| Western Union Band | |
| Origin: | Singapore |
| Genre: | Pop, Rock |
| Years Active: | 1971 - 1980 |
| Label: | Libra, EMI |
| Associated Acts: | Rubber Band |
| Past Members: | Benji 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".
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]
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]
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]
| 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] |
| 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] |
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]