RELIVING THE POP MUSIC OF THE 1960s
I was a typical teenage, infatuated with the cute idols of those days – Cliff Richard, Ricky Nelson, Frankie Avalon, Paul Anka, Johnny Tillotson, Bryan Hyland, and their female counterparts like Brenda Lee, Connie Francis, Dusty Springfield, Petula Clark and Helen Shapiro.
(Above) Who can ever forget ‘Shanty’ by The Quests? I was still in high school when it shot to the top of the charts and stayed there for months.
(Above) Matthew and the Mandarins made famous their original country hit ‘Singapore Cowboy’.
While some of the 60s era singers and musicians have passed on, those that have remained never gave up their passion for playing music. They continue to perform at fund-raising events, reunions, and corporate functions. Others, like my friend Jimmy Lee, have been keeping the memory of Elvis Presley alive via the Elvis Presley Friendship Club of Singapore. Credit also goes to the Singapore government for promoting 1960s music with free concerts in October in conjunction with International Day of Older Persons.
D-Asiatics (above) playing a cover version of ‘Midnight in Malaysia’ made popular by Boy and His Rollin’ Kids.
(Above) Alfred Ho was the winner of Malaysia’s first national talentime contest in 1971, and was in Asia Got Talent 2017. All three judges loved his singing. He was busking weekly at KLCC LRT station until the MCO shutdown forced him to stop in March 2020. He has since retired but his CDs are still available on sale at RM30 a copy. You can reach him at 012-3461232.
Music keeps us feeling young, energetic and socially connected. If we can’t play an instrument, we can sing, or dance to music. Music feeds the soul and nourishes it. We need music in our lives. Period.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am happy to announce that it’s that time of year again! That’s right. It’s time…
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