Gene Ang and Hawaiian Crackers of Taiping

Gene Ang and his Hawaiian Crackers: Taiping’s musical legends of the ’50s

Free Malaysia Today – 17 Nov 2024

Now 96, the former guitarist relives the glory days of his band that brought the small Perak town to life.

In the late 1950s, Taiping was a quiet town. But one band emerged amidst the humdrum, bringing Hawaiian melodies and rock ‘n’ roll to life. Gene Ang and his Hawaiian Crackers were an unlikely ensemble of postmen, bank tellers, storekeepers and government workers, each driven by a shared love for music.

By the time they played their last gig in 1976, Ang and his bandmates had become local legends. Today, 96-year-old Ang lives in an old folks’ home, where he fondly recounted stories of his past to FMT Lifestyle. Beside him sat his granddaughter-in-law, Karen Loh, who first brought his story to light through the “Museum Volunteers JMM” blog.

Born in 1929 to a Baba family in Ipoh, he was named Ang Leong Tooi, although he later adopted the name “Gene” after Gene Autry, the Singing Cowboy. Ang’s love for music began early – at age five, to be precise. It started with the violin, which he learnt from a local Ronggeng troupe of Javanese dancers. Later, he picked up additional skills from his father’s friend, a Chinese opera musician.

In 1943, Ang’s family settled in Taiping. But tragedy struck when his father, the family breadwinner, died in 1952. With no means of pursuing higher education, he joined the government survey department, building a career as a land surveyor.

However, his passion for music remained. By the early ’50s, Ang was performing in British and Australian clubs in Kamunting. In 1958, he formed The Hawaiian Crackers with his friends, including Zain the postman, Poh Kee the bank teller, Singgam the army storekeeper, and “T A”, an optical shop assistant – a multifaceted and multicultural ensemble indeed! For Ang, the band was more than just a creative outlet – it also provided much-needed income.

“We earned about RM300 for each performance,” he recalled, “big money back then, when a bowl of mee rebus was only 30 cents.”

The perks didn’t hurt, either: “We’d get free beer and cigarettes whenever we played at military camps,” he chuckled. The band’s popularity grew quickly as they performed at private functions, weddings, cinema shows before the screening of Elvis Presley movies, and military bases.

The band didn’t have music sheets or formal training, so they relied on their ears, learning each song by playing vinyl records over and over. The set list was a mix of Hawaiian and Elvis hits, with local favourites like P Ramlee’s songs always a crowd-pleaser.

“Life was good back then,” Ang said, smiling. “All of the town’s doctors and nurses would come to our performances after work. And whenever I visited the hospital, they’d say, ‘Hi Gene, no need to queue – just come in!’”

One of their most memorable performances took place in the early ’70s when they were invited to play for Rose Chan, the iconic striptease artiste, at a Chinese New Village in Taiping. As the curtains lifted, the band kept up the rhythm as Rose entranced the crowd with her iconic moves. Ang even remembers a hilarious incident during that performance. “The first time we played for Rose Chan, I was so excited that bang, my guitar string burst!” he laughed.

Throughout their years together, Ang was more than just a guitarist. His instrument of choice was the lap steel guitar, but he mastered several others, including the ukulele, double bass, mandolin, and even the gendang.

In 1962, The Hawaiian Crackers reached a milestone when they were invited to perform at the opening of Parliament. “They asked the Sultan of Pahang, ‘Which band should play at the function?’ He said, ‘Gene’s band’,” Ang shared proudly. Despite his success, the band and Ang’s musical journey came to an end in 1976, when he had to relocate to Pahang because of work.

Today, a few years shy of turning 100, Ang reflects on a life well-lived. The band may no longer take the stage but they remain legends in Taiping, a reminder of a time when music could unite a town and turn everyday men into icons.

Note: Gene studied at King Edward VII School, Taiping in 1943 (Standard 4 at the age of 17 years old). 

Source: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2024/11/17/gene-ang-and-his-hawaiian-crackers-taipings-musical-legends-of-the-50s/