Western Union Band was a 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".
Background The band was a made of men from Indian, Chinese and Malay origin. They played regularly at the Moonshine bar in Katong.Singapore Storeroom - Western Union Band 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.The Rocky Road: Autobiography By Mr Boogie Woogie, By Rockin Dave - Won't You Bass player Tony Chong was founding member of the early 60s band The Thunderbirds, whose biggest hit was in 1966 with "My Lonely Heart".The New Paper, Dec 28, 2014 - Entertainment, Passion for music keeps stars of S'pore's 1970s bands going strong - Catherine Robert 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".Billboard, December 25, 1971 - TA-104 INTERNATIONAL TALENT, Continued from pge TA-102 Both of them were on the Libra Records label.Rate Your Music - Western Union Band, Single Hits For the week ending February 19th, 1972, their song "Baby, Driving Me Crazy" was at no.6 in the Malaysian Top 10.Billboard, February 19, 1972 - Page 40 Billboard Hits of the World, Malaysia A month later, for the week ending March 18th, the song was at no.4.Billboard, March 18, 1972 - Page 56 Billboard Hits of the World, Malaysia For the week ending April 8th, Billboard had recorded "Something About You Baby" at no.7.Billboard, April 8, 1972 - Page 57 Billboard Hits of the World, Malaysia
In May, on the 27th, they were in the Singapore top 10 at no.9 with "Ive Found My Freedom".Billboard, May 27, 1972 - Page 52 Billboard Hits of the World, Singapore The following week, the song was also in the Singapore Top 10 at no.8.Billboard, June 3, 1972 - Page 50 Billboard Hits of the World, Malaysia, Singapore For the week ending June 24th, the song was at no.8 in Singapore, but it had hit the no.1 spot in Malaysia.Billboard, June 24, 1972 - Page 53 Billboard Hits of the World, Malaysia, Singapore
Their song Sausalito was at no.1 in the Malaysian Top 10 by August 26, 1972.Billboard, August 26, 1972 - Page 72 Billboard Hits of the World, Malaysia 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 ... vocalsRate Your Music - Western Union Band 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 Rate Your Music - Western Union Band, Single
+ 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 Rate Your Music - Western Union Band, Album
Later years Chris Vadham died in Watford, England on February 26, 2007 from liver cancer.The Dead Rock Stars Club - 2007 January to June
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.The New Paper, Dec 28, 2014 - Entertainment, Passion for music keeps stars of S'pore's 1970s bands going strong - Catherine Robert References
External links Singapore 60s: Andy's Pop Music Influence: Western Union Band With Chris Vadham: Paper Roses, Paper Dreams... Yesterday's Sorrows ANNEX C – Pop-Up Noise: The Great Singapore Replay Song List for Public Voting