It was more than 4.3 million views on 1st September 2025. In less than a month the blog acquired another 100,000 views to achieve 4.4 million plus views.
SINGAPORE 60's: ANDY's POP MUSIC INFLUENCE IS A PERSONAL MUSIC, MEMORY TRAIL. BLOGGER DOES NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO VIDEOS, AUDIO TRACKS AND IMAGES. THEY ARE UPLOADED FOR FUN, EDUCATIONAL, ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES AND HAVE BEEN CREDITED. BLOG IS NOT SPONSORED NOR ADVERTORIAL IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER. INFORM BLOGGER OF COPYRIGHT ISSUES AND POST WILL BE DELETED IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT COPY THE POSTS; GET PERMISSION N CREDIT ME IF YOU DO. ANDY LIM LA (NOVEMBER, 2008) - (新加坡六十年代安迪的流行音乐影响力), SUDI MAMPIR !
Monday, September 22, 2025
Andy's 60's Music Blog Reaches 4.4 Million Plus Views on 22 September 2025
Sunday, May 26, 2024
"60s Music Stars From US, UK, Europe, HK Were At My Doorsteps," Says JK Lim.
I’m like *HH Chew [connection below], chasing concerts and bands and singers! It's mainly due to my home, a building beside the Odeon Cinema in North Bridge Road, opposite Jubilee Theatre near the Capitol Cinema and walking distance to Cathay Cinema. The amusement centres in Singapore 60s were close to each other in this part of town where I lived.
And coincidentally, the girls-only school, the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus [CHIJ] was right smack in the middle of these movie theatres. And the young ladies would come out after school, at about one in the afternoon, in their white and hue blue pinafores.
On the other hand we had pop singers like, Johnny Lion and the Jumping Jewels from Holland performing at the Odeon. Remember them? He sang 'Let's Make a Habit of This', 'Judy', 'I Like It' and a host of other hits.
This cinema and others were all under the Cathay Organisation and the movie stars Hayley Mills and her father, John Mills came and appeared on stage before the shows. And they still keep coming today, the big stars like the Rolling Stones, Cpldplay, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift.
Then across the road at Jubilee Cinema, which screened mostly Chinese shows had the Canto [Cantonese] stars appearing, with the likes of Fong Po Po and Chan Poh Choo. Today it's the National Stadium, where groups like Black Pink, top K-Pop groups from South Korea come bob bob bopping along.
And over at the Cathay, a short distance away, Frank Sinatra, one of the best US 60s crooners, was there. He was truly my favourite and I managed to catch him in his room at the Cathay Hotel above the cinema and got his autograph too after school. I was studying nearby at St. Joseph's Institution.
Crossing to the East side of Singapore, at Guillemard Road. It was concerts galore when Cliff Richard and the original Shadows came. This group included Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch, Tony Meehan and Jet Harris.
There was Pat Boone and Debbie Boone. It was a wonderment with tickets costing Fifty Cents to One Dollar for hard step-like concrete seats at the Badminton Hall and at the Happy World Stadium.
Yes, yes!
"Those were the days my friend,
We thought it'd never end..."
But it did. Now in Singapore concerts cost so much more. A coming one will cost pop music enthusiasts more than a thousand dollars per ticket!
The best deal I experienced was a three-in-one concert for one dollar at the Badminton Hall where I witnessed the Rolling Stones, Manfred Mann and The Kinks. Now that was a record breaker indeed [pun intended].
And I managed to get all their autographs!
Many stars do a transit stop in Singapore here before heading Down Under in Kangaroo county, Australia. These pop stars included: Helen Shapiro, Millie Small, Blue Diamonds, Anneke Gronloh, The 3 Degrees, Stylistics, Manhattan Transfer, Herman’s Hermit and Gilbert O'Sullivan.
Written by: JK Lim.
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
Andy's Music Quiz: Singapore And International Pops
https://wallpaperaccess.com/pretty-native-american
Quiz
It's easy guys, give it a try. Place a letter in each blank:
Example: L A R R Y = Rediffusion's favourite 60s DJ.
