Western Union Band

Last updated
Western Union Band
OriginSingapore
Genres Pop, Rock
Years active1971 - 1980
Labels Libra, EMI
Past membersBenji
Tony Chong
Abel Gan
Rennie Ho
Danny Lim
Peter Mangkok
Shediq Marican (aka Ziani Shedick)
Chris Vadham
Daniel Wee

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".

Contents

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

Discography

Singles
TitleRelease infoYearNotes
"My Lady" / "Stepping Thru An Empty Time" Libra LRSP 0081971
"Something About You Baby" / "Driving Me Crazy"Libra LRSP 0091971
"I've Found My Freedom" / "Don't Say You Don't"Libra LRSP 010
"Sausolito" / "Showbiz"Libra LRSP 011
"Walkin' Proud" / InstrumentalLevi's LEVI'S-11975 [14]
Albums
TitleRelease infoYearFNotes
Western Union Band EMI EMGS 50101977LP
We've Got LoveEMI EMGS 60381978LP
Western Union BandEMI 7243 8 53398 2 01996CD [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]

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References

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