One of our 60s band boys Moses Tay (image with The Austrian Beatles) has passed on. Mr. Tay was the electric guitar bassist with Naomi And The Boys, one of the most popular instrumental groups in Singapore. The last time blogger met him was when Mr. Tay attended the July 23rd, 24th Concert at the Orchid Country Club in 2009. 
How is the 1942 hit movie Casablanca, starring Humphrey Bogart, connected to rock group, The Rolling Stones? What's more popular than this rock group? And how does Marianne Faithfull fit into the picture?
Singapore celebrated its first National Day (image) in 1966, one year after Singapore's independence from Malaysia on 9 August 1965. The venue of the parade was usually at the historical grounds of the Padang, where the declaration of Singapore's independence was held. (Songs by our local artistes heard on Rediffusion and Radio Singapore that year included, It's All Over; I Know; Happy Birthday, Baby; Making Believe by Naomi & The Boys, Silver Threads And Golden Needles by The Crescendos, Push, Push, by Keith Locke & The Quests and Mark Yun's, Never Die.) A recording of Naomi and The Boys was played over the loudspeaker during the lst National Day Parade.
Since the first parade in 1966 and up to 1975, the venue was located in this central area. The idea was to bring the parade closer to the people. In 1976, the parade was held for the first time at the newly completed National Stadium, where the much larger area of the stadium allowed for more people to view the parade live.
"Even to this day, the protection of artistes' work continues to be an arduous task. I wonder how many local artistes know what is copyright. Why is copyright important? How long does copyright exist to cover the artistes' works? My personal view is: Anyone who takes another's musical works without the permission or compensation has infringed copyright laws.
Although I contributed so little, I am honoured and proud to be part of Singapore's pop history. The places visited; the many friends I've made will be things, "I'll remember and treasure all my life." Henry Suriya.
This article is the final part in the series.
Image/Article: The Trailers and friends. Henry Suriya Collection. All Rights Reserved.
"An entertainer's life in the 60s did not evolve around the music alone, many were also involved in community service - a fact not many people are aware of. Top performers very often were called upon to help in fund-raising events for various charities in Malaysia and Singapore. They did this willingly and seldom were paid.
Audie Ng, bassist for The Silver Strings and boss of his own entertainment company, seen above with *Henry Suriya, was interviewed today by Channel News Asia, Singapore. On the morning chat show, Audie explained the music phenomenon that rocked the youths from the early 60s to the early 70s. 
Brian Richmond and Henry Suriya (image) are well known personalities in our local 60s music scene. Richmond hosts the 90.5 fm Gold Classic radio broadcast, Nites With Brian and Vintage Sundays on MediaCorp Station. He will one of the hosts for Eurasiana, a musical tribute, on 26/27 June, 2009 at the Esplanade Concert Hall.
Henry Suriya (check older posting), is a well-known crooner and has recorded many songs during the 60s with his brother Robert and The Boys. Two of his songs are included in The Definite Collection. Brian Richmond has a part in the promotion of this box set.
Image: Henry Suriya Collection.
(1st posting on MCs, comperes, radio personalities from 60s).
Henry, Robert and Naomi are part of the famed Suriya family that had engulfed Singapore 60s music. While Henry recorded his music solo, Robert and Naomi recorded as a group called, "Naomi and The Boys". 
After his first successful recording, Henry Suriya recorded the second EP in 1967 and featured four songs including two originals by Robert Suriya.
Before Henry Suriya (image) became the pop crooner during Singapore 60s, not many fans knew he was a boxer. According to the newspapers then, he was an "amateur boxing champion who gave up trading punches for singing.
Henry Suriya had won many prizes in singing competitions but was also an expert at swinging competitions as he was feather-weight champ in the Singapore Youth Boxing Championships in 1957.
His father, who was also a boxer, urged Henry to give up the game and as an inducement presented Henry with a guitar on his 18th birthday. Henry never looked back, learnt to play the guitar and started singing sentimental songs.
During an interview with Henry, an old schoolmate, he wanted to emphasise that he only sings in his own original style. We all know that Henry. We have been listening to your songs for a long time now.
More about Henry Suriya in future postings.
(Interview by: Andy Lim. All Rights Reserved.)
Image: lst recording in 1966, accompanied by his brother Robert Suriya and The Boys.
JOY asks: "I wasn't part of the scene but what I'd like to know is... why did it suddenly disappeared?" 
