The map of the State of Johor, south Peninsular Malaysia with Muar as one of its districts.
Muar, or also known as Bandar Maharani, is one of the districts in the Peninsular Malaysian state of Johor. It is a popular tourist attraction with many historical sites and delicious delicacies like mee bandung (prawn gravy noodle) and the famous Kopi 434 (434 Coffee). Apart from both, another attraction of Muar is its unique traditional Arab-Malay music called ghazal. Besides the state’s capital city of Johor Bahru, Muar also has quite a number of pop yeh yeh bands and singers in the 1960s, among which are featured in this article. Many of them had their hits topping on radio charts in both Malaysia and Singapore, sharing the same limelight with their counterparts in other states within the country as well as the republic itself.
LES FLINGERS
Les Flingers hailed from Jalan Khatib in Muar, Johor and was established in 1965. The band consisted of A. Zanne (leading vocalist), L. Muharram (second vocalist), Yahya Kosai (lead guitarist), Taib Jaafar (rhythm guitarist), Omarhara Ahmad (bass guitarist) and Rahim Omar (drummer cum band manager). Prior to recording, Les Flingers had received many invitations from RTM to perform on stage throughout the state of Johor itself, besides its neighboring states of Melaka and Negri Sembilan. Les Flingers had only managed to cut an EP under Philips, recorded in 1966 and distributed the following year. The distinct features of this band is that all members could play music and sing in harmony at the same time.
Les Flingers – Mungkin-kah? (Maybe?) [1966]
Les Flingers – Sa-hati Sa-jiwa (Harmony) [1966]
Les Flingers – Dikau-lah Chahaya (You’re the Light) [1966]
Les Flingers – Pa’ Hitam A-Go-Go [1966]
FIFTY FIFTY (50-50)
The late A. Zanne, who previously sang with Les Flingers, then teamed up with Fifty Fifty (50-50) in his 1969 and 1970 recordings. However, there were some statements from certain listeners that Les Flingers had changed their name into Fifty Fifty due to the change in their performance style and that of their line-up, but this was not properly confirmed.
A. Zanne & Fifty Fifty – 4 Tahun Detik Ketika (Four Years Ago) [1969]
A. Zanne & Fifty Fifty – Orang Baru (A New Person) [1969]
A. Zanne & Fifty Fifty – Melati Idaman (My Dream Jasmine) [1969]
A. Zanne & Fifty Fifty – Burong Hantu (The Owl) [1969]
A. Zanne & Fifty Fifty – Ibu Pertiwi (The Country) [1970]
A. Zanne & Fifty Fifty – Rela Ta’ Berteman (I’m Willing Not to Have a Partner) [1970]
A. Zanne & Fifty Fifty – Kaseh Dan Budi (Love and Good Deeds) [1970]
A. Zanne & Fifty Fifty – Chinta Bukan Paksa’an (There’s No Force in Love) [1970]
DE FICTIONS
De Fiction from Muar, with its original line-up consisting of S. Dina (lead guitarist), Zaideen (rhythm guitarist), A. Murad (bass guitarist), Wahid H. (drummer), Idris Talib (keyboadist) and Kassim (tambourine), began their recording career in Singapore-based recording company called Suria Records. Under Suria, they made two EPs with the late A. Halim (1947 – 2024) as their lead singer, both of which had hit songs that entered into radio charts in both Singapore and Malaysia.
A. Halim & De Fictions – Sayu (Sad) [1967]
A. Halim & De Fictions – Kesah Dan Tauladan (A Story and Its Lesson) [1967]
A. Halim & De Fictions – Do’a Dan Harapan (Prayer and Hope) [1967]
A. Halim & De Fictions – Nasib-ku (My Fate) [1967]
Salam Mesra/Tinggal Kenangan/Goda’an/Teman Baru
Above: The first two EPs by A. Halim (1947 – 2024) & De Fictions on Suria Records, Singapore in 1967 and 1968, respectively.
After their contract with Suria Records had ended, both A. Halim and De Fictions secured another contract, this time with TNA Records, also based in Singapore, from 1969 to 1970.
A. Halim & De Fictions - Sa-kuntom Bunga (A Flower) [1969]
A. Halim & De Fictions - Ini-kah Balasan-nya (Is This the Way How You Repay Me) [1969]
A. Halim & De Fictions – Berkenan (Attracted to You) [1969]
A. Halim & De Fictions - Selamat Pulang Dan Jumpa Lagi (Goodbye and Till We Meet Again) [1969]
A. Halim & De Fictions - Pandangan Desa (The Village’s Surroundings) [1969]
A. Halim & De Fictions - Kembali Lagi (I’m Back Again) [1969]
A. Halim & De Fictions - Budi Pekerti (Good Character) [1969]
A. Halim & De Fictions - Sejak Kau Pergi (Since You’re Gone) [1969]
A. Halim & De Fictions - Masa Remaja (In the Younger Days) [1969]
A. Halim & De Fictions - Chendera Waseh (The Chendera Wase Bird) [1969]
A. Halim & De Fictions - Kawan Lama (An Old Friend) [1969]
A. Halim & De Fictions - Kan Hilang Nanti (It Will Disappear One Day) [1969]
A. Halim & De Fictions - Pemberian-mu (Your Gift) [1970]
A. Halim & De Fictions - Bermusim (Seasonal) [1970]
A. Halim & De Fictions - Semua Tahu (Everybody Knows) [1970]
A. Halim & De Fictions - Dendang Terakhir (The Swan Song) [1970]
(To search for audio)
The only record that A. Halim and De Fictions made with Sea Lion Records, another Singaporean recording company, in 1970.
