When Seniors Meet In Camaraderie And In Music

We gather at a magic spot where fresh air is the order of the day and when music even fills the crevices of the monuments that abound. About 9 senior bloggers get together for a session as teh-tarek flows. Ukelele and harmonica sounds charm the surrounds beneath the tree-lined meadows of Siglap Hill.

"O, it came o'er my ear like the sweet sound That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odour..."

"The man that hath no music in himself, Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils..."

"You just call out my name, And you know wherever I am, I'll come running, To see you again, Winter, spring, summer or fall, All you have to do is call, And I'll be there..."

Right bar videos:

Wee Kiat and Dick (image 1) on the harmonica and ukelele play, Oh Suzanna.

Peter Chan (image 2) plays a piano solo, Look For A Star.

Video clips from Peter Chan.

Image 3 from James Seah.

Check out: http://blogtoexpress.blogspot.com

When Mr. Piano Player Meets Mr. Twinkle Toes

At 70 plus years you'd think that the dancer would stop his prancing on the ballroom floor and that the pianist would stop his tinkling on the grand piano. Not so for Singapore 60s champion, celebrity dancer Sunny Low (2nd right) and former Quests keyboardist Jimmy Chan (lst left).

When present singer/guitarist and company CEO Ronnie See from The Burns (with tie)organised a lunch with former broadcaster Larry Lai (3rd right) and I to meet these two gentlemen at the Grand Shanghai Restaurant at the Grand Corpthorne Waterfront Hotel for a Tiong Bahru gang get-together, untold stories poured from them, like wine from a rare vintage label.

While Sunny is still tutoring students in his Sunny Low Dance Studios at Riverwalk Galleria, Jimmy is still at his keyboard in the Marina Mandarin Hotel. And boy oh boy, do they have stories to tell. Together, their contribution to the 1960s pop music entertainment scene in Singapore add up to about 140 years of dancing and piano playing. They were hot in the early years and still are today. Twinkling toes and fancy fingers. Wow!

There will be postings on Sunny Low and Jimmy Chan soon.

(Ladies present: Mrs Jimmy Chan and Media Consultant, Simin).

Original article/image: Andy Lim Collection.

Check out postings on Ronnie & Burns, Larry Lai by clicking 'Labels' below:

Bottled Drinks Cool Heat Generated By 60s Music

"In the 60s, hawkers roamed the kampongs and the streets of urban Singapore. The children who grew up in this foodscape share their memories - the roving calls of these hawkers were music to their ears, and fed their seemingly insatiable appetites. Their memories - both pungent and poignant - are set against a turbulent backdrop of merger and independence, lawlessness and unemployment and the Big Fire.

The food on offer in this episode includes, Indian rojak, wanton mee, kaya bread, mee siam and tuckshop tidbits. The Singaporeans sharing their stories, include Jerome Lim, Peter Chan, Shak Kadir, Yeo Hong Eng, Andy Lim, Toh Paik Choo, James Seah, Lam Chun See, Aziza Ali, Dick Yip, Ong Yew Ghee, Ivy Lim-Singh, Geraldene Lowe-Ismail.... Foodage Facebook."

The above images were captured from Foodage TV Episode 2 (shown on OKTO Channel, Thursday, 11.08.2011 at 10pm) where Andy Lim described how he waited outside the five-foot way of his home for Mr. Sultan's Indian rojak and the wonton mee pushcart man with his bamboo stick tick-tock call.

He also recalled the pop 60s music explosion when Cliff Richard and the Shadows invaded Singapore with their twanging guitars and new Fender sounds. The heat generated by the music was so intense concert patrons had to buy ice-cold, bottled, soft drinks like Green Spot, Framroz, Red Lion and F&N drinks (image 4) to cool their hot and soaking bods.

Caught in this exciting music tsunami, Andy joined The Silver Strings (image 2) for two, short but exciting years where they performed at night spots, lounges, restaurants, hotels and the Vic and National theatres. When he left, Shirley Nair held the stage, the group contracted with Philips Singapore to become recording stars (image 3).

