'Tidbits' Female Teenage Trio: Island's First RCA/Cosdel Artistes In 1968 - I Believe

Monday, August 23, 2010

1968 - 29th February: National Theatre, Tank Road, Singapore.

Tears of triumph streamed down the cheeks of the three young school girls backstage, as the packed crowd roared with approval when they heard the announcement over the loud speakers. It was the moment the Tidbits had dreamed of since the day they participated in the 1967/68 Radio Television Singapura (RTS) Talentime.

They could not believe it had actually happened and when compere Tan Hock Lye asked the three young winners to come up to the microphone to say a few words to the audience, Melina Wee (12) could only sob. "We are so happy we are crying." The other two Tidbits, Serene Wee (13) and Bernadette de Souza (12) sniffed in agreement. The occasion had over-whelmed them.

It had been a touch and go affair as all the finalists at the competition exhibited a high standard even though they were amateurs. But the trio "emerged as the undisputed champions (when) they sang their way into the hearts of all through their scintillating number, I Believe. And it was just the beginning..."

1968 - 1st June: RCA - Cosdel Cocktail Party, Singapore.

Three months after winning the competition and rounds of singing engagements, the trio were in the lime-light again. It was another memorable day on June lst for The Tidbits when they signed up with Cosdel (Singapore) Ltd, on the world famous RCA label, to record four songs for an Extended Play vinyl: SGE - 0001, beautiful digits indeed.

Since they became the first to record for RCA in Singapore and that it was ground breaking day, top officials from Cosdel and RCA were present to witness the union. Backed by Cosdel's pop guitar groups The Trailers, the songs were: I Believe, Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, Never My Love and Lace Covered Window.
1969 - 2nd Album, 'California Dreamin': RCA Victor, Singapore.

According to the producer's note on the back sleeve of their second EP, the Tidbits "have matured tremendously in their vocal harmony work (and) each individual singer in the group is now extremely polished and are soloists in their own right." The producers believe they had selected the most appropriate songs for the girls because of their "calibre of singing."

The EP title song, California Dreamin' (image - SGF 0017) was given a strong vocal harmony by the girls, backed with an infectious beat and a strong rhythm. The ballad Scarlet Ribbons' rendition was tongue-in-cheek but heart-throbbing. Bernadette contributed the lead voice with "beautiful harmony work" by the other two.

Tragedy had been given a brand new arrangement and the fourth and final song, Come Softly To Me was "unique with an augmentee to help the girls feel their vocal harmony". The note explained that a George Lim was the man behind the girls' success. The trio were backed by RCA artistes, the X-Periment, one of the "slickest band in town" then.

Comment anyone?

Image/Information/Quotes: You Tube. Tidbits RCA record-sleeve covers. Souvenir programmes (1968/1969).

Original article: Andy Lim.

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The Espanade Outdoor Theatre Hosts 60s Music 2010 For Everyone!

Saturday, July 31, 2010

The Esplanade Outdoor Theatre in Singapore fronts the 300m long waterfront along Marina Bay. It can seat 450 people and take up to 600 standing. The space hosts a range of performances from music to dance and theatre which can all be enjoyed under the starlit sky.

Since July 2008, the redeveloped theatre, equipped with an in-built sound console and rigs for lighting, boasts a new performance stage 2.5 times the size of the original stage, which is twice the size of the previous theatre. The new features will allow for more dynamic performances and an enhanced audience experience.

The theatre has been an important fixture in the Singapore arts scene since it opened in 2002 and has hosted over 2,000 performances that range in diversity. In the short history of the theatre over 1.5 million people have come to experience the free performances there.

The new theatre will offer better protection from the elements through the addition of three large sails. No concerns about cancelled shows at mid-performance because of the weather.

Come join the crowd to celebrate National Day 2010 this year with a bumper crop of gigs for 60s music fans. It's free, begins at 7pm and ends at 11pm.

(Article has been edited from Outdoor Theatre Websites.)

Images/Information: www.esplanadeyouths.com/?p=361

http://www.esplanade.com/about_the_centre/venues/outdoor_theatre/index.jsp

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Leggy Fashion Models, Drooling Band Boys

Sunday, June 20, 2010

A long time ago in the 60s and 70s, way before Jade Seah and Nadya Hutagalung appeared on our local catwalk, Singapore had its share of beautiful, leggy and sexy fashion models. One of the more popular modelling agencies that had these damsels was Joan Booty's.

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Annual dinner and dance events held by business organisations had top bands, pop artistes, comedians and variety shows to entertain the staff but they were incomplete without these agencies providing models to strut the stage of the hotels, theatres and nightclubs in Singapore. So wherever the get-together was held, these ladies provided the oomph and glamour and the more revealing the girls were, the larger the members in the audience and louder the wolf whistles.

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When I spoke to the 60s band boys about such events and the live music they provided as the models appeared on stage, one comment was, "We try to play the simplest tunes with the simplest chords because we'd rather drool over the girls and their swimming costume changes than think of our guitar chord changes." The statement is meant more as a joke because the bands take their music accompaniment of models on stage seriously, so woe betide those bands that are frivolous or non-professional because they will not get another contract the next time around.

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[Note: Spelling of 'boutique' to 'Bootigue' understandable but why 'gue' and not 'que'? The above advertisement appeared in a souvenir magazine for White And Blue Nite at the Victoria Memorial Hall on Saturday, 28th February, 1970. The dance was to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the P.I.E.U. Bridgestone Branch and sponsored by Bridgestone Singapore Company (Private) Ltd. Anyone attended this function?]

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The band in attendance was The Stylers and the compere was Larry Lai. Hey LL, you remember this one?

Original article: Andy Lim

Image: Randy Lee Collection.

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National Theatre Stage Singapore 45 Years Ago - Our Men In White Still Around Today

Thursday, October 1, 2009

It was in the early 60s when the Silver Strings appeared at the National Theatre in Tank Road, Singapore. The stage was filled with the usual array of Fender or Gibson amplifiers and drum sets (image) ready for other bands backstage that were waiting to perform. The audience were seated.

Danny Boy, as usual, was in the background, unseen but present, with his rhythmic beat that kept our group on cue and in tempo. And he never missed a beat. One of the best drummers in Singapore.

Merlin (left) replaced Wilfred the original lst line-up rhythm guitarist. Active and with the broadest smile, Merlin's strumming was always coupled with his pleasant attitude on stage. As a person Merlin was all heart and giving.

Audie, bass guitarist and band leader strutted on stage with his Fender. He is still using the same guitar today but it had a colour change. When he played, he gave his best, well versed with the thick 4 string bass.

David Chan played lead. The quietest and most handsome of the group, he let his fingers do the talking. Dave originated the introductory bars to the Silver Strings' version of Fireball XL5. Without him, Fireball couldn't be launched into space recently and was never sung at the Orchid Country Club in July, 2009.

Andy fronted the group up to the mid-60s and only appeared again in November, 2008 at the VivoCity, Harbourfront, Singapore gig, about 45 years later.

Without our jackets, we were men in white.

(Please find earlier postings on the boys under label: 'Silver Strings').

Image/original article: Andy Lim Collection.

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--The Old Esplanade Where Vows Were Made--

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

The old Esplanade in the 60s when the Victoria Memorial Hall and Theatre played hide and seek behind the trees. Many couples, young and old, walked the evening to enjoy the sea breeze and lapping waves. Others would steal away from the dance floors and ear-splitting music to seek solace and moonlit charm as they sit amidst the bushes and cobbled-stoned paths.

It was also called Queen Elizabeth Walk. Were you around then? Serenading to your companion?

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