James Wong Jim (黃霑) (February 21, 1940 - November 24, 2004), whose real name was Wong Jum-sum (黃湛森), was best known as a master of Cantopop lyrics in Hong Kong, but was also well known as a talented columnist, song composer , actor, movie director, scriptwriter, talk show hosts and various other creative positions in the field of entertainment and mass media in Hong Kong.
Wong died of lung cancer at the age of 64 in 2004.
Education
Wong was born in Guangzhou, China and migrated to Hong Kong with his family in 1949. He completed his secondary education in La Salle College. In 1963, he graduated from Chinese Department, Faculty of Arts of the University of Hong Kong. Wong obtained the degree of Master of Philosophy from the University of Hong Kong in 1983 for his study in Cantonese opera. In May 2003, in the midst of his fight with lung cancer, he completed his doctorate study at the Department of Social Science, University of Hong Kong. The title of his thesis was "Hong Kong Popular Music (1949-1997)".
Career and contributions
Wong had participated in a variety of media fields including advertisement, movie and music. He was best known for his achievements as a lyricist of Cantonese songs in Hong Kong. Beginning from the 1960s, he was the lyricist for over 2000 songs, including many popular TV drama theme songs, many of which have become classics of the genre. His works had pushed the development of Cantopop to unprecedented popularity.
At the same time of being well known and appraised for his creative works in the entertainment and advertisement fields, Wong was also famous for his vulgar and indelicate image. He had a a series of best-seller books on adult-oriented jokes. He was regarded as the one breaking the cultural barrier to taboos in Hong Kong during the conservative environment in 1970s.
Wong hosted several TV programs, mostly interviews or talk shows oriented towards adults, on both TVB and ATV.
The lyrics of "Under The Lion Rock", one of his important works in collaboration with composer Joseph Koo, was quoted by the former Financial Secretary, Antony Leung, at the end of his 2002-03 Budget Speech to encourage Hong Kong people during the economic difficulties at the time.
Important works in lyrics
- Under the Lion Rock (獅子山下)
- Shanghai's Coast (上海灘)
- Ask me (問我)
- Forget us in the water (兩忘煙水裡)
- Tao Tao Tao (道道道)
- A laugh in blue sea (滄海一聲笑)
- A Man has to stand up (男兒當自強)
Awards
Wong received numerous awards for his works.
- Music Awards
- 1981 忘記他, The best cantopop, 4th Top Ten Chinese Golden Pop Music, RTHK
- 1982 兩忘煙水里, The best cantopop, 4th Top Ten Chinese Golden Pop Music, RTHK
- 1989 Best Lyricist, 2nd Hong Kong Artist Awards (香港藝術家年獎)
- 1990 Golden Pin, 13th, Top Ten Chinese Golden Pop Music, RTHK
- 1991 Hall of Fame, RTHK (Radio and Television Hong Kong)
- 2000 Hall of Fame Award, CASH (Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong).
- 2002 Hall of Fame Award for 25th Anniversary, 25th Top Ten Chinese Golden Pop Music, RTHK
- Film Awards
External links
Last updated: 08-20-2005 20:31:44
