It did not hit me but it hit my guitar."
*"I was nervous, scared and I wanted to pack up and go. No way was I going to perform to people who boo and throw stones... When I went up to Penang, I faced a more matured audience. I went down quite well with the audience and this made up for my disappointment."
It's similar all over the world and part of pop-star idolatry. Impersonator or otherwise, there's bound to be someone out in the audience who doesn't like the celebrity's face, his singing or his personality. And of course there are some who are just envious of his popularity.
*(The above was an interview with Henry Suriya of Naomi and the Boys, 3 August 1995 for a research by Lily Kong on, The Invention of Heritage: Popular Music In Singapore.)
Image from left: Lara Tan, Rita Chao, Sakura Teng.
Image from left: Lara Tan, Rita Chao, Sakura Teng.
Original article: Andy Lim Collection.
Also check posting: June 21st, 2009.
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