Gene Ang and His Hawaiian Crackers: A Musical Legacy of the 1950s

From Humdrum to Legendary

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.

A Life of Passion

Born in 1929 to a Baba family in Ipoh, Gene Ang was named Ang Leong Tooi, although he later adopted the name “Gene” after Gene Autry, the Singing Cowboy.

Gene’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.

The Birth of The Hawaiian Crackers

In 1943, Gene’s family settled in Taiping. However, 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, Gene 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!

A Life of Performance

For Gene, 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 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.

A Lasting Legacy

Throughout their years together, Gene 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'”, Gene shared proudly.

Despite his success, the band and Gene’s musical journey came to an end in 1976, when he had to relocate to Pahang because of work.

Conclusion

Today, at the age of 96, Gene cherishes the memories of his band during their heyday. The Hawaiian Crackers 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.

FAQs

Q: What was The Hawaiian Crackers’ musical style?
A: Their set list was a mix of Hawaiian and Elvis hits, with local favourites like P Ramlee’s songs.

Q: How did they learn their songs?
A: They relied on their ears, learning each song by playing vinyl records over and over.

Q: How long did The Hawaiian Crackers perform together?
A: They performed together for about 18 years, from 1958 to 1976.

Q: What was Gene’s favourite instrument to play?
A: His instrument of choice was the lap steel guitar, but he mastered several others, including the ukulele, double bass, mandolin, and even the gendang.