SINGAPORE 60'S Treasures from the Past
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1 SINGAPORE 60'S Treasures From The Past REMASTERED 4 CD SET All Rights Reserved, National Library Board, Singapore SINGAPORE 60'S PHILIPS All Rights Reserved, National Library Board,VOL. Singapore1 Foreword Brian Richmond Niteline Gold 90.5 FM People, in general, are nostalgic for the good old days. They bring back memories of our youthful years when times were a lot simpler. The local corner Singapore Beat at 10.30pm on Niteline on Gold 90.5FM has certainly generated a lot of interest and a following from a sector of our audience who grew up being entertained by a thriving local scene in the 60's. Gold 90.5FM also had requests time and time again to put together an album featuring our local talents. And so, with the help of Joseph Pereira and the good people at Universal Music, we have put together a collection of some of the finest in our first effort called SINGAPORE 60's - TREASURES FROM THE PAST. Judging from the response, this will certainly be a forerunner of more to come. Do enjoy this selection from NAOMI & THE BOYS, THE CYCLONES, THE CRESCENDOS AND THE THUNDERBIRDS. It's a great keepsake of our treasures from the past and certainly makes for a wonderful gift for someone who has lived those eventful years. All Rights Reserved, National Library Board, Singapore SINGAPORE POP SIXTIES Singapore felt the stirrings of the rock and roll revolution of the Fifties when Bill Haley and The Comets and others of his ilk had sent the first shock waves round the world and upset the old order. The young now counted as a separate entity and this caused ripples in many countries round the world, Singapore included. Soon there were local versions of pop entertainers who styled themselves on their chosen heroes or heroines and furthered the gospel of pop in their chosen genre. In 1960, the Blue Diamonds did a show in Singapore, which was groundbreaking because they were international stars and their impact on the Singapore pop scene went deep. More was to come. In November 1961 Cliff Richard and The Shadows played two nights at the Gay World auditorium and they set the stage of Singapore's pop development for the entire decade. Bands modelled on the Shadows and other instrumental bands like the Ventures, the Spotnlks and Johnny Lion and The Jumping Jewels became the role models for bands in Singapore. The scene was beginning to heat up and record companies were beginning to take notice. Philips Singapore was not unmindful of the burgeoning scene in Singapore and they took note of the many bands and solo singers who were performing at stage shows, on radio and television and in the many forces clubs, which dotted land. Soon they were ready to take a chance on Singapore's pop talent and started signing them and releasing their records. Their earliest signing, The Crescendos had not let them down. Their releases in 1963 and 1964 were hits in Singapore and Malaysia and some had even entered the Philips international charts. There was now stopping Philips as they were eager and hungry to sign other talents to the label and they did not have to look far. The pop movement in Singapore was gathering steam and there were many stage shows In Singapore at places like the National Theatre, Singapore Badminton Hall, Fraser and Neave Hall, Victoria Theatre and school halls where a steady stream of bands and singers appeared at numerous functions and shows during this period. For a teenager at this time, Singapore pop was truly and embarrassment of riches, so abundant the talent that was floating around at the time. Towards the middle of 1964, Philips were ready and they began to sign bands and singers to the label with the intention of capturing the pop market in Singapore, Malaysia and other markets. They were raring to go. Philips was not disappointed as the selection on this box set shows. All Rights Reserved, National Library Board, Singapore NAOMI AND THE BOYS Noami and The Boys were signed up by Philips in early 1965 and their first release on the label (ME 0129 NE) netted them a number one hit when It's All Over composed by Robert Suriya and sung by sister Naomi, hit number one in the Malaysian charts. The line up on that EP was Naomi Suriya (vocals), Robert Suriya (lead), Peter Richards (organ), Moses Tay (rhythm), Henry Richards (bass) and Joe Ahmad (drums). Naomi and The Boys toured Malaysia to promote the single and did many shows on the concert circuit in Singapore to cash in on their ever-increasing popularity. However there was dissension in the ranks as members quarrelled