.

SONGS I LOVE:

I heard a thud on my balcony while reading the newspapers this last morning of 2012. I looked out and saw a hornbill. I was thrilled. Compared to the numerous sparrows and merbak jambul that frequent our place, this one up close was a huge creature as it perched itself roughly on the shiny garden chair. I have been trying to observe this particular bird for months having seen it streaking around this wooded area with its yellow beak and jet black feathers.

It was about nine o'clock and cloudy but I whipped out my trusty iPhone and took some shots. The bird flew away after it left some poop on the ledge. It must have got bored. I checked Google Images and realised it could be an Oriental Pied. Here's a paragraph about this bird.

"The Hornbill is the national symbol of Sarawak. The people there view the bird as a symbol of purity. They use either the bird itself or its representation in their religious ceremonies. In Sarawak, as in other South East Asian countries, the hornbill is a protected species: from essortment.com"

As usual, my music memory took me back to days of yore and songs with a bird theme. There is Humming Bird, Mockingbird Hill, Snowbird, Bye Bye Blackbird, Bye Bye Birdie, Blackbird, Fly Like An Eagle, Mockingbird, Rockin' Robin, When The Red Red Robin, Eagle. And the famous Indonesian one is, Burung Kakak Tua (Parrot) by Anneke Gronloh.

It's a short selection because I am sure there are many more songs with 'bird' titles. If you know any please contribute.

Happy New Year 2013 everyone. Symbol of purity huh? Hope the bird brings me better luck than the dragon year did. But it's not over is it, the dragon year?

Marina Bay Countdown 2013 Tonight.

You Tube Video: Snowbird by Anne Murray.

http://www.essortment.com/hornbill-bird-25714.html

John Harper

John Harper resides in York, England, plays bass guitar and lived in Singapore in the late 50s. I met him recently with wife Ann where he recalled the times he spent on our sunny island. When I asked him if he could share his music memories specially for this blog he agreed. Thank you John.

Part One:

The people we are today is the sum of all the influences on our life before today. Tomorrow we will be slightly different people because we have to add in today's influence. But, the difference will not be very much, because those influences of the past have already moulded and shaped us significantly along the way. Some of the influences that play a big part in moulding you include: your mother and father, where you have lived, the people you have met and the food, music and art you have experienced during that time.

"Killed him a b'ar when he was only three"

Probably the most crucial years are the years from the age of about 10 to 20 years of age. For me, two of those crucial years were spent in Singapore between the ages of 10 and 12 years old, arriving in Singapore in April 1957 and returning to the UK in July 1959. In this short series I'll be looking at the years just prior to our move to Singapore as Part 1, our time in Singapore as Part 2 and for the third part what was happening in the UK in the first few months of our return.

"Will we have rainbows day after day"

I had probably started to notice popular music in films and on the radio only a couple of years before we went to Singapore. This was possibly initiated by my mother taking my brothers and I to see films like “Davy Crockett”, “The Dambusters”, “The man Who Knew Too Much”, and probably that most influential of films for popular music that forever changed the mould; “Rock Around The Clock”.

By this time we were also listening to Radio Luxembourg which started the evening with a fifteen minute slot of "Dan Dare - Pilot Of The Future" fighting the evil green alien “The Mekon” before starting the evenings output of popular music. We were allowed to listen to Dan Dare and then to the music until it was time for bed.

The films introduced me to a variety of interesting music from the brand new thumping beat of “Rock Around The Clock”, to the gentler Doris Day number from “The Man Who Knew Too Much” “Que Sera, Sera” or whatever will be, will be.

"Put your glad rags on and join me hon"

When the Davy Crockett film came out everybody at school was singing the “Ballad of Davy Crockett” and some even wore Davy Crockett hats with the raccoon tail hanging down. Our aunt in Canada even sent us some printed Davy Crockett T shirts. I did not want to be different to all my class mates in those days and as they did not have T shirts like them I did not want to wear them publicly and actually kicked up such a fuss that they were put away. Somehow when they resurfaced when we got to Singapore and shirts with colourful patterns were the norm after school they were unpacked and worn with minimal fuss.

"Saying who can that fool be"

To this eclectic mix was added the theme from the "Dambusters" which had not really made much of an impact on me until my friend started playing it on a recorder and taught me how to play the first few bars. Further spicing the mix were a few tunes from the radio that had crept into my consciousness, "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" played by the man with the golden trumpet a title Eddie Calvert justly deserved by following it up with another all time favourites of mine “Zambesi”. A few years later Zambesi reappeared in the superb format of a Hank Marvin arrangement for guitar by the Shadows, I think it was on about their third LP (On You Tube video below).

"Branches of the two trees were intertwined"

Three songs popular in the UK before we left became popular in Singapore just about at the time that we arrived. They were Ann Shelton's “Lay Down Your Arms”, Eddie Fisher's “Cindy, Oh Cindy” and Johnnie Ray's “Walking In The Rain”. Because of the delay between songs being released in the UK and being released in Singapore and Australia releases wereabout six to twelve weeks behind what was popular in the UK. So, with these three songs we got to enjoy them all over again.
One song that I think was an exception to this sequence was “A Pub With no Beer” by Slim Dusty, recorded in Australia and distributed from Australia first. The flip side of it was an even folkier number called “Once When I Was Mustering”. More on this later.

"Nothing so lonesome, morbid or drear"

As you can see, my tastes are becoming wide and varied from the smooth hot brassy tones of Eddie Calvert, through the dulcet tones of Doris Day to the folksy nasal tones of Slim Dusty and I have barely started on the influences of the music I heard in Singapore.

The next article will cover 1957 and 1958.

You Tube: Zambesi by The Shadows. Video above from: draadnagel01

Original article: John Harper Copyrights Reserved.
Images: Google.
Captions: from song lyrics.

John contributes to Buzz:
https://profiles.google.com/117596378549583765811/buzz#117596378549583765811/buzz

K-Pop Group 'SKarf' with two ladies from Singapore

Regular readers know pretty well that a quiz is seldom posted on this blog but here's one for 2013:

1. What has a 60s music blog to do with K-Pop?

Answer: It has a musical connection.