Images: Foodage documentary/SittingInPictures.

Thanks to producer Chang Soh Kiak.

Original article/Images: Andy Lim Collection.

Mr Blue Diamond Riem de Wolff, Quests, DJ Larry Lai: 60s Music Meet In Singapore Shopping Mall

Image seated: Andy Lim (The Silver Strings), Riem de Wolff (The Blue Diamonds), Larry Lai (Rediffusion Broadcaster). Standing: Jap Chong, Vernon Cornelius (The Quests).

Vintage Brothers:

Shoppers screamed, Seniors extended their arms for a handshake when pop group The Vintage Brothers appeared for lunch, at one of the shopping malls in Singapore.

Questing For Diamonds:

Fans with CDs in hand jostled their way to the front of the queue and everyone wanted to have a picture (Image 2) taken with Jap Chong and Vernon Cornelius (The Quests), Riem de Wolff (The Blue Diamonds) and Larry Lai (Rediffusion Broadcaster). One fan even brought his Blue Diamonds vinyls for Riem's autograph.

Dream On:

So for those surfers in Singapore who missed the, "Dream On, You 60s Celebrities" gig, here's a picture for keep sake. By the way it's 2011 now, not 1965 but they had gigs in Singapore recently.

Riem De Wolff:

Seriously though, the du-wop duo from Holland, The Blue Diamonds' chart topper Ramona is still selling internationally and Riem is up to his neck in diamonds. Twenty-five million copies sold and counting... Riem has a successful solo career now but sings with his son too. Listen to Riem, with steel and slide guitarist Sarah Jory, on the sensitive duet-written, How I Love You in his 2005 Back On Track album (Image 1 ). He had appeared in some concerts in December 2010.

Vernon Cornelius:

Vernon (Quests) is busy with his gigs and has recently appeared with Reim as a duet, singing Blue Diamonds melodies of yesteryears. Vernon is much into archival activities and has a large collection of past goodies, much from Singapore. Vernon fronted the Quests from the 60s -70s and recorded with EMI.

Jap Chong:

Jap (Quests) is taking it easy and still plays when there are reQuests for him to appear. This gentleman looks very young for his age. He's used to the rhythm of local pop stardom. Jap Chong played rhythm guitar with the Quests from the 60s - 70s and recorded with EMI.

Larry Lai:

Larry co-ordinates the masses and is still the maestro, using his baton more as a magic-wand to make celebrities appear and disappear. The usual, "I-know-that-voice" phenomena still persists when he's around. Strangers pass him by and call his name when they hear him talking.

Larry was the most popular DJ and one of the top broadcasters in Singapore from the 60s - 90s at cable Rediffusion and the Singapore Broadcasting Company. He has since retired. There are about 9 postings about this gentleman on the blog (click Larry Lai below).

Image 1: http://www.bluediamonds.nl/

Image 2: Andy Lim Collection.

4 Esplanade Celebrates 45th National Day 7th August 2010 With Silver Strings In Singapore

More images at side-bar>>>>>>>>>>>

Song Programme - Silver Strings Concert 2010

As requested by Steven Farram, (Comment: Aug 10, 2010 7:40 am) the programme of songs on the 7th August, 2010 held at the Esplanade, Singapore.

The Silver Strings (Instrumental):

1. FBI

2. Kontiki

Andy (Vocals):

1. Diana

2. Outsider

3. Fireball XL5

4. Singin' The Blues

5. Red River Rock

6. Mean Woman Blues

Mokhtar (Vocals/Drummer):

1. Wonderful World

Bobo (Vocals/Lead/Rhythm Guitar):

1. Can't Help Falling In Love (Raggae)

Henry Suriya (Vocals):

1. Happy Happy Birthday Baby

2. Love Is A Golden Ring

3. Great Pretender

Finale (Vocals/The Silver Strings):

1. Hey Jude

Image: http://www.sophistgames.com/home/?currentPage=3

Esplanade Outdoor Theatre: 7th August 2010 With 'The Silver Strings' & 'The Mysterians'

CELEBRATE SINGAPORE'S 45 BIRTHDAY
2 Days B4 National Day Parade 2010

Sat: A Journey Through Local Music
RE- LIVE THE SOUNDS OF THE 60s:

The Mysterians will perform their hits while 60s crooners Henry Suriya and Andy will reunite with The Silver Strings.