1 ___ ___ ___ ___ = SG Music Blogger.
2 ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ = The King.
3 ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ = Insects with beat.
4 ___ ___ ___ = He's Chong, not Japanese.
5 ___ ___ ___ ___ = Miss Molly's behaviour.
6 ___ ___ ___ ___ = SG singer Shirley's surname.
7 ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ = Apache was a hit!
8 ___ ___ ___ ___ = They were with Naomi.
9 ___ ___ ___ ___ = Murray's famous bird.
10 ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ = Andy's favourite girl.
[This quiz was done by a reader who wishes to remain anonymous. Thanks very much.]
Answers will not be published for some time.
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Martin Ong n The Swallows - Sibu/Sarawak's Cliff Richard n Shadows
As it was often the case those years, his music adventure started when Cliff Richard's movie, ''The Young Ones'', showcased in his town in East Malaysia in 1965. Cliff and his Shadows, like bombs, created a huge crater where thousands of its youthful citizens were immersed in a British Invasion, caught within the fun and frolic of a musical extravaganza. And similarly, like the British lads that we copied, Martin and his swinging Swallows were dressed to the nines, with full suits, complete with ties and resplendent polished shoes [Beatle boots later]. In fact most Shadows bands dressed well in the 60s.
In Malaysia, Singapore and other South East Asian countries where Cliff with his four shadows appeared, the many thousands who followed them wanted to swing with the group's red Fenders and rock and roll on stage too. Martin Ong was one of them.
To cut the chase, when one of the country's business bosses found that he could sing, Mr. Wong, owner of a vinyl record shop in Sibu and who knew Martin, introduced him to a group of band boys called, The Swallows. His connection with them was immediate. They practised hard, entertained in cosy venues and spread their popularity in the town and they, according to Martin, ''became the most famous band in Sibu.''
As the news spread about Martin and the Swallows, they were already performing in numerous gigs in town and countryside. These places included the S.R.C. Hall [Sibu Recreation Club] and other entertainment spots. By December that year, and with Christmas around the corner, the Director of Radio Sarawak [now RTM], got them to perform at the Kuching Cinema for a 'Christmas Hamper Show'.
''Well, that's how I got started with The Swallows,'' concluded Martin Ong.
I haven't got to know or meet Martin personally but flipping through his Facebook pages I find that he rides a fancy motor-cycle, loves Elvis as much as he loves Cliff and plays the acoustic guitar well enough to entertain on stage. Martin, you are a music hero indeed.
Today he is still actively singing, time and again, for almost four years but only when he's invited to. As for the band boys, A. Rashid still lives in Sibu but Martin has lost contact with him. Stanly Tiong had passed away while James Tan lives in Australia and Wong Teck Sing in Canada.
Comments if you wish to tell us about his shows that you might have seen.
[Thanks Martin Ong for your music journey which I found fascinating. East Malaysia is one place I have never visited. I hope to one day... and meet Sarawak's Cliff Richard and his Shadows.]
Images and information from this article are copyrighted by Martin Ong.Saturday, June 26, 2021
Pop Music Quotes From 60s Living Legends
UP TO 1,700 VIEWS, 30+ COMMENTS , COMMENTS
Long And Short Comments From Legends About Pop Music In General
[1] Johnny Mathis
“I think the music perpetuated now on radio and that kids hear, structure-wise, is not geared for pretty sounds. It’s geared for pyrotechnics. They get a big kick out of it, but they’re just kids. It takes a while for other influences to get to a younger crowd.”
[2] Hank Marvin [The Shadows]
“When I’m playing a tune, I like to try to imagine I’m singing it and use phrasing that works for me. To feel I’m communicating something through the melody against playing it straight, or changing it so much that you lose some charm of the original... when I play a great tune I always like to establish it first. If someone’s written a great tune it’s good to show you appreciate and respect the value of that tune.”