2. Yes, we all know that. What is this connection?

Please write in if you know the answer. No prizes but thank you for the response.

3. More clues? Natasha Low (2nd r) is family to a pop dance group from 60s Tiong
Bahru.

Image: Google.

Sunny Low

Sunny Low Dancers:

The connection is simple and clear. Natasha Low or Tasha, from the current K-Pop group SKarf, is the grand daughter of Sunny Low the undisputed king of dance in Singapore from the late 1950s. Sunny learnt the art from his father Low Poh San who had a dance studio at Tiong Bahru. Following his father's footsteps (pun intended) the present Sunny Low Dance Studio at The Riverwalk, 20 Upper Circular Road is his own making.

The senior Low was the first to introduce ballroom dancing in Singapore and since the dance studio was a shop-house, the family lived and taught dancing at the same venue. He participated in many dance competitions and later became the Singapore Professional Ballroom Champion in 1946, and from 1950 to 1953.

Sunny with wife Aleena Tan from his Website.

Sunny himself took up dancing at 14 and his younger sister Betty at 12. They both started out by helping at the dance studio. Both became household names in 1960s when they acquired the title Singapore’s Rock and Roll and Cha-Cha King and Queenin a dance competition.The win encouraged the siblings to form The Sunny Low Dancers which had performed regularly since on television, in theatres, cinemas and night clubs whenever they could.

From the Website:
"Singapore's Father of Ballroom Dancing, Low Poh San with his wife Jenny Quek started the Pohsan Dance Studio in 1937. His children Sunny Low and Betty Low, crowned the King and Queen of Rock n Roll in 1957. Sunny Low Dancers, household name in the seventies and eighties, were featured in Radio Television Singapore and Singapore Broadcasting Corperation. His grandchildren and their wives, Alvyn and Lucy Low and Melvyn & Nancy Low were undefeated champions in Singapore and South East Asia. Today, the 4th Generation of Low family is very much in the business of Dance."

Natasha Low or 'Tasha'.

SKarf:
Back to the future and Natasha, daughter of one of Sunny's son Alvyn, is now a celebrity dancer herself having been cast in the KPop hall of fame as one of only four dancers in the group called SKarf (the first two letters are obviously Singapore and Korea).

Tasha's mother, Lucy Wang who is part of the Low family dancers, is an instructor too and according to an interview in late 2012 she misses Tasha during her training in Korea. Eighteen year young Tasha and Ferlyn Wong (20) another Singaporean were successful candidates from 3,000 hopefuls in an audition held here two years ago to select members for this KPop group. SKarf has two other band members, Koreans Jenny Lee Joo Young, 16, and Jeong Sol, 21.

SKarf with Natasha Low or Tasha (2nd right)

Wow! Four generations of dancers, from Poh San to Sunny, then to Alvyn and now Natasha. These are the people who have formed permanent footprints on the ballroom floor, true blue Singaporeans who leave positive marks on our memory trail.

(This post is dedicated to the late ALVYN LOW, Natasha's father, who had passed away on the 11th of January 2013. Larry Lai, friend Eddie and I paid our respects at the wake in Singapore on Sunday 13th January as we met Sunny, Lucy, Natasha and their families).

My thanks to Lai Simin, who helped with the writing of this article.
You Tube video by: alphaentkorea.
Images: Google, Raffles Town Club Singapore, and
Sunny Low Dance Studios Websites.

You Tube Video from mysuperstar: Yakety Yak by The Drapers

"For this second part, I'll be looking at the influences I encountered on the journey to Singapore and during our time there between 1957 and 1959.

During 1957 to mid 1958 we would go for family meals in Changi Village to either Tong Sing's Restaurant or next door to the air conditioned Milk Bar. The Milk Bar had a juke box and my father would often get up and put some money in and choose a few records. Most embarrasing, even to this day was Max Bygraves singing about those blue and pink toothbrushes. He thought he was putting something amusing on for my brothers an me. Fortunately he realised after only a few times that we were not amused.

Changi Village in the 1950's from singas.co.uk

His other choices always included Harry Belafonte, "Banana Boat Song" and his all time favourite "Island In The Sun". I think "Island In The Sun" was a favourite of the whole family because it more or less summed up our pleasure of being on a beautiful island in the sun that we all loved. Two others I remember from that juke box were "Tequila" and "Yakkety Yak".

A 50's juke-box playing vinyl records

This is where saxophones are beginning to raise their voices and I start to hear them and become interested in the saxophone, never did get round to learning to play one though! However my niece Deborah is a brilliant saxophonist, she actually played the saxaphone as she came down the aisle when she got married!

Record Cover

My own favoured instrument is the guitar and I have played bass guitar in a beat group (mid 60s term there) and played rhythm guitar in a few folk scenarios. With electric guitars I like a nice clean but twangy sound with bags of echo but do enjoy the sound of a good acoustic guitar played in a folky style. I think the twangy sound hit me when I first heard Duane Eddy playing "Rebel Rouser", it also has some evocative saxaphone working away contrapuntaly. Listening to it today it strikes me how it has a lot of amplitude tremolo and bags of echo.

Young Connie Francis

It was at this time that I became aware of vocal harmonies though I probably could not have described how it was done, my understanding of chords was to come a couple of years later from a school music lesson and when I took up playing the guitar. Liking of folky and country styles of music probably came from hearing Slim Dusty, mentioned in part one.

*Probably the greatest exponents of vocal harmony were the Everly brothers with "Bye Bye Love", "Wake Up Little Susie" and "Bird Dog". On the female front there are some nice harmonies going on on some of Connie Francis' records. I don't know whether this is another person singing with Connie or whether it is a second part sung by Connie and dubbed, However it was done, the effect is melodic and provides a warm richness to the music. Notable hits of this time, to me, were "Stupid Cupid" and "Who's Sorry Now".

Tommy Steele - British Pops late 1950s

Elvis appeared on the scene during these years and some of the favourite songs to sing on the bus to school along with the Everly Brothers "Bye Bye Love" were "Teddy Bear" and "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck". Also in there was Tommy Steele's "Singing The Blues". I think Sam Cooke's "Only Sixteen" was released just before we left to return back to the UK but might have been after we arrived back in England.

