Western Union Band

Western Union Band was a very popular 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
OriginSingapore
GenresPop, Rock
Years active1971 - 1980
LabelsLibra, EMI
Associated actsRubber Band
Past membersBenji
Tony Chong
Abel Gan
Rennie Ho
Danny Lim
Peter Mangkok
Shediq Marican (aka Ziani Shedick)
Chris Vadham
Daniel Wee

Background

The 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

Before 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

For 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
  • 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
Singles
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]
Albums
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

Chris 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
  1. Singapore Storeroom - Western Union Band
  2. The Rocky Road: Autobiography By Mr Boogie Woogie, By Rockin Dave - Won't You
  3. The New Paper, Dec 28, 2014 - Entertainment, Passion for music keeps stars of S'pore's 1970s bands going strong - Catherine Robert
  4. Billboard, December 25, 1971 - TA-104 INTERNATIONAL TALENT, Continued from pge TA-102
  5. Rate Your Music - Western Union Band, Single
  6. Billboard, February 19, 1972 - Page 40 Billboard Hits of the World, Malaysia
  7. Billboard, March 18, 1972 - Page 56 Billboard Hits of the World, Malaysia
  8. Billboard, April 8, 1972 - Page 57 Billboard Hits of the World, Malaysia
  9. Billboard, May 27, 1972 - Page 52 Billboard Hits of the World, Singapore
  10. Billboard, June 3, 1972 - Page 50 Billboard Hits of the World, Malaysia, Singapore
  11. Billboard, June 24, 1972 - Page 53 Billboard Hits of the World, Malaysia, Singapore
  12. Billboard, August 26, 1972 - Page 72 Billboard Hits of the World, Malaysia
  13. Rate Your Music - Western Union Band
  14. Rate Your Music - Western Union Band, Single
  15. Rate Your Music - Western Union Band, Album
  16. The Dead Rock Stars Club - 2007 January to June
  17. The New Paper, Dec 28, 2014 - Entertainment, Passion for music keeps stars of S'pore's 1970s bands going strong - Catherine Robert
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