Top off the evening in a sing-along with The Mysterians when they play familiar favourites!

7.30pm – 8.15pm The Mysterians.

8.45pm – 9.45pm The Silver Strings with Andy n Henry Suriya.

10.15pm – 11.00pm The Mysterians.

Hosted by: Brian Richmond.

Information:

http://www.esplanade.com.sg/whats_on/programme_info/a_journey_through_local_music1/index.jsp

Image: http://www.ndp.org.sg/

Indie-pendence Day - Singapore Birthday Bash

6 Aug 2010, Fri
It’s indie-pendence day as we open the celebrations for the birthday bash at the Outdoor Theatre. Get your fix of great music from some of the most celebrated Singapore bands today.

7.30 – 8.15pm A Vacant Affair
8.45 – 9.30pm B-Quartet
10 – 10.45pm
The Great Spy Experiment
7 Aug 2010, Sat
Relive the sounds of the 60s to 80s!

The Mysterians will perform their hits such as Please Don’t Tease, while 60s heart-throb crooners Henry Suriya and Andy will reunite with the Silver Strings. Top off the evening in a Sing-along with The Mysterians when they play familiar favourites!

Hosted by Brian Richmond.
7.30 – 8.15pm The Mysterians
8.45 – 9.45pm Henry Suriya and Andy with Silver Strings
10.15 – 11pm The Mysterian

8 Aug 2010, Sun

Melissa Fitzgerald – daughter of Thunderbirds front-man Derek – gives new life to the band’s top hits. The talented Vadham family reunites with Moses, performing Gingerbread classic Roses, Regina delivering good ol’ country tunes and the siblings singing Sausalito in tribute to the late Chris Vadham of Western Union Band.

Terry Mortimer of Tony & Terry, and Peter Diaz of The Surfers, will bring you memorable rock and roll hits.

Hosted by Brian Richmond.
7.30 – 8.15pm Melissa Fitzgerald
8.45 – 9.45pm The Vadhams
10.15 – 11pm Terry Mortimer & Peter Diaz

Images/Information: artitude-u-art.blogspot.com/2010/01/esplanade...
http://www.esplanade.com/whats_on/programme_info/a_journey_through_local_music1/index.jsp

Menyusuri Perjalanan Muzik Tempatan Ogos 2010 Dengan 'Silver Strings' Dan 'Mysterians'

HARI KEBANGSAAN SINGAPURA 2010

"Sepanjang empat hari, cerita kita akan dsampaikan melalui muzik dan puisi seniman tanahair. Menampilkan lagu-lagu kegemaran Singapura hingga ke gabungan etnik kontemporari dan puisi, buat seis keluarga.

Berhiburlah dengan lagu-lagu hebat dendangan kugiran-kugiran indie Singapura masakini. Hidupkan kembali muzik 60an hingga 80an! The Mysterians bakal membawakan lagu-lagu hits mereka sementara penyayi pujaan Henry Suriya dan Andy Young akan bergabung dengan The Silver Strings.

Akhirnya malam anda dengan nyanyian bersama dalam rangkaian lagu-lagu kegemaran ramai oleh The Mysterians. Persembahan ini diacarakan oleh Brian Richmond dari Media-Corps Class 90.5FM, Singapura."

Informasi: Esplanade Presents Programme

Imej: www.esplanade.com/

To Friends And Surfers - Thank You Very Much!

