Radio TV Singapura Family Album: Thanks Horace!

A note from Horace Wee:

"Thanks for posting Joy Suares on your blog. I don't know if its of interest, but I found this picture (image 2) taken on January 2009 of the four of us. L to R: John Lee (Tenor saxophone/Music arranger), myself Horace Wee (Guitar), Joy Suares (Double bass under Gus Styne and Ahmad Jaffar orchestras) who was 90+ years then but passed on recently at 93 and David Chen (Trombone). Both John and David were with the TCS Orchestra till its disbandment. It was a sort of reunion that day as we had all worked with the Radio/TV orchestra at one time or another.

I checked also the mention of Guantanemera (image 1). Yes its my vocals, and very strangely, I only got a copy of the 45rpm vinyl disc from a friend who was getting rid of his LP's quite recently. Funny thing - after all these years (40), many people come up to me and recall this recording. PS. The making of this recording. I had the guidance for the pronunciation of the lyrics from the (then) Spanish wife of veteran violinist Julai Tan, who had recently returned after many years living in the UK. Cheers,
Horace"
Thank you for the contribution.
Image/article: Horace Wee.

West Point: Memories Of A Teenager In The 50s

I had mail recently in response to my article about West Point Gardens at Pasir Panjang, so instead of publishing it under Comment and be left unseen, I thought I'd post it for all. I must thank Ms Gloria Yap, who is in her early 70s, for taking time to pen these beautiful lines.
.
West Point Gardens - Nostalgia of a Teenager in the 1950s
.
Swaying coconut trees
Balmy ocean breeze
Feathered dresses
Halter-neck dresses.
A sprawling open Garden
A special, tiled dance floor
On green grass below -
Starry skies above
Mirroring the quickening heartbeat
of young love.
Dancing feet
To the beat
Of a live orchestra playing
And bodies in love, swaying.
Sweet smiles and sweet gestures
Sweet drinks and many beer glasses
Thus walking on air
Thus dancing on air
Nevertheless, romance was in the air
Oh West Point Gardens of the 50s
So etched in my heart and in my memories.
.
Image: Google
Original article: Gloria Yap.

West Point Gardens Pasir Panjang: When Fairyland Beckons: Singapore 50s Music

Dance and Pop Band Venues in the 50s:

I remember when I was in my early twenties being chauffeur driven in the night in an Opel Record (image 3) to *West Point Gardens. A good friend had suggested that we experienced the place and I agreed.

To the uninitiated West Point was a distance away from the Orchard Road belt of nightclubs, dance floors, lounges, pubs and bars. From its name description, it was also on the west end of Singapore compared to another music hot spot, the more populated east coast.

So it was the first time in my life that I went there and as we were approaching the area under cover of trees, shrubs and near darkness, I could hear faintly the music and noticed the glow of flourescent lighting.

When I came out of the car I was pleasantly surprised to see that West Point Gardens was a fairyland in the woods. And as Peter Chan explained: "One thing I cannot forget were the strings of multi-coloured lightbulbs hung across the garden." Don't forget it was the beginning of the 60s and as a young 'un everything seemed bright and beautiful to me.

West Point Gardens had been in existence since the early 50s and was patronised by the well-heeled caucasians and locals to dine and dance. The main attraction was a circular open-air area that had a bandstand, a cafe with chairs and tables at its peripheral, guarding the precious dance floor jealously, allowing only the selected to tread. During high-tide evenings I was told, betwixt the music, one could hear the lapping waves from the sea beside.

Doli Tupaz and his Hawaiian Rhythm Kings (image 2) were the resident band at the Gardens since the 50s and the 1955 photographs above show Anthony Danker, Doli Tupaz, G. Mani, Jimmy Tupaz and William Frois.

The other line-up (image 1) included Charles Danker and Horace Oliveiro. Their repertoire of popular hits from the 30s onwards took them to royalty status indeed! Samba, rhumba, mambo and grass-skirt, palm-tree swaying music filled the Pasir Panjang air. Sliding guitar, ukelele maracas combinations were the order of the day.

After the 50s and during the Singapore garage band (locally known as kampong bands)explosion, these swing bands were taken over by the more youthful guitar gangs, as they ambled in rapaciously with their portables and colourful Hofners, plugging them into their black box amplification. And as the solid bass guitar replaced the booming double-bass a new era was born; anyone could jive, twist, shake and rattle on the floor as West Point Gardens changed its tune.

