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Edith Lin

Elizabeth Cheung

An amber rainstorm warning failed to dampen the spirits of musicians and fans who gathered in Hong Kong on Saturday to pay tribute to the late singer-songwriter Khalil Fong following his death last month at the age of 41.
The musicians performed several of Fong’s most beloved works, including “Love Song” and “If Love” at the Science Park in Sha Tin, as fans clapped along and sometimes broke down in tears.
“Although he has left us, his music, talent, songs and passion for life have had a profound impact on our lives,” the emcee said. “No matter if it is in the past, present or future, we believe his music will pass on.”
On March 1, his record label Fu Music confirmed that Fong “left the world peacefully” on February 21 after fighting an unspecified illness for five years.
Tributes featuring his songs, interviews and concerts videos continue to flood social media as fans, notably from Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan, reminisce about the musician.
Some fans have organised shows in Taiwan, multiple mainland cities and the one in Hong Kong.
Fong’s friends, musicians and fans, meanwhile, said they believed his legacy would prove timeless.
Among those who spoke fondly of Fong was Steven Tsoi, a former DJ at Metro Radio in his fifties.
He first met Fong on his Mandarin Hits programme early in his career as the singer-songwriter launched his 2005 debut album Soulboy.
Influenced by Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson while growing up in the American state of Hawaii and on the mainland, Fong shook up the Chinese music scene with songs such as “Spring Breeze” and “Nanyin”.

Tsoi described Fong as occupying a unique position in Cantopop, with his songs taking off in Hong Kong even though nearly all of them were in Mandarin or English.
Such tracks included “Finally”, which came out in 2011 and talks about how the promise of love finally proves true. It scooped the top song prize at Commercial Radio’s Ultimate Song Chart Awards Presentation that year.
“The songs he wrote were not just about romantic relationships. You can find elements and values from his religion throughout his pieces, which are about love,” Tsoi said, referring to Fong’s Baha’i faith, which highlights the importance of the essential worth of all religions and the unity of all people.
“Almost every song of his is about love. I always wondered what was in his mind,” he said. “He sometimes talked about philosophy and things in life at gatherings … You never heard him complain, gossip or bad-mouth anyone.
“No one ever questioned his character.”
Fong faded out of the spotlight a few years ago before returning with his eleventh and final album The Dreamer last October, which he recorded during various stages of his illness.
Tsoi recalled Fong asking him to listen to the album last year, but the former did not expect to later hear news of the singer’s death.
“His condition may have prevented him from achieving more, and he did everything he could,” he said. “But his legacy remains.”
Public health scholar Roger Chung Yat-nork, also a professional musician specialising in jazz and gospel music, said Fong had given him and his brother advice before they released their first album in 2009.
“What he told us was quite technical. For example, how to make the drum patterns better, how the bass should be,” Chung said. “This shows that Fong was a very meticulous person, which is also shown in his productions.”

Chung said Fong injected fresh vitality into Hong Kong’s music scene with his debut at a time when the industry was flooded with songs that had similar styles and topics.
“Fong’s emergence showed that our market also likes [R&B music], which is not limited to Westerners only,” he said.
“His music also has depth, which can be seen in its production, arrangement and melodies … Fong has shown that Hong Kong can also produce works of international standard. It symbolises the possibilities amid limited resources.”
Celia Tam, 32, has been a fan of Fong for 19 years. At a younger age, she spent her pocket money on his albums and posters, while learning clarinet with the dream of playing jazz.
Although Tam eventually did not pick music as her career, Fong’s influence encouraged her to adopt a thankful and loving attitude, prompting her to join volunteer activities and minimise her use of plastic.
She recalled how the singer, who was a vegetarian, never asked fans to use glow sticks at concerts and suggested guests donate to charities instead of buying him bouquets.

Describing him as an “old friend” that accompanied her through ups and downs, she spent the whole afternoon crying when she heard about the death of Fong, who she said had always done good deeds in a low-key manner.
Tam said she aspired to promote his kind-hearted nature.
“Bringing forward his music, virtue and spirit, I hope to live my life to the fullest, fulfil my potential and chase my dream,” she said.
Fong has also served as an influence on 19-year-old university student Serein Tam, who never had a chance to meet her idol.
His philosophy was a beacon of light when she struggled with depression and anxiety, she said.
His world view – to find the best in people – has motivated Tam to view the world as a good place, even though it can be brutal, and has prompted her to become a social worker to help inspire others.
“He is my inspiration and role model … I hope to pass on his legacy and build his utopia,” she said.


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Hong Kong society

Rain fails to deter fans at tribute concert for Hong Kong’s late Khalil Fong

Fans gather in the rain for the tribute show to Khalil Fong at the Science Park. Photo: Dickson Lee

Former Metro Radio DJ Steven Tsoi joins friends and fans of Fong for a sharing session paying tribute to the late soul-pop artist. Photo: Eugene Lee

Events have been held in Hong Kong, Taiwan and on the mainland to mark the singer’s death. Photo: Eugene Lee

Fan Celia Tam shows a photo of her alongside Khalil Fong. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong singer Khalil Fong’s music tops streaming sites after his death

Khalil Fong released The Dreamer last October, which he said was recorded “during various stages of illness”. Photo: Handout

The lyrics of the song “Love Love Love” appear on a backdrop at a performance by Khalil Fong. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong singer Khalil Fong leaves note for fans to ‘hold fast’ to their dreams

Hong Kong singer-songwriter Khalil Fong has left a message for fans to hold on to their dreams. Photo: Handout

Khalil Fong performing at a live concert before his battle with illness. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong singer-songwriter Khalil Fong dies at 41 after long battle with illness

Khalil Fong has died at the age of 41. Photo: Handout

Khalil Fong moved to Hong Kong in the late 1990s. Photo: SCMP

Khalil Fong was born in the US state of Hawaii in 1983. Photo: Handout

News

Hong Kong

Society

Hong Kong singer-songwriter’s friends and fans look back on how he shook up Chinese music scene


Hong Kong singer-songwriter’s friends and fans look back on how he shook up Chinese music scene.
