Moses Tay Bassist Naomi & The Boys Passed On

Saturday, January 23, 2010

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.

This blog and all its readers send Mr. Tay's family their condolence.

(Click below: Henry/Naomi & The Boys to read about this band.)

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Casablanca Marianne Faithfull As Tears Goes By

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

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?

The link that binds is the hit song, As Tears Go By. According to Wikipedia, the myth surrounding the song's genesis has it that Rolling Stones manager Andrew Oldham requested Mick Jagger and Keith Richards to get together and write a song, even suggesting what type of song he wanted.

The result was initially named As Time Goes By, the title of the song Dooley Wilson sings in the film Casablanca. But strangely, it wasn't popularised by the Stones but by Marianne Faithfull and the song reached number 9 in the British charts in 1964 and launched her career as a pop star at 17 years young (watch introduction by Paul Anka and interview with Brian Epstein, YouTube sidebar). The Stones recorded their version in 1965, the most subdued Stones blogger has seen in his life (YouTube sidebar).

Blogger loves the song. Marianne Faithfull's version is pleasant to the ears and as our local singers say, delivery on stage is not demanding. This song has been covered by others including Singapore's Naomi And The Boys.

Any comment about this beautiful classic?

Song Information: Wikipedia.

Original article: Andy Lim Collection.

Image: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-487138/After-beating-breast-cancer-Marianne-Faithfull-reveals-hepatitis-C.html

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Naomi & Boys - Singapore 60s Christmas Card

Saturday, November 7, 2009

ANDY'S CHIT-CHAT WITH SINGAPORE 60S ARTISTES:

Another coincidence. I managed to get a copy of Naomi & The Boys' Christmas EP only a few days ago. According to the group's 1995 write-up by Eric Yeo, Managing Director of Polygram Singapore/Malaysia, "Many people might not know they were the first local group (in Singapore) to record a Christmas EP."

Henry Suriya (image) acknowledged this piece of information and further explained that brother Robert's original, My First Chrismas Without Daddy was written as a tribute to their father who passed away at a young age of 44.

The poignant rendition by Henry's sister Naomi moved members of the recording staff so much during this particular pressing that they cried openly.

Silver Bells rang the cash registers and Mary's Boy Child together with An Old Chrismas Card made this EP another hit for NATB. It was definitely with dad's blessing.

Original article: Andy Lim & Henry Suriya Collection.

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(2) Naomi Boys Quests Beat Rolling Stones '66

Saturday, September 19, 2009

****************************************In April 1966 while Singapore was busy with its first ever Grand Prix at Thomson Road, Keith Locke and the Quests (Columbia/EMI) reached the 5th spot on Singapore's Top Tunes with Push, Push, one above My Love by Petula Clark on Pye Records, 19th Nervous Breakdown by The Rolling Stones on Decca and Svensk-A-Flicka by Johnny Lion on Philips.

But on Malaya's Top Pops Locke & Quests were at number 2 and the number 1 spot in Malaya was Naomi singing I Know with her Boys on Philips. At number 3 was As Tears Go By by the Rolling Stones. Apparently I Know had sold copies far beyond the dreams of 60s music record producers.

First Singapore Grand Prix and first at the top of Asia's hit parade. Happening in 1966! And it had been happening all the time. Comment anyone?

Image/original article: Andy Lim Collection.

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1st National Day 1966 And Singapore 60s Pops

Saturday, August 8, 2009

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.

The National Day Parades are organised by the Singapore Armed Forces, with the extreme involvement of a multitude of public and private organisations.

The 1968 parade was the first parade to be held in the rain. By a strange coincidence the theme for that year was, "Building A Rugged Society".

Princess Alexandra of the British Royal Family, carrying out royal duties for the Queen, was the special guest at the 1969 parade, which not only celebrated Singapore's 4th birthday, but also celebrated the 150th anniversary of the founding of Singapore.

(International popular hits included, Love Letters, by Elvis; Wind Me Up, Visions, by Cliff Richard, These Boots Are Made For Walking by Nancy Sinatra, The Sounds of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel, Svensk-A-Flicka with Johnny Lion & The Jumping Jewels, 19th Nervous Breakdown; As Tears Go By by The Rolling Stones and Michelle by The Beatles.)

If readers have contributions on Singapore 60s music and National Day, please do so on the 'comments' page.

Reference: Wikipedia

Image: National Heritage Board

Original articles within parentheses: Andy Lim

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