THE VETERANS – THE BAND THAT BROUGHT POP YEH YEH SOUND FOR P. RAMLEE’S SONGS
The Veterans, a band formed by P Ramlee in 1967 for his recording of new songs.
The years 1966 until 1968 saw the emergence of pop yeh yeh bands and their companying singers who were as young as 20-something years old. In contrast, P. Ramlee whose age was approaching 40s continued to perform or compose songs in his own way. The slow adaptation to change to current listeners’ musical taste had led to an obvious decline to the style of music that he had adapted to since the World War II!
Being aware of such phenomenon, Ramlee had formed a band called The Veterans to accompany him in his recording of new songs in 1967 and 1968 respectively, in conjunction with the release of new films that he was about to act and direct in both years, in addition to a series of new studio recordings.
Members of The Veterans include Mohd. Ali (lead guitarist), Adnan Zain (rhythm guitarist), Salleh Haji Yusoff (bass guitarist), Kassim Masdor (keyboardist), Ahmad Rejab (saxophonist and tambourine player) and Yusoff Ali (drummer). Through the performance of this band, Ramlee had tried to inject a new style of music with what he called “balo-balo-Q” and “zap a-go-go”.
The entire team tried their luck for the films that Ramlee acted and directed in the Kuala Lumpur-based Merdeka Film Studio, coupled with some songs done via studio recording at EMI Singapore.
Songs from the film Keluarga 69 (The 69 Family) [1967]
Keluarga 69 (The 69 Family) DIGITALLYREMASTERED "KELUARGA 69" P RAMLEE DAN THE VETERANS 1967
Semenjak Mata Bertentang (Since the Eyes Met) DIGITALLYREMASTERED "SEMENJAK MATA BERTENTANG" P RAMLEE DAN THE VETERANS 1967
Mengapa Derita (Why Do I Suffer) DIGITALLYREMASTERED "MENGAPA DERITA" P RAMLEE DAN THE VETERANS 1967
Songs from the film Sesudah Suboh (After Dawn) [1967]
Sepanjang Riwayat-ku (Throughout My Life) P.Ramlee dan The Veterans - Sepanjang Riwayatku (P. Ramlee) - 1968
Song from the film Anak Bapak (Papa’s Pet) [1968]
Terbang Burong Terbang (Fly, Bird…Fly) DIGITALLYREMASTERED "TERBANG BURUNG TERBANG" P RAMLEE DAN THE VETERANS 1967
Among the EPs and SPs recorded by P. Ramlee and The Veterans in 1967 and 1968.
Studio recordings
Senja Kala (Evening) [1967] P.Ramlee - Senja Kala (P. Ramlee-Yusnor Ef) - 1967
Dendang Perantau (A Traveller’s Song) [1967] P.Ramlee dgn. The Veterans - Dendang Perantau (P. Ramlee/S. Sudarmaji) - akhir1967
Bulan Mengambang (The Moon Begins to Shine) [1967] DIGITALLYREMASTERED "BULAN MENGAMBANG" P RAMLEE DAN THE VETERANS DBP KASSIMMASDOR 1967
Ting Tara Tilalla [1967] DIGITALLYREMASTERED "TING TARA TILLALA" P RAMLEE DAN THE VETERANS 1967
Lanang Tunang Ta’ Jadi (An Engagement Called Off) [1968] P.Ramlee dgn. The Veterans - Lanang Tunang Tak Jadi (Kassim Masdor-Yusnor Ef) -1968
Unfortunately, such approach did not bring much success to Ramlee as a singer. In a 1968 interview with the Malaysian daily Berita Harian, the reporter on duty asked him on whether he had made any recording of new songs, which he admitted. The reporter was startled with such admission as he had hardly heard those songs on radio. P. Ramlee concluded with a short reply, “Well, I just don’t know why!” As his record sales had dwindled despite his effort to keep up with the current musical preference of the audience, EMI Singapore decided to end his contract in the same year.
Nevertheless, time has proven that such perception of irrelevance by Ramlee himself, the media and the public at large were wrong when after his untimely demise at the age of 44 in 1973, the audience began to appreciate his songs recorded with The Veterans through a series of compilation albums released by EMI years later. As evidence to this, you will always be able to listen to his Eidulfitri anthem, Dendang Perantau, recorded with The Veterans in 1967, on both radio and TV during the Muslims’ annual festival throughout the entire Malay archipelago.
Ghaz, KL
Credit to:
1. Merdeka Film Studio, Kuala Lumpur
2. EMI Singapore and Malaysia
3. Imran Ibrahim, Melaka
4. Yudhie, Sarawak
5. A. R. Ismail, Membedah P. Ramlee (Operating P. Ramlee)
6. Yusnor Ef, P. Ramlee Yang Saya Kenal (P. Ramlee That I Know)
7. Shaw Brothers, Majallah Filem, 1967
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