Hong Kong latter past Century
Have had quite a few chat sessions with my uncle about days of yore in Hong Kong and how the “scene” has evolved through the days; I found it all very interesting/fascinating and thus would like to share with you guys what I learned from this veteran here. I also want to write it all down/commit as a record of what I learned before I myself forget about it all!! Fair enough?
Perhaps others from that era reading this could also fill in some of the blanks/correct some of the misinformation I’m writing here to make it a full compendium of Hong Kong in the past century?
The 60’s
Anyway, my uncle started out as a young fellow being taken by his Dad to regular “Nightclubs” in Hong Kong in the early 60’s. In those days, nightclubs were huge lavish palaces serving up sumptious Chinese dinners accompanied by live music from big bands – mostly Filipinos who would also accompany Chinese Singers belting out popular Chinese songs. There is usually also a “show” each night – Magic acts, acrobats or even a Celebrity Star Singer to enthrall the Nightclub goers. There is also always a nice dance floor where the Concubines and Girl Friends would drag out their beau and where guys would do what is the nowadays equivalence of “networking” with other businessmen. Paramount, Mocambo, Golden Crown, Bayside, Asiana, Ritz, Champagne Room are just some of this type of Nightclub of that era.
Then there were the week-ends when my uncle would be allowed to go to “Tea Dances” at these nightclubs to watch some of the more popular Youngster Bands of that era (The Fabulous Echoes, Zoundcrackers/Joe Jr & Side Effects, Topnotes, Wynners (first known as Loosers! LOL!), Blue Star Girls’ Combo, Teddy Robin & the Playboys, Danny Diaz & Checkmates etc) but accompanied by the family’s man servant or Chauffeur AND was trying to pick up girls – who would also be accompanied by their own maids at these afternoon to early evening do’s. Amazing!
Then there were the other type of “nightclubs” of that era – characterized by the famous Tonnochy Ballroom - which had started out literally as a ballroom where guys would buy tickets which they would use to have a dance with the Girls in attendance there. And it wasn’t just a place to go and straight away pick up a gal to accompany you back to your room; it was all quite prim and proper and the Ballroom go-er would actually need to “court” these girls - in the hope of EVENTUALLY getting them in the sack. Multiple night visits and many tickets they’d buy before they could even get to first base with some of the more “Famous beauties” there. Really…they had famous beauties!! Some of these famous beauties has actually graduated to becoming the Tai-Tai’s of some tycoon or at least a concubine or kept woman.
….to be continued…depending on whether you guys are interested or not - of course!
SEAJ
[ Last edited by SEAJ at 18-11-2011 13:58 ] | |
