My famous Grandfather – Lee Dai Soh
In May 2007, I watched a play by a local drama company (Toy Factory) called “Big Fool Lee”. I was pleasantly surprised by the impact that my grandfather had on the local population and the role he played in early Singapore.
The programme on the local production reads:
“He built a stage ‘on air’.
He used his voice as strength.
He captured the hearts of many with ethnic stories.
He lit up the lights of knowledge.
He was a true culture not only to Singaporeans but also beyond.
He is Big Fool Lee!”
I never really knew my grandfather, as he had two wives, and he was too traditional to really “hang out” with his grandchildren.
But I remember turning on the Radio (Rediffusion) and hearing his program.
He told stories about the “Monkey God” and other Chinese traditional folk stories….(Frankly, most of the time, I did not really understand the program, as it was in Cantonese)…but his voice was mesmerizing even for a 5 yr old boy.
My mum who is his daughter, tells me that when he used to tell his stories in Chinatown, many would charge for his stories.
With his animated gestures, you will get to hear him tell his stories for the duration of a joss stick. When the joss stick stopped burning…that was how much your payment was worth.
According to my research from the National Library Achieves (Not bad right…they actually recorded him as a national icon), he was born Lee Dai Sor (b. 1913 – d. 22 March 1989, Singapore), or Lee Dai Soh, or Li Da Sha
He was a renowned Cantonese storyteller and especially popular among radio listeners in the 1950s and ’60s.
Early Life
Lee was born Lee Fook Hung in Telok Blangah. In his first month, he was struck by a strange illness and lost his voice. Thinking that he was dying, his mother abandoned him at a rubbish dump, but he was discovered and returned by a beggar. Subsequently he recovered from the illness and regained his voice.
Accomplishments
His career as a storyteller started in 1938 when he joined RTM and hosted a Cantonese programme,
Lee’s career expanded when Rediffusion started in Singapore in 1949. This provided him an additional platform for his storytelling. His storytelling struck a chord among the radio listeners and he became a household name among the listeners during the 1950s and ’60s.
At the height of his career, in 1963, he was hosting up to 20 programmes weekly for Rediffusion as well as for local and Malaysian radio stations. In the early ’60s, he was also invited to star in Hong Kong movies but he declined due to his busy schedule. However, he did oblige with guest appearances in a handful of movies.
The launch of the Speak Mandarin Campaign in 1979 marked the end of Lee’s broadcasting career, as the local radio stations and Rediffusion were made to cease all dialect programmes by the end of 1982 (Actually, i vaguely remember these posters…with a dress and bell bottoms like that…I don’t think I can actually forget!).
He went on to produce more albums and by end of 1983, he had 12 albums, and the last album consisting eight volumes. Rediffusion ceased its dialect programmes on 30 December 1982 and Lee left the broadcasting scene. However, his storytelling continued through performances at community centres and clan associations. Lee passed away on 22 March 1989 at the age of 76.
Frankly, I did not really get to know my grandfather. In fact, I found out more about my family through the drama, as the researches dug out more thing about my family than I knew.
But my grandpa’s name seems to work wonders whenever I visit the elderly.
I tell them that I am his grandson, and you can see the smile on their faces…
But that is also where the embarrassing part begins…When they start conversing to me in Cantonese, and to their astonishment, they realize that I can hardly muster a reply in my broken Cantonese.
Haha…The ironies of Modern Singapore!
September 2nd, 2009 at 4:44 pm
wow! hes your grandfather! had the chance to translate the script a few months back but didnt take it. lol. cool!
September 3rd, 2009 at 1:43 am
OMG, he's super famous!!!!
September 3rd, 2009 at 3:15 am
Wow! Impressive! I still have a Redifusion at my house!
September 3rd, 2009 at 4:45 am
Impressive.
September 3rd, 2009 at 5:51 am
You sure inherited some of his genes by being an animated & interesting communicator!!!
September 3rd, 2009 at 5:56 am
WOW!!! Impressive!
(eh I have never heard of him personally, cos ya know, my Cantonese is simply out of this world *blush* but judging by his works and the comments… haha! He IS famous!
