Went through a bunch of photographs tonight. Most I haven’t seen in years. Thought I’d scan some and post them just to scare the beejeebers out of those of you visiting this blog. It may just end up becoming a weekly feature… only because I’m a sadist.
Yup, this is yours truly as a baby. I think I was about 4 months old (pre-polio), but already planning to conquer the world. This is evidenced by the intense stare that could hypnotize millions.
I think I had the average cute quotient as a baby. I’d like to think I’m a lot cuter now… but I keep that under wraps just to avoid being tar and feathered.
Ahhh… the class photograph from Primary School (elementary). I was in Standard 2 (thats 2nd grade for you Americans) at St. John’s Primary School. Just try to find me. My friend Jonathan Muhuideen (who now lives in Oakland) is also in this pic looking pretty damn pissed off. When I met him in June this year, I was assured by Jonathan, as he wielded a sharp cutting instrument, that he’s over it.
Then there was the big move across the street to St. John’s Institution. This was the class photograph in Form 2 ( 8th grade for you Americans.)
Notice if you will, the absence of a teacher. I think we killed him the week before. Just ask Kien & Vert who are also in the pic with me. (Try to find us in this one.) No one copped to it as we all pointed the finger at Jonathan who was still pissed off from Primary school.
This picture caught the formation of KISMANTAB – the greatest rock group that never was. Did tons of recording but their albums are so rare that rock luminaries such as Jimmy Page and Robert Fripp are not looking for them. Rumor is their cover art made Roger Dean cream in his pants- but this is only a rumor… and a bad one at that. Among their critically acclaimed songs – “Close The Door Behind You” and the oh so forgettable “Kueh Kohchi, Kopi Oh, Papadam,” a heart stopping ballad that swept the ocean.
MAN, TAB & KIS slyly used a school excursion to Pulau Ketam (Crab Island) in order to scout out venues for their world tour. They shunned the big stadium venues and preferred bringing their music where the “real” people were … and where they could get good crab for cheap.
This Mega Tour was going to be the first of it’s kind. The lineup included the top acts of the day such as Yes, Santana, Led Zeppelin and The Partridge Family. (TAB really wanted to score with Laurie – MAN was hot for Shirley – KIS was in love with his own Fender bass)
Unfortunately music fans were deprived of this once in a lifetime experience as the other groups had never even heard about the Mega Tour or KISMANTAB. That was their loss… and a loss to the world.
The boys would have walked into the sunset… but it was 10 in the morning. They decided instead to pool their money together and drowned their sorrows in a hefty feed of Rava Ghee Dosai and Kopi Peng.
They eventually went their separate ways only to be reunited 30 years later via the Internet. “What about the Mega Tour?” you may ask. Let me put it this way – could the Beatles ever reunite? Enough said.
FOR WHO IS WO IN THE PICS… CLICK HERE.
If this wasn’t scary enough… click on the pics for bigger versions.