David Bowie mourned in China's music industry
- By Zhang Rui
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E-mail China.org.cn, January 13, 2016
The legendary British singer David Bowie is remembered in the Chinese music world as one of the brightest lights for modern Chinese popular music after he died at 69 on Jan. 10, 2016.
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David Bowie [File photo] |
Bowie died peacefully surrounded by his family after battling cancer for 18 months. He just released a new album "Blackstar" on Jan. 8, 2016, which was also the date of Bowie's 69th birthday. As the news of his sudden death spread, it came as a shock to many Chinese fans and the music industry.
"Time is cruel. The icons of my youth have gone, one by one..." wrote Gao Xiaosong, a songwriter, singer, music producer and the current chairman of Alibaba Music Group, on his micro-blog.
Rock singer Wang Feng paid his tribute, "His passing has left another huge sadness in the world. We not only lost an immortal music master, but also lost an extraordinary soul who can make us forever gaze at the beauty of life. "
"The death of David Bowie is like that a mirror that can reflect sensitivity and the insight of human beings is broken," Pop singer Li Quan said.
For many living on the Chinese mainland, Bowie might not be as hot as his fellow rock stars like The Beatles or even Queen. However, he definitely has a big influence on Chinese musicians living in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
"Sad beyond words, we just lost another icon from the 80's," singer Coco Lee wrote on her blog, "I listened to many of his songs when I was young."
"I'm very much in shock," Hong Kong pop singer Eason Chan said, "he left so many outstanding and inspiring creations. I just bought his new LP and didn't have a chance to listen to it, but I was already impressed by the album artwork. He left us so much and kept inspiring us to improve ourselves."
"He is one of a kind," said Taiwan singer Richie Jen Hsien-chi, "his music, style, performance and charm have had a big influence on many new artists. But the biggest surprise for me is the film 'Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence,' starring Bowie and Ryuichi Sakamoto. I feel so stunned and sorry that he is gone."
The late Chinese rock legend Wong Ka Kui, leader and co-founder of the rock band Beyond, once praised David Bowie as one of those who gave him "musical enlightenment."
Wong Ka Keung, brother of Wong as well as singer and bassist for Beyond, said the news is poignant, "My idol is gone. Rest in peace, I'll miss you forever. "
Another alternative singer, Anthony Wong, vocalist of duo Tat Ming Pair, is also a crazy fan of David Bowie and mimicked Bowie's glam rock style throughout his career.
Interesting enough, Anthony Wong had a unique "collaboration" with Bowie. In David Bowie's album "Earthling" (1997), there was a song titled "Seven Years in Tibet." Hong Kong music critic and industry veteran Elvin Wong loved the song. Together with BMG Hong Kong, he had the concept to get Bowie to sing the song in Mandarin. Bowie agreed.
The song was re-titled "A Fleeting Moment" in Chinese with Mandarin lyrical interpretation by Lin Xi (Albert Leung), Anthony Wong sang the demo, and Bowie recorded the Mandarin version by learning from Wong's demo. The song was later included in a bonus disc of "Earthling" reissue.
"His visual vision was the best of all," Wong said, "Generations of artists have found inspiration from his different styles. From Madonna to Lady Gaga, you can always find something from David Bowie with them."
In Bowie's lifetime, he always had a great interest in China and oriental cultures. When he re-emerged in 1972 during the glam rock era with his flamboyant and androgynous alter ego Ziggy Stardust, the character Ziggy was indeed influenced by Japanese designer Kansai Yamamoto, who designed the costumes Bowie wore during the tour.
Before his album, "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars" came out, Bowie was reading Buddhist scripture. In another classic album "Let's Dance," Bowie recorded a song entitled "China Girl."
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