Western Union Band


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.
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. Bass player Tony Chong was founding member of the early 60s band The Thunderbirds, whose biggest hit was in 1966 with "My Lonely Heart".

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". Both of them were on the Libra Records label.

Hits

For the week ending February 19th, 1972, their song "Baby, Driving Me Crazy" was at no.6 in the Malaysian Top 10. A month later, for the week ending March 18th, the song was at no.4. For the week ending April 8th, Billboard had recorded "Something About You Baby" at no.7.
In May, on the 27th, they were in the Singapore top 10 at no.9 with "Ive Found My Freedom". The following week, the song was also in the Singapore Top 10 at no.8. For the week ending June 24th, the song was at no.8 in Singapore, but it had hit the no.1 spot in Malaysia.
Their song Sausalito was at no.1 in the Malaysian Top 10 by August 26, 1972.

Members

  • Rennie Ho... vocals
  • Chris Vadham... guitar, vocals
  • Abel Gan... keyboards
  • Tony Chong... bass
  • Shediq Marican ... drums
  • Danny Lim... guitar, flute
  • Peter Mangkok... bass
  • Daniel Wee... drums
  • Benji... vocals

    Discography

TitleRelease infoYearFNotes
Western Union BandEMI EMGS 50101977LP
We've Got LoveEMI EMGS 60381978LP
Western Union BandEMI 7243 8 53398 2 01996CD

Later years

Chris Vadham died in Watford, England on February 26, 2007 from liver cancer.
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.