The Changing Tymes

Filipino group which played night-club residencies in Manila, Tokyo, Karachi, and Singapore from 1969 to 1971.

THE POP GROUP WHO MIX THEIR SONGS – The Changing Tymes, a five-piece group from the Philippines, have been playing at the Kelong Night Club for six months. Their style and repertoire is varied, and it is this variety which is their aim. “We decided to mix our songs when we formed two years ago,” explained the leader, Bernie Manabal, 26. “My brother, Cris, who is now our drummer, and I were in a group called The Brown Boys which played a Spanish type of music. But we found some of the customers liked more variety and it is them we have to please.” The Changing Tymes formed in Manila, taking three members of The Dynasouls—brothers Tony Generoso, 23, and Vick Generoso, 24, and Rody Delgado—to make a quintet. Since then they have done seasons in Karachi and Singapore, as well as in their own country. “We played to a lot of British audiences when we were at the Hotel Metropole in Karachi for six months last year,” said Bernie. “They were an appreciative lot but we didn’t like Karachi very much because there was no competition. That’s what makes a band better.”

Each of The Changing Tymes’ members taught himself to play when younger. Because they cannot read music, they learn each song by ear. Rody, the organist, also composes, and memorises the tune by plucking it out on a guitar. The group is currently performing two of his songs. “I usually compose late at night, after the show, when I am alone,” said Rody. “If I work it out on a guitar I can remember it next day and I get everyone to help me with the words.” The group is presently talking about an extra member because they feel their sound needs an extra instrument, particularly with the trend towards brass. They are definite their new member will be a Filipino because they feel musically they are more talented. [New Nation, February 22, 1971, p. 10]

Touring group with known residencies as follows:

• 1969 – Tokyo
• Nov. 1969 – mid-1970 – The Pink Pussycat (Prince’s Hotel Garni) — “direct from a long run in Tokyo” [Straits Times, December 13, 1969, p. 7]
• Mid-1970 – Dec. 1970 – Hotel Metropole, Karachi
• Jan. 1971 – mid-1971 – The Kelong Night Club, Singapore

Also appeared at The Kleenex Pop Festival (National Theatre) [November 29, 1969] and Pesta Pop [December 7, 1969].