The Everly Brothers recorded album in mid 1966 but it didn't sell well.

In the third part I'll be looking at the rest of 1957 covering August to December which is the time we arrived back in England, just before the August Bank Holiday, our time in a transit hotel in Blackpool and our moving to Yorkshire."

Original article: John Harper Copyrights Reserved.

Same Cooke

(*It was at this time of the decade when vocal duets like The Blue Diamonds from Holland, The Cyclones comprising Siva and James Choy hit the Singapore stage with their own rendition of songs in harmony. Following the popular trend there were a few ladies who were called the "Connie Francis of Singapore". Up to this day no one really knows who owns the title or if there was ever such a singing competition honouring this singer with the clear diction and powerhouse vocals. Andy Lim.)

Images: from Google.

A regular reader of this blog and practising business and trade adviser from Sydney, Australia, Byrt Mallanyk wrote in to tell me about his young and active evenings in Singapore 70s as a pop singer with the Sundowners. Here is his edited letter:

YouTube Video by ueblarp: The Straydogs, Freedom (1971).

Hi Andy,

Its great to hear from you – thank you for writing.

Hotel Equatorial Singapore

Hyatt Hotel Singapore

A bit of history: My last two performing contracts in Singapore with the Sundowners were at the Hilton (our contract was extended 4 times – so it becomes like home for the band - our band manager then was Alphonso Soosay, and then from the Hilton we went to the Cockpit in the Victoria Lounge/Bar – not sure what it's called now.

We also did the Holiday Inn for 2 years, Hyatt, and Mandarin also. I have played in other places around the Orchard Road vicinity, including Equatorial and Orchid Inn in my earlier days – my first semi pro band was in ‘68 during my NS days and then I went pro full time end of ‘69 after I finished my military bout – glad I did it but never again. I was in the very first batch of NS in 1967.

Ray Anthony Image from: 60spunk.m78.com

The Sundowners were one of the earlier pioneers of the Lounge Music craze that hit Singapore during the late sixties, an era that spawned a legitimate industry for musicians back then – it was huge – we made a lot of money – and we spent big too ha ha. The usual names during that 70s era were Adam and Ben, Tradewinds, Tania, Matthew and the Mandarins, and us, the Sundowners– I was the lead singer – many more band names I have forgotten.

Television Singapore in 1963

My earlier heroes were Joe Chandran and the Experiments, Pest Infested, Stray Dogs, and even earlier; Benny and the Trailers and Vernon and Quest– there were so many more – I can’t remember for now. I caught up with Ray Anthony (lead guitarist for Heritage and Fried Ice) a few years back as he was on his way to Taiwan. I know him and his brother Leslie well.

Tania. Image: National Heritage Board 2007

Coming from a musical family, I found my music roots in soul and RnB which still influences my style till today. My sister (in an even earlier era) played piano and drums and was the lead singer for many bands that played the RAF bases. Her era had heroes like Harry Belafonte, Johnny Mathis, Connie Francis etc. I grew up discovering the wonderful music of the 50s while in school and was influenced by artists like Bill Haley and the Comets, Rick Nelson, Paul Anka, and others.

Everything you wrote and every place or movie you mentioned, and every star you talked about in your blog were part of my precious memories – so thank you VERY much. Many of the cinemas and clubs you mentioned are held fondly in my memories because I have crossed your path during my school days and also during my adult days as a musician. Nowadays its so hard to find similar era people to talk to or relate with – they are either not in the music business to relate with or too old or not around to talk to where I live.

'Heritage' today. Image from: rop.com.sg website.

Most of the Singaporeans here in Sydney (I meet only very few) are just too young to remember the early days of Singapore, even before street lights came on our main streets, or before TV came (I was there at Victoria Theatre in ‘63 when TV was first shown in Singapore. I don’t think they even believe that Singapore was once very wild in landscape, bushy, and naturally green – I caught many fighting spiders in those bush lands to attest to that. Oh so much to share.

I wrote to you because you have a fascinating insight and collection on a past I hold so passionately. So few today can relate to that era. Its us guys who must preserve it. In the last 4 years the urge to retrace my music roots in Singapore began to emerge and began to grow stronger each year – I must begin to blog on it soon. What you have in formation and memories far exceed what I can do.

Toa Payoh Housing and Development Board in the 60s

Jalan Bahagia was my last address in Singapore before moving to Australia. My first gig ever was at a private party in Toa Payoh (while it was still only partly developed) - I played bass then but had no idea what I was doing – my band then was Hard Timers Hail and then I was invited to do lead vocals for a great band called Crude Stuff– we had a fabulous lead guitarist by the name of Bala – not sure where he is now – the last time I heard he got drafted - ah those raw days.

What I would like to plan for the future is to gather these people in the era we are chatting about in one place for a conference on the 70s Music. I have some thoughts and strategy on it. I may be coming to Singapore sometime late August or September this year (if my schedule allows) – would be nice to catch up then. I hope to connect with as many of my peers as possible – just the guys I played with - a reminiscing time, you could say.

Byrt Mallanyk.
Trusted Mentor to Business Owners
National Winner of the Australian Tourism Award for Excellence

SIKU Fashion Group Australia – Co-Founder

A part of my resource goes into reversing poverty by helping build urban micro enterprises.

You Tube Video by: ueblarp.
Images from: Google and acknowledged sites.
Original article: Copyrights Reserved.

You Tube Video by RumandCocaCola44. Rare DOT recording.

SONGS I LOVE:

If you ever go down Trinidad
They make you feel so very glad
Calypso sing and make up rhyme
Guarantee you one real good fine time

Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola
Go down Point Koomahnah
Both mother and daughter
Workin' for the Yankee dollar
(Ah, it's a fact man, it's a fact...)

They influenced my pop song choices in the past. I remember listening to them in the mid 50s. As a teen I was fascinated by their harmony and vocalisation and could not imagine how 3 voices could merge so smoothly as one. They were one of the first female groups that I used to listen to from our PYE radio at home. Rum and Coca Cola, one of their top hits, was the most rollicking song those years and Rum and Coke has always been my favourite mix.

