Oldies ... but goldies

SINGAPORE — I first heard of The Silver Strings in 2009, when a five-disc CD compilation called Singapore 60s: The Definitive Collection (sometimes known as 100 Greatest Singapore 60s) was released.

The band, it turned out, was instrumental in promoting the music scene back in the ’60s, along with groups such as The Crescendos, The Checkmates, The Trailers, The Thunderbirds and, of course, The Quests. But while those bands were making a name for themselves with their own hits and being ostensibly self-contained units, The Silver Strings took a slightly different route.

They wrote their own songs but were also seen as the band that could play with anybody. They backed everyone it seemed, including Veronica Young, Andy Young, Shirley Nair (who was their longest-serving singer, from 1964 to 1967), Mike & Herb, Anita Sarawak and Paul Cheong.

“We were quite versatile,” said bassist Audie Ng. “It wasn’t just for cari makan (“just to make a quick buck”) — we did it for fun and for passion, and played to the best of our abilities. We were young. We just loved to play music.”

Going by the recordings on the Singapore 60s compilation, they were pretty good at songcraft, too. Former Silver Strings guitarist Dickie Tan’s composition, I’ll Remember Today, which he wrote for Shirley to sing, is a great example of a ballad from that period. Let ‘Em Come, which he co-wrote with Mike Van Dort (of Mike & Herb), is an energetic rock and roller that’s reminiscent of the early Kinks material.

But I never had a chance to see the band in action until last year, when the band got together for an anniversary of sorts, celebrating 50 years in the biz.

“To be honest, only three of us are from the original group from 1963/64: Myself, Andy and Veronica. The rest are the so-called second or third generation members of the band,” he explained. “I didn’t think it was appropriate to call it our 50th anniversary show because I couldn’t get all the people back in. I would have to get all the singers and musicians, all seven of them. But it’s difficult to do that.”

Now, he has apparently overcome that difficulty. This weekend, The Silver Strings are getting back together with Veronica, Mike & Herb, Andy and Mustapha Al-Johary, who are all flying in from countries as far as France, New Zealand and Australia. Yes, it’s dubbed as their 50th anniversary show. (You could say that the band truly found its footing in 1964, even though they’d been gigging for a while.)

This year’s show is meant to be a big affair. As opposed to last year’s show, which was held in a club in Lucky Plaza, this one’s at the RELC Auditorium. It will also be hosted by Jerry Fernandez of The Neu Faces (who also hosted last year’s bash) and you’ve also got popular host of the past Larry Lai and musician Ernesto Valerio (sometimes called Singapore’s Dean Martin).

It’s a show that I’m pretty keen to catch, if only because last year’s show was quite a fun-filled affair and a sight to see. (And it’s not just because I love songs from that era.)

Veronica, dubbed Singapore’s Millie Small, gave a lively performance (yes, she performed My Boy Lollipop by Millie Small), still hitting those strident notes in style as she took over the final third of the show. Andy Young — Singapore’s answer to Paul Anka — was more energetic than the man himself as he ran through some of Anka’s popular tunes.

The band played familiar faves from the ’50s and ’60s — and not just your usual Beatles/Elvis covers, either. The Silver Strings also covered songs by other Singapore bands, including The Crescendos’ versions of Frankie and Silver Threads And Golden Needles; The Quests’ Don’t Play That Song For Me (You Lied); Naomi And The Boys’ Happy Happy Birthday Baby; and Shirley’s very own Too Late For Tears.

But what was amazing was the crowd’s reaction. Sure, most of them were my dad’s age, but the energy at the gig was fantastic. They were fans and they did what all fans did: They sang along with all their heart, they clapped and cheered lustily when each song ended, they even asked for selfies with Veronica and Andy.

But these words can’t really describe the full extent of the vibe in that club. You had to be there.

Which is the very same reason why you should check out this one, too.

The Silver Strings 50th Anniversary Concert is on Aug 16, 7.30pm, at the RELC Auditorium. Tickets at S$50 from Mel’s Place, Miramar Hotel, Platinum Lucky Plaza and Bottoms Club. Call Audie (9818 4198) or Jerry (9199 8164) for booking details.