Hullo everyone,

With the World Cup 2010, on tonight in South Africa, I thought I'd pause for a moment and reflect upon the musical merriment I experienced since November 8th 2008:

Part I:

When Audie Ng (managing director of a music event company and leader/bassist of The Silver Strings) approached me to sing with the group again on Nov 8th 2008 at the Vivo City Amphitheatre in Harbourfront, I declined his offer and remarked in all seriousness, "After 45 years it might prove fatal to perform again. Sure die lah, they'll boo me off the stage." But at the YMCA in Stevens Road, where we met for tea in mid-October that year, Audie cajoled, "You are the first singer... Just for fun what..."

After some persuasion, I relented and Audie proved me wrong. The audience was supportive that evening, providing an applause that was not only warm but thunderous. I knew I couldn't even croak but I guessed they clapped because I was gutsy enough to appear under the excruciatingly bright spot lights without any makeup. It was a kind and enthusiastic crowd that cheered for everyone who went on stage. I was no exception.

Part II:

With my own career behind me I realised I had the opportunity to fiddle with the digits on my mobile phone clock; time is in my hands. It had been more than a year since that evening at Vivo City. So with encouragement from some unbelieving friends (huh?), a push from computer techy Mr. Roger Poh and a nod from my wide-eyed wife, I decided to hit the cable and keyboard trail with my tired but cheerful 7 year old female companion Dell and her small, toughy, elder brother Nec.

Now, 17 months and 775 postings later, my multi-byte musings into the wild unknown of Singapore 60s music had come to fruition, not with money-making advertisements and future singing contracts but with the meeting of many friends, both silver and gold. I am re-living an experience I missed in the 60s.

Part III:

After nearly 50 years of a barren wilderness (my career, my career, what career?), I have now managed to accumulate, from generous friends, photographs and write-ups of both the professional and non-professional music people from Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Britain, Canada and the US.

There are many friends to thank but will not name them individually (I might miss some) so if you want to know who they are, just go through the postings on this blog. My friends are all within.

Thank you once again for the encouragement and as long as these wicked fingers are nimble enough to hit the keys, I shall carry on with this blog.

Yours sincerely,

Andy

Participants & Supporters Of Local 60s Music

From Left: Jerry Fernandez is vocalist of the Neu Faces and has an events company, Veronica Young is Singapore's Millie Small, Ronnie See is leader, vocalist and rhythm guitarist from The Burns, Audie Ng is leader and bassist of The Silver Strings.

Back Row: Paul and Maria are back-up singers, Andy is a bystander, Victor Lam is percussionist with The Burns and Ging plays lead guitar.
Image: From Veronica Young Collection/Venue: Goodwood Park Hotel, Singapore, 2009.

National Theatre Stage Singapore 45 Years Ago - Our Men In White Still Around Today

It was in the early 60s when the Silver Strings appeared at the National Theatre in Tank Road, Singapore. The stage was filled with the usual array of Fender or Gibson amplifiers and drum sets (image) ready for other bands backstage that were waiting to perform. The audience were seated.

Danny Boy, as usual, was in the background, unseen but present, with his rhythmic beat that kept our group on cue and in tempo. And he never missed a beat. One of the best drummers in Singapore.

Merlin (left) replaced Wilfred the original lst line-up rhythm guitarist. Active and with the broadest smile, Merlin's strumming was always coupled with his pleasant attitude on stage. As a person Merlin was all heart and giving.

Audie, bass guitarist and band leader strutted on stage with his Fender. He is still using the same guitar today but it had a colour change. When he played, he gave his best, well versed with the thick 4 string bass.

David Chan played lead. The quietest and most handsome of the group, he let his fingers do the talking. Dave originated the introductory bars to the Silver Strings' version of Fireball XL5. Without him, Fireball couldn't be launched into space recently and was never sung at the Orchid Country Club in July, 2009.

Andy fronted the group up to the mid-60s and only appeared again in November, 2008 at the VivoCity, Harbourfront, Singapore gig, about 45 years later.

Without our jackets, we were men in white.

(Please find earlier postings on the boys under label: 'Silver Strings').

Image/original article: Andy Lim Collection.

The Silver Strings Family At Orchid Country

Andy Young and The Silver Strings (image). Audie (right) is with his original Fender bass from the 60s.
Image: Veronica Young Collection.