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Synopsis

(Continuing on his experience with Benny and the Trailers.) Description of venue in Hotel Malaysia (later renamed Omni Marco Polo Hotel) – lounge with best Irish coffee. Employed most beautiful waitresses. Two bands employed – Benny and the Trailers, and Pietro and the Warlocks. Line up of the latter included Robert Suriya (bass) and Lim Wee Guan from The Quests. Description of Pietro’s hair. Healthy competition between both bands. Pietro had good showmanship. Singapore bands tended to be more stiff. Exposure to bands overseas was very helpful. Trailers had recorded earlier, but interviewee was not involved. Trailers’ “Phoenix Song” (Chinese New Year song) was memorable. Interviewee would follow band leader Victor Woo’s direction of the band. Interviewee was closer in age to Trailers than previous bands. Interviewee felt rehearsals took too long. Band mates was more acquaintances than friends. Socialising with Malay musicians in Geylang Serai, drinking tea. Speaking Malay among themselves. Trailers worked on Singapore Lady, a Chinese junk that sailed from Clifford Pier. Occasional swaying of ships. There was a cover charge plus extra for food and drink. Memories of playing on Sarong Island on Saturday nights where there is a restaurant. Patrons there were big spenders. Restaurant owned by Mrs Christina Stone (formerly Mrs Christina Loke). Description of restaurant décor. Recalled working in Noumea in New Caledonia.

Forming own band with The Fishermen. Name of band came from the owner of Kelong Bar in Cathay Building. Band members were Benny Chan, Amir Samsoedin, Robert Suriya. Later William Lim joined. Benny Chan and Amir Samsoedin were formerly from the Checkmates. Robert Suriya formerly from Naomi and the Boys. The Fishermen later split up due to personality clashes.

Interviewee then formed The Candidates. Band members could all read music. Members were Sanip Ismail (drums), Leon Lim (bass), Ramon Rahmat (vocals, trumpet, guitar), Leo Fernandez (saxophone). Versatile band. Interviewee composed arrangements; fusion music. Candidates were a show band. Lim presently in Vietnam. All members sang harmony. Example of a song was “Malaguena”. Band recorded for RCA label, but the record was not released due to litigation threats from EMI. Ramon previously with Blackjacks, still contracted. Producer was Bernard Selosa, who has passed away. Candidates played at Fortuna Hotel in Kuala Lumpur (KL) and were a hit; took over residency from The Quests. Repertoire was not just pop but also ballads, jazz, fusion. The Candidates were able to back singers and dancers. Mayflower night club. Audience in KL more relaxed than in Singapore. In present day, Singapore youngsters are different from the past. Interviewee is up to date with club scene, thanks to daughter. Son is in United Kingdom, was a finalist in Big Brother, a reality television show.

Kuala Lumpur night scene – mix of Malays and Chinese. How Tunkus would go to watch, and enjoyed interviewee’s music. Interviewee did not feel tired while working. Principle of “being paid by applause”. Interviewee blessed with good health until recent times. Bad habit of consuming salt late at night after work. Importance of getting more sleep, to delegate jobs to others. Interviewee has always gotten by on five to six hours of sleep since he started working. Used to smoke heavily; non-filter cigarettes. Giving up smoking and giving away his expensive lighter. Life style as working musician – finish work at 2 o’clock and then go for supper. Friend from Blackjacks died young from unhealthy lifestyle. Despite working late and sleeping late, interviewee still woke up early if he had teaching jobs. Interviewee taught at Yamaha for over 30 years. Anecdote about lawyer friend who inspired him by his time management. Friend also punched an American sailor who was creating trouble and sent him flying. Interviewee inspired to take up martial arts. Interviewee inspired to take up multiple jobs. How interviewee enjoys watching movies.