Jacky Cheung: How Asia Fell Head Over Heels With a Humble Family Man
Jacky Cheung is incontestably the most famous and successful recording artist in Cantonese pop's short history - and he's still going at it. A quiet and humble family man, how did Jacky Cheung become the king of Chinese love songs?
With
his rich, robust voice and captivating melodies, his
popularity swept through Hong Kong and Taiwan like a
vivacious tornado. Dubbed one of the 4 Heavenly Kings and known as the "singing" king, Jacky has the largest collection of love ballad hits that
can rival Alan Tam. Since his Form 7 days in school, Jacky never
ceased to sing for the public. It was no accident that
he was discovered by Polygram Records (now
Universal Music Group), who offered him a contract
after he participated and won a singing contest in
1984. Thrilled by this prospect, Jacky wanted to get
started, but he had a difficult time grabbing his
audience's interest. Unable to gain recognition, Jacky
needed a hit song to launch his
career. Finally in 1991, "Love You A
Little More Each Day" emerged, propelling him to
superstar status. His cheery personality and
infectious smile caught fans running to his feet.
Audiences love his carefree style and the positivity
in his songs. Unwilling to become another singer
meshed into Cantopop's fast-paced industry, Jacky took
on different opportunities and directions. Showing his
audiences that he is not just a typical actor or
singer, Jacky took on a challenging role of producing
and taking a lead role in the Cantopop musical "Snow
Wolf Lake" alongside another veteran singer Sandy Lam and newcomer Kit Chan.
Together, they took the stage for more than 43
performances to a full house at the Hong Kong
Coliseum.
Because of many years of hard work and the frustrations he endured, Jacky Cheung feels he has the responsibility to uplift the current Hong Kong
music industry, in which he feels is facing "imminent collapse. It saddens me to see that during the 90s the industry kept going downhill." Jacky can do many good for the Cantopop industry, not only by continuing to
record and push the limits of the songwriters who pen his albums, but to use his personal vision to help return "to the basis of making good music." (Interview with Clarence Hui, Cash Flow Magazine)
To many, Jacky has a great voice, but his
powerful drive to use his talent in many ways is what
makes him a legend.
Career Highlights: • 62 albums released overall from 1985-2003.
• 1984 - Jacky won first prize for the song,
"Fatherland," in "The 18 Districts Amateur Singing
Contest," competing with more than 10,000 contestants.
Signed a contract with Polygram Records shortly
afterwards.
• The song, "Loving You A Little More Each Day" ranked
number one on most pop charts and ranked number one on
the Ultimate Song Chart of Commercial Radio
• 1993 - His mandarin album, Goodbye
Kiss, was released in Taiwan and South East Asia at
the same time, which sold a record-breaking 3 million
units.
• 1993 - First singer to be the Top Ten Best Selling
Singer for Polygram Records. He became the best
selling singer in Asia for three more years.
• 1993 - Attracted worldwide attention for his 25
performances of "Jacky and Friends Live Concert 1993",
34 performances of "Jacky Live Concert 1993," and
close to 100 performances of "Jacky in Concert" in
over twenty countries and cities.
• 1995 - Jacky sold over 5 million albums overall.
• 1995 - Jacky received the "Chinese Artiste of The
Worldâ in Monte Carlo at the World Music Awards.
Where Is He Now?
On Friday, September 12th, Jacky Cheung won an award
for Pan-Asia male artist of the year during the
CCTV-MTV Awards.
listener reviews
See what listeners have to say about this artist:
Still No. 1 in my heart
Anonymous on June 13, 2005
Jacky Cheung is my most favorite singer. He can act and sing very very very well. He was the most famous out of the 4 heaveily kings back then, but now it seems like andy is taking all the fame. Andy can't compare to Jacky. When i litsen to Andy Lau's songs, it's not touching at all. I just can't connect to the song. But when i litsen to Jacky's song, it's like so magical. I can always connect to it. It's so magical that i don't know to describe it. Andy can't hit the high notes like Jacky can. Jacky's voice is very powerful. He's the best well it comes to ballads. I really miss the old days. He would always be releasing hits, but now, it seems like he's fading away somehow. His songs aren't as good anymore. But i still love him. He's more like a family man. The first time i went to his concert was in 1997 i think. It was a concert with Leon Lai, Alan Tam, and some other singers. He greeted us very freindly. He's such a nice guy. I just wish that he would be like the old days, when he would be getting awards and making hits.
No 1 fan from Surrey, England on May 19, 2005
Jacky is the best singer i know. You dont need to understand the language to enjoy his songs. Jacky's concerts are garanteed to be a hit. He is friendly and a humble family man. He can sing LIVE, unlike some so-called singers who needs back vocals and music to boost their songs. Jacky is a legend. I wish him the best of luck and hopes he keeps up producing more brilliant albums.
Unique.
Anh Nguyen from Louisiana, USA on April 26, 2005
Jacky Cheung is a great actor I havent had the oppertunity to hear any of his music yet but I know that I wont be disappointed. The first film that I've watched was "July Rhapsody" it caught my eye and soon I found myself looking for the DVD. He was a great actor I fell in love with him. Well I look forward to great things.
Snow.Wolf.Lake ...you cannot miss
Anonymous from Hong Kong on April 25, 2005
I have just watched the Snow Wolf Lake Musical in GuangZhou and in Hong Kong. I also watched it 8 years ago. At that time, I already thought the musical was very good and Jacky was fantastic in the Cantonese version, but after watching this new mandarin version with Evvone (as Snow), I can only say that if you missed the show, you must try to catch it somewhere when it goes on tour either in China or USA or other Asian countries. Jacky's singing and actor in this mandarin version is so good that I feel that it's even better then it was 8 years ago. His voice is so strong and the acting is so good that I see a few audience crying with Jacky. The story is so touching at the end and everyone is asking whether the water droping from Jacky's face is sweat or real tears.... I am hoping to watch it again. All his fan cannot miss this musical or you will regret it very much.
one word-most powerful voice
Anonymous from Manhattan, New York on April 18, 2005
Jacky Cheung is my favorite singer of all time. He can always hit the high notes or low notes. He sings the songs with passion. When you litsen to his song, it's very emotional because he sings it with the "heart(passion)". there will never be anyone like him. he has also he has the most powerful voice among the old-cantopop kigns)andy leon and aaron).
based on 88 reviews.