A. Halim & De Fictions - Ku Chuba (I’ve Tried) [1970]
A. Halim & De Fictions - Jangan Salah Anggapan (Don’t Misunderstand Me) [1970]
A. Halim & De Fictions - Hari Bahagia (A Happy Day) [1970]
A. Halim & De Fictions - Ku-Tetap Kaseh (I Still Love You) [1970]
Besides A. Halim, De Fictions also accompanied A. Nandong in her EPs in 1967 and 1969, respectively.
A. Nandong & De Fictions – Daku Menunggu [1967]
A. Nandong & De Fictions – Kechewa Selalu [1967]
A. Nandong & De Fictions – Mula Bersua [1967]
A. Nandong & De Fictions – Perminta’an-ku [1967]
A. Nandong & De Fictions – Senyuman Mesra [1969]
A. Nandong & De Fictons – Dari Pandangan-ku [1969]
A. Nandong & De Fictions – Senjakala [1969]
A. Nandong & De Fictions – Aku Di-kenal-kan [1969]
After the end of pop yeh yeh craze, De Fictions participated in Juara Kugiran 1970 (The Band Championship 1970) organised by Radio & TV Malaysia (RTM). They performed together with A. nandong and her sister, A. Dayang, another pop yeh yeh singer.
Above: De Fictions performing as one of the finalists in RTM’s “Juara Kugiran 1970”. Note that the band’s line-up is different from that featured in its first record issued in 1967.
Although they did not win, they were spotted by a Muar-based recording company called Tatex, under which they managed to cut two instrumental LPs in 1971, covering current Malay, English and Indonesian hits, before calling it quits.
Two instrumental LPs recorded by De Fictions in 1971 on Muar-based Tatex Record.
De Fictions - Pura-pura Benchi (Pretending to Hate) band de fictions _ pura pura benci (1971)
De Fictions - My Melody band de fictions _ my melody (1971)
De Fictions - Hidop Untok Chinta (Living for Love) band de fictions _ hidup untuk cinta (1971)
De Fictions - Sa-Chebis Mimpi (A Bit of Dream) band de fictions _ secebis mimpi (1971)
De Fictions - Selamat Tinggal (Goodbye) band de fictions _ selamat tinggal (1971)
De Fictions - Aku Ta’ Mahu Di-madu (I Don’t Want to be Cheated)
band de fictions _ aku tak mahu dimadu (1971)
De Fictions - Sedeh Sekelip Mata (In a Blink of Sadness)
De Fictions - Rindu Kampong Halaman (Missing My Hometown)
De Fictions - Jangan Sembarang Bilang (Don’t Simply Say Things)
De Fictions- Love Story (To search for audio)
De Fictions - Knock Three Times (To search for audio)
De Fictions - Anak-nya Lima (She Has Five Children) (To search for audio)
De Fictions - Girimaya (To search for audio)
De Fictions - Sang Bulan (The Moon) (To search for audio)
De Fictions - Di-Bawah Sinar Bulan Purnama (Under the Moonlight) (To search for audio)
De Fictions - Mengapa Tiada Ma’af (Why There is no Forgiveness) (To search or audio)
De Fictions - Gadis Zaman Sekarang (Today’s Grils) (To search for audio)
De Fictiona - Merak Kayangan/Pulau Seribu (A Peacock from Heaven/A Thousand Islands)
(To search for audio)
De Fictions - Kitchir-Kitchir (To search for audio)
De Fictions - Kalau Chari Pachar (If You’re Finding a Partner) (To search for audio)
De Fictions - Si-Oteh (To search for audio)
THE DREAMERS
The Dreamers with the late Shahrin Shah, Zainal Omara, Ainie Hamid and Afida Es, in their respective recording work in 1967.
Another popular Muar pop yeh yeh band whose songs had always been played on radio was The Dreamers. Formed in 1966, the band consisted of Shukur (lead guitarist), Alias (rhythm guitar), Kamaruddin Abdulah (bass guitarist) and Shaari (drummer). They managed to cut three EPs, covering the late Shahrin Shah, Zainal Omara, Ainie Hamid and Afida Es.
