The Cheese Board

U.S. band (advertised as ‘from San Francisco’) which came to Singapore for a residency at a local night club in 1970.

Appeared at Barbarella’s Disco (Ming Court Hotel) Nov.-Dec. 1970.

“Meanwhile strong rumour has it that the ‘Cheese Board’ are heading for a split, and that the group is sticking together only until Barbarella closes next month. After some investigation I found that two members of the group – the sax players, Ray and Steven – are really quitting next year. Both are joining up with ‘No Sweat,’ now at the Pub. Together they will leave for Bangkok in mid-January. ‘We left the group because of differences of a personal kind – a matter of taste. Steven and me like the blues, but Bob [Newton] has his own ideas,’ Ray told me. Later, questioned about the impending break-up of his group, Bob said: ‘This kind of thing happens always. I wouldn’t say the “Cheese Board” is breaking up but, rather, we will change a few members. That’s all.’ Does this mean you intend keeping the group even if it means scouting for new members here? ‘Yes, we’ll see about that,’ he said with a quiet smile.” [Straits Times, December 5, 1970, p. 7]