Winston Filmer Radio TV Singapore Tribute by Horace Wee

The Late Winston Filmer
Image from: Mun Chor Seng

A time to every purpose, under Heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep
A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
To everything, there is a season
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven.

(Words-adapted from The Bible, book of Ecclesiastes)

My time has turned for more than fifty years knowing Winston as a friend. Through all the changes, ups and downs in the world, changes in our lives, we remained friends till his passing on the 12th of January 2018 in Melbourne, Australia.

We were not close as best friends are, but our paths separate as they were, would cross over the years. There were arguments and disagreements over the years, something he said recently was the "foolishness of his youth". I left it at that.

When he left for Australia with his family in the eighties, there were only a few occasions that we came in contact. The last around 2012 when he came back to Singapore for the memorial service for his wife Teresa. Frail and having difficulty in walking, we managed to spend those few days together catching up on past years.

These last few years, we had conversations over the phone probably longer than we ever had in the past. He found it difficult to face the loss of his wife and found in me a willing person and confidant to listen to his outpourings of grief, aches, pains and recollections of all the years gone by.

Winston started his career as a sound assistant for the fledgeling Radio Singapore that operated from the Cathay Building next to Dhoby Ghaut. Later he progressed to selecting records and music for radio programs. As a musician, he had strong associations in the keronchong music community and was in demand to play his guitar for various events. 

Of course, he was also part of the club music scene of the fifties and played the current music then. Later, when he was introduced to his future wife Teresa née Khoo, they would form their own band and hold court at the Adelphi Hotel in Coleman Street.

The Late Winston Filmer is 2nd from left with bass
Image from his Facebook Page.

When I first met Winston, I vividly remember that day when he brought me to his home, one of the two-storey terrace houses along Geylang Road not far from Haig Road. Listened to some of his records and then took a trip to Sungei Road (thieves market) to browse around for electrical parts.

We would be working together many times after that. From the early recording sessions of the Crescendos, Ruby Wah a popular songstress at that time to a variety of commercial sessions at EMI, Kinetex, Reddifusion and Life studios. Not forgetting the various programs and shows on Radio and Television Singapura that included the Talentime series. He would be the bass player in all these sessions. Prior to leaving Singapore, his last stint was a bassist in the SBC orchestra.

He was not active as a musician in Australia, playing only a few occasional gigs. With failing health he spent his years in retirement.

With his passing, I wish him a safe journey to heaven and to reunite with his beloved Teresa.

My prayers are that he finds all the peace and happiness he has wished for.
May his soul rest in eternal peace. Amen.

Goodbye Winston.
Sent from my iPad

MR HORACE WEE

Thanking Mr Horace Wee (professional guitarist) who wrote the above tribute to Winston Filmer. Also thanking Mun Chor Seng for the first photograph and Mr Filmer's family (Facebook Page) for the second photograph. 

Article by Horace Wee.
Image from Mun Chor Seng.
The article and images have been copyrighted.

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14 January 2018
1,335 Page Views Daily
A Record High

Winston Filmer RTS 60's Musician Has Passed On

Winston Filmer
(Straits Times Image)

 "Mr Winston Filmer passed away this morning at 11 am. Melbourne time.  May he Rest In Peace."  
(From Horace Wee who will write a tribute. This post is a temporary one. Please check this page again soon.)

"The fact that he was a part of our country's RTS Band during the heyday, he, therefore, deserves our respect for his talent."
(From Blog Reader FL.) 

Condolences to his family.

***********
Teresa Khoo Connection:
http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2012/12/memory-trail-teresa-khoo-music-pioneer.html

Winston Filmer (left)

Images are unclear and taken from Mr Filmer's Facebook page. If anyone can spare some pictures to publish on this blog, it will be great.

The Peggy Tann Story Part One: By Henri Gann

Henri Gann trusted me when he decided to let me in on these stories about our pop music stars from the 50's onwards. I respect his wishes and remind readers that his publishings have been copyrighted. 

I must thank him again for the time and effort he took to research Ms Peggy Tann.

This posting is a National Day 2017 gift from Henri Gann to the people of Singapore.

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Remembering Peggy (Part 1)

"Peggy Tann could very well be Singapore's next great singing star. She had several necessary qualities to reach stardom. A style and identity, talent and showmanship and a desire to be a big name artist."

... popular Hong Kong Radio DJ Tony Orchez (1962).

Pictures 1

She was a singer, jazz pianist and organist and a fashion icon in Singapore 60s. She had excellent taste in clothes, food and music ( Tony Orchez '62 ). She was elegant, classy and beautiful; the type of girl you would see in the fashion magazine like Her World or today's Vogue. 