[3] Pat Boone
''Ironically, for a few million people in the Far East, I did become an English teacher through my music.''
[4] Paul Anka
“I believe in criticism.”
[5] Eric Burdon [Animals]
''It's the need for change that drives us to join forces with our brothers and sisters all around the world - but change is slow.''
If you have some quotes from singers and musicians to add, please write in.
[Images were taken at random from Google and come from different stages of their lives. They are in their late 70s to late 80s.]
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Hendri Rotinsulu & ThomShell Light Orchestra Djakarta Indonesia Play Cliff & Shadows Hits
Most impressed with the lead vocalist Hendri Rotinsulu [below] who interprets Cliff Richard's songs with a superbly arranged accompaniment by the extremely accomplished and brilliant orchestra.
Move It, A Voice In The Wilderness, Lucky Lips, Constantly, When The Girl and I Could Easily are recognisable with Visions to follow. Versatile indeed, Mr Rotinsulu carries Cliff's song with heart. He gets better with each one; many more to follow... using Cliff's milestones to pave his way that evening.
This gentleman surrounded by his percussion instruments beats his drums so well I thought he could have done a solo performance with, I'll See You In My Drums. But he was the ultimate when the cameras shone on him. He's a consummate percussionist. Watch him hit his sticks. Thank you Arie Mardianto.
If I highlight everyone else, no one would watch the video. So I won't but must definitely credit the musicians, back-up singers comprising 3 sisters, the announcer and the rest of the orchestra members and crew for an impressive evening of good clean sound and solid music. Cliff and his Shadows couldn't have been more proud.
Like what the lady announcer remarked, the concert is, ''luar biasa dan enggah gampang'' [unique and not easy] to perform one so similar in nature.
Thank you ThomShell Light Orchestra from Djakarta Indonesia and their producers of this YOUTUBE Video for Cliff Richard Night and The Shadows.
Indonesians are great musicians from time immemorial. Cheers.
Come on folks, let's introduce these musicians to your friends...
Thanking Tan Tee Peng [hobby guitarist] for this video introduction.
Monday, February 29, 2016
Tracking The Trekkers: 60's Music Trail: Part Two
Hey, it's a Leap Year 29th February today.
Continuing the Story of The Trekkers:
Performing
We played in many contests like the Great World Cabaret and charity shows at the YMCA and schools such as St Patrick's and the Presbyterian Schools. In the Town Convent Girls’ School and the University of Singapore. Charles's sisters were often there to watch us perform. They were our biggest fans.
Our first win in a talent show was actually at the Great World Cabaret in the Battle of the Combo Band. We won a prize even though we were competing against some very accomplished jazz musicians. We gave them the new Duane Eddy sound, and they liked it. Charles was also a favorite of the voting dance hostesses. We also played in Swee Leong friend's club, the Rosi D'or at the old Lido Theater a couple of times. Performing at the old Britannia Club on Beach Road was another favorite because they had a lively crowd of British service personnel.
We experimented with adding vocals to the group. The Jaywalkers, comprised of Charles, his sister Ng Pau Yin, and the late Susan Lim, joined one of our practice sessions. They won a trophy at Rediffusion and were only twelve and thirteen years old at that time. Another singer (Aniz ?) also sang in our group. He had a voice for Buddy Holly and Cliff Richard hits, and the Britannia Club crowd loved him.
In our last year together, we accomplished resident group status in the Rediffusion Discovery Series together with Cynthia Hay. She had a voice like Connie Francis'. The shows were hosted by Larry Lai and Joseph Goh and pre-recorded at the old Odeon Theatre. When the show ended we remained in contact with the late Tan Swee Leong and were guests in several of his Rediffusion shows.
Finally Tan Hock Lye had us play his Make Mine Music program on the radio, and Steven Lee invited us to play the opening and closing number for the first live broadcast on Singapore Television. That was our last performance.
