Dear eosyeo in Malaysia,

I totally agree with you. 12 songs would fit perfectly into a compilation CD. I think my top favourite Rose Iwanaga and The Avengers recording may well be "True Love Will Come To You," but this could also be because I do love the original recording by Cliff Richard and The Shadows.

Let's hope that someone prompts Universal Music Singapore to release that compilation CD of Rose Iwanaga and The Avengers in the near future. It would be a shame to let the rose of Kuching, Sarawak wilt and die.

Dear Joe,

All in total Rose Iwanaga have 3 EPs ie 12 songs. Among her popular songs are Too Young and Will you still love me tomorrow. It will be nice if a CD can be issued for all these .

Best regards

Dear mae309 in Malaysia.

Sorry to admit that I totally missed out on Rose Iwanaga and The Avengers during my short life in Singapore. I have heard some of her recordings recently and am impressed with her sweet voice and also with the band. Their records recall the carefree and innocent days of the mid-1960's in Malaysia and Singapore, when pop was very much melodic and fun. No signs yet of psychedelia or heavy metal or power to the people, just pure pop music for your enjoyment.

Two of their recordings are in the new "100 Greatest" box set from Universal, "I'll Never Find Another You" and "You Belong To Me." We can now only hope that Universal will reissue some more of their recordings soon.

I have received a few requests already to add Rose Iwanaga and The Avengers. They are a very good example of Malaysia 1960's Pop Music. I like them a lot.

It'll be nice if you could add Rose Ivanaaga of Sarawak TQJoe

Dear clarantha in Sri Lanka,

Speaking of Naomi Suriya and The Boys, someone told me a few years ago that the Suriya family came from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).

Wow, I am impressed. Two of my all-time biggest favourite singers in Singapore 60's Pop Music had their roots in Ceylon. Cliff Foenander of The Fabulous Echoes and Naomi Suriya of Naomi And The Boys.

Back in the '60's when this all happend- there was a guy in far away Sri lanka - who much appreciated the music of, Naomi & the boys, the Quests, The Thunderbirds, October Cherries which was played regularly on Radio Singapore & (voice) of Malaysia (what happend to Malaysian DJ George Abraham). Used to listen to Jukebox- where the DJ S used to play the latest releases and predicted whether it will be a 'Hit' or a 'miss'. I also recall a talent contest held @ a Technical College- which paved the way for some stars @ that time.

Dear NabilFitriMusic in Singapore,

Back in the 1960's, the world of popular music being what it was, it was quite an honour for any local group in Singapore to be dubbed "The Beatles of Singapore," or "The Rolling Stones," or "The Shadows," or "The Ventures," all "...of Singapore."

Likewise, for any local singer to be crowned "The Elvis Presley of Singapore," of "The Cliff Richard," or "The Connie Francis," "...of Singapore."

It is true that a lot of Singapore 60's Pop Music were covers of the popular hits of the day, but we also had many great original compositions, penned by local songwriters and recorded by the local artistes, that topped our pop charts. The locals held their own with the international stars.

Might not mean anything to the rest of the world then, but the local stars meant a lot to us.

Dear X098 in Singapore,

If you have not done so already, may I recommend that you check out Vernon Cheong's "Singapore 60's Pop Music Hall Of Fame" (link is on the left side) and view many of the amazing vinyl records that our own local stars released during the 1960's.

This was the soundtrack of my teen generation in Singapore.

This is your country's pop history, X098. This is your heritage. Be proud of it.

Best regards.

I did'nt know that Singapore have their own 'Beatles' or 'Beach Boys'. lol.
Anw, are all of them out of S'pore? They should make a reunion!! = )
Hit me back,
Nabil Fitri

i didnt know that during the 60s era ,there are so many talented singers from singapore..thats the era where everyone would miss..too bad i was born alittle late..during the late 70s..i only remember my uncle playing those 80s songs from amercian top 40 billboard..lol