Alleycats (Malaysian band)
The Alleycats is a Malaysian pop band which was formed in 1969,[1] and gained popularity in the late 1970s.[2] It consists of musicians from Penang who were popular in their home state earlier on in their career.[2]
Alleycats | |
|---|---|
 Alleycats logo | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Penang, Malaysia |
| Genres | Pop, funk, disco, adult contemporary |
| Years active | 1969–present |
| Labels | Polygram, Universal |
| Members | David Arumugam (vocals) Boy @ David John (drums) Din @ Nazaruddin Abdullah (guitar) Mike @ Prawing Aroonratana (keyboards) Jimmy@ Loh Kum Swee (bass) ramesh (guitarist) |
History
There were earlier line-ups of this band but the original line-up mentioned were the ones that took the Alleycats to great height of achievements musically. The Alleycats was always on top of the musical scene in Malaysia even before it was signed up as a recording band.
This line-up secured a performance contract in the Mocambo Club situated in Central, a business sector on Hong Kong island in 1976. It was supposed to be a three-month contract but the band's success in wooing the crowd earned it three yearly contracts bundled with TV and concert appearances as means of promoting the band. It became a hit with the locals in Hong Kong. It was not until it left Hong Kong to start a new performance contract in Singapore that the band was spotted by major recording companies.
The Alleycats started out in 1978[1] by signing a contract with Polygram Records-Philips to produce an album.[2] It went to Hong Kong to record its album in Dragon Studio. Later, Lion Studio in Singapore was responsible for mastering the Alleycats' albums. Its first released album was Terima Kasih (Thank You), with their first single Senandung Semalam (Yesterday's Serenade).
The existence of this band was vital to the Malaysian music industry. With more than twenty recordings, it had contributed to the development of the Malaysian music industry and is still regarded as one of the legendary Malaysian pop music bands of all time in the country. Despite the changes, the band is still active in performing and recording. The Alleycats have a strong fan base from all walks of life in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore.[3]
Band members
Current members
- David Arumugam - vocals (1969 - present)
- Glenville Charles Salay - vocals
- Priyadashini Loganathan (also known as Dasha Loga) - vocals
- David John - drums
- Nazaruddin Abdullah - lead guitar
- Loh Kum Swee (also known as Jimmy Loh) - bass guitar
- Prawing Aroonratana (also known as Mike Prawing) - keyboards
Former members
- Loganathan Arumugam - vocals (1969 - 2007); died 2007
- Tan Chin Hock - drums
- Shunmugam Arumugam - lead guitar
- Chester Anthony Passerella - saxophone
- Khoo Fook Sin and Grenville Pereira (Gren) - keyboards
- Frank Ong - bass guitar
- Ramesh - lead guitar
Their music is said to be influenced by Air Supply, Phil Collins, Bee Gees, Billy Joel, David Gates & Bread, Santana and Paul McCartney.
Most of the Alleycats albums were produced by Eric Yeo. Most of its hit songs were penned by music supremo M. Nasir with the lyrics composed by S.Amin Shahab. The M. Nasir/S.Amin combination were most noticeable on hit songs such as Hingga Akhir Nanti (Till The End), Andai Aku Pergi Dulu (If I Go Before You), Sekuntum Mawar Merah Sebuah Puisi (A Red Rose And A Poem), Setahun Sudah Berlalu (A Year Has Passed), Seribu Bintang (A Thousand Stars), Nota Terakhir (This Last Note).
On 27 December 2019, former bass player Frank Ong died of lung cancer aged 54.[4]
Death of Loganathan
Loganathan Arumugam, a vocalist of the Alleycats, died on 4 June 2007 following an 8-month battle with lung cancer.[5] His death was deeply mourned by Alleycats fans as reported in the press and media.[2]
An Alleycats Music Video Competition, held as a tribute to the late Loganathan Arumugam of Alleycats was conducted between 25 June 2006 – 25 July 2007. This was jointly organised by NGT Solutions (M) Sdn Bhd and Universal Music Malaysia, with the support from Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC). It was in line with the government's initiative in encouraging contentpreneurs to develop local content and to be able to identify creativity in the minds of Malaysians.
A year after the loss of Loga to lung cancer, the Alleycats was the lead artiste in a concert organised by the Lung Foundation of Malaysia (LFM) to raise money for its activities. Established in November 2005, LFM is a non-profit Foundation geared towards offering support for patients afflicted with lung diseases to enable them to lead a better quality lifestyle with minimal suffering.
Discography
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- Released: 1979
- Format: Record, cassette
- Singles: Terima Kasih, Jika Kau Bercinta Lagi
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- Released: 1979
- Format: Record, cassette
- Singles: Cahaya Keinsafan
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- Released: 1980
- Format: Record, cassette
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- Released: 1981
- Singles: Andainya Aku Pergi Dulu, Gerimis Senja, Sekuntum Mawar Merah Sebuah Puisi
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- Released: 1981
- Singles: Kisah Kau Dan Aku, Hingga Akhir Nanti
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- Released: 1982
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- Released: 1983
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- Released: 1984
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- Released: 1984
- Format: cassette
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- Released: 1985
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- Released: 1986
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- Released: 1986
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- Released: 1987
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- Released: 1988
- Producer: Eric Yeo
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- Released: 1989
- Producer: Eric Yeo
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- Released: 1989
- Producer: Eric Yeo
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- Released: 1990
- Producer: Eric Yeoh
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- Released: 1991
- Producer: Eric Yeo & Alleycats
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- Released: 1992
- Producer: The Alleycats & Aman
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- Released: 1993
- Producer: Eric Yeoh & The Alleycats
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- Released: 1996
- Producer: Razman
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- Released: 1997
- Producer: Razman
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- Released: 1998
- Producer: Eric Yeoh
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- Released: 2000
- Producer: M. Nasir
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- Released: 2002
- Producer: Bell
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- Released: 2004
- Format: CD
- Producer: BOON TAN & M.NASIR
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- Released: 2006
- Producer: Eddy Marzuki & Adnan Abu Hassan
References
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"Loga of Alleycats stricken with cancer". The Star. 4 June 2007. Archived from the original on 6 June 2007. Retrieved 12 June 2007.
The Alleycats, formed here in 1969, has been entertaining fans around the country, and in Singapore and Indonesia for 30 years. The group started by playing in clubs around the country before signing a recording deal with PolyGram Records in 1978.
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"Man with a smile". The Star. 6 June 2007. Retrieved 12 June 2007.
From blogs to websites and everyday conversations, Loga's illness and death was the topic for many fans. The tributes won't be stopping any time soon – a testimony to the Alleycats influence on nearly 40 years of music-making. This was the band that brought Malay pop music to all the races in this country, breaking through barriers and garnering respect and acclaim from all quarters since the late 1970s.
- "Alleycats co-founder dies". asiaone.com. 5 June 2007. Archived from the original on 18 April 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
Arumugum, known fondly as Loga, was a founding member of the Alleycats, Malaysia's popular pioneering pop band which also had a huge following in Singapore and Indonesia.
- "Alleycats bassist Frank Ong dies of lung cancer". The Star. 28 December 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
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"How Loga became an Alleycat: Mum". Daily Express. 8 June 2007. Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 14 June 2007.
Loga, 54, died at the Mount Miriam Hospital on Monday after battling with lung cancer for eight months. He passed away at 10.50 a.m. with all his close family members by his bedside.