PolyGram vinyl record exhibition brings nostalgia, glory to visitors during holiday

A PolyGram vinyl records special exhibition will be held from Sept. 28 to Oct. 6 during the National Day holiday, bringing back musical memories for generations of fans.

A section of the PolyGram vinyl records special exhibition featuring original pressings by PolyGram all-star artists is seen in Beijing, Sept. 28, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Universal Music Greater China]

PolyGram, founded in Hong Kong in 1970 through Polydor Records' acquisition of Diamond Records, quickly became a pivotal force in Cantopop history. While it initially promoted English-language bands like The Wynners, it soon embraced Cantopop releasing Sam Hui's groundbreaking first Cantonese album in 1974. 

From the 1970 through to the 1990s, PolyGram fostered legendary artists such as Teresa Teng, Alan Tam, Leslie Cheung, Jacky Cheung, and Leon Lai, while expanding its global influence. Evolving into a multinational music powerhouse and one of the world's top five record corporations, PolyGram was eventually absorbed into Universal Music Group in 1999. Its legacy, however, endures through periodic revivals of the iconic label.

The PolyGram vinyl records special exhibition, which previously delighted audiences in Guangzhou and Shanghai, has now arrived in Beijing.

The exhibition showcases more than 500 rare PolyGram vinyl records, including LPs and EPs by seven iconic Cantopop stars — Sam Hui, Jacky Cheung, Eason Chan, Alan Tam, Leslie Cheung, Teresa Teng, and Faye Wong. Curator Zhai Yi, a record collector, music DJ and critic, told China.org.cn that the collection offers a comprehensive, detailed, and systematic showcase of these pop legends and their works from the PolyGram era.

"This exhibition collaboration with Universal Music stems from our shared fond memories of Cantopop. When we talk about Cantopop, we hold very special feelings for PolyGram, which has a 55-year history, because in many ways it represents the golden era of Cantonese music," Zhai explained. "For people of our generation, Hong Kong pop music had a tremendous influence on our growth, our aesthetics, and our worldview."

A section of the PolyGram vinyl records special exhibition featuring Leslie Cheung's works is seen in Beijing, Sept. 28, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Universal Music Greater China]

This vinyl exhibition exceeds the quality and scale of earlier PolyGram-themed showcases hosted by Universal Music in Guangzhou and Shanghai. Curated by Zhai Yi, it features the last vinyl releases produced before Hong Kong's record production line closed in 1992 — highlighting rare and valuable records from iconic artists such as Alan Tam, Jacky Cheung, and Priscilla Chan from 1991 to 1992.

Particularly noteworthy is that Leslie Cheung's first solo release "I Like Dreamin'," originally issued on Aug. 25, 1977, is being displayed again after its previous showings in Guangzhou and Shanghai. This single, of which there are only 200 copies originally pressed, was released by Polydor Records as a 7-inch EP and is regarded as "the crown jewel of Chinese record collecting," Zhai said.

In recent years, Universal Music Group has committed to restoring classic albums from the PolyGram catalog using advanced technologies and producing high quality reissues. These vinyl reissues have made timeless music more accessible, while also appealing to a new generation that embraces vinyl as a fashionable lifestyle choice.

The exhibition will showcase specially designed photo walls at the entrance and exit, displaying 200 original PolyGram artist releases alongside Universal's reissued vinyl, arranged in a striking and unique layout. With thoughtful details such as a heavyweight jacket covers, lyric inserts, and colored vinyl, the display creates a complete collecting experience that captures the essence of today's vinyl revival movement. 

Spanning vinyl records, CDs, VHS tapes and LaserDiscs, PolyGram has chronicled the rich evolution of Chinese popular music through the production and distribution of physical media. 

While the exhibition primarily focuses on vinyl, it also highlights CDs, cassette tapes, DVDs, and LaserDiscs, presenting a systematic retrospective of physical recording formats. Although physical media may be gradually replaced with digital alternatives, their tangible qualities, collectible value, and deep emotional significance continue to resonate powerfully within consumer culture and popular music history.

A section of the PolyGram vinyl records special exhibition featuring Alan Tam's works is seen in Beijing, Sept. 28, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Universal Music Greater China]

China National Publications Import and Export (Group) Co., Ltd. (CNPIEC) was once the exclusive gateway for importing overseas audiovisual products into mainland China. Media bearing the CNPIEC label symbolized premium quality and carried authoritative cultural prestige. The exhibition spotlights numerous PolyGram records originally imported by CNPIEC, stirring collective memories for a generation of music lovers. 

These records played a vital role as cultural bridges, connecting mainland audiences with international music during a pivotal historical era and deeply influencing the musical tastes and cultural outlooks of multiple generations. Many displayed items feature artists' personal autographs, creating the exhibition's most emotionally powerful moments by intertwining musical artistry, the tactile beauty of vinyl, and shared memory. 

The PolyGram vinyl records special exhibition is part of the International Audiovisual Artworks Expo 2025, held at the Beijing Performing Arts Center and jointly organized by CNPIEC and the National Centre for the Performing Arts. 

The expo brings together 64 audiovisual labels from 17 countries and regions, including industry leaders such as Universal Music, Sony Music, and Warner Music, alongside prominent Chinese companies like China Record and Pacific Audio & Video. Nearly 10,000 exhibits present top-tier audiovisual art, with many out-of-print records and rare collections making their public debut.