*NB: According to Peter Chan, whom I consult to authenticate yesteryear locations in Singapore: "West Point is a condominium today. As one travels along old Pasir Panjang Road near the junction with Clementi Road, there is an old house which was Kwa Geok Choo's family house during pre-WWII. One door away was a police station (maybe a carpark now), then a condominium. That place was West Point Gardens.

I passed by that place very often in my father's car in the 1960s as we took the West Coast Road over a road bridge to Boon Lay before turning into Old Jurong Road. West Point had an old Peranakan type bungalow raised on legs.

There was a large garden and the beach was in front - today's longkang (exceptionally large monsoon drain) - between West Coast Highway and those old houses."

Images 1, 2: National Heritage Board Singapore Website.
Image 3: Google.
Information: (1) Peter Chan's distinctive recollection of West Point and (2) Ms E. Chua, her Opel Record and chauffeur.
Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

Early British Invasion of Singapore: RAF 50s Music

An Earlier British Invasion of Singapore:

"The Club at the air-base in 1955 to 56 was a beaut place. There were good bands that played there too, one of which I recalled had everyone lustily singing Irish protest songs... (edited)"

"Eggs and chips, export lager and Elvis on the jukebox, singing Don't Be Cruel as I lusted after Mary, a lovely Irish redhead WRAF... (edited)"

During the early years of Singapore's colonial history, before Cliff Richard and The Shadows rocked Singapore with their performances in the 60s and before UK Servicemen vocalists and bands like Philips recording artistes Bobby Lambert, Brian Neale, The Dee Tees and The Diamond Four performed at the Golden Venus and Serene House, British servicemen who were here in the 50s already had a rollicking time with big band swing music at a Club at RAF Changi.

A band like the above (image 1) had four blowing instruments, drums and tinkle board. They never needed electric plugs nor solid guitar amplifiers to make music. Like the local pop 60s band after them that played during T-dances, these amateur groups were in great demand especially during the weekends. But these chaps, who called themselves JG, appeared without bow ties, suits nor shoes as they jammed in shirts, shorts and slippers.

Image 3 shows the party goers having a great time on the floor. These young men and women made sure they enjoyed themselves at the Club, dancing perhaps to the sounds of British greats like Ted Heath, Johnny Dankworth, Humphrey Littleton and American swingers like Glen Miller, Harry James and Benny Goodman.

This particular gathering could have been a birthday party with balloons to boot and was held at a ballroom in the Club during the 1950s (image 2). So if the later imports brought RnB, then the earlier ones established swing. And no soft drinks like Green Spot, Sinalco or Mirinda Orange for them but beer, beer, beer, gushing through the bottles for a jolly good time.

"Pardon me boy, is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo, Track 29, well you can gimme a shine..."

If you are familiar with the above images, please write in.

#The Passing Away Of Edmundo Ros:
[The JG band could have played some Edmundo Ros' Latino music too, who knows. FYI this great music leader had just passed away on 21st October, 2011 at 100 years young. He was one of my favourite musicians, having listened to him nearly every day in the 50s with favourites like The Wedding Samba, Melodie d'Damour, Quizas Quizas Quizas (Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps).]

Images: from Flikr.

Original article with accumulated information from websites: Andy Lim

First 1910 Pop Band In Singapore @ Raffles Hotel?

During a recent relaxing cruise around the region I stumbled upon another coffee-table book in the ship's library. It was a large collection of Singapore 500 Early Postcards. What attracted me to this book (Cover: image 1) were the never-before-seen pictures of very old Singapore.

I feasted my hungry eyes on scenes of opium smokers in the 1930s languishing in their own private lounges, rice-cake hawkers under shady trees selling their ware to labourers, rickshaws beside vintage cars on the streets of Orchard Road and the Victoria Memorial Hall in its orginal, colonial splendour. 500 of the best snaps!

*Private collector and author of the book, deltiologist Professor Cheah Jin Seng donated his local postcards to the Singapore Philatelic Museum in 2007. He estimated that between the late 1890 and 1940, two hundred thousand postcards were published. Another researcher Chris Mortimer estimated that half a million postcards were sent from the Straits Settlement during the postcard boom around the 1900.

