"The Fabulous Echoes" Leaks

In gathering information for the article "Echoes of the Rainbow brings back the Fabulous Echoes" efforts were made to contact the surviving members of The Fabulous Echoes to ascertain the correctness of the information gathered. Eventually, Mr. Bert Sagum, the percussionist and wind instrumentalist of the band was reached. The following are the answers to the questions I put to Mr. Sagum ：

First reply from Mr. Bert Sagum, dated 14 May 2011

 

Thank you so much for that article. I am going to print and frame it. As for your questions...

1. When did Mr. Tony Ruivivar and you come to Hong Kong and why? 

Tony was ahead of me (he was already in Hong Kong) I came to Hong Kong to join my uncle Barry Yaneza's band (he was the Harry James (note 1) of Hong Kong) in approximately 1959. I hooked up with Tony and Danny sometime around 1962 or 1963.

2. When was the Fabulous Echoes formed?  

When I met Tony and Danny they were the Blue Echoes and I joined and we became The Fabulous Echoes.

3. The name of the members when first formed? 
 
Tony Ruivivar, Danny Ruivivar, Bert Sagum, Terry Lucido, Stan Robertson, and our lead singer from Sri Lanka, Cliff Foenander.

Thanks! Bert

Second reply from Mr. Bert Sagum, dated 24 August 2011

1. When did Mr. Tony Ruivivar came to Hong Kong and WHY?

He went to Hong Kong roughly in 1957 or 1958 to join his parents because his father was working as a band leader in the Peninsula Hotel.

2. Before the "Blue Echoes", did he work as a session musician or played at any venue?

    No 

3. When performing at Rediffusion's live show "Rumpus Time" hosted by Ray Cordero, Mr. Tony and Danny Ruivivar were still "The Blue Echoes", am I correct? Because I can't find you (Mr. Sagum) in the photo. 


No they were already the Fabulous Echoes.The picture you have is of the Blue Echoes. I guess we both did Rediffusion.

4. Who thought of naming the band as "The Fabulous Echoes"?
     

     I have no idea. I can't remember. 

5. Before managing by Frances Silva-Kirk, which venue did the band play at?

 

Sunya night club and Paramount night club alternating with Gian Carlo and his Italian band.

Sunya night club (the building with neon sign of red characters on blue backgroud)


Paramount Nightclub (the building on the right of the above photo)

6. Who produced the recordings for The Fabulous Echoes?

   

    Frances Kirk

7. Who did the arrangement for the songs, especially "A little bit of soap" and "Dancing on the moon"?

     

Hmm I will have to find out that one. 

8. Who selected which song to be recorded?
   

    All of us with Frannie Kirk (note 2)

  

9. The song "Speedy Gonzales" had the vocal of Cantonese Artist Mr. Tang Kee Chan, was the song recorded simultaneously with Mr. Tang in the studio or he dubbed his vocal at a later stage? 
 

   I don't know sorry. 

10. From who's idea to partner Mr. Tang to make a record?
          
       Probably Frannie  (note 2)

11. Who is the singer impersonating Louis Armstrong in "Hello Dolly/Bill Bailey"? And from who's idea to make this song a medley with Bill Bailey?

    

      That was Danny Ruivivar (Hello Dolly) and Cliff Foenander (Bill Bailey). It was a      collaboration from the whole group.

12.   After leaving Hong Kong, The Fabulous Echoes based in Las Vegas, what made The Fabulous Echoes moved to Hawaii？

After three years contract with the Del Webb Corp. who own Thunderbird and Sahara Hotels we decided to move to Hawaii because we had an opportunity to open a showroom with Don Ho (note 3)

Don Ho

13.  Have Mr. Tony Ruivivar and you ever returned to Hong Kong after all these years?  
       

      We did visit but we would love to go back and play again.

     
It's been 3 months between his two replies to me, I am still waiting for Mr. Sagum's reply to questions that he does not give a definite answer, in the mean time, I just share the available information to you all.

Note 1： Harry James, famous big band leader of the 40's.
Note 2 :  "A little bit of soap" and "Speedy Gonzales" were picked by Mr. Lal Dayaram , it was his idea to team up the Fabulous Echoes with Mr. Tang Kee Chan

Note 3： Don Ho , well known entertainer, owner of restaurant and night club in Hawaii.

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