Letter To Cliff Richard - 21st Sept 1994

Dear Mr. Richard,

I've been an ardent fan of yours for the past 30 years (since the early 60's). I'm glad to inform you that I've recently purchased some of your earlier albums that have been recently re-released by EMI. The albums include "ME & MY SHADOWS" and "CLIFF 21." Frankly speaking, I prefer listening to your old songs as I can identify with them better. Some of my favourites from your earlier albums include "Y'ARRIVA", "CATCH ME" & "TELL ME." It may interest you to know that I've also got a collection of "THE SHADOWS GREATEST HITS." Unfortunately, I'm unable to obtain a recording of the "QUARTERMASTER'S STORE." Another of your songs which I'm trying to lay my hands on is "THINKING OF OUR LOVE." Please advise me as to how I can obtain the above mentioned recordings.

Time now for me to introduce myself to you. I am a blind individual by the name of Alfred Ho & I'm a singer cum guitarist by profession. I've been greatly influenced by you to take up singing & playing the guitar seriously as a career. I took up singing seriously in the early 70's on a part-time basis whilst working as a telephone operator. Consequently, I gave up my full-time job in the mid-80's to take up singing as a full-time profession. I used to play at dinner engagements, including house parties thrown by expatriates. Some of the expatriates whom I've played for include CEOs of Standard Chartered Bank, Malaysian Tobacco Company, Nestle and Alfred Dunhill of London. I also used to do stints in pubs & restaurants. I've also played at quite a number of charity functions to raise funds for certain organisations, including the Malaysian Red Crescent Society. I would like to offer my services to play any charitable functions to raise funds for worthy causes, e.g. (to free bonded labourers from their plight, especially those that we hear about in South Asia). It is saddening to note that slavery is still prevalent in this part of the world & therefore I strongly feel that this form of social injustice should be eradicated.

Incidentally, you may be interested to know that my repertoire consist mainly of the evergreens which include anything from "country & western, rock & roll, ballads & some of the sentimental contemporary songs." It has been my ambition to have an album to my name, but however, I've been rejected by the Major Recording Companies in this country. I would therefore be most grateful if you could kindly take the time & trouble to listen to a cassette of songs which I've recently recorded & if you think that I have the makings of a recording artist, then I most sincerely hope that you'll use your influence to help put me in touch with some recording companies & perhaps even put me in touch with some music promoters or show agents. It would also give me great honour & privilege to duet with you on one or more tracks of your forthcoming album.

Included in this collection of songs on this cassette is one of my favourite song which you recorded entitled, "Y'aariva." Just for your information, I sing a lot of songs that have been recorded by artistes such as Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson & Johnny Tillotson to name just a few.

Looking forward to your early reply & thanking you in anticipation.

Yours most sincerely,
Alfred Ho