)
September 3rd, 2009 at 2:35 pm
wah! so interesting! You are the grandson of a celebrity! I actually heard of him before too!
September 3rd, 2009 at 2:35 pm
wah! so interesting! You are the grandson of a celebrity! I actually heard of him before too!
September 3rd, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Wow! Def not my era but it's indeed cool to know that you have a famous grandad! (:
September 3rd, 2009 at 6:04 pm
ED- thanks guys!
Kailin – u still have a Redifusion at home?!?
What for?
September 4th, 2009 at 1:17 am
My mom loves to listen to it when she does her housework and cooking. But lately, it seems like the connection is real bad, she decided to cancel the service. But it is still hanging on my kitchen wall. A classic!
September 5th, 2009 at 3:02 am
Wow! I remember him! An icon indeed…:)
September 9th, 2009 at 10:08 am
wow!
I remember Redifusion. my parents had it in their shop and my grandfather had it in his too.
I dont' really know Lee Dai Sor though.
all I can say is Singapore's Speak Mandarin Campaign is too successful.
September 9th, 2009 at 10:09 am
not hann but Hann's mummy said… oops.. that was hann's mummy speaking. not Hann. Hann's parents dont' have Redifusion nor a shop. ha.
December 1st, 2009 at 6:48 pm
I’ve been looking high & low for recordings/discs of Lee Dai Soh’s enthralling ‘kungfu’ stories without any success. Is there anyone out there who could help me in obtaining such recordings? It would be like a dream coming true for me!
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:12 am
Good to hear from u Richard.
I might be able to help with the recordings.
Can u email me directly.
edmundtay@gmail.com
June 24th, 2010 at 6:13 pm
what!! Lee Dai Soh was your grandpa!! My late grandmother was a big fan of him! and he gave my grandma the application form so that my father could attend ????! This was one of the things my grandma would always tell me when i was young.
June 25th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
Yes… Lee Dai Soh is my grandpa!
Glad to hear that he made a contribution to your grandmother’s life!
and thanks for dropping by!
August 6th, 2010 at 11:58 am
Hi,
You must be very proud of your grandpa!!!
I’ve been looking high & low for recordings/discs of Lee Dai Soh’s. Can you help?
I am looking for cantonese audio story for my mum.
Please email me.
August 6th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
Let you know again…Got to check with my mum and uncle..
November 3rd, 2010 at 11:30 am
Do you know where i can find recordings in CD or MP3 of your grandpa’s work? I grow up listening to him and it would be great to listen to his great works again.
November 3rd, 2010 at 10:42 pm
Actually, My uncle has a collection. But I am still thinking of whether i want to let people purchase copies…
November 5th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
PK Chan
I am 62 years and grew up listening to yr grandfather’s stories over Redufussion. I listened to him since a toddler in Chinatown in the early 50s and over the years until the 70s when I was working. Not only myself but my parents, brothers and sisters, my Cantonese classmates and contemporaries.
Throughout the years yr grandfather’s stories captivated us and a source of stability. Come exams, inevitable problems of all sorts, we were sustained by the presence of yr grandfather’s voice – he was always there providing stories of such a wide genre that defies definition here.
Yes, I went to watch the play of his life at the NL auditorium in 2007 and revived old memories. My sister told me that yr mom (or yr aunt) was her classmate in Fairfield Methodist School.
Your grandad is not only great but is very much respected… I would even use the word “loved” by listeners of my generation. May God bless him. He was unique.
November 5th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
Thanks for your kind words about my grandpa. Glad to hear that he made a great impact in SIngapore
February 3rd, 2011 at 6:51 am
In the 70s I grew up listening (and sleeping) to your grandfathers great stories. My grandmother never missed an episode of his story, I was wondering if you knew the title of the theme song that was play at the start of his program? Thanks.
February 3rd, 2011 at 7:31 pm
Hi Kelvin!
Thanks for dropping by and glad to hear that your grandma is a fan of Lai Dai Soh as well!
About the title of the theme song- that’s a tough one! Sorry but I have no idea at the moment!
But it is catchy right! 