The Odeon Cinema was part of Cathay Organisation and showed movies like 'April Love' (image). It was near the junction of North Bridge Road and Bras Basah Road and was another hot spot for movie goers in the 50s and 60s. A movie like this one has many songs that live in the memory of many Singaporeans and influenced the 60s music scene. Although the accompanying bands in the 50s were not guitar groups, they were smaller bands that consisted of a piano, a guitar, adouble bass and drums. Some groups include a blowing instrument like the saxaphone. This standard quartet would provide the accompaniment for the singer who would usually croon his songs like Pat Boone.
Local bands will have their trios and quartets too. Most of them are professionals and entertain at the hotels, night spots and the 3 Worlds, namely at Great World, New World and Happy World. These muscisians can play on the spot because they read notes and also accompany dancers like strip artistes, acrobats, jugglers, etc who perform on stage. Tape recordings are few and far between then so music is 'live'.
Image: Google images
Original article: Andy Lim Collection.
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