Unlike many bands in Singapore The Trekkers never cut a record. It simply was not an option in the period pre-1963. We had an offer from the old Rank Organization in UK while playing at the Britannia Club, but we were disbanding. First George left to join his siblings in the UK, and I left Singapore next to go to college in the United States. Charles studied law at the local university. Only William continued his musical career, going on to play with the Stray Dogs. We accomplished plenty in the short time we were together and had fun doing it.
The only recording that remains of that special time is a tape of our last jam session. William’s cousin Ah Siong recorded it with his new sound recorder, and my brother Johnny saved the tape for us all those years. The tape resurfaced in 1980, and we took it to Swee Leong for an interview on Rediffusion. Later, we submitted the tape together with The Trekkers old photographs to a contest by the Singapore National Archives. We won a consolation prize thus sealing our legacy as part of the Singapore pop scene of the 1960's.
When I arrived in Los Angeles, I was surprised to find that the 4-piece guitar band was an international phenomenon of that time and not just in Singapore. Playing Ventures and Shadows music was popular everywhere. The Ventures are still popular in Japan today among the Baby Boomers.
YouTube currently has a lot of guitarists playing Ventures and Shadows music using a Line 6 type device and Apple Garage band software. Ramon "RJ" Jacinto of the Philippines who started playing Ventures in the 60's is about the only one who is still playing in a band.
The Memories
When George, Charles, William, my brother Johnny and I are together, we always talk about The Trekkers and the good times we had playing music. We talk about the music scene in Singapore and listen to our favorite tracks from those days. When we disbanded, we were at the crossroads of our lives. I'm happy with my decision to go to college in the US even though it meant never recording an album with my friends. We accomplished plenty in the relatively short times we were together.
Like many guitar groups, we had our own unique sound. For The Trekkers that sound was a presentation by four musicians who played to complement rather than compete with each other. In The Trekkers rendition of the old hits by Ramon "RJ" Jacinto, Mashi Mashi, you can clearly hear the distinctive rhythm of Charles, the bass of William and the drum beat of George; all synchronizing and complementing the lead guitar. Thus I believe we had fulfilled our aspiration (and my demands) to play the best music together. We now still talk excitingly of our music and share one of the most wonderful memories of our moments in The Trekkers.
A long, long time ago
I can still remember how that music used to make me smile
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And maybe they'd be happy for a while...
Thank you for reading.
A special thanks to my daughter Carolyn for editing this short history.
Article, Images, You Tube Videos:
Copyrights Reserved by Henry Gan.
Monday, February 22, 2016
Tracking 'The Trekkers' 60's Music Trail: Part One
A Chap Goh Meh CNY Posting:
This article is a Chap Goh Meh (15th Night Chinese New Year Celebration) treat for readers and friends who have been regular patrons of this blog.
The Trekkers' leader has written a short article about the history of the band. Henri Gann, who lives in Los Angeles (USA) since he left Singapore in 1964, frequents this blog and wrote to me when Mr. Tan, owner of TMA Music, passed away recently.
I asked if he could do an article of the guitar group and he obliged. Although the group has never recorded on vinyl, Henri has managed to salvage some music tapes. You can listen to them on his You Tube connection.
Thank you very much Henry for your detailed, informative write-up, the video tribute to my blog (above) and the lively tea-time chat we had in Singapore.
Remembering The Trekkers 1960-1963
Background
In those days, we were the Katong boys who played music for fun and walked along Marine Parade to feel the ocean breeze. We were entertained by Rediffusion, got the latest hits at the local town record store, and saw Elvis’ movies at the Roxy Theater. Guitars were affordable and to some extent drums were, too, so a lot of kids got together to play music.
Many bands formed in Katong at that time, including the Muskrats and the Tornados. We had no musical training and played by ear. We measured our progress by participating in talent shows. We didn’t dream about becoming recording artists. There wasn’t even a recording studio in Singapore at that time.
