George Lam

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George Lam
林子祥
George Lam2016 (cropped).jpg
Lam in 2016
Born (1947-10-12) 12 October 1947 (age 77)
British Hong Kong
Occupation(s)Singer, composer, music producer, actor
Years active1976–present
Spouses
Ng Ching Yuen
​
​
(m. 1980;div. 1994)​
​
(m. 1996)​
Children2
AwardsGolden Needle Award in 1994, the CASH Hall of Fame Award in 2003, the J.S.G. Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015, and the RTHK Hall of Fame Award in 2016.
Hong Kong Film Awards – Best Original Film Song
1987 Passion

Musical career
Also known asAh Lam (Chinese)
Lam (English)
Genres Cantopop, English pop
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano, guitar
Labels Warner Music Group, EMI
Chinese name
Chinese 林子祥
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin Lín Zǐxiáng
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutping lam4 zi2 coeng4

George Lam Tsz Cheung (born 12 October 1947), also known professionally by his surname Lam, is a Hong Kong-based veteran Cantopop singer, singer-songwriter, music producer and actor, with a career that spanning more than four decades. Self-producing, Lam creates most of his own albums and songs, as well as being especially involved with creative direction of his work outside its musical aspects. Lam has a wide vocal range and has interpreted and performed in many different genres of music.

Contents

His works are best known for pioneering a variety of genres in the Hong Kong music scene, such as creating the known first Cantorap, "Ah Lam's Diary", and the medley "10 Minutes 12 Inches" from multiple Cantopop hits, with the latter composition's interwoven intricacies creating a derivative for Lam's eponymous concert Lamusical with his own hits.

In addition to his singing career, Lam has also acted in various TV dramas and films, making his film debut in Luckies Trio in 1978. Possibly his most memorable role was as Shiomi Akutagawa, a Japanese journalist in Boat People (1982), directed by Ann Hui, in which he was nominated for Best Actor in the Hong Kong Film Awards.

Early life

Lam was born in British Hong Kong to a family of physicians, with both his father, a Yuen Long obstetrician, and paternal grandfather (the former hospital chief executive of Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital) being doctors. [1] He attended Tak Sun Primary School, then Diocesan Boys' School, a predominantly English-language boys school, where he was a boarder. [2] At the latter school, he chose to study French.

Lam started to pick up music at a young age, when his grandfather often took him to watch Chinese and Western movies, which exposed him to film music. His parents often played music around the house, and a sparked interest with listening to music on the radio led to him teaching himself to play the guitar. In 1965, Lam moved abroad to further his studies in the United Kingdom, attending Dover College and transferring to the Barcote School of Coaching, and United States. [3] During this time at the latter school, he formed a folk song group, the Midnighters, with two friends of his. During his subsequent stay in the U.S., he began to experience a more diverse range of musical genres, which would greatly influence his work.

Career

After his studies in the United Kingdom, Lam remained for a few years for work before moving to California, where he coached tennis and worked in a stock brokerage firm. It was during this time that Lam started writing his own songs. Not long thereafter, he returned to Hong Kong to launch his music career.

Lam started as one of the lead singers in the band "Jade". [4] In 1976, he went solo with the release of his first eponymous English album, "Lam". His first Cantonese album came out in 1978. In 1980, two of his compositions ("In The Middle of The Water"《在水中央》and "Need You Every Minute"《分分鐘需要你》) won Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Awards. Throughout the 1980s, 23 of Lam's songs topped the RTHK Chinese Pop Chart, making him second only to Alan Tam, who had 28. [5] [6]

Lam performing in 2009 GeorgeLam2009.jpg
Lam performing in 2009

Personal life

Lam married Ng Ching Yuen in 1980. Together, they have a son, Alex Lam Tak Shun, who is also a singer and actor, [7] and a daughter April. Lam and Ng divorced in 1994. On 17 July 1996, he married singer and actress Sally Yeh.

Aside from his musical activities, Lam is a lover of sports and visual arts. Some of his particular ventures in sports is tennis and golf. In terms of visual arts, he as an especial fondness for drawing mazes; one of his artworks was engraved onto a Lalique-produced crystal Buddha, with his collaboration lending itself as the French company's first collaboration with a Chinese artist. Lam also likes tailoring, often modifying clothes to his own taste. [8]

During a May 2003 guest performance for Liza Wang at the Hong Kong Coliseum, Lam accidentally fell 2.5 metres through a stage floor opening. The accident injured his right ear, resulting in partial hearing loss, particularly in high frequencies, and tinnitus, leaving him hearing sounds in mono. [9] [10] A few months after his injury, he gave a series of concerts across southern China for the purpose of acclimating himself to performing with his altered hearing.[ citation needed ]

Artistry

Musical style

Lam's experiences abroad is the strongest influence within his work, where he has introduced a wide variety of song styles to the Hong Kong pop music scene, with many originals and covers becoming Cantopop classics. His work encompasses a wide stylistic range, from country rock, rhythm and blues, rock and roll, funk, jazz, rap, traditional Chinese songs, to tango and bossa nova.