So who's who? Honestly I just know their songs.

The Andrews Sisters (real sisters) were contralto LaVerne Sophia, soprano Maxine Angelyn "Maxene" and mezzo-soprano Patricia Marie "Patty" who had just passed away on January 30, 2013. The other two sisters passed on some time ago. Since 1938 the group had sold over 75 million records with their 400 songs. One of them and a personal favourite is Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (1941) which is supposed to be the first sampings of rhythm and blues music.

78 records cost a bomb now unless Sungei Road have some left.

During their career the sisters had been accompanied by top major big bands and personalities that included: Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Buddy Rich, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Gene Krupa, Bob Crosby (Bing Crosby's brother), Desi Arnaz, Guy Lombardo, Les Brown, Xavier Cugat Nelson Riddle and a host of others.

You should check out their song titles if you are interested. Got their 78s? Probably cost a bomb now. You can't even find them in Sungei Road. The titles that I know from memory are: Beer Barrel Polka, Too Young, Chattanooga Choo Choo, I Wanna Be Loved, Route 66, I Don't Know Why (I Just Do), Christmas Island, Don't Fence Me In and so on and on.

Their last performance with Dean Martin. Video by JasonSeaman1.

You are right. Some of their songs have been recorded by other artistes like Nat Cole, Bing Crosby and even Russ Hamilton. And watch the Dino video; no fireworks, half-naked screaming girls nor ear-blasting gimmicks. Just talented people with beautiful voices providing pure entertainment.

Some information from Wikipedia.
Images from Google.
Rum and Coca Cola lyrics: Morey Amsterdam / Music: Jeri Sullavan, Paul Baron.

You Tube Video 1 by nancyfloressantos.

Man with the velvet voice

SONGS I LOVE:

For all lovers out there.

One of the most beautiful rendition and sung by the man with a voice so unique you would want to play it forever. It's the 23rd original studio album released by singer Johnny Mathis and his seventh for Mercury Records.

The song was featured in the movie, The Great Race starring Tony Curtis and Natalie Wood (below). Whether it was sung by Natalie Wood herself is uncertain. I must thank Larry Lai for remembering this song.

The Sweetheart Tree (1965)
They say there's a tree in the forest,
A tree that will give you a sign;
Come along with me to the Sweetheart Tree,
Come and carve your name next to mine.

They say if you kiss the right sweetheart,

Natalie Wood

The one you've been waiting for,
Big blossoms of white will burst into sight
And your love will be true evermore

(They say if you kiss the right sweetheart,)
(The one you've been waiting for,)
Big blossoms of white will burst into sight
And your love will be true evermore

Arranger: John Brimhall,
Composer: Henry Mancini,
Lyricist: Johnny Mercer,
Movie: The Great Race.
Publisher: Alfred Publishing Company.

Image: Google.
Video 2 by: cashare fromYou Tube.

^"16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." Matthew 10:16. King James Version.

Serpents have always been an emblem of wisdom and cunning, (Genesis 3:1). The Egyptians used the serpent in their hieroglyphics as a symbol of wisdom. Probably the thing in which Christ directed his followers to imitate the serpent was in its caution in avoiding danger. No animal equals them in the rapidity and skill which they evince in escaping danger.

Doves are, and always have been, a striking emblem of innocence. Most people would foolishly destroy a serpent, be it ever so harmless, yet few are so hard-hearted as to kill a dove.

Image left: from Larry Lai. Image right from Google.

Lara (櫻櫻) sings Visions (難忘的情意) Singapore 1960s

Singapore recording artiste Lara Tan or Ying Ying (櫻櫻) who usually sings in Mandarin pressed songs with The Trailers in 1967. You Only Live Twice the James Bond theme was sung entirely in Mandarin. Other songs on the same EP (CEP 3008) and accompanied by the same group include Don't Talk To The Lifeguard, Single Girl and Dream Girl.

Another EP (CEP 3002) titled This Is My Song has Dear Mrs Applebee, Downtown and Love Potion Number Nine. The above video is from a record and with Visions Lara sings, Run For Your Life, Puppet On A String and Sugar Town (CEP3004).

Lara Tan sings with The Trailers

It was the usual path for many would be singers in Singapore 60s and Lara was no different. She sang at school concerts and in private parties for a while.

The break came when she was spotted by an executive from a local record company, was contracted and trained in the skills needed to be a pop star. It was tougher for her because she did not like some of the songs she was singing.

After an exhaustive period Lara was provided with about 40 songs to select for her vinyl debut. Since Mandarin songs had a bigger fan base in South East Asia, Lara recorded covers of current English 60s songs and had them translated into Mandarin by a Ms Violet Chow.

To make the formula work she was backed by The Trailers, one of the most popular bands then. Where EMI had Rita Chao and The Quests, Lara was the answer to Cosdel's search for a female lead vocalist to front The Trailers. And like Chao and Sakura she had her share of singing a-go-go and off-beat cha-cha music as well.

So here after nearly 45 years under cover, Ms Lara Tan appears again on Valentine's Day singing Visions - a very popular Cliff Richard number - hopefully to revive days of yore that all you Seniors remember. It's for the young ones to appreciate too.

The Trailers

If you have stories to tell about your T-Dance days and Golden nights with your girlfriends at the Palace Cinema, Hotel Prince Garni, Paya Lebar Niteclub, Springdale, Singapore Hotel, South-East Asia Hotel, Hilton, Cockpit and other exciting venues do write in. Valentine's Day must have been as exciting in the 60s and 70s as it is today.

To all my friends in the music business, the Bloggers group, writers, the old teacher friends I meet sometimes, the lecturer buddies from the universities, the new friends who write to me on the Comment page, the young students who ask for information and all the others who have made this blog what it is today, Happy Valentine's Day. Don't forget the flowers.

"Visions of you in shades of blue..." Lost love?

Valentine's Day in Chinese - 情人节 - qing ren jie.
Image: Andy Lim Collection.
You Tube video by eastasianmusiclover.

Lay Some Happiness On Me: Opener You Tube by Lei-Lani Muriah.

