"The Jets" Instrumental Group From Singapore

(Image from left: Rhythm guitar: Herald Chiang, Bass guitar: Alan Poh. Drums: Richard Tan and Lead Guitar: Edward Tan. (Philips ME-0127-JE recorded in May, 1965).

This posting is not about the Qantas A380 in Singapore that was supposed to have "engine failure", nor is it about any Boeing or Rolls Royce mechanical problem. The Jets is a Singapore band.

Since the term denotes speed and power, it was not surprising to find half a dozen other instrumental groups using this name. The four boys, who were active on this island state and the Asian region, formed in October 1963.

A telephone call to one of these boys, an old friend, resulted in an interesting chat that revealed much, but bassist Alan Poh, being the busy businessman that he is, was not able to take time off for more discussion regarding his versatile and popular 60s guitar group.

Alan, who is still running a successful family insurance business today, promised that we should meet when he had more time, as it had been more than 40 years since this group of Jets disbanded in December 1966.

So once again I am quoting the information from the back sleeve-cover of the Extended Play record (image).

Some Sleeves Speak (Edited):
"For an instrumental group formed only a year ago, THE JETS have established quite a spectacular popularity and - true to their name - with remarkable speed too.

However, success has not been that easy for THE JETS because of the keen competition that prevails nowdays in the world of pop instrumentalists. It has been a matter of 'Triumph Through Trials' indeed, for much perseverane, tolerance and above all sincere keenness were demanded of each of the boys before their efforts could be rewarded with a recording contract.

Vital to their success as an established group of pop guitarists - in great demand for TV performances and for the entertainment world - is the driving force behind them - Robert Lim, whose dynamic skill as a true leader has proved and is proving a great stimulus to the group.

In this EP album THE JETS present to you such scintillating numbers of their own composition as Aurora and The Meteor by Edward Tan. Fantasy and Escapee were composed jointly by Alan Poh and Edward Tan."

The group had also recorded four more guitar instrumentals: Blues Away, Express Train, The Big Beat Beat and Alice In Dreamland on Philips ME- 0130-JE in July 1965.

In a third Philips EP, they accompanied Wilson David (popularly known as 'Singapore's Elvis Presley') with I'll Never Be Mad At You, Yours I Love To Be By Your Side and Jezebel. Again two of the songs are Singapore originals and composed by Alan Poh.

When 3 fresh members joined Edward Tan to form the new Jets in 1967, they recorded an EP on the Blue Star label cutting: Five Hundred Miles, Unchained Melody, When I Was Young, Fever.

But that is another story and posting.

Do you know the rest of the boys?

Image: Universal Music Singapore.

Article/Image: Andy Lim Collection.