Recap | Hong Kong’s star-studded past, from The Beatles and Muhammad Ali, to Judy Garland, Mother Teresa and Pavarotti
Discover the fascinating stories of some of the biggest ever names from the worlds of music and sport during their memorable visits to the city
Relive the moments when global icons like The Beatles, Muhammad Ali, Judy Garland, Mother Teresa and Luciano Pavarotti graced Hong Kong’s shores. A dip into the South China Morning Post’s archives reveals how these legendary figures left their mark on the city and its people.
1. When Beatlemania hit Hong Kong and over 1,000 fans greeted the Fab Four at Kai Tak airport
In June 1964 The Beatles arrived in Hong Kong as part of a world tour that saw them perform at Kowloon’s Princess Theatre. Despite a lukewarm review from the Post’s stuffy critic who appeared rather disdainful about the screaming fans in the auditorium, those screaming fans loved every minute.
2. Muhammad Ali mobbed on visit to see refugees at Kai Tak ahead of trip to China to meet Deng Xiaoping
In 1979, Muhammad Ali visited China and Hong Kong, meeting Deng Xiaoping in the Great Hall of the People and agreeing to help train the Chinese Olympic boxing team. In Hong Kong his programme involved promotional work for a casino group and visits to Vietnamese refugees where he was mobbed by fans.
3. Superstar Judy Garland’s Hong Kong trip saw her hospitalised for suspected heart attack after Australia tour disaster
After a tumultuous Australian tour in 1964 in which Garland complained that fans and media were “beastly” to her, she sought to relax in Hong Kong. However her plans were dashed when she had to be rushed to hospital with what was initially suspected to be a heart attack.
