Dick Lee Answers Hard Questions From Neurodivergent 'Journalists' | The Assembly 2 - Part 1

Key Concepts

• Assembly Season Two: The return of a show or event, focusing on disabled artists.
• Singlish: A colloquial form of English spoken in Singapore, characterized by its unique grammar and vocabulary, often incorporating words from Malay, Hokkien, and other local languages.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: The drive and initiative to start and manage a business, often involving risk-taking and innovation.
• Singaporean Identity: The exploration and expression of what it means to be Singaporean, particularly through cultural and artistic means.
• Passion vs. Practicality: The tension between pursuing artistic dreams and the need for financial stability and societal acceptance.
• Overcoming Adversity: The process of dealing with challenges, setbacks, and personal tragedies, and finding ways to move forward.

Main Topics and Key Points

Introduction to Assembly Season Two

• The video marks the return of "Assembly Season Two," with the facilitator expressing excitement and a sense of missing the audience.
• The show aims to showcase disabled artists, highlighting their dreams, ambitions, talent, and their integral role in society.
• The facilitator hopes to inspire these artists through their involvement in the show.

Introductions and Initial Interactions

• Facilitator: Grace, who is introduced as the facilitator.
• Guest: Trevor, who makes a lighthearted connection through his mother knowing the facilitator's brother.
• Other Guests: Joel, Ginway, Jeremy, and Jacob are introduced.
• Overall Feeling: The guests describe their feeling as "surreal" and the facilitator admits to being more nervous than the guests.

Random Facts and Personal Anecdotes

• Durian Aversion: Shri K expresses a strong dislike for durian, not just the smell but also the taste, texture, and appearance. This stems from a childhood experience where his mother forced him to eat it, leading to a phobia.
• Supermarket Fascination: Jigly explains his childhood fascination with supermarkets, creating miniature versions from shoeboxes. This interest continues into adulthood, where he enjoys visiting supermarkets in different countries without necessarily buying anything. He mentions offering CDC vouchers to his helper.

Dick Lee's Career and Experiences

Early Career and Asian Pop Music

• Sandy Lam: Dick Lee identifies Sandy Lam as a singer who introduced him to Asian pop music. He produced and wrote songs for her, leading to her superstardom and an invitation to perform at her concert in Hong Kong. This experience opened doors to collaborations with other Hong Kong singers.
• Preference for the Background: Dick Lee states he prefers to be in the background, identifying as a creator rather than a performer. He dislikes performing and only started singing because no one would sing his songs.

Musical Influences and Banned Songs

• Favorite Genre: Dick Lee listens to all genres of music, but country music is his favorite. He advises listening to everything to find inspiration.
• Banned Songs (1970s-1980s):
  • Reason for Ban: Songs were banned due to the use of Singlish, which authorities deemed an "improper use of English." Dick Lee's intention was to create a "Singaporean" sound.
  • "Fried Rice Paradise" (1974): His first album, released when he was a teenager, included Singlish. The ban caused confusion and made him feel that expressing his Singaporean identity was not accepted.
  • "The Mad China Man" and "Rasa Saiang" (1989): He tried again with Singlish in his rap song "Rasa Saiang" (a Malay folk song).
  • Government Response: Initially banned, the ban was eventually lifted after media support and public backing, leading to the album becoming a hit. This required a "big patience game" of 15 years.

Personal Tragedies and Resilience

• Sister's Death: Dick Lee's sister passed away in a car accident. He indirectly blames himself because he didn't plan his 26th birthday party that year due to starting his own company. His sister was on her way to join their mother in Cameron Highlands when the accident occurred. His mother also blamed herself for asking his sister to join her.
• Birthday Tradition: Since his sister's death, he has had his birthday party without fail.
• Overcoming Disappointment: He shares an experience of feeling upset and alone on his 21st birthday, as his friends celebrated theirs while his was quiet. He learned to overcome such downs by focusing on the good things and celebrating them. He now celebrates his birthday by going out with friends and doesn't rely on others to organize it.

Family Support and Motivation

• Mother's Support: His mother was his biggest supporter, recognizing and encouraging his talent. She even sang in his first concert in Japan.
• Father's Conservatism: His father was more conservative and worried about his future as a musician, considering it a "hopeless" career. However, his mother encouraged him to let Dick Lee pursue his passion.
• Motivation: His father's lack of belief became a motivation for him to prove his success.
• Father's Presence: His father was a quiet, shy businessman who provided a comfortable life. He was a "solid presence" but not as lively as his mother. He passed away in 2014 with dementia, which made him even quieter. Dick Lee misses his father's wisdom and kindness.

