Showing posts with label Robert Song. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Robert Song. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
IMAGE 2: 1970
Coincidences can really mystify. When I was taking out a vinyl of The Stylers today and checking my blog for Comments, I saw Randy Lee's note on a Stylers posting (image 1) dated Sunday, January 04, 2009. It read, "Hi Andy, Members of the Stylers from left to right of the image: Randy Lee (rhythm guitarist), Frankie Abdullah (bass), Osman (drums) and John Teo (lead guitarist). Regard Randy. February 24, 2010 12:26pm.
Thanks Randy for writing. And as I blog on this particular post, I have another line-up of The Stylers (image 2) taken from one of their numerous Top Hits EP (1970) featuring, Knock Three Times, Who'll Stop The Rain (vocalist John Teo), Have You Ever Seen The Rain? (vocalist John Teo, Douglas Tan) and 500 Miles (vocalist Robert Song).
So from the left, there's Douglas Tan (bass ), Alvin Wong (drummer), John Teo (lead and anchor man), Robert Song (percussionist) and Rann Lee (rhythm). Depending on the dates of recordings The Stylers, personally, are as versatile as the music they play. And line-ups do change too.
Do you still remember The Stylers? Do write in to comment about their music!
Image: Back sleeve HREP/7005, Hoover Records Trading Company, Singapore.
Original article: Andy Lim Collection.
Checkmates, Flamingos, Stylers, Robert Song
Monday, June 1, 2009
Shirley Nair left the *Checkmates, to join the Silver Strings in the mid-60s. Robert Song, who was percussionist with The Flamingos Combo Band (check out posting on James Choa), replaced Nair. Although Song fronted the Checkmates as vocalist he was still playing with the Combo band for some time. He was also with The Stylers (check out previous posting under 'Stylers').Song was the Johnny Ray - Cry - of Singapore and already in the music scene since the mid 50s. He also produced the Paul Anka Competition at the Rex Cinema in 1959 and other stage shows, since he was with Shaw Brothers then. He was best with jazz standards but could sing rock and roll. Just Walkin' In The Rain, was one of the standards he did.
Robert Song and The Checkmates performed at the Cellar and other venues that included the Golden Venus and the Celestial Room. Golden Venus was a rendezvous for British servicemen stationed in Singapore then. Song, always with a personal touch, distributed postcards of the band while he was with the group. As a graphic artist and an excellent one at that, he designed the above card. Many of the huge cinema posters in the 60s, fronting the Capitol Cinema at North Bridge Road, were created by Robert Song.
The card (image) was a gift from the talented singer. Song had since migrated to the Philippines.
*The Checkmates comprised, Benny Chan (lead), Lanky Lawrence Lee (bass), Hans Hussein (rhythm) and Amir (drums). They were one of the top guitar groups in the 60s.
Where Guitar Groups Perform Before A Movie
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Where else did the new and unknown bands play before they hit the big time in Singapore 60s?There were two big names in movie houses then, Shaw Brothers and Cathay Organisation. To promote their movies these two groups had bands to perform before a show and it's usually at the Capitol & Cathay.
I sang in 'Amateur Night' at the Capitol Cinema (still a landmark today) with others like the Goh Brothers. It was a blast!
The exceptionally large posters that fronted the Capitol building were usually planned, drawn and painted by creative artist Robert Song, who was also a singer with 60s bands like The Flamingos, The Checkmates and The Stylers. Song had sinced passed away in 1990 in the Philippines.
Image: from ST Collection Ebay
Stylers (Chinese Pop), Robert Song (Baba Pop)
Friday, January 2, 2009
You cannot discuss Singapore Chinese Pop without The Stylers. Like most local bands, this group started at home parties.They had since made it big accompanying Chinese singers, comedians, appearing on Singapore tele and recording instrumentals that became very popular.
The recordings were similar to James Last non-stop ballroom music only the local versions used Cha-Cha & A-Go-G0 music. One that I like is their version of 'Stupid Cupid'.
Robert Song (far left) who was a baba and Singapore's Johnny Ray, sang with them. In the early 60s they played at a home party where I was MC. Song had sinced passed away and as a friend he was always humble and pleasant. I will never forget Robert Song for his kindness and goodness.
Original article: Andy Lim.
YouTube: Key in: the stylers
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