among themselves over leadership issues as well as the direction the music should take. Three members of the band left. They were Peter Richards, Henry Richards and Joe Ahmad. The band was in tatters. Undaunted, Robert took over the mantle of leadership in the band. They still had their recording contract with Philips. He now had to go and look for new musicians to fill the ranks of the Boys. A jam session brought guitarist Peter Thomas, who was formerly with the Stompers into his orbit. They got to talking and Robert found a like-minded musician who to his liking also composed. Robert sensed that Peter would be an asset to the band. The fact that Peter's joining the band would mean that there were three guitar players in the band did not deter Robert. He knew that Moses Ta y was a versatile musician and could be persuaded to move over to bass or even to keyboards if need be. He asked Peter to join the band to which Peter duly agreed to, becoming a member of Naomi and The Boys in August 1965. Peter was introduced to Moses as a guitar player who would be joining the Boys. Robert asked Moses to move to bass to accommodate Peter as the new rhythm guitarist in the Boys. Moses agreed to the change . Now Robert had to find a drummer to round up the band. THE FLARESAll Rights Reserved, NationalNAOMI Library & THE Board, Singapore BOYS He turned up one night at the Champagne Night Club and introduced himself to the Flares. He had come prepared for a jam session and brought his own guitar. Alphonso said that Robert was a jazzman and songs like these allowed him to stretch out on the guitar. Alphonso was asked to take a drum solo, which he performed with gusto. Robert noted Alphonso's playing and saw that his beat keeping was spot on. He did not drag on songs or speeded up the beat. While Alphonso was packing, Robert approached him and asked him out for supper at Albert Street Sarabat (tea) stall. Alphonso said, "After supper at about 3.00 am, he asked me If I would be interested in joining his group - The Boys. Honestly, I had never heard of them. I liked his guitar playing and sound and decided to accept his invitation. He told me they were recording that morning at Kinetex Studio. I went home to catch some sleep and next morning went to Kinetex Studio. There he met the rest of the band. Naomi Suriya (vocals), Peter Thomas (rhythm), Moses Tay (bass, keyboards) besides Robert on lead guitar. That day they recorded Happy Happy Birthday Baby and another song. The next day the band returned to record two more songs. Philips released their EP (ME 0129 NE) with Happy Happy Birthday Baby (Sylvia/Lopez), I Know (Robert Suriya)/Please Baby Please (Robert Suriya)/Have I Told You Lately (Scott/Weisman) in October 1965. Again the fans response to the EP was positive, as Happy Happy Birthday Baby became a favourite at parties due to Its value for having a good smooch. Not surprisingly it went to No 1 in the local charts. It was also voted Song Of The Year for 196S. Of the other songs two were Robert Suriya compositions and they showed a growing maturity in his writing as he looked for new ways to interpretate the pop ethos. Please Baby Please was a fast paced number while I Know which another paean to an errant lover had a good melody and memorable singing from Naomi. Not surprisingly it became a hit In Malaysia. Like they had done on their debut they jazzed up Have I Told You Lately That I Loved You where Robert even added a raucous guitar solo. All Rights Reserved, National Library Board, Singapore The Cyclones The Cyclones consisting of James and Siva Choy had started singing as early 1957. Initially they styled themselves on the Everly Brothers or any singing duo. When the Blue Diamonds played Singapore in 1960, that had an impact on the Cyclones as well. At the same time they were drawn to Rock and Roll, which they were now featuring very strongly in their stage, shows. In 1963, when the Beatles hit the spotlight worldwide, Cyclones felt their onslaught. This was taking pop music to new dimensions. Cyclones changed their style of singing, soon earning the monicker of "The Beatles of Singapore". The Checkmates, a four piece instrumental band were playing Sunday tea dances at the Cellar in Clifford Pier when Cyclones went there one Sunday to listen to them. Checkmates then had Robert Song singing with them. Cyclones asked if they could perform with Checkmates and this soon became a permanent arrangement. When The Cellar ended their tea dance sessions, Robert Song got a contract at the Golden Venus which was a basement club located at Orchard Hotel on Orange Grove.