In 1965 That's Amore crooner man Dino Paul Crocetti used a new media to entertain his fans - television - and hosted one of the most successful TV series in history. It was watched by many, won a Golden Globe Award and The Dean Martin Show lasted until 1973. Everybody Loves Somebody, his own hit, became the theme song and the series rolled along 264 times.

In the same year he renamed it The Dean Martin Comedy Hour, and from 1974 to 1984 it was renamed again as The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts. It became so popular that big guns appeared on his show. It included Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, James Stewart, George Burns' Milton Berle, Don Rickles, Phyllis Diller and many more.

While he was at the peak of his career Martin was invited to come to Singapore in the middle of 1980 to shoot a film for his series. He was invited to sell our little island by the local tourist promotion board who had noticed its immense popularity.

The special Christmas extravaganza would be on its hour long show featured on NBC. It was to highlight the island's tourist attractions and a special children's church choir. The board had wanted to promote Singapore to the American public and thought it was the best way to do so. Production and manpower costs were high and the programme would have cost $200,000.

The idea came to an end when Martin wrote to explain that he would not be able to make it because of internal reasons at his production company. But he had a solution and explained that he hoped to use video-tape clips sent by the board for his future programmes. He ended his letter by explaining that he was most impressed by the professionalism of the officers in the organisation when he was dealing with them.

Although some pop stars like Willliam Holden, Cliff Richard, Acker Bilk, Shirley Bassey, Rita Coolige, Sergio Mendes, Helen Reddy, Johnny Tillotson and The Rolling Stones had visited our shores and appeared on our stages, Dean Martin had not.

Or had he? Anyone?

Lay some happiness on me
So the brighter side you'll see
No more loneliness to me
Lay some happiness on me...

Images: Google.

To read more about Dean Martin check out the website I Love Dino Martin below written and managed by my good friend Dino Martin Peters (DMP) who uses his own Dino-Lingo:
http://ilovedinomartin.blogspot.sg/

John Barry 7+4 Hit and Miss You Tube Video by Sids60sSounds

This posting is the third and final episode of John Harper's late 50s pop music journey from England to Singapore and back. I don't know if he was travelling light and hand jiving with a living doll but it was surely a pleasant and memorable journey without hits and misses:

"On our return to the UK in 1959 we arrived at the end of July in Blackpool just in time for the August Bank Holiday. There had been a heat wave, reservoirs had almost dried up. It should have been ideal for our return from the warmth of Singapore, but no, the weather changed the day we got back and it was cold and rainy!

Juke Box Jury with 'The Rolling Stones' in 1964.

We were in a transit hotel and novelty of novelties, there was a television in the lounge. Saturday evenings after tea was the Juke Box Jury programme and all of us kids and some of the mums and dads would sit down to watch and listen to the latest releases being voted on by a jury of celebrities.

"It's late we gotta get on home..."

For me one the most exciting parts was the introductory music to the programme, *Hit and Miss by the John Barry 7 + 4 (video above). John Barry later went on to produce the music for the James Bond films. A few of the songs and tunes that made a mark on me from the programme were by Connie Francis mentioned earlier, Ricky Nelson singing It's Late and then towards the end of 1959 after we had moved to Yorkshire came Johnny and The Hurricanes with Red River Rock.

"Please come back to the Red River Valley..."

This made an impression on me for several reasons, my mother was from Manitoba in Canada and had lived on a tributary of the Red River (above image). Then of course there were the saxophones and guitars. So by the end of 1959 I was well and truly hooked on twangy guitars and growling saxophones.

Biggest audience of 20 million in January 1960 featured Cliff Richard and Shadows.

Sunday night television was rounded out by the popular Sunday Night at The London Palladium had everybody enthralled. Opening with the Tiller Girls dancing then there was always some comedy, the Beat The Clock game show and then rounded off with a musical performance.

Cliff Richard with Singapore Orchids.

Popular at this time was an up and coming star by the name of Cliff Richard singing Living Doll, Willie And The Hand Jive and Travelling Light. I was particularly taken with the guitar solos. It was that twangy guitar thing again, I was hooked and was soon to become a fan of the Shadows, Cliff's backing group.

Although, this is not the full extent of my musical preferences and experience I think this period from late 1955 to the end of 1959 played a large part in shaping my musical preferences and the person I am today."

*Larry Lai used the same theme song for his Spinaround - UK Top Twenty programme on Rediffusion in the late 60s.

Original article: John Harper Copyright.
Images from Google.

DMP, with his generous heart, posts my blog on his with this introduction:

Saturday March 2nd, 2012

Was Singapore Ever On 'The Dean Martin Show'?

ilovedinomartin.blogspot.com header.

Hey pallies, likes ilovedinomartin is pleased as a bowl of spiked Dino-punch to be able to shares with all youse Dino-philes our great great Singaporian Andy's powerful Dino-patter from his majestically marvelous musical blog, "Singapore 60s: Andy's Pop Music Influence." Andy has been hangin' 'round ilovedinomartin for a long time and is truly truly one of the most devoted Dino-holics that ilovedinomartin is privileged to tag pallie.

As you will read below, Andy details how our most beloved Dino, at the pinacle of his tremedous television career "was invited to come to Singapore in the middle of 1980 to shoot a film for his series. He was invited to sell our little island by the local tourist promotion board who had noticed its immense popularity." As Andy notes, the production was to be a "special Christmas extravaganza." Sad to say, our great man ended up havin' to say no to this great opportunity.

Andy shares many many cool Dino-details in his Dino-scribin's and likes the coolest of the coolest note is that "his show was so popular it ran twice a week over RTS (Radio Television Singapore)." And, as always ilovedinomartin's awesome pallie Andy gives a huge nod of Dino-approval to ilovedinomartin and yours truly. Indeed Andy is a fabulously faithful friend of our Dino's and this humble Dino-blog.

ilovedinomartin sends out our deepest of deep Dino-appreciato to our wonderfully wise pallie Andy for liftin' up the name of our Dino at his fab blog and helpin' his huge readership to grow in knowin', lovin', and honorin' our main man. To checks out Andy's reflections directly at his blog, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-report. Dino-delightedly, DMP

*Dino Martin Peters is so enraptured by Dean Martin that he has dedicated a blog to Mr. Cool and has been writing it for many years using his own Dino-patter, a Dino-lingo that is in itself so unique that it is amusing yet sophisticated and encompasses everything Dean Martin. Check out the original blog by Dino-lover DMP @: http://ilovedinomartin.blogspot.sg/

Vivian Nonis - He reminds me of *John Lee Hooker. (image You Tube TheGuitarist1102).

