It's The Singer Not The Song: Vernon At Large

Saturday, February 12, 2011

40 years on and the man is still attracting crowds. Whether he's in panic purple glitter, a resplendent white suit or a snake skin jacket (images), Vernon Cornelius still holds court with his singing, jovial banter and stage presence.

Formerly fronting The Quests he's keeping his fans happy today with his rendition of pop 60s songs. I have acquired some photographs of his gigs since 2004 when he performed with the Abadi Sousman Band from Indonesia. In January 2005, he backed Riem de Wolff (Mr. Blue Diamond) at the Assisi Home Charity Concert at Victoria Theatre.

In the same year, he appeared in a concert in aid of the Aceh tsunami victims and at the Orchard Hotel Ballroom. In 2007 Vernon sang at Zouk for the Singapore Heritage Festival Concert. He has also appeared at 'St Mary's Kampong Nite' at the Church of St Mary of the Angels in August 2008 and the 'Eurasiana' Show at the Esplanade Concert Hall in June 2009 with the 50 piece Singapore Pop Orchestra led by Maestro Iskandar Ismail.

Sing on young one.. sing on!

*The Singer Not The Song: Rolling Stones

Everywhere you want I always go /I always give in because babe you know /You just say so cause you give me that /Feeling inside that I know must be right /It's the singer not the song /It's the singer not the song /It's the singer not the song... (M. Jagger/K. Richards: 1965 UK)

Images: from Vernon Cornelius.

Original Article: Andy Lim.

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The Quests 'Return Of Spring' by MrRainbow64

Thursday, February 3, 2011

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Mr Blue Diamond Riem de Wolff, Quests, DJ Larry Lai: 60s Music Meet In Singapore Shopping Mall

Monday, January 10, 2011

Image seated: Andy Lim (The Silver Strings), Riem de Wolff (The Blue Diamonds), Larry Lai (Rediffusion Broadcaster). Standing: Jap Chong, Vernon Cornelius (The Quests).

Vintage Brothers:

Shoppers screamed, Seniors extended their arms for a handshake when pop group The Vintage Brothers appeared for lunch, at one of the shopping malls in Singapore.

Questing For Diamonds:

Fans with CDs in hand jostled their way to the front of the queue and everyone wanted to have a picture (Image 2) taken with Jap Chong and Vernon Cornelius (The Quests), Riem de Wolff (The Blue Diamonds) and Larry Lai (Rediffusion Broadcaster). One fan even brought his Blue Diamonds vinyls for Riem's autograph.

Dream On:

So for those surfers in Singapore who missed the, "Dream On, You 60s Celebrities" gig, here's a picture for keep sake. By the way it's 2011 now, not 1965 but they had gigs in Singapore recently.

Riem De Wolff:

Seriously though, the du-wop duo from Holland, The Blue Diamonds' chart topper Ramona is still selling internationally and Riem is up to his neck in diamonds. Twenty-five million copies sold and counting... Riem has a successful solo career now but sings with his son too. Listen to Riem, with steel and slide guitarist Sarah Jory, on the sensitive duet-written, How I Love You in his 2005 Back On Track album (Image 1 ). He had appeared in some concerts in December 2010.

Vernon Cornelius:

Vernon (Quests) is busy with his gigs and has recently appeared with Reim as a duet, singing Blue Diamonds melodies of yesteryears. Vernon is much into archival activities and has a large collection of past goodies, much from Singapore. Vernon fronted the Quests from the 60s -70s and recorded with EMI.

Jap Chong:

Jap (Quests) is taking it easy and still plays when there are reQuests for him to appear. This gentleman looks very young for his age. He's used to the rhythm of local pop stardom. Jap Chong played rhythm guitar with the Quests from the 60s - 70s and recorded with EMI.

Larry Lai:

Larry co-ordinates the masses and is still the maestro, using his baton more as a magic-wand to make celebrities appear and disappear. The usual, "I-know-that-voice" phenomena still persists when he's around. Strangers pass him by and call his name when they hear him talking.

