|
PERFECT PAIR
...
Rodrigues & Rozells
doing a country and
western number
while the patrons take to the floor |
Tucked in a lovely cove in
Tanjong Bungah Penang, is a heart-warming watering hole that seems
to retain the vitality of years gone by. Offering an alternative
to the smoke-filled deafening pubs belting out rock, R&B or
techno, ROZELLS Country & Western And Oldies Pub is a favourite
hangout for those who enjoy the simpler times with familiar old
tunes. Here couples
take to the floor and in a dance embrace, step into nostalgic
melodies of yesteryears. When a certain number is played, the
regulars would do a country & western line-dancing jig. But the
most popular - that's when the dance floor is full - is when the
"twist" is on. |
|
"People are just ecstatic that such a place exists. They come from
as far as Johore Baru and Singapore and they tell us they cannot
find
a place like this," said co-owner James Rozells.
Formerly called
Scotch & Soda, Rozells and his partner Kathleen Rodrigues,
known as the Shirley Temple Of Malaysia when she was a child
singing talent, started the pub two and a half years ago. They
were doing gigs at hotels and functions for 15 years before they
hatched the idea of starting an oldies pub of their own. "Whenever
we do oldies or evergreens, we really get good response from the
people. We have tried asking hotels for a floor just for such
music but they are more interested in music of mass appeal. So
finally, we did it ourselves," he said.
Predictably
most of ROZELLS patrons are above 40 years old, but a curious
younger crowd is making their presence felt. "Most would just sit
back by the beach and enjoy their drinks and watch the older
patrons dance. But they're slowly creeping to the dance floor,
especially to do the twist," he added.
ROZELLS
die-hard, retired teacher Cat Lim, said she was hooked since she
and her friends, S.G. Ooi, Mary Loh and Ann Lim chanced upon the
place more than two years ago. "We love the sea, the lovely beach
and the great music. It's like you never grow old at ROZELLS," she
said to the laughter of her friends.
There
will be an Xmas eve dinner and dance at ROZELLS today. For
details, call James 017-4861885 or Kathleen 017-4750913.
Thursdays
at ROZELLS will see Lee Chong Heen and Colleen Read of Mandarin
Hotel's (now Agora Hotel) Captain's Bar fame, taking to the mike
while Sunday afternoons (4pm onwards) is strictly country and
western with "Kenny Rogers of Malaysia" - George Baum. |