We called our band The Trekkers. We met in the Presbyterian Boys' School where we all attended. Drummer George Wang still had baby fat at the age of fourteen, but he also had a full set of Premier Drums. Charles Ng, thirteen, played an acoustic guitar that was as big as he was. He was a gifted musician who could detect the slightest wrong tune on a guitar and played very expressive chords. My favorite was his rendition of Stardust.
Our bass player William Tan was the oldest at sixteen and another gifted musician. He had never seen a bass guitar when he joined The Trekkers and learned to play the instrument proficiently in a very short time. I was fifteen and the tallest in the group. I demanded perfection for our music and encouraged the others to practice. My older brother Johnny Gan was our unofficial manager and toughest critic; he inspired us with his extensive record collection.
The Equipment
The late Mr. Tan of TMA was our best friend. He always had a solution to our equipment problems, and there were a lot of them. It was hard to find the musical equipment we needed to make the sound we craved.
Solid body guitars were rare in Singapore in the early 60s and when we found them, chances were some of the frets were positioned out of tune. There was also frequent feedback from the guitar pickups, which caused the amplifier to hum embarrassingly on stage. The amplifiers we could get were usually compact and designed for roving jazz players, and we would be lucky to find ones with multiple inputs for our guitars. And to make the popular reverb sound, we relied on vibrating the tremolo arm to prolong the sound of the guitar. Still, we loved to play our music.
We played Duane Eddy first and tried to replicate his deep base note and reverb by playing at the back of the guitar and using the tremolo arm. This was especially true when we played Rebel Rouser.
We liked The Ventures because we had to go through a learning curve for each track. By the time we learned all the songs on their first few LPs, we could play almost any new guitar hit simply by listening to it. We went through these Ventures tracks: Night Train, Caravan, Hawaiian War Chant, Gandy Dancer, Poison Ivy, Sleep Walk, Morgan, Ginchy, Guitar Twist, Bumble Bee Twist, No Trespassing, Detour, Moon Over Manakoora, Home, Torquay, Mexico, Harlem Nocturne, Blue Tango, Torquay, Josie, Ghost Riders in the Sky, Cherry Pink, Red Top, White Silver Sands, Yellow Jacket, Honky Tonk, Lullaby of the Leaves, Walk Don't Run, and many more.
We played the Shadows, too, and were good at it even though we were unable to reproduce their unique Vox sound and delayed reverb with the equipment we had. However we could never get ourselves to do the band's distinctive walk or kicks as we were four shy lads on stage. That cost us a trophy in a Shadows contest. We were better off playing the music of groups that did not require stage choreography.
We had many great jam sessions playing music of surfin' guitar groups such as The Astronauts, Chantays, Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs, Dick Dale, The Bellaire, Surfari and The Marketts. The amplifiers built by Mr Tan and our new Fender guitars reproduced the surfing sound well. The tracks we played were Let's Go, Baja, Movin', Pipeline, Vaquero, Bulldog, Misirlou, Hava Nagila, Mr Moto, Wipeout, Penetration, Out-of-Limits and Let's Go.
We all had our favorite songs to play. George’s favorites were Duane Eddy's Lonely One where he could play his bongo drums; the Ventures Walk Don’t Run and Perfidia because he’d perfected the rim shot on the drums; and the Surfaris' Wipeout where he did his long roll on the drums.
Charles liked the Ventures’ McCoy because he could play lead in part of the song; the Ventures' Guitar Twist and The Shadows' Frightened City where he demonstrated his rhythm skills. William liked all the Ventures and Shadows because their bass was fun to play.
I enjoyed playing Arthur Smith's music namely Guitar Boogie because it was so long and elaborate on the guitar; Boomerang because it was fast on the beat; and I H Boogie because it had a good rhythm to it.
Part Two will appear in another posting.
A Happy Chap Goh May everyone!
Henri Gann (with shades) is still trekking today.
Images and You Tube Videos: The Trekkers from Henri Gann (Copyrights Reserved.)
You Tube Connection:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC-aLb_WHd52RntpVPppXcg