Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Johnny Lion The Jumping Jewels In Singapore

This posting is another one about Johnny Lion and the Jumping Jewels. In April and May, 1964 they came to Singapore as fans cheered them when the aeroplane touched down at Paya Lebar Airport. Apparently the youngsters fought for autographs while waving flags and journals, showing photographs of Johnny Lion and his group.

The JUMPING JEWELS on this EP are: HANS VAN EIJK, lead guitarist TJIBBE VEELOO, rhythm guitarist JOOP OONK, bass guitarist KEES KRANENBURG, Jr, drummer. In three days the singer and group had performed two shows daily, as more than 10,000 fans poured into the middle of town at the Odeon Cinema at North Bridge Road.

According to the blurb on the flip side of Johnny Lion's EP (Ginny Come Lately, Let's Make A Habit Of This, Tra La-La-La Susie and Gypsy Woman - Philips 433 263 PE), "his success is a combination of many things, but not least among these are his instinct for the kind of song that suits his superb voice and his unfailing attention to detail." Similarly with the group, because all these qualities are present during their stage performances and recordings.

The Air Show was not around then at the airport but the crowd was there Jumping for the Jewels.

(Check: January 29, 2009).

Image/original article: Andy Lim Collection.


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