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Leslie Cheung

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Leslie Cheung was born in 1956 in Kowloon, then British Hong Kong, and died in 2003. He was a singer, songwriter and actor and is regarded as one of the founders of Cantopop, Cantonese pop music. As a boy he studied in England and he returned in 1976. In 1977 he took part in a singing contest and was afterwards offered contracts as an actor and recording artist. His first records were not a success.

Music and breakthrough

The breakthrough came with The Wind Blows On in 1983, a cover of a Japanese song, and in 1984 with Monica, also a Japanese cover. In 1986 he starred in John Woo's action film A Better Tomorrow. He became famous throughout Asia. In 1987 Summer Romance appeared, one of the best-selling albums in Hong Kong. In 1989 he announced his retirement from music. As an actor he appeared in Days of Being Wild, 霸王别姬 (Farewell My Concubine) and Happy Together.

Influence

In 1995 he returned with Most Beloved. On the 1996 album Red he worked with the composer C. Y. Kong and the lyricist Lin Xi on a bolder sound, with experiments and a deliberately ambiguous self-image. His music ranged from cheerful dance music to sensitive ballads. He became a symbol for the Chinese-speaking world.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to 當年情 and notice the way the melody and the voice together create a warm, slightly wistful mood. Which instruments support the singing?

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

Mentioned in other articles

See also

Categories: ArtistsChinese cinema: Hong Kong, Fifth Generation and wuxiaMandopop en Cantopop