When producing covers, he taps into a wide variety of countries and regions, spanning from western Europe to particular Asian countries like Japan and South Korea. The pieces he selects to cover range in genres from folk songs, classical music, and jazz musicals, to funk and rock and roll. [11]

Voice and timbre

Lam has been regarded to have a very wide tenor range, with his highest notes reaching F5, D#6 in full voice and volume, and his lowest notes is the G2.[ citation needed ]

Awards and achievements

Lam's four decade-long career has shaped a significant part of the Hong Kong music scene. Many of today's top Cantopop singers such as Eason Chan, Hacken Lee, and Andy Lau have been influenced by his music. In an interview, George Lam confirmed he encouraged Andy Lau to be a singer when the two of them met during a movie filming. [12]

In recognition of his contribution to music, Lam has received numerous accolades, including the Golden Needle Award in 1994, the CASH Hall of Fame Award in 2003, the J.S.G. Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015, and the RTHK Hall of Fame Award in 2016.

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, type of award, category of the award, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremonyYearCategoryNominee(s) / Work(s)ResultRef.
Hong Kong Film Awards 1982 Best Actor Boat People 《投奔怒海》Nominated
1983 Best Original Film Song All the Wrong Spies《我愛夜來香》Nominated
1984 The Owl vs Bombo 《貓頭鷹與小飛象》Nominated
1985Lost RomanceNominated
1986Passion《最愛》Won
1988Starry is the Night《今夜星光燦爛》Nominated
2007 The Pye-Dog Nominated
Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Award 1994 Golden Needle Award HimselfWon
CASH Hall of Fame Award2003—Won
J.S.G. Lifetime Achievement Award2015—Won [13]
RTHK Hall of Fame Award2016—Won [14]

Discography

List of albums including release year and language
YearTitleLanguageRef.
1976LamEnglish
1977Lam II
1978Teresa Carpio & Lam [15]
各師各法Cantonese
1979抉擇
1980摩登土佬 [16]
一個人 [17]
1981活色生香
1982海市蜃樓 [18]
1983愛情故事
1984愛到發燒
林子祥創作歌集
1985林子祥85特輯 (LAM '85)
十分十二吋 (12" Single)
誘惑
1986最愛
千億個夜晚 [19]
1987花街70號
1988林子祥創作+流行歌集
生命之曲
1989林子祥長青歌集
1990十三子祥 [20]
日落日出 [21]
LessonsEnglish
1991小說歌集Cantonese
這是你是真的傷了我的心Mandarin
1992這樣愛過你
最難忘的你Cantonese
祈望
1993'93創作歌集 [22]
When a Man Loves a WomanEnglish [23]
決定Mandarin [24]
1994單手拍掌Cantonese [25]
1995感謝Mandarin
1996緣是這樣Cantonese
1997好氣連祥
1998現代人新曲+精選
尋祥歌Mandarin
2001只有林子祥Cantonese [26]
2004Until We Meet Again
2007佐治地球轉 [27]
2010Lamusique [28]
2011Lamusique Vintage [29]
2014LAMUSIC Original Classics
2015佐治地球40年

Filmography

Adapted from his IMDB profile. [30] [31]

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
English TitleChinese Title
1978Luckies Trio各師各法
1979Money Trip懵女，大賊，傻偵探
The Secret瘋劫
1980Disco Bumpkins摩登土佬
Confused Hero糊塗英雄
1981 All the Wrong Clues for the Right Solution 鬼馬智多星Yoho
Life After Life再生人
1982 Aces Go Places 最佳拍檔Ambulance DriverCameo
It Takes Two 難兄難弟Olive Peddler
Boat People 投奔怒海Shiomi Akutagawa
1983All the Wrong Spies我愛夜來香
1984Banana Cops英倫琵琶
The Owl vs Bombo 貓頭鷹與小飛象Wong "Owl Wong" Yan-Fu
1985 Kung Hei Fat Choy 恭喜發財"Mo"
Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Stars 夏日福星
It's a Drink, It's a Bomb聖誕奇遇結良緣
Lost Romance
1986Passion最愛
1987Easy Money通天大盜
1988Heart to Hearts三人世界
Starry is the Night今夜星光燦爛
1989Perfect Match最佳男朋友
Heart into Hearts三人新世界
1990A Bite of Love一咬OK
Shanghai Shanghai亂世兒女
1991 The Banquet 豪門夜宴Prince Alibaba of Kuwait
The Perfect Match 富貴吉祥Koo
1992Heart Against Hearts三人做世界
1993Perfect Couples皆大歡喜
1997A Queer Story基佬四十
Up for the Rising Sun擁抱朝陽
2003 Love Under the Sun 愛在陽光下
2004Six Strong Guys六壯士
2006Love at First Note戀愛初歌
2007The Pye-Dog
Wonder Women
2009 Look for a Star 游龍戲鳳"Sharky"
2011 Hi, Fidelity 出軌的女人
2018 Europe Raiders "Mercury"
2021Singing With Legends我们的歌3Senior SingerVariety Show