Again, what has all this to do with music? As I flip through the pages of time, what interested me most was one picture, a photograph of 'the first ballroom in the East' at the Raffles Hotel (image 2) dated 1910. Imagine a big band playing in Singapore exactly 100 years ago? I have enlarged the image and highlighted the band (image 3) performing on the raised platform in front of the ballroom. The 10 musicians can be clearly seen with the grand piano, guitar, drumset , double bass and other instruments (?).

What music could the band have been playing then as the couples, possibly only caucasians, ballroomed their way across the polished wooden floor? What dance steps were popular so early in the 20th Century? Is the date correct? 1910?

Anyone familiar with this period of popular music, both Western and Eastern? A check with Wikipedia revealed songs that I have never heard of. They include, Ma Blushin' Rosie, Strike Up The Band, Tell Me Pretty Maiden, Violets and many more.

I am interested in this period of music in Singapore. If you can contribute some, please write in.
*http://www.imagesofasia.com/biography/html/singapore/Singapore_Postcards.php

Original article: Andy Lim.
Images 1,2: Singapore 500 Early Postcards: Cheah Jin Seng 296 pages. Published 2006. lst edition. ISBN: 9789814155984.

Image 3: for clarity, is my own enlargement of image 2.

Dr. Goh Keng Swee: 1918 - 2010. The Complete Man And His Love For Music - 91 Years Young

Dr. Goh Keng Swee passed away on Friday, 14th May, 2010:

"'With very innovative ideas. I mean, could you imagine a Scottish Bagpipe Band in Singapore - with all Singapore girls?' President SR Nathan (Chapter 9, page: 171)." When so much has been written about him, how does one pay tribute to one of the main pillars of modern Singapore? And how does one pay tribute to a great man on an insignificant Singapore 60s music blog? I shall try.

Dr. Goh Keng Swee has passed on at 91 years young. When I was reading the book about him (image) by daughter-in-law Tan Siok Sun, I found insights on his love for both popular and classical music. Chapters 2 and 9 are entitled: 'Love in a Time of War' (halcyon days) and 'The Complete Man' (let music be the food of love).

"When he was not in school attending lectures and tutorials, or writing essays, he was out attending social functions or visiting the cinema with his male and female friends. He even took an interest in ballroom dancing, spending quite a bit of time patronising the dance halls at the New World and Great World cabarets with his favourite partners. Still GKS (Dr. Goh) was not as light of foot on the dance floor... (page: 35)." I am certain he enjoyed 40, 50s and 60s dance music and the big band sound because that's what they played at these cabarets.

Dr. Goh grew up in a musical environment and as his elder sister Ida Goh (my former school principal) played the piano, he had tried to play the accordion. "Though he enjoyed popular music of his time, his interest in classical music endured throughout his life... (page: 178)." And when he travelled on official business to cities renowned for their great orchestras, Dr. Goh would "invariably ask to attend a concert" as he, "enjoyed these diverting interludes very much. (page: 178)."

In fact, Dr. Goh encouraged the establishment of a small symphony orchestra, "not merely to entertain converted music lovers but to educate Singaporeans in good musical taste..." a special effort to be "directed towards more promising materials such as school children... ( page: 179)." And as Dr. Goh envisaged, The Singapore Symphonia Orchestra Company was formed in 1978 and its first concert was on January 24th, 1979 at the Singapore Conference Hall.

There was also the Music and Drama Company which he initiated at the Singapore Armed Forces and the setting up of a theatre for Cantonese Opera at his Kreta Ayer constituency in 1969 (page: 177). They were blueprints in his mind but he made them a reality. And, as he said himself, he wasn't a dreamer but a visionary.

Well, I stayed on the music theme and had quotes about a fabulous founding father. I try... Comments?

Image: Book cover from amazon.com

Extracts from: "Goh Keng Swee - A Portrait" by Tan Siok Sun. Editions Didier Millet/SNP Security Printing Pte Ltd (2007). This quotations from this posting is only a fraction of the book about the brilliant architect of Singapore's economy. One truly honourable man.

Original article: Andy Lim.