We have a number of guitar maestros but not many Singaporeans are aware except for those who are either in the music industry or following the melody trail. With some help from Wilfred Lim, St Andrew's classmate and guitar enthusiast, I met one who is a veteran jazz guitarist and who played big time with 1960s bands. Have guitar will travel and whether it was in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Indonesia or far away Japan this gentleman had strummed his way into the hearts of many music lovers for more than 40 years.

Vivian Nonis was a clarinetist but started playing the guitar when be-bop was top. He is so good at his craft that his versatility spans many genres. Rock and roll or rhythm and blues, Latin or mood music Vivian plays them all. His favourite is jazz and this 87 year young connoisseur has performed with western bands, chinese bands, malay kugirans, big ensembles, combos and ker tais. Vivian is still at it today and devotes most of his time with a new curvaceously sexy life partner, a semi-solid Gibson given to him by Gibson Singapore for his contribution to our music scene.

At the Singapore Art Museum performance in 2007 (image by Guitar77).

He shares his music with others, practising and jamming with anyone who's interested to learn the art. He is a guitar tutor and in one of his rare appearances Vivian performed with his students at the Singapore Art Musuem in August 2007. In 2012 at the annual President's Star Charity Show on TV he was the accompanying guitarist playing Nat King Cole's L.O.V.E. and The Beatles, Can't Buy Me Love.

According to TheGuitarista1102 interview on You Tube, Vivian has lived for 10 years in a Home in Singapore since his family migrated. It was his decision to stay because he loves the country and his many music friends. He lives alone, manages well and spends time composing songs whenever he is free. When asked about his sunglasses he mentioned that he wears them because of a problem with his left eye but adds that he still sees well with the other.

Vivian Nonis' Music Corner where he tutors students (image You Tube by The Guitarist1102)

During his younger days Vivian had played with famed Malay film star P. Ramlee and other prominent musicians. He was leader of a band that played at the 7th Storey Hotel and gladly mentioned that about one quarter of Singapore's musicians were his students. Wow that is something.

I was lucky enough to have met Vivian some years ago when I visited him at the Home. Quiet, unassuming and very cheerful he taught me the embellishment of a few pop songs when we sat together at his favourite garden spot in the Home.

"I dream to be a top guitarist in Singapore," says Vivian. I think he is. Listen to him on You Tube (top right bar). Here's to a Singapore idol. Many more years of guitar playing Vivian!

Full house during tribute to Nonis (image by markomas n Guitar77)

NB: If you were one of his students or if you are friend or family please write in as Wilfred and I shall be meeting him soon and sending him a copy of this write-up and comments. Thanks.

*"John Lee Hooker (August 22, 1917 – June 21, 2001) was a highly influential American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist. William Hooker rose to prominence performing his own unique style of what was originally a unique brand of country blues. He developed a 'talking blues' style that was his trademark (Wikipedia)."

Images: Google, You Tube (The Guitarist1102, Guitar77 and markomas).

Singapore Police in the past.

The nightclubs in the 1960s were usually quiet and conflicts and rowdiness more or else contained. But there were instances when fights and clashes erupted and the police would appear quickly to appease the situation and handle the trouble makers. Guru Happy, who now lives in Vancouver is here again to discuss certain tough areas that he had been patrolling those years. Personal names

have been left out and the article has been edited:

**d'Starlights: Karate-kicks on stage before music performance.

"D'Starlights, I'm sure many of you could remember, was one of the first and top band from the Philippines to perform at the El Amigo in Singapore. We would always frequent the Lounge or Nite Club (as they were known those days) located at the New World Amusement Park.

Is this a *BLACK MARIA with reinforced steel bars?

Located at Kitchener Road (now called City Square Mall) it was one place where well-known gangsters and hard-core fugitives would also congregate and come to know me pretty well too. We would always land up making arrests in the club when I was then with the Police Special Squad working together with one Mr Singh.

Another place we used to frequent often was at the Pink Panther off Orchard Road and the Shamrock Bar and Nite Club. "If you're looking for trouble, you came to the right place, If you're looking for trouble just look right in muh face (Elvis Presley's Trouble from King Creole)."

Elvis Presley spells trouble in King Creole.

Cathay Nite Club and Restaurant at the Cathay Cinema at Mount Sophia and Handy Road was another favourite joint and that was where my present better half and I had our first date, together with childhood friends, a well-known radio DJ and another friend who was one of Singapore's great footballers. We grew up together in primary school and if we didn't frequent the nightclubs we would spend most of our time on the soccer field in Queenstown.

Nightclubs in the 50s and 60s

Besides D'Starlights I still remember Susan Lim with The Crescendos and would still listen to her on You-Tube today to recall all those memorable times where we enjoyed our T-Dances and house parties in the 60s. Yes, so much to talk about, but so little time-lah, especially when you're far-away from your kampung in Pasir Ris." Do you have such stories to tell?

Angchia arrests begin with warning messages over loudspeakers.

*The vehicle most gangsters fear is the ang-chia or red van used to round up trouble-makers and placed under arrest. They would be escorted under heavy guard in these ang-chias and charged at the police station. Such vehicles have been phased out today and replaced with smaller ones.

**Vinyl from d'Starlights:It's Soul Man with A Man Without Love, Hip Hug Her, El Pussy Cat and Louie Louie on EMI/ECHK 598.

Original article by Guru Happy (edited).
Images: Google.

Just close your eyes and listen:

The above video is Elvis tribute artiste Ben Portsmouth from the UK singing, *An American Trilogy shown live on The David Letterman Show at the Ed Sullivan Theatre in New York City on 8th February, 2013. You Tube Video is by Musicfantasy2. According to Letterman Portsmouth was, "the first European to be named the ultimate Elvis tribute artiste..." (read my Comment on Letterman overleaf).

