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Singapore’s music legends back on TV again

If you grew up in the ’90s, you would have seen a television programme dedicated to Singapore music. Called Rollin’ Good Times, it was hosted by Lauretta Alabons and singer Douglas O, and featured heroes from Singapore’s pop music scene of years past, such as The Quests, The Trailers, The Crescendos and others.

Rapper ShiGGa Shay (right) said he’s amazed by what older performers 
such as Veronica Young (left) did in their heyday.

Rapper ShiGGa Shay (right) said he’s amazed by what older performers
such as Veronica Young (left) did in their heyday.

If you grew up in the ’90s, you would have seen a television programme dedicated to Singapore music. Called Rollin’ Good Times, it was hosted by Lauretta Alabons and singer Douglas O, and featured heroes from Singapore’s pop music scene of years past, such as The Quests, The Trailers, The Crescendos and others.

Done in a talk-show-cum-music-performance style (although all the sound for the performances utilised pre-recorded music), the programme later included a Talentime-style tribute band competition, where contestants would do their best impersonations of ABBA, The Supremes or Tom Jones for prizes.

Now just over two decades later, MediaCorp TV’s Channel 5 will be rolling back the years — and the music — with a revamped version of the show. This time hosted by Dick Lee and Tabitha Nauser, the seven-episode series will feature music acts through the decades. The first two episodes, for example, will focus on the ’60s, while the following episodes will feature artistes from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s.

Like the previous iteration, there will be performances as well as a chat show segment where Lee will talk to iconic Singapore acts from the past such as singers Rahimah Rahim, Ann Hussein, Jacintha Abisheganaden, X’Ho and Ramli Sarip, as well as bands such as The Silver Strings, Tokyo Square and The Dukes.

However, instead of having only musicians from yesteryear, viewers will also see younger acts such as hip-hop performers ShiGGa Shay and Trick, as well as singers such as Tay Kewei, Sezairi and Reuby. They will be singing the songs from previous eras. Also, the music on the show will be provided by a live band.

For The Dukes’ bassist Zainal Abidin, this show is a long-awaited return to TV. “The last TV show we appeared in was more than 40 years ago. I think it was Pesta Pop or those variety shows,” he quipped.

The Dukes were best known for producing records with singer Bobby Lambert, such as Lonesome Town, as well as recording their own hits, such as Selina and Rhumba De Havana.

“For the younger generation of viewers who’ve never heard music from the ’60s, this is their chance to hear that,” said The Dukes’ guitarist Paul Shankar.

For the younger performers, the show is more than a platform to showcase what they have to offer, it’s also a chance to learn from the veterans.

“I heard of the show through people … who are not from my generation! This was before my time!” laughed rapper ShiGGa Shay, before adding that he was amazed by performers such as Veronica Young.

He added: “I’ve always liked history, so this is kind of like that. You know, in hip-hop we’re always digging through (past music) for samples and stuff, so this is kind of inspiring. I’m just taking it all in and just listening.

“I’m not super-educated about the Singapore pop scene, but I know The Quests, The Crecendos, The Silver Strings … I have so much respect for them because they came out before social media and all that and to be able to make music at that point in time, to have all those fans and do shows, it’s amazing. The quality of music also, the way they were singing … it’s a history lesson for me.”

“It’s fun. It’s about singing fun songs and I quite enjoy that,” said Tay. “I’m glad I’m doing the ’60s era. When I was younger, my parents watched Chinese programmes, so I don’t have much memory of this show (but) it’s great that people can learn from shows like this. I wish there were more platforms like this. Even though we’re not singing our own songs, it’s still a music programme that can showcase our talent.”

For veterans such as The Dukes and Veronica Young, they’re in their element when performing on stage. They continue to perform regularly at events around Singapore. “It’s good to be able to share with the young ones and show what the oldies are all about, to sing with them songs from our era. I enjoy this sort of thing,” said Young, who will be doing a show in October.

“I think there should be more. I think we should give our artistes a platform to perform,” said Singapore’s iconic rocker, Ramli Sarip. “Music is all about the live performance. From there, you learn what people like or what they don’t like (about your performance).”

And no one knows that better than The Dukes, who will perform a concert in July at the Pek Kio Community Centre, as well as guest spots at other shows late this year. For the band, the big factor is a word that begins with the letter “M” — and no, it’s not money.

“Music lah, it has a lot to do with our passion for music,” said guitarist Peter Chua. “Music is something we can’t live without.”

Rollin’ Good Times will air on Sundays (starting from May 17) at 9.30pm on Channel 5.

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