Western Union Band was a band from Singapore in the 1970s. They had major hits in Singapore and Malaysia with "Driving Me Crazy", "I've Found My Freedom" and "Sausalito".
Western Union Band | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Singapore |
| Genres | Pop, Rock |
| Years active | 1971 - 1980 |
| Labels | Libra, EMI |
| Past members | Benji Tony Chong Abel Gan Rennie Ho Danny Lim Peter Mangkok Shediq Marican (aka Ziani Shedick) Chris Vadham Daniel Wee |
Background
editThe band was a made of men from Indian, Chinese and Malay origin. They played regularly at the Moonshine bar in Katong.[1] The group evolved out of Rubber Band which was formed in 1969 by Chris Vadham. Vadham had previously been in a band called High Ground.[2] Bass player Tony Chong was founding member of the early 60s band The Thunderbirds, whose biggest hit was in 1966 with "My Lonely Heart".[3]
Career
editBefore the year of 1971 was out, the group had released the singles, "My Lady" bw "Stepping Thru" and "Something About You" bw "Driving Me Crazy".[4] Both of them were on the Libra Records label.[5]
Hits
editFor the week ending February 19th, 1972, their song "Baby, Driving Me Crazy" was at no.6 in the Malaysian Top 10.[6] A month later, for the week ending March 18th, the song was at no.4.[7] For the week ending April 8th, Billboard had recorded "Something About You Baby" at no.7.[8]
In May, on the 27th, they were in the Singapore top 10 at no.9 with "Ive Found My Freedom".[9] The following week, the song was also in the Singapore Top 10 at no.8.[10] For the week ending June 24th, the song was at no.8 in Singapore, but it had hit the no.1 spot in Malaysia.[11]
Their song Sausalito was at no.1 in the Malaysian Top 10 by August 26, 1972.[12]
Members
edit- Rennie Ho ... vocals
- Chris Vadham ... guitar, vocals
- Abel Gan ... keyboards
- Tony Chong ... bass
- Shediq Marican (aka Ziani Shedick) ... drums
- Danny Lim ... guitar, flute
- Peter Mangkok ... bass
- Daniel Wee ... drums
- Benji ... vocals[13]
Discography
edit| Title | Release info | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "My Lady" / "Stepping Thru An Empty Time" | Libra LRSP 008 | 1971 | |
| "Something About You Baby" / "Driving Me Crazy" | Libra LRSP 009 | 1971 | |
| "I've Found My Freedom" / "Don't Say You Don't" | Libra LRSP 010 | ||
| "Sausolito" / "Showbiz" | Libra LRSP 011 | ||
| "Walkin' Proud" / Instrumental | Levi's LEVI'S-1 | 1975 | [14] |
| Title | Release info | Year | F | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Union Band | EMI EMGS 5010 | 1977 | LP | |
| We've Got Love | EMI EMGS 6038 | 1978 | LP | |
| Western Union Band | EMI 7243 8 53398 2 0 | 1996 | CD | [15] |
Later years
editChris Vadham died in Watford, England on February 26, 2007 from liver cancer.[16]
In 2014 Tony Chong was in a band called Tru-Blu, whose members included Gerry and Michael Pereira who had been in The Mccoys and Duncan Anthony who has been with Tin Pan Alley, Rusty Blades and New Breed.[17]
References
edit- ^ Singapore Storeroom - Western Union Band
- ^ The Rocky Road: Autobiography By Mr Boogie Woogie, By Rockin Dave - Won't You
- ^ The New Paper, Dec 28, 2014 - Entertainment, Passion for music keeps stars of S'pore's 1970s bands going strong - Catherine Robert
- ^ Billboard, December 25, 1971 - TA-104 INTERNATIONAL TALENT, Continued from pge TA-102
- ^ Rate Your Music - Western Union Band, Single
- ^ Billboard, February 19, 1972 - Page 40 Billboard Hits of the World, Malaysia
- ^ Billboard, March 18, 1972 - Page 56 Billboard Hits of the World, Malaysia
- ^ Billboard, April 8, 1972 - Page 57 Billboard Hits of the World, Malaysia
- ^ Billboard, May 27, 1972 - Page 52 Billboard Hits of the World, Singapore
- ^ Billboard, June 3, 1972 - Page 50 Billboard Hits of the World, Malaysia, Singapore
- ^ Billboard, June 24, 1972 - Page 53 Billboard Hits of the World, Malaysia, Singapore
- ^ Billboard, August 26, 1972 - Page 72 Billboard Hits of the World, Malaysia
- ^ Rate Your Music - Western Union Band
- ^ Rate Your Music - Western Union Band, Single
- ^ Rate Your Music - Western Union Band, Album
- ^ The Dead Rock Stars Club - 2007 January to June
- ^ The New Paper, Dec 28, 2014 - Entertainment, Passion for music keeps stars of S'pore's 1970s bands going strong - Catherine Robert