Music, Dance Halls, Hotel Lounges and Jazz Music in Singapore 60's

Jazz music was popular in Singapore 60's. At that time, it would not be uncommon to hear the music from a 3 or 4 piece jazz band echoing from the hotel lobby. I can recollect the deep distinctive notes from the double-double bass, the sweeping brush strokes of the snare drums, the sexy expressive sound of a saxophone and a smooth voice of a singer-pianist whenever I walked past the Adelphi Hotel or the Raffles Hotel. This was the jazz music of Peggy and the HH Tann Orchestra.

Peggy and HH Tann Orchestra

Peggy Tann was an all round musician. She was not only a singer but could also play the piano and the organ which is an instrument few can master because of its difficult bass pedals. She had her music training in classical piano and her vocal coaching at the school.

Peggy was inspired by her father HH Tan who was himself a talented musician. He was a saxophonist and a band leader with his own orchestra. It was an unusual career for him considering that most of the professional musicians of his time in Singapore were either Eurasians or from the Philippines. 

He was also a very modest man who shunned publicity (Straits Times Jan 28, 1972). He gave Peggy a head start by focusing her early appearances only in exclusive places. 

Pictures 2

In Singapore 60's, it was very difficult for a young musician to gain entry into the business. In the report " Musical Practice of Jazz in Singapore " of the National Archives, it was mentioned that within the musicians' group, there were those who played for the 5-star hotels and others that played for the amusement parks cabarets: New World, Great World and Happy or Gay World. 

Classical Training:

The main difference between these two types of musicians was the ability to read notes. The Trekkers members had the opportunity to meet professional musicians such as Charles Lazaroo, Winston Filmer, Sam Gan and Louis Soliano when we had our short stint playing at Radio and Television Singapura and at Rediffusion. 

We were also fortunate to have met the up and coming musicians like Philip Chin and his Blue Combo and the Key Notes when we were at the Great World Cabaret Battle of the Bands contest. 

Peggy's ability to read music from her classical piano training together with the guidance from her musician father put her at an advantage over many of the amateurs and she gained professional musician status in a very short time. She was still in her teens when she achieved professional status.

Tough Tenure:

In the same article, ballroom dancing was also reported as a popular form of entertainment. It was said that while the VIPs and expatriates would go to the 5-star Raffles, Adelphi and Cockpit Hotels, the locals and off duty military personnel would often patronise the Dance Halls or Cabarets of the Amusement Parks. 

It was at the El Amigo Nightclub of the New World Amusement Park where Peggy had her early start in show business like many that came after her. The club was at Kitchener Road located in a historical part of old Singapore and named after the British Earl Kitchener from World War 1. 

It was also in the Jalan Besar area, formerly a very rough area part of town. Still, it was here that Peggy first learned about jazz while playing as a duet with her dad.  The tough tenure at the club gave her the equivalence of the experience that legendary jazz artistes from the New Orleans Preservation Hall of America would have gone through.

Read Part 2: Connect below:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2017/08/the-peggy-tan-story-part-2-by-henri-gann.html

Please make comments if you wish, especially if you are familiar with Peggy Tann and HH Tann.

Part Two would follow soon.

Happy National Day 2017 to all Singaporeans near and far.

Images and Collage: Henri Gann (right).
Copyrights Reserved (California, USA).

Rufino Soliano: Farewell To A Singapore Music Icon

3,330+   readers 
since posting day

Condolences To His Family:

This great music man passed away this morning, according to his nephew James R. Keasberry who made the announcement on my Facebook post:

"It is with sadness to say that Rufino Soliano passed away peacefully early this morning."

"Rufino Soliano (10 January 1932 - 23 April, 2017 Singapore) was an accomplished musician, composer and conductor. He was the former head of the now-defunct Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) Orchestra.

Soliano had been active in the local music scene as a violinist, drummer and percussionist from a young age. Subsequently, he took on music arrangement, composing and conducting. In 2013, at the age of 81, Soliano released his debut album of 12 original songs. Stephanie Ho NLB, Singapore Infopedia."

"I teach them how to feel the music, how to be passionate about music. You can learn all the music theories in the world, but it's not enough if you play without love and passion - Rufino Soliano, Lifestyle STP."

Hands: Gift of a Generation -- Mr Rufino Soliano. Video from: irememberSG. Thank you.

In the 70's and 80's big names performed in Singapore. These included Shirley Bassey, Matt Monroe, Johnny Ray, Buddy Rich, Louis Armstrong and Sammy Davis Jr. Mr Soliano was very active then and learnt much from the experience when he accompanied these super stars.