(8) Golden Venus, Easter Show, Latin Quarters

US/UK BANDS IN SINGAPORE: Click: UK/US Bands In Spore

Lance Raymond continues his story about his stint at The Golden Venus Club and Bar on Orchard Road, Singapore from 1963 to 65 and his connection with some musician friends. This association gave him a lead into the music scene in Singapore as several of them were playing, recording and broadcasting on Radio Malaysia and TV Singapura. They were also ‘session musicians’ and played in most of the large hotels in Singapore, including the famous Raffles Hotel.

He was also invited to record for a Radio Malaysia show at the Victoria Theatre in Singapore (image: front right). He added that he participated in a show sponsored by a well-renowned company. Of several shows on Singapore television there was the Easter Show and a show called, ‘Latin Quarters’, where they played and recorded some Latin Jazz.

The question that was always asked of him was: "Did you get paid for all shows and on radio and TV broadcasts? The answer is yes and I even got paid for repeats long after I returned to the UK."

Image/Original article (edited): Lance Raymond. Thanks to PETER CHAN.

Thursday, January 14, 2010 Connect:

(4) E&O Hotel, Georgetown Penang And Kuala Lumpur Cricket Club, Malaya, 60s, Soliano Bros.

(3) British Army Servicemen And Camps Influence Singapore 50s And 60s Music

(2) Songs, Music & Dances In Singapore 40s Slow Fox Trot Waltz, Swinging Before The 60s

ENTERTAINMENT IN SINGAPORE BEFORE THE 60:

The crowds were there during the weekends and the tea-dances were usually filled to the brim. Weekdays would bring in a small crowd to these cabarets but the prices of tickets were not as expensive. And the imported music? Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong and Bing Crosby melodies, playing to the rhythm of rag-time, boogie-woogie, honky-tonk and of course jazz. The floor was crowded when the orchestra played the blues and dance music in slow-fox trot and waltz. The reason is obvious.

(*Beginning in the late 1920s, dancers in the US enjoyed doing an energetic dance they called the Lindy-Hop. Critics called these gyrating dancers 'jitter-bugs (image)', and in the late 30s the name was applied to the dance itself. What was now known as the Jitterbug was also called Swing, and would remain popular into the 40s.

*There were also many popular dances in the 30s, including the sophisticated Continental and Carioca, the carefree Lambeth Walk and Big Apple, and the Latin-inspired Rumba and Conga.

*In the late 30s, jazz that was written for dancing broke off into its own musical style... swing music. Performed by big bands, swing would become the most popular music style in the 40s.)

The song list played in these cabarets might include: April In Paris, The Way You Look Tonight, Goody Goody, Ebb Tide, Harbour Lights, Lullaby Of Broadway, I'm In The Mood For Love, It's Only A Paper Moon, Lady Of Spain, All Of Me, etc.

In Singapore, with some influence from HK, Shanghai and Malay culture, the cabarets would have a mix of the West and the East and the locals songs might include the ones sung by our 40s Shanghai ladies ( Zhou Xuan, Wu Yingyin, etc), peppered with the ronggeng, samba, rhumba, Latin music and old Malay songs.

Image: http://www.semaphoresa.com/

*Reference for 3 paragraphs: http://www.angelfire.com/

Original article: Andy Lim Collection

(1) Singapore Tea Dances In The Late 30's - Live Music, Entertainment And Cabaret

ENTERTAINMENT IN SINGAPORE BEFORE THE 60s:

Tea-dances didn't start in the 60s with The Trailers at the Palace Theatre in Katong, East Coast Singapore nor did it start with The Checkmates at the Golden Venus nightclub at the end of the shopping strip at Orchard Road. Tea-dances were around way before the 40s. And with a poster to prove.

The orchestra, with at least 8 musicians, used to be called "live" because they were all on stage providing the swingingest music ever. If one looks at the year, it was 1939 and way before the Japanese decided to make our beautiful country its island gateway - about 22 years before Cliff Richard and The Shadows landed in Singapore.

There is a difference though, because, at this tea dance, one had to pay for a female dance partner as patrons were not allowed to bring female companions. For S$3.00 (expensive!) a patron would get 3 tickets to dance thrice with whoever he wished. Male friends would go as a group and buy beer for the night, sitting at tables provided in the cabaret.

The 20 or more "charming dancing partners (image)" in waiting would be sitting in a row in front of the orchestra. Blogger has been told that some cheeky patrons would place the ticket stub on the low-cut dresses of these ladies. A dance usually lasted about 3 minutes ie, the duration of the music. Remarks made after the gentlemen returned to their seats? "One dollar gone!" Those who just wanted a drink,"the first class bar" mentioned in the poster provided the water-hole.