Wealth and Passion

• Born Rich vs. Poor: Dick Lee believes that being born rich or poor is not the sole determinant of success. His comfortable upbringing allowed him to focus on his passion without the immediate need to support his family.
• Passion as a Driver: His passion for music is the primary driver in his life, regardless of his background.
• Failing O Levels on Purpose: He intentionally failed his O levels to avoid the academic route and force himself to find his own way in music.
• Early Entrepreneurship: He started working at 17, producing and choreographing fashion shows, and launched his own business at 25, all independently. The lack of a fallback plan was a significant motivator.

Entrepreneurial Ventures and Naughtiness

• Selling Porn Books in School: He admits to selling "porn books" in school, viewing it as an entrepreneurial endeavor. His father saved him from expulsion, possibly by donating money to the school. The police were involved, and he was used as a decoy. His punishment was sitting outside his class for a week, which ironically made him a "hero" among his peers. He learned a lesson from this experience.
• Nightclub "Boom Boom Voom": In 1991, he opened a nightclub called Boom Boom Voom in Bugis Street and hired Kuma as a comedian. Kuma was originally a bartender and waiter who performed stand-up comedy at another bar. The nightclub is no longer operational.

Marriage, Divorce, and Family

• Marriage to Justinta: He describes his marriage to his ex-wife, Justinta, as a "mistake" and something that "should not have happened." They were friends in secondary school, and she was his muse for his early songs.
• Ruined Relationship: The divorce sadly ruined their great relationship, which he regrets.
• Potential Collaboration: He hints at a potential collaboration with Justinta soon, as he still considers her to have the most beautiful voice in Singapore.
• "Sound of Music" Family Dream: He and Justinta had a dream of having a large family like the von Trapp family from "The Sound of Music," with all their children singing.
• Regret about Not Having Children: He expresses regret about not having children, as he always wanted a large family.
• Godchildren: He has eight godchildren (five boys, three girls) and even "god-grandkids" because some of his godchildren have their own children. He humorously notes that his "Sound of Music family" dream hasn't come true in terms of singing ability, as none of his godchildren can sing.

Connection with Leslie Cheung

• Song "Chase": Dick Lee wrote the song "Chase" for Leslie Cheung.
• Meeting in Bangkok: He met Leslie Cheung in Bangkok a few months before his death. They spent a significant amount of time talking.
• Shock of Death: He was devastated to hear about Leslie Cheung's suicide shortly after their meeting.

First Album and "Fried Rice Paradise"

• Commercial Flop: His first album, "Life Story," was considered a commercial flop upon release.
• Context of Singaporean Music Industry: In the 1960s, Singapore had a thriving music industry, but it declined in the 1970s due to national service and increased taxes on nightclubs.
• "Fried Rice Paradise" Ban: The ban on "Fried Rice Paradise" significantly impacted sales, as radio stations couldn't play it.
• Discovery via Ready Fusion: He was discovered through a talent competition on "Ready Fusion," an independent cable radio service. This service played his song, leading to public recognition.
• Success Despite Flop: He considers the album a great success because it led to his current career, despite its initial commercial performance.

Dream Project: Singaporean Pop Culture Exhibition

• "Singapore: 60 Years of Singapore Pop Culture": His long-term dream project is an exhibition celebrating 60 years of Singaporean pop culture, aiming to showcase a unique Singaporean identity through music.
• Exhibition Details: The exhibition is described as fun, slightly tongue-in-cheek, and a walkthrough experience. It is currently on display at the Art Science Museum until the end of the year.

Performance of "Fried Rice Paradise"

• At the end of the session, Dick Lee is asked to sing "Fried Rice Paradise," which he performs to applause.

Step-by-Step Processes, Methodologies, or Frameworks

• Songwriting and Production Process (Implied): Dick Lee's journey from writing songs to having them sung by others, and eventually singing them himself, illustrates a creative process. His involvement with Sandy Lam shows a process of collaboration, songwriting, production, and performance.
• Building a Career from Scratch: His deliberate failure of O levels, starting work at 17, and launching his own business at 25 demonstrates a self-driven, step-by-step approach to building a career without relying on traditional academic paths or family wealth.
• Navigating Censorship: The experience with his banned songs illustrates a process of creating art, facing censorship, seeking support (media), and eventually achieving acceptance and success after a prolonged period.