Elvis with the same song during the Hawaii Concert in 1973. Video by kiko9918.

King Ben Portsmouth - 2012 to 2013:

On August 18th, 2012 ten of the top Elvis tribute artists in the world competed at a sold-out Cannon Center in downtown Memphis where the 2012 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist was announced. Ben Portsmouth from England, winner of the Collingwood Elvis Festival won the title.

Ben lives in a small village in England called Walthan St. Lawrence. He enjoys spending time with friends and writing songs. He first heard Elvis as a young boy while riding in his father’s car. Ben learned some chords on his dad's guitar and started to play and sing along to Elvis’ music. He sings most of them but the big favourite is American Trilogy.

Elvis Presley or Ben Portsmouth?

Awards and Titles:

In 2006 he was awarded the title of Best Festival Elvis at the annual Porthcawl Elvis' Convention in Wales, the biggest of its kind in Europe. He took the assembled Elvis devotees by storm with his remarkable voice and stage presence. In 2007 he was awarded the Gold Lame (Jacket) Award for his 50's set and in 2008 he was voted the best '68 Comeback Special.

In 2010 in Memphis, USA our champ won the world title at the Images of the King annual contest. 2013 sees him winning tribute acts and a career going from strength to strength when he was crowned the World's Best Elvis 2010 and also the People's Choice when he won the Ultimate Elvis Contest 2012 in Memphis. He now appears regularly in the USA on network TV and at events.

Thanks to good friend Snook Hawk for sending me the video.

Video 1: by Musicfantasy2.
Video 2 by kiko9918 from You Tube.

Image 1 from: elvis.com/news
Image 2 from: hiram7.wordpress.com

*An American Trilogy

"It is a song arranged by country songwriter Mickey Newbury and made popular by Elvis Presley, who began including the song as part of his regular concert routine in the 1970s, thereby making the song a showstopper.

It is a medley of three 19th century songs - Dixie, a blackface minstrel song that became the unofficial anthem of the Confederacy since the Civil War; All My Trials, originally a Bahamian lullaby, but closely related to African American spirituals, and well-known through folk music revivalists; and The Battle Hymn of the Republic, the marching song of the Union Army during the Civil War (Wikipedia)."

**Nick Noble with The Bible Tells Me So (Video by: The LimePopsicle)

SONGS I LOVE:

Religious Song With Refrain and Pop Beat:

Many religious songs today have a pop beat and it was no different in the 1950s. As a teenager I learnt The Bible Tells Me So very quickly since it was on the air a lot with its cheerful jazz beat. It still remains in me today and the lyrics clear in my mind. I am uncertain if it was written by Dale Evans (wife of cowboy star Roy Rogers) but she, Nick Noble and Don Cornell made it a big hit.

Although songs from the 50s like Irene Goodnight, A Dear John Letter and Tom Dooley have different themes they each have a simple and easily remembered refrain. So it is with The Bible Tells Me So accompanied by a big band and a repeated verse that is not easily forgotten.

Music Sheet showing composer Dale Evans.

Lyrics:

Have faith, hope, and *charity.
That's the way to live successfully.
How do I know?
The Bible tells me so.

Do good to your enemies,
And the blessed Lord you'll surely please.
How do I know?
The Bible tells me so.

Don't worry 'bout tomorrow.
Just be real good today.
The Lord is right beside you.
He'll guide you all the way.

*Charity = Love.
** Nick Noble passed away on 24th March, 2012 aged 85.

Alfred Ho from Penang, Malaysia (Video by: AlfredHo111)

"Veteran singer Nick Noble had a massive hit with this song when I was just growing up in the 50's," says Alfred Ho. This Malaysian is the consummate entertainer with over three decades of performing experience at numerous stage shows, shopping complexes, private functions and nightspots across the country. Although visually handicapped Alfred is certainly one of the best entertainers from way up North.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Lost and Found?

Lost and Found:
I found this large, old Holy Bible near Siglap some months ago (actual image above). It was sitting on a PUB electric circuit box at a side road and have kept it since. It is a King James version with the words Super Giant Print and Holman Bible Publishers (Copyright 1996) on its side.

If you have lost a Bible that is 10 inches long and 7 inches wide with very big prints do write to me and I shall return it to you.

A Blessed Good Friday and Happy Easter everyone!

Image 1: Google

Image 2: Andy Lim Collection.

1) April Fool's Day: Marty Robbins Video by tarquin45

Either Elvis' A Fool Such As I or Rick Nelson's, Poor Little Fool would have been a good choice for today's posting but here's one you might not have heard of. It is a ballad written by Marty Robbin's friend Don Winters which was on the flip of his big hit, Devil Woman from 1962.

April Fool's Day (composed by Don Winters)

"It should be April Fool's Day cause you've been foolin' me
All the things you promised just weren't meant to be
You lied, you lied you cheated, you never could be true
It should be April Fool's Day and the joke should be on you.

It hurt me so to see you go your secret love and you
As in the past, for now, at last I found someone too
Your secret love has left you and I found someone new
It should be April Fool's Day and the joke should be on you."

2) In another context:

Puck:
"Captain of our fairy band,
Helena is here at hand,
And the youth, mistook by me,
Pleading for a lover's fee.
Shall we their fond pageant see?
Lord, what fools these mortals be!"

William Shakespeare:
A Midsummer Night's Dream: (3.2: 110-115).

3) Familiar Songs With April In Title:

Pieces of April - Three Dog Night
April Love - Pat Boone
April - Deep Purple
April Come She Will - Simon & Garfunkel
April Fools - Dionne Warwick.
April In Paris - Frank Sinatra / Billie Holiday/ Count Basie
April In Portugal - Frank Sinatra / Les Butler
April Played A Fiddle - Frank Sinatra
April Showers - Eddie Fisher
I'll Remember April - Charlie Parker
The April Fools - Dionne Warwick

If you remember any other title please contribute?

1) From You Tube video by miha 622

It has been a while since I posted articles about kugirans (Malay pop guitar groups) from the 60s so when an email and a photograph came from friend Jimmy, Decibels' former guitarist, I decided to publish the information he provided. He wrote:

2) Jimmy's photograph taken at site.

