Aki Aleong is an American actor and musician who was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, in 1934. He has a lengthy list of credits on TV and in the movies. His best known TV appearances include roles on Babylon 5 and V: The Series.
On the big screen Aleong appeared with Nick Nolte in Farewell to the King and with Chuck Norris in the final film of the Missing in Action trilogy.
He has also advocated for a greater presence for Asian Americans in the TV, film and music industries.
Aleong's music career was largely confined to the 1960s and his first records were pop vocals. Trade Winds, Trade Winds (Reprise, 1961) was a hit in Los Angeles but failed to have much of an impact nationally.
When surf music came along, Aleong put together a group called the Nobles and produced an album called Come Surf with Me (Vee-Jay, 1963). Since the LP is mainly instrumental Aleong largely stuck to overseeing the project, although he may have played some percussion instruments.
The members of the Nobles were Ralph Geddes (lead guitar), Paul Geddes (bass), Marty Smith (rhythm guitar), Rick Gardner (drums) and Ron Smith (piano).
Come Surf with Me is a mixture of surf standards (Miserlou, Pipeline, Apache) and originals by Aleong, including the dynamic Hiawatha.
Hiawatha
Come Surf with Me largely passed unnoticed on its release. It hasn't appeared on CD or as a legal download. But two tracks from the LP, Body Surf and Earthquake, have appeared on CD compilations.
No comments:
Post a Comment