Key Arguments or Perspectives Presented

• Artistic Expression and Identity: Dick Lee argues for the importance of expressing one's identity through art, even if it challenges societal norms or official definitions. His use of Singlish in music is a prime example of this.
• Passion as a Driving Force: He strongly advocates that passion is the most crucial element for success, transcending background or financial status.
• Resilience in the Face of Adversity: The narrative emphasizes the importance of resilience, learning from mistakes, and moving forward after personal tragedies and professional setbacks.
• The Value of Diverse Musical Influences: He promotes an open-minded approach to music, encouraging listeners to explore all genres for inspiration.
• The Evolving Nature of Acceptance: His experience with Singlish shows that what is initially rejected can later be embraced and celebrated, highlighting the dynamic nature of cultural acceptance.

Notable Quotes or Significant Statements

• "They have dreams, they have ambitions, they have talent. They are part of our world." (Facilitator, regarding disabled artists)
• "I always was somebody who prefers to be in the background and I think that is where I'm strong at. I'm a creator. I hate performing." (Dick Lee)
• "Listen to everything cuz you will find something that you can use later." (Dick Lee, on musical influences)
• "I thought, hey, this is something I'm doing that is Singaporean, but then they said is not appropriate. They didn't accept it. So, it made me feel that, oh, being Singaporean is not good. is not good to express myself as a Singapore." (Dick Lee, on the initial ban of Singlish songs)
• "When are we ever going to accept who we are?" (Dick Lee, questioning the resistance to Singaporean identity)
• "I kept believing in it." (Dick Lee, on his persistence with using Singlish)
• "I was just being entrepreneurial. I found a supplier and I found a demand in my school and so I was a middleman basically." (Dick Lee, describing selling "porn books" in school)
• "You should ask how did we end up in marriage in the first place?" (Dick Lee, on his divorce)
• "But trust me, I would still do music because the thing that has driven me in my life is my passion. And I think that is that's going to be there no matter how I was born." (Dick Lee, on passion over background)
• "So I gave myself no option. I put myself out of that academic route and forced myself to find my own way by myself and do whatever it is." (Dick Lee, on failing his O levels)
• "My quest has always been to find a Singapore identity through my music." (Dick Lee, on his dream project)

Technical Terms, Concepts, or Specialized Vocabulary

• Singlish: Colloquial Singaporean English.
• O Levels: A standardized examination taken by students in Singapore.
• National Service: Compulsory military service for men in Singapore.
• CDC Vouchers: Community Development Council vouchers, a form of government assistance in Singapore.
• Dementia: A syndrome characterized by a decline in memory, reasoning, and other thinking skills.
• Muse: A source of artistic inspiration.

Logical Connections Between Different Sections and Ideas

The summary flows logically from the introduction of the show and its purpose to personal introductions and then delves into the extensive career and life experiences of Dick Lee. His musical journey, including his influences, creative process, and struggles with censorship, is presented chronologically and thematically. Personal anecdotes, family relationships, and reflections on his past are interwoven to provide a comprehensive portrait. The discussion on his entrepreneurial ventures and personal challenges like his sister's death and divorce highlight his resilience. Finally, his dream project and a performance of his iconic song bring the session to a close, reinforcing the themes of identity, passion, and artistic legacy.

Data, Research Findings, or Statistics

• 1974: Year of Dick Lee's first album "Life Story" and the song "Fried Rice Paradise."
• 1970s-1980s: Period when some of his songs were banned.
• 1989: Year he tried again with Singlish in songs like "The Mad China Man" and "Rasa Saiang."
• 15 years: The approximate duration he waited between his initial attempts with Singlish and its eventual acceptance.
• 1991: Year he opened the nightclub "Boom Boom Voom."
• 1994: Year "Chase" was released in a movie.
• 1999: Year Leslie Cheung recorded "Chase" on his album.
• 2000: Year Dick Lee and Leslie Cheung performed "Chase" together for the first time.
• 2014: Year Dick Lee's father passed away.
• 60 years: The duration of Singaporean pop culture celebrated in his dream exhibition.
• Eight: The number of godchildren Dick Lee has.

Clear Section Headings

The summary is structured with clear section headings to delineate different topics and aspects of the discussion.

Brief Synthesis/Conclusion of the Main Takeaways

This session of "Assembly Season Two" provided an in-depth look into the life and career of Dick Lee, a prominent figure in Singaporean music and culture. Key takeaways include the profound impact of passion and resilience in overcoming personal tragedies and professional obstacles, the importance of embracing and celebrating one's unique cultural identity (as exemplified by his advocacy for Singlish in music), and the enduring influence of family support. Dick Lee's journey highlights a consistent drive to create meaningful art, to push boundaries, and to find a distinct Singaporean voice, culminating in his ongoing quest to document and celebrate the nation's pop culture heritage. The session also underscored the value of diverse musical influences and the courage to forge one's own path, even when it deviates from conventional expectations.