Image: National Heritage Board, Singapore.

Original Article: Andy Lim Collection.

British Skiffle Music Influenced Singapore 60?

"British skiffle (image - The Doghouse Skiffle Group) grew out of the developing post-war British jazz scene, which saw a move away from swing music and towards authentic traditional jazz. It is a type of pop music with jazz, blues, folk, roots and country influences, using homemade or improvised instruments.

The origins of skiffle are obscure, but are generally thought to lie in African-American musical culture in the early 20th century. Skiffle is often said to have developed from New Orleans jazz, but this has been disputed. It became popular again in England in the 1950s, where it was mainly associated with Lonnie Donegan and played a major part in beginning the careers of other eminent music people in the late 50s and 60s.

They used things like a washboard, jugs, tea chest bass, cigar-box fiddle, musical saw, and comb-and-paper kazoos, as well as more conventional instruments like acoustic guitar and banjo. The term 'skiffle' was one of many slang phrases for a rent party, a social event with a small charge designed to pay rent on a house."

In Singapore, except for a few singers, most of the 60s artistes that have recorded with the top music labels came after skiffle was established. By then the swanky, solid guitars and drum-set were available, all polished and shiny. Who needs a washboard?

But skiffle sound is different. And it is great. Still got the vinyl anyone?

Information/Reference: Wikipedia (edited).

Image: http://mungomania.com/

(3) Lonnie Donegan & Skiffle Music, British 60s

SONGS I LOVE:
Putting On The Style

Sweet sixteen, goes to church
Just to see the boys
Screams and laughs and giggles
At every little noise
Turns her face a little
And turns her head awhile
But everybody knows
She's only putting on the style

Released on 28/06/1957 with Gamblin' Man on the flip, Putting On The Style was 2 weeks at #1 and 19 weeks on the hit parade chart. And blogger loves this song so much he still remembers the words, especially the chorus.

Chorus:
She's putting on the agony
Putting on the style
That's what all the young folks
Are doing all the while
And as I look around me
I sometimes have to smile
Seeing all the young folks
Putting on the style

Donegan was as big as the Beatles and Cliff Richard but they came on the scene later. He was the King of Skiffle and with a washboard, a tea chest bass (box, stick, string) and a cheap Spanish guitar, Donegan and his mates entertained audiences with folk and blues songs following a skiffle-group style of the 1930s.

The earlier songs that blogger love are, Cumberland Gap, Don't You Rock Me Daddy-O, Gamblin' Man and Rock Island Line. There are many websites on Lonnie Donegan and if you haven't heard of him, you should visit these sites.
Image: flickr.com
Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

Charles Lazaroo Pianist, Teacher, Composer

Discuss Singapore radio or Singapore music eduation and Charles Lazaroo's name comes to mind. Well known as a pianist, school teacher and music inspector at the Ministry of Education, Singapore, Lazaroo composed the music for the Siglap Secondary School song when he was posted there.

He was also in the public eye in his involvement with the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). He had arranged and contributed music pieces to the organisation and in the 80s became SBC's music director.

Lazaroo was adept at accompanying singers on the piano. In a rehearsal with him to sing a song for a 60s cultural show at TV Singapura, it took only two practices on the piano with me before the big night. I had Lazaroo to thank for the performance as it turned out well.

The rehearsal was fast and short. He looked at me, "What song you want to sing?" I mentioned the song.

"OK," he said, "just sing." I did.

"That's fine. We'll do the whole song once..." We did. And I completed my practice all within 5 minutes.

Charles Lazaroo was popular with many of Singapore 60s music vocalists and bands as they had to discuss performances and musical arrangements with him for the Talentime series, radio and TV shows.

Apparently this great pianist has many compositions to his name because according to *Juliana Lim, "I managed to publish a book about our national anthem composer, Zubir Said but did not succeed in publishing the music of the late Charles Lazaroo ('a little bird told me... ' July 3rd, 2009 posting)."

Image: National Heritage Board Singapore/Singapore Press Holdings.