"This posting has been set up in respect of a well-known and well-loved musician, who was always in the background. He was on drums but he was an establishment in himself and I will always envision him as such. 

His name reminds me of the big RTS band that I used to watch when television was in its infancy in Singapore and when it was such a joy to see Mr Soliano performing on the small black and white screen. He was part of this team that thrilled and entertained audiences who lived in the 60's.

You deserve that big holiday in heaven, Rufino. May you rest in peace - 
Andy Lim."

Images: Google and Lifestyle - Straits Times Press, Singapore.
Video: You Tube irememberSG.

If there are copyrights issues, write to me and I shall delete this posting. Thank you.

Wild Attractiveness: Taiwan Lady Drummer A Hit

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 UP T0 17,000 VIEWS, 50 CHATS, COMMENTS

Seen this video nearly a year ago but if you missed it, turn the speakers out loud.  This percussionist's stories are all over the internet.  She has more than *three million views and about 200,000 likes on her Facebook.  So Danny Boy, John Cher, Oliver Bala and the other Silver Strings drummers who helped us during our gigs, can you beat this one? 

She has confidence and plenty of class! From the You Tube recording this young and pretty lady does an eyeful and entertaining street performance with the drums before her. 

Yes, she is a busker on the streets of Taiwan.  But what a busker!  According to a comment on this posting, her name is Luo Xiao Bai (羅小白) but calls herself S. White (Small White = Xiao Bai?).

She is not giving a drum display but is accompanying a song she is listening to from her ear-piece.  Watch her right hand and drumstick twirls. She's at one with the percussion, an artistic blend. Enjoy!

DkS398 says:

I'm a young drummer myself (17) and I wasn't really that impressed with her skills, like everyone else saying she's a amazing and stuff.

The title 'amazing' goes to guys like Marco Minnemann, Buddy Rich, Louie B., Chris Coleman, Royster Jr, Steve Gadd, Gene Hoglan, Mike Mangini, Mike Portnoy, Steve Adler, Bernard Purdie, John Bonham, Keith Moon and list continues. 

Those guys are amazing and great drummers. I'm not trying to be rude but from an honest, experienced drummer's point of view, she's not bad. Really she's not, but she is definitely not amazing.

min suga says:

Damn, this girl so unbelievably amazing and the thing I really, really love other than the awesome drumming, is the way she looks. I don't know if anyone else noticed but she looks so, so, so happy and is enjoying her time. I love it !

At her level, she is pretty amazing. You can't compare her to Gene Krupa can you?

anonymous says:

I tell you, she is the best female street drummer I've ever seen. Showmanship is of utmost importance for street drummers. The ability to twirl the sticks in a number of ways and to throw and catch the stick as it comes down, while in play is awesome. 

It is a veritable skill what every drummer would naturally wish to have. It is an amazing talent that won the admiration so many spectators as many other drummers could not do. Showing skin and even resorting to tricks like burning of the drum sticks that 

I saw in one vid are cheap attempts to charm spectators. But they simply are not what you would consider as talent and not worthy of praise.

Comment anyone?

Statistics:

Name: Luo Shiro (羅仕茹) 
Stage Name: Luo Xiao Bai (羅小白), S. White 
Date of Birth: 23 May 
Place of Birth: Taipei, Taiwan 
Zodiac Sign: Gemini 
Religion: Christian 
Height: 161 cm 
Favourite Food: Marshmallow 
Favourite Colour: Blue, White, Black 
Singer: Hebe (田馥甄).

Images: Google.
*6 million plus viewers on 2nd November, 2015 and rising.
  23,822,184 views on 29th April, 2017.

Mokhtar Hassan - Percussionist Perfectionist

When original Silver Strings drummer Danny Boy was unable to perform with the band for the Esplanade Concert 2010, Audie Ng (band leader) requested the presence of Neu Faces drummer Mokhtar Hassan (image) to hit the skins that evening.

Without much ado Mokhtar joined us, but only temporarily, to be the latest line-up of the Silver Strings. Mokhtar presently plays with the Neu Faces and was with them even before their first European tour in 1984. The group had toured Europe and covered Finland, Switzerland, Austria and Germany then.

A professional all the way, Mokhtar approached me with his metronome when I told him he was playing too fast while accompanying me with Paul Anka's Diana.

"Let's use this," he said, showing me the gadget, "and get the song properly performed on stage." We got it right the second time.

Mochtar drums with accuracy and panache, peaking his best when he accompanied me hitting, Mean Woman Blues and Singing The Blues. Like his drums, he is tough, solid and perfect. Thanks Mokhtar.

Image/Original article: Andy Lim.