Concerts

Concert by year, title, venue, and city
YearTitleVenueCityRef.
English TitleChinese Title
1976Teresa Carpio & George Lam ConcertHong Kong
1981林子祥Show
1983林子祥演唱會
1985林子祥85演唱會
1987林子祥演唱會
1988-1989LAM 88-89 LIVE
1990-1991特醇星徽林子祥90演唱會
1992-1993白花油林子祥有情演唱會
199595 Lam in Live林子祥寄廿載情演唱會95
1998林子祥葉蒨文好氣連場98
2001Live Contact Lam 2001最愛接觸林子祥演唱會
01年拉闊壓軸 林子祥&陳奕迅音樂會
2002港樂·林子祥HKPO & Lam Live
2005"Always" Lam in Concert子有祥情林子祥演唱會
2007Teresa & Lam Live at the HK Coliseum 2007仍然最愛林子祥杜麗莎演唱會 Hong Kong Coliseum
2009Lam@Coliseum十分十二子祥演唱會
2010Lam Made in Love 音樂會
2011Music is Love George Lam X Hacken Lee林子祥x李克勤 拉闊音樂會2011
2011-2012Vintage Lamusic Concert
2013絕對熹祥- A Mix & Match Concert with 林子祥 & 趙增熹
2016George Lam 40th Anniversary Concert林子祥佐治地球四十年演唱會
越唱越響40年演唱會
2018
2019Lamusical2019林子祥 Lamusical 2019 演唱會
林子祥開心演唱會 The Smiling Concert
2020
2022林子祥開心演唱會 香港站
2023林子祥開心賀歲演唱會
2023-2024林子祥50堅演唱會

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Cantopop is a genre of pop music sung in Cantonese. Cantopop is also used to refer to the cultural context of its production and consumption. The genre began in the 1970s and became associated with Hong Kong popular music from the middle of the decade. Cantopop then reached its height of popularity in the 1980s and 1990s before slowly declining in the 2000s and shrinking in the 2010s. The term "Cantopop" itself was coined in 1978 after "Cantorock", a term first used in 1974. In the 1980s, Cantopop reached its highest glory with fanbase and concerts all over the world, especially in Macau, Mainland China, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan. This was even more obvious with the influx of songs from Hong Kong movies during the time.

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References

  1. ↑ 東方日報 (11 October 2016), 東方日報: 生於杏林世家 林子祥呻冇人教急救）
  2. ↑ 星島日報 (26 February 2019), 星島日報: 林子祥重返母校 父子檔演唱會葉蒨文唔做嘉賓）
  3. ↑ 明周 [Ming Zhou] (16 February 2019), 林子祥專訪】林子祥重遊英國母校） [[Interview with Lin Zixiang] Lin Zixiang revisits his alma mater in the UK]
  4. ↑ 香港音樂人協會 (1 January 2019), 香港音樂人協會: Introducing The Band 本地樂隊歷史簡介）
  5. ↑ "各大流行榜歷年走勢重溫 - 檸音樂歌詞網 (LEMON MUSIC)". 檸音樂歌詞網. Archived from the original on 24 November 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  6. ↑ "香港電台網站 : 第二台｜中文歌曲龍虎榜". 香港電台. Archived from the original on 23 November 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  7. ↑ 東周 (26 December 2012), 東周: Lam仔拉心肝 林子祥）
  8. ↑ 搜狐 (18 October 2021), 林子祥西装穿了几十年，其实他穿的是情怀，昨晚包括主持人都哭了 (in Chinese)
  9. ↑ Fairchild Radio (17 December 2016), Fairchild Radio: Lam 林子祥的前世今生）
  10. ↑ 蘋果新聞 (25 February 2019), 蘋果新聞: 蘋人誌：人的左耳 神的右耳 林子祥）
  11. ↑ "How Cantopop's George Lam has stayed popular since the 70s by being genuine". South China Morning Post. 19 July 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  12. ↑ "刘德华、林子祥"师徒"首次正式合作！". Sohu News. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  13. ↑ TVB (20 December 2015), TVB: 2015勁歌金曲頒獎典禮得獎名單）
  14. ↑ 明報 (24 November 2015), 明報: 【十大中文金曲】林子祥奪「名人堂」 鍾鎮濤獲頒金針獎）
  15. ↑ "Teresa Carpio & Lam". Spotify.
  16. ↑ "摩登土佬". Spotify.
  17. ↑ "一個人". Spotify.
  18. ↑ "海市蜃樓". Spotify.
  19. ↑ "千億個夜晚". Spotify.
  20. ↑ "十三子祥". Spotify.
  21. ↑ "日落日出". Spotify.
  22. ↑ "'93創作歌集". Spotify.
  23. ↑ "When a Man Loves a Woman". Spotify.
  24. ↑ "決定". Spotify.
  25. ↑ "單手拍掌". Spotify.
  26. ↑ "只有林子祥". Spotify.
  27. ↑ "佐治地球轉". Spotify.
  28. ↑ "Lamusique". Spotify.
  29. ↑ "Lamusique Vintage". Spotify.
  30. ↑ "George Lam". imdb.com. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
  31. ↑ "George Lam". chinesemov.com. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
Awards
Preceded by
Cheng Kwok-kong
 Golden Needle Award of RTHK Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Award
1994		Succeeded by
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