Leslie Cheung: One of the Founding Fathers of Cantopop

During 1980s and 1990s, Hong Kong citizens and Chinese around the world was affected with an entertainment wave; Cantopop. There are many stars singing Cantonese songs and some created phenomenon. There are stars who managed to promote themselves until they reached a level where they can organized a concert tour across Asia. Some starts as a singer and got the chances to star in a movie thus becaming both actor/actress and a singer. With good quality that a star needed, many artists such as Wong Ka Kui with his band, Beyond, Anita Mui, Leslie Cheung and the acclaimed Four Heavenly Kings; Jacky Cheung, Leon Lai, Aaron Kwok and Andy Lau managed to attract fans thus making people adore them.

In this article, I will introduced to all of you one of the founding fathers of Cantopop. During 1980s, he used to be the idol among the teenager of Hong Kong and other Chinese around the world. Even other races attracted to him because of his act in his films such as A Better Tomorrow and Once A Thief. Successful as an actor and a singer, he is Leslie Cheung, one of the founding fathers of Cantopop. Born in 12th September 1956, he grew up with his grandmother. His parents are divorced and he sometimes depressed with his unhappy childhood years.

He did not start well in music industry. There are reports that said he was booed in his performance. However, he did not give up and stay in his path. After several trial, Leslie who has the unique baritone voice managed to become one of the successful Hong Kong singer. He managed to organize a concert in Hong Kong Coliseum, which is a great achievement for a singer. The prestige of Hong Kong Coliseum is like a Royal Albert Hall in London and a The Paddock in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia during that time. His final concert before his temporary retirement was held in Hong Kong Coliseum for 33 consecutive nights.
 

PERFORMER...Talented as a performer, his live performance can be described as unique and full of entertainment. Photo taken from http://asianpopnews.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Leslie.jpg

However, due to his passion in music, he finally made a comeback in 1995 and releasing an album, Beloved which is a hit. After his comeback, he got active in music industry and his concerts received good feedbacks from his fans. His concerts; Leslie Cheung Live in Concert 97 that shows his elegance as a performer and the controversial Leslie Cheung Passion Tour is still in the fans memory and being talk about. Both of these concerts are different from his  1980s concert and his fans said that Leslie brought the new side of him in both of these concerts.

Sadly, this Hong Kong music icon committed suicide in the 1st April 2003. He fell from the 24th floor of the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Hong Kong due to depression. Despite of the SARS disease, thousands attended Cheung's memorial service. His death shocked the fans and the entertainment industry and three months later, his last album Everything Follows the Wind was released.

As an entertainer, Leslie Cheung captivated people’s heart even after his death. People still watched his concert and listened to his concert. I myself listened to some of his songs such as Admiration, Wind Continues to Blow and Monica. As an entertainer, he should be remembered for his contribution on entertaining people.