*Reference: http://www.julianalim.wordpress.com/

Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

(6) 'Billboard' Pop Influence In Singapore 50s

TOP TUNES INFLUENCE: 1958 - 59

The picture shows the RM Orchestra in full swing, with its big band sound. Each player had a music sheet and played accordingly. No missed beats, no missed notes as everything was done 'by the book'.

So when Malaya won independence in 1957, the radio service was split into Radio Malaya and Radio Singapore. When 1958 came, the year provided Singaporeans first list of Billboard's 'Hot 100' and the songs were heard all over the island.

Growing up and studying for his Senior Cambridge Examination, blogger listened to these songs. And pop song crazy classmates knew each favourite song by heart:

At The Hop - Danny And The Juniors
Don't - Elvis Presley
Get A Job - The Silhouettes
Tequila - The Champs
Catch A Falling Star - Perry Como
He's Got The Whole World - Laurie London
Twilight Time - The Platters
Witch Doctor - David Seville/Chipmunks
All I Have To Do Is Dream - Everly Brothers
Purple People Eater - Sheb Wooley
Hard Headed Woman - Elvis Presley
Yakety Yak - The Coasters
Patricia - Perez Prado
Poor Little Fool - Ricky Nelson
Volare - Domenico Modugno
Bird Dog - Everly Brothers
It's All In The Game - Tommy Edwards
It's Only Make Believe - Conway Twitty
Tom Dooley - Kingston Trio
To Know Him Is To Love Him - Teddy Bears
The Chipmunk Song - David Seville

Image: National Heritage Board Singapore & Singapore Press Holdings. Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

(5) Radio Malaya Orchestra, Caldecott Hill, Andrew Road, Singapore - 1957

TOP TUNES INFLUENCE: 1957 - 1958

Arrival of Buddy Holly & Sam Cooke:
Too Much - Elvis Presley, Don't Forbid Me - Pat Boone, Young Love - Sonny James, Young Love - Tab Hunter, Party Doll - Buddy Knox, Round and Round - Perry Como, All Shook Up - Elvis Presley, Butterfly - Charlie Gracie, Love Letters In The Sand - Pat Boone.

Teddy Bear - Elvis Presley, Tammy - Debbie Reynolds, Diana - Paul Anka, Honeycomb - Jimmie Rodgers, That'll Be The Day - The Crickets Wake Up Little Susie - Everly Brothers, Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley, Chances Are - Johnny Mathis, You Send Me - Sam Cooke, April Love - Pat Boone

In the 50s Singapore had its big bands too. Because we were still a part of Malaya, the image shows the Radio Malaya Orchestra in 1957 at a studio situated in Caldecott Hill, Singapore. It comprised strings, brass, a guitar, a xylophone, a double bass and percussion.

The band members were usually full time professionals employed by Radio Malaya. Some expatriates who lived in Singapore also played for the orchestra. These musicians were also able to play local Chinese, Malay and Indian melodies. They played local songs way before Anneke Gronloh sang Burung Kakak Tua or Nina Bobo. When Malaya won independence in 1957, the radio service was split into Radio Malaya and Radio Singapore.

As we follow the Top Tunes, melodies like Lisbon Antigua by Nelson Riddle, The Poor People Of Paris and Unchained Melody by Les Baxter would be the usual fare. Instrumental versions of hits by Pat Boone, Debbie Reynolds and Tab Hunter would be played regularly too. Notice too that all the songs are still known today by many pop tune enthusiasts. And Paul Anka is still singing!

Do you know anyone who was in a big band in the 50s in Singapore?

Image: National Heritage Board Singapore/Singapore Press Holdings.

Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

(4) Latin Heat Mambo Madness, Rhumba, Samba, Pachanga, Calypso - Singapore 50s

TOP TUNES INFLUENCE: 1956-1957

Singapore, in the 50s, had more than its fair share of instrumental music before the Shadows and Ventures came to town in the early 60s. In fact the music was more varied and instead of the monotonous three electric guitars and a drum routine that permeated the world in the 60s, the influence of both Latin and strings came distinctly from a few big band combos and orchestras.

First, the Latin flavour came from orchestras like Perez Prado's. Following the Top Tunes 1956 list and having lived in that decade, the tune that surpassed all others in popularity in this genre was, Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White. It was played everywhere and for many years, as the whole country was immersed in this particular Latin song with its powerful trumpet solo, exciting rhythm and mambo madness.

