In my recent WhatsApp, I briefed you on a singer-actress of the 1960s
named Norma (sometimes spelt Normah) Zainal. She began her singing
career in 1964 together with her elder sister Hamidah Zainal and
Noorsiah Yem, forming a trio called "Tiga Serangkai" (Three
Strings), where they managed to record an EP by Philips Singapore.
Norma Zainal (centre) as one of the members of Tiga Serangkai, featured in this 1964 EP:
Tiga Serangkai featuring Rahmah Hassan in their song "Lenggang
Singapura", accompanied by Orkes Rangkaian Lima Sekawan led by composer
Ali Ahmad.
In 1966, she began acting in a Cathay Keris film titled "Jiran
Sekampong" (Neighbors of the Same Village) as a heroine. However, Norma
is more popular playing negative roles in her later acting, such as in
the films "Kacha Permata" (Glass Diamond) [Shaw Brothers'
MFP, 1966], "A-Go-Go '67" [Shaw Brothers' MFP, 1967] and "Kekaseh"
(Lovers) [Cathay Keris, 1968].
Watch "Kacha Permata" here:
Norma Zainal showing to Singapore Berita Harian reporters a videoclip
of her performing "Panggilan Rohani" with The Blue Beats in the film
"A-Go-Go '67". (photo credit: Siti Aisyah Nordin) - Article HERE
In
the same films that she acted, Norma also sang "Playboy" in "Kacha
Permata" with the accompaniment of Les Kafila's, followed by "Panggilan
Rohani" (The Call of My Soul)
in "A-Go-Go '67" with The Blue Beats. Another recording work by her is a
song titled "Terima Surat" (Receiving A Letter) from a 1969 EP called
"Dendang Ria", accompanied by the RTS Orchestra. (RTS =Radio &
Television of Singapore). "Dendang Ria" was a weekly
TV Singapura entertainment program, which began its show in 1963. I
read from the "Dendang Ria" record sleeve that by this time, Norma
Zainal had become a nightclub singer. I also saw in e-Bay a decade
years ago another EP done by her, but perhaps it was
an early 1970s release by an independent, small recording company.
Unfortunately, I didn't capture the details.
PANGGILAN ROHANI | Normah Zainal & The Bluebeats | OST A Go-Go 1967
Norma Zainal & Les Kafilas - Playboy
Warmest regards,
Ghaz,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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