Heart and Soul: Rose Chan's sizzling stage presence

Photo: 123rf.com

Whenever I hear the song Rose, Rose, I Love You, I can’t help but recall the performances in Ipoh and Kampar. During the 1960s, the coffee shops were full of customers. However, it was unusually quiet one evening. Strangely, no male patrons were seen at all. Although I was only six years old then, I knew something was going on.

With a wink of her eye and a mischievous smile, an old aunt told us that all the men had gone for a “special” show by Rose Chan. She mentioned something about a banana and ping-pong act. What she said aroused my curiosity. However, she stopped me from asking more: “Mo mun mm-sum, mm-sei (don’t ask nonsense)!”