Larry was the most popular DJ and one of the top broadcasters in Singapore from the 60s - 90s at cable Rediffusion and the Singapore Broadcasting Company. He has since retired. There are about 9 postings about this gentleman on the blog (click Larry Lai below).

Image 1: http://www.bluediamonds.nl/

Image 2: Andy Lim Collection.

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Keith Locke And The All Stars: Newcastle upon Tyne 1967. What Happened After He Left Singapore?

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Discuss Newcastle upon Tyne and Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch, The Animals, Sting and even Jimmy Hendrix come to mind. And don't forget Bryan Ferry and Dire Straits in later years. The news item below appeared in THE EVENING CHRONICLE and published, possibly, in 1967. (Copied from a newspaper image):

INVASION OF TALENT HITS THE NORTH

"A Jamaican blues singer who has topped record charts in the Far East three times, has moved to Newcastle to join a leading local beat group.

Together they hope to explore on the North East with their version of soul music which they are busy rehearsing for the first booking at the end of this month. Kingston-born Keith Locke, now living at Graingerville North, Newcastle, decided to come to Tyneside because, ' the teenagers here are ready for this kind of music'

A few months ago he met Burt Lowes, manager of The Jazz Board (image) beat group. The group and Keith were impressed with each other and decided to team up under the name of Keith Loke and the All Stars.

The reaction of Tyneside teenagers to this combination will be vital, for Keith gave up considerable success in the Far East to come to Britain. He embarked on his singing career at the age of 10, and after winning talent contests gained experience by doing cabaret work in Jamaica before joinging the RAF in 1957.

His next big step was a singing tour of Singapore in 1959 when he formed a trio with two other West Indians. They took part in their own radio series, but Keith eventually merged with four Singapore boys to form his own group, The Quests.

'I was impressed at the style and line up of the Jazz Board which is suited to my style of music and I think that this area, with its growing club life, is ready for a new sound. We plan to sing and for a huge and audience and not just blast away. We are rehearsing non stop and will launch a fan club soon.'

'The lads hope to develop a different kind of music to explode on the North East and really put it back on the musical map. People are tired of listening to just a 'Big Noise' and are demanding something better', explained Mr. Lowes."

Is this the answer to: 'What happened to Keith Locke after he left Singapore?'

Information: http://www.readysteadygone.co.uk/jazzboard/

From a blog called 'Rog's Blog' by Roger Smith.

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Lonely Street, You Talk Too Much: Locke/Quests

Monday, November 15, 2010

Okay, so here he is. The guy who needs no introduction to our local music fans is one of the more successful singers in the 60s. He came from across the sea and together with the already famous Quests, unfurled music so potent that many youngsters today still think that they are the only pop band in Singapore.

Backing Mr. Dynamite, and with about 10 songs on his own list, The Quests say adios to Keith Locke with this particular recording. If you look at the image carefully you will notice a caricature of him in the background, with the special 'K' long-sleeved T- Shirt, boarding the plane and waving his last farewell. I just managed to get this vinyl during the week-end, recorded on 12/04/1966.

So for those who do not possess this pressing, simply titled, Keith Locke And The Quests, on Columbia/EMI: DO 4664, SOME SLEEVES SPEAK reveal: "This is Keith Locke's final record and his farewell tribute to the hundreds of fans that his voice brought him, during his singing career in Singapore.

Keith, originator of the Push Push beat and the dance of the same name, recorded this final single shortly before he left the Quests, homeward bound.
In the same tradition as his other records, You Talk Too Much (Jones, Hall) and Lonely Street (Sowder, Hearn, Belew, Stevenson) present Keith Locke as a highly competent singer. It is, in fact, his best record, with the warmth, emotion and feel for a song tht put him at the top with his first disc, You Lied.

The Quests provide some superb backing on this record, with snatches of fine guitar-playing. Keith adds everything else.

It may be goodbye from Keith but it's the only way he felt he could adequately express it... through a record.

And this is what his fans will remember him for. It's thank you to Keith for so many wonder songs, and as he would have said it himself, "Be nice, baby!"

Image: Universal Music Singapore. Andy Lim Collection.

*My way of presenting original sleeve-liners, so check out other liners by clicking "Labels" below:

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