Zainal Omara & The Dreamers – Gadis Idaman-ku (My Dream Girl) [1967]
Zainal Omara & The Dreamers - Tetap Setia (Remaining Faithful) [1967]
Shahrin Shah & The Dreamers – Ka-mana Menghilang (Where Had You Been Gone) [1967]
Shahrin Shah & The Dreamers – Kenangan Menjelma (A Memoir Emerges) [1967]
Shahrin Shah & The Dreamers – Putus Kaseh (A Love Broken Off) [1967]
Zainal Omara & The Dreamers – Ingin Bertemu (I’m Eager to Meet You) [1967]
Ainie Hamid & The Dreamers – Kelohan Jiwa (The Wailing of a Soul) [1967]
Ainie Hamid & The Dreamers – Kaseh Yang Sejati (A True Love) [1967]
Afida Es & The Dreamers – Madah Harapan (A Motto of Hope) [1967]
Afida Es & The Dreamers – Dengar-lah Ini (Listen to This) [1967]
Afida Es & The Dreamers – Pemuda Budiman (The Young Gentleman) [1967]
Afida Es & The Dreamers – Lembaran Murni (The Pure Sheet) [1967]
THE PREMATURES
After leaving The Dreamers, Kamaruddin Abdullah joined The Prematures. The band only made one EP in 1967 and disbanded thereafter. Led by Kadar Shah Sulaiman, it consist of Issa Hamzah (vocalist), Daiman Md. Nor (lead guitarist), Aziz Abu Baker (bass guitarist), Kamaruddin Abdullah (bass guitarist), Mohd. Shah (pianist and keyboardist) and Z. Y. Ramli (drummer).
The Prematures – Bisekan Rindu (Whispers of Missing You)
The Prematures – Janji Setia (A Pledge of Allegiance)
The Prematures – Kusmiaty
The Prematures – Di-mana Kau (Where Are You)
THE HELL ANGELS
The Hell Angels with M. Huzdin and Norhaini Hashim in their 1968 EPs on TNA Records.
Not many information regarding these performers could be derived, except that for both EPs, M. Huzdin composed most his songs and lyrics including one song for Norhaini Hashim, while the band itself composed three out of four songs for her.
M. Huzdin & The Hell Angels – Membawa Jauh Dari-ku (Bringing It far Away from Me) (1968)
M. Huzdin & The Hell Angels – Ayah-ku Pergi (My Dad Has Gone) (1968)
M. Huzdin & The Hell Angels – Ku-Tetap Sayang (I Still Love You) (1968)
M. Huzdin & The Hell Angels – Membawa Janji Dahulu (Bringing Back Past Promises) (1968)
Norhaini Hashim & The Hell Angels – Pengorbanan Chinta (A Love Sacrifice) (1968)
Norhaini Hashim & The Hell Angels – Ingin Berkenalan (Wanting to Know You) (1968)
Norhaini Hashim & The Hell Angels – Pergi-lah Kau (Please Go Away) (1968)
Norhaini Hashim & The Hell Angels – Ma’afkan-ku (I’m Sorry) (1968)
ORKES P.I.B.
The acronym P.I.B. stands for Persekutuan Ibu Bapa Melayu Johor (The Federation of Malay Parents of Johor) and in Muar district, it has its own chapter, where a pop yeh yeh band was formed under its name. The only singer that the band accompanied was the late Anis Es (1944 – 2012). Sadly, both Anis Es and the band did not received much coverage in the media during the pop yeh yeh renaissance in the mid-1980s, although his song Janda Bersolek (A Widow in Make-up) was a hit in the late 1960s where the record was re-printed in 1972 owing to high demand. Indeed, Anis Es had kept himself low-profile despite his active involvement with the band in recording and performance between 1967 and 1969.
The debut EP by Anis Es and Orkes P.I.B. issued by Anchor Record in 1967.
Anis Es & Orkes P.I.B. – Dara (Maiden) [1967]
Anis Es & Orkes P.I.B. – Sudah Suratan (It’s Alredy Fated) [1967]
Anis Es & Orkes P.I.B. – Hidup Sepi (Living With Loneliness) [1967]
Anis Es & Orkes P.I.B. – Bahagia Berubah (The Happiness Has Changed) [1967]
A series of EPs by Anis Es and Orkes P.I.B. issued by Tatex Record in 1968 and 1969.
Anis Es & Orkes P.I.B. - Janda Bersolek (The Widow in Make-Up) (1968)
Anis Es & Orkes P.I.B. - Beban Hidup (The Burden of Life) (1968)
Anis Es & Orkes P.I.B. - Chinchin Suasa (The Breath Ring) (1968)
Anis Es & Orkes P.I.B. - Hey Hey (1968)
Anis Es & Orkes P.I.B. - Mengapa Pergi (Why Did You Go Away) {1968)
Anis Es & Orkes P.I.B. - Jauh Di-Seberang (Far Opposite) (1968)
Anis Es & Orkes P.I.B. - Pemberian-Ku (My Gift) (1968)
Anis Es & Orkes P.I.B. - Oh Nasib-ku (Oh My Fate) (1968)
Anis Es & Orkes P.I.B. - Selamat Hari Raya (Eid Mubarak) (1969)
Anis Es & Orkes P.IB - Malang Selalu (Always Being Unlucky) (1969)
Anis Es & Orkes P.I.B. - Budi Dan Bahasa, Kaseh Dan Harta (Good Character, Courtesy, Love and wealth) (1969)
Anis Es & Orkes P.I.B. - Oh Faridah (1969)
Sincerely, with warmest regards,
Ghaz, KL
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