Recently a reader named Russ Wickson wrote to me asking for help in tracking down a folk singer that used to be on Singapore radio during colonial days. Her name is Mandy. Do you know her?
If you do, please write to me here.
From Russ Wickson,
“Hi … Thanks for getting back to me….
History….it’s a bit long I’m afraid.
This all revolves around the Changi Attic Folk Club which was started by servicemen in 1965 and remained as a popular venue until the withdrawal of the military in the 1970’s. I was part of the Attic Folk Club committee for the years 1966/67 until repatriation.
This club led to the formation of the RAF Tengah Folk Club and the RAF Seletar Folk Club.
Some twenty years ago now I embarked on tracing all the founding members of the Attic Folk Club and I have been very successful, we the founding members meet regularly for a curry supper, a Tiger or two and the guys reminisce about the fantastic times we had in the Far East and they plonk around on their guitars and banjos.
In fact it has become a hobby and I have now traced some thirty two old time folk singers from all the clubs in Singapore and put them in touch with each other, some after thirty five to forty years.
Now Mandy … Mandy was very much part of the original group and she is the one person I have failed to find. We all remember her with affection but she was always just ‘Mandy’, none of us can recall her last name, where she came from or what happened to her. We think she was the daughter of a serviceman, probably army and may have lived over Johore Bahru.
In conversation with a Dave Stanley, an ex-RAF chap also from RAF Changi and living in Cornwall (UK) and now a classical guitarist happened to mention Mandy had a connection with Alex Abisheganaden in the 1960’s, Alex apparently helped Mandy with her guitar playing. Dave went on to say Mandy was also on Radio Singapura at the time and he thought Alex was her producer.
Mandy also made the record which I have sent a copy of the cover as an attachment. I have tried numerous sources to positively identify her including Philips Records but without success. Philips it now appears will only assist with classical music.
Most of us old timers are now in our middle 60’s coming up 70’s and would very much like to track down Mandy, dare I say, before it is too late …. so anything you can come up with will help and will be most appreciated. In fact Dedrick, it is very kind of you to get back to me….thanks for that.”