Hi Andy,

I was enjoying my nasi padang at an eatery in Nusajaya Johor Bahru recently when I looked across where I was seated and saw a few old cameras and an old vinyl record displayed on a shelf against the wall. I learnt from the owner of the eatery, Mr Fadli that his wife's uncle was a member of Les Jolly Jets. The band only lasted for a couple of years though. He obliged when I asked if I could take a picture of the displayed record (pls see attached). I also told him to check out your singapore60smusic blogspot. Btw, do you know of this band?

Best regards,

Jimmy.

1.04.2013.

Dear Jimmy,

Thank you for the email and photograph. There were bands mushrooming all over Malaysia those years and I am not familiar with many. So I checked You Tube and found this group featured. Les Jolly Jets might have had a good following in Johore Bahru in the 60s as these bands played at home parties, weddings, cinemas and night clubs in the area. Like any business opportunities, Malaysian record producers would contract these more popular bands to cut a vinyl.

The Dreamers from Muar Johor.

Some time ago I bought an EP of a band called, The Dreamers and from the information on the cover they came from Muar, Johore (image 2). I am just wondering if any reader is familiar with these two groups from the same State. The songs, if they are of any help, include: Tetap Setia, Kemana Menghilang, Gadis Impian Ku and Kenangan Menjelma. Very roughly they mean, Always Faithful, Where Have You Disappeared To, My Dream Girl and Girl Reincarnate.

I guess Zaino Mum is the lead singer for Les Jolly Jets and from the information on the back cover, Zainal Omara and Shahrin Shah are the singers for The Dreamers. Apparently Zainal Omara was also popular with two hits, Dodoi Anak and Sapu Tangan (is this the pop folk classic from Indonesia?)

Regards,
Andy.

If group members are still around in J.B. and reading this posting, give me a write.

Image 1: You Tube miha 622.
Images 2. Jimmy Ch'ng.

Image: 3. Andy Lim Collection.

SONGS I LOVE:

The solid guitar instrumental version of *Apache meant fame and fortune for British group The Shadows when the song topped the UK Singles Chart for weeks in mid 1960. Composed by Jerry Lordan it is in the list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks. The public raved and the song became a worldwide hit. Even until today it is still being played, revived, mixed and re-mixed by many different bands and artistes.

Many groups like The Ventures, Safaris, Davie Allen n the Arrows, artistes like Duane Eddy, Jorgen Ingmann, Bert Weedon and Chet Atkins covered it. In Singapore guitar groups that aspired to be 'famous' were able to play the twanging version and nearly every Singapop group used it as their opening act on stage. From 1960 Singapore was invaded by Apache.

3) Singapore 60s Bands Always Play Apache. Copyright Mun Chor Seng.

In 1973, when the original Shadows' version was still a hot favourite, a hip-hop version by the Incredible Bongo Band emerged with a great following and in 1981 there was even a rap version by Sugarhill called, Gang Apache (Jump On It) with fascinating bongo play. Check out Wikipedia's long list of Apache covers and versions which come right up to 2006. But if we turn the clock back to the beginning when it was first composed there is a flip side to this interesting tale.

For some readers who may not be familiar with Apache there is a less known non-instrumental version of this song. This outshadowed version with lyrics was recorded in 1961 and written by living legend and singer/songwriter Sonny James (83 years now) of Young Love fame. Without further ado, and thanking You Tube and Maureen712, here's the real love story of an Apache brave (Golden Hawk) and the American Indian maiden (Silver Dove) who is still haunted by her love for him.

Sonny James' Apache. Video by Maureen 712

Lonely Silver Dove
Sweet Apache maid
Lonely Silver Dove
Sweet Apache maid

Alone, all alone by the campfire
She dreamed of her love, her delight
Away, far away on the prairie
Her love Golden Hawk shared the night

Sometimes at night with the moon he would come
Sweet were the moments they shared
But with the dawn he was gone with the sun

A smoke sign arose from the prairie
A breeze sighed a sad mournful song
The brave Golden Hawk had departed
Had gone to that great, great beyond

Sometimes at night when there's rain in the sky
She hears her love high above
He and his pony go thundering by...

Except #3, All Images by Maureen712.
http://www.youtube.com/user/Maureen712?feature=watch

*Johnny Preston's Running Bear (1959) has a similar theme. Also sung by Sonny James this song was a big hit by J. P. Richardson (The Big Bopper).
"With a love big as the sky
Running Bear loved Little White Dove
With a love that couldn't die."

One For The Birds - A Hornbill At My Balcony

"Tunes That Crept Into My Consciousness" Singapore 50s With John Harper: Part One

A Quiz About K-Pop SKarf And Singapore 60s

4 Generations: Sunny Low To Tasha Low Of SKarf

John Harper's Singapore 50s Music Trail: Part Two

70s Singapore Band Boy Writes From Australia

You Don't Know Harmony Till You Listen To Them

Prelude To Valentine's Day - The Sweetheart Tree

A Happy, Safe Lunar New Year 2013 Everyone!

^"16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." Matthew 10:16. King James Version.

Happy Valentine's Day: Visions Of Lara n Trailers

Was Singapore Ever On 'The Dean Martin Show'?

Late 50s British Pop TV: By John Harper Part III

Hey Pallies: A True Blue Dino-Lover From Dino-US

DMP, with his generous heart, posts my blog on his with this introduction:

Saturday March 2nd, 2012

Music Memory Trail Jazz Guitarist Vivian Nonis @ 87

When Police Special Squads Roam 60s Nite Clubs

Ben Portsmouth UK Ultimate Elvis Tribute 2013

Faith, Hope, Love: Good Friday In Easter Week

April Showers: What Fools These Mortals Be!

Kugiran Les Jolly Jets, The Dreamers: Johore.

Shadows' "Apache" and Sonny James Love Lyrics

"16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." Matthew 10:16. King James Version.

DMP, with his generous heart, posts my blog on his with this introduction:

Saturday March 2nd, 2012

^"16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." Matthew 10:16. King James Version.