Besides Cherry Pink, Perez Prado during his hey-days also provided Mambo No 5 and Patricia (image). Then Cha-cha-cha came to light as many Latin songs with the conga, mambo, samba and rhumba beat were changed to the cha-cha beat. And "one, two, cha-cha-cha," came to life!

Check Postings: Xavier Cugat, April 02/Herb Alpert: June 15, 2009.

Image: http://www.4.bp.blogspot.com/

Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

(1) The X-Periment/Idaly Sisters Soul Sauce

PART 1

Believe it. It's all in one Long Play, Latin-Boogaloo, soul sisters in short, short skirts and one of the best bands in the late 60s. When the Idaly Sisters, cut a vinyl with The Experiments it featured the blending harmony and distinctive styles of two of the best groups of recording artistes in the 60s.

After some shuffling of band members and a change of name from Comancheros (song title) in late 1965 to The Experiments at the tail end of 1967, the versatile group was well known for their appearances at the Hilton Hotel, Golden Venus and other hot spots in Singapore and Malaysian cities. Starting out as a Hindustani band the group concentrated on soul music afterwards. The Soul Sister, Brown Sugar phenomenon started its craze in the region then.

The line-up for the LP (image) was Mervyn Nonis (Electric organ, Piano/Harpsichord/Vocals), Tony Shotam (Lead guitar/Tenor Saxaphone/Vocals), Frisco Lim (Drums/Vocals), Kenny Barket (Bass Guitar/Vocals), Joe Chandran (Lead Vocal/Guitar) and Siva Choy (Guitar/Glockenspiel/Vocals). Their final official title on record was The X-PERIMENT.

The pictures were taken at The Baron Nightclub in Singapore under Bernard Salosa's Production.
Reference: RCA Victor Long Play: SGS0001. "I jammed during varsity when they had lunchtime concerts and with a guy called Joe Peters (best double bassist in Singapore) who later formed the NUS Band and the NUS Music Department in the 70s. Actually this was how I got my first job in the IT industry whilst playing as a musician.

It was fun playing 3 months here and there - the Jade Lounge at Ming Court Hotel with David Ng/Julai Tan Quartet, The Rang Mahal Restaurant at the Oberoi Imperial, a Japanese club/restauant called the Okoh at Supreme House and on the ground floor of Hyatt Hotel (if you walk through the main entrance today, the lounge was on the right side.)

Sadly many musicians from those years have passed on or become taxi drivers because there was no future in the local music industry. You must have heard about Joe Chandran and the X'periments - he became spiritual - after is stint at the Los Horizon discotheque at the Shangri-la.

Extract by: Peter Chan from 'Good Morning Yesterday' by Lam Choon See.

Image/original article: Andy Lim
Extract: Peter Chan
Collection.http://goodmorningyesterday.blogspot.com/2006/11/tom-obrien-remembers-beauty-world.html

(1) Canadian 60s Pop Music Influence In S'pore

These few postings will take readers for a Canadian 60s pop music ride, as the Canadian music influence in Singapore is quite extensive. It is another journey and the names of artistes and songs are mentioned because they are familiar and also personal favourites.

Before the advent of television and when radio was king of the living room and bedroom in the 30s to the 50s, bandleader Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians had a number of hit songs which began with the early microphone, early radio-era pop song, Charmaine, Red Sails In The Sunset, Young At Heart, Deep Purple, etc.

Another internationally successful Canadian-born bandleader of the 40s and 50s was Percy Faith (image) and his orchestra. Many senior Singaporeans still remember him as the man that made 50s and 60s pop songs into beautifully orchestrated 'lush' music, e.g. Born Free, Windmills Of Your Mind, Theme From A Summer Place and hundreds more.

Jazz pianist Oscar Peterson was also a world success from the 50s onwards. Most enthusiasts remember him even till today. Peterson was the 'Maharajah of the Keyboard' and the 'Brown Bomber of the Boogie Woogie.'

Then there's Nova Scotian country music star Hank Snow who, after making an impact in Canada, went to Nashville, Tennesse and became famous. In 1954, before young Elvis Presley became popular, Snow allowed him to appear on stage as his opening act.

Image: amazon.com

Reference: 1. Canadian Encyclopaedia Historica. 2. Wikipedia.

Original article: Andy Lim.