[Concurrent] Hong Kong artist Alan Tam
I often say that I will always be 25 years old.
I think 25 is a good age.
Because most of the 25-year-olds have just finished their studies and have been working in the society for a while, they will be more experienced in dealing with people, and they will know how to deal with things better, so they are young and energetic.
[Explanation] Whenever talking about age, "Always 25 years old" is a mantra of Alan Tam.
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, this hall-level singer who is galloping in Hong Kong's music scene accepted an exclusive interview with China News Agency and talked about his struggle for more than half a century.
[Concurrent] Hong Kong artist Alan Tam
Don't bother to find the truth because of bitterness and trauma.
Even if the state of the world is unsatisfactory, it must go straight, and success requires hard work.
I am willing to hold on to my purpose and hope, and not be afraid of failure and cause anxiety. Even if I am confused and confused, I must be confident and able to find a direction.
[Commentary] This song "Success Needs Hard Work" is Alan Tam's favorite song, and it is also a portrayal of his legendary life.
In 1950, Alan Tam was born in North Point Health Village, Hong Kong. His father, Tam Jiangbai, was a famous football player at that time.
As the only son in the family, Alan Tam did not become a football player as his father expected, but chose to pursue his dream.
In his junior year, Alan Tam suddenly contracted a serious illness and had no choice but to give up his studies.
After recovering from his illness, Alan Tam began to work in Hong Kong.
He works as a salesperson in a stationery store during the day, and works part-time in a bar at night to sing all night.
During the singing process, Alan Tam met a group of like-minded friends.
Out of love for music, these young people formed a band.
In 1968, a band called the Loosers was born.
[Concurrent] Hong Kong artist Alan Tam
Because I used to go to competitions at that time. During the summer vacation, I participated in eight bands in one summer vacation, and one of them was them.
Later, I thought they were the most fun, and everyone was the most compatible.
When we went to the competition, we were going to get the registration form.
But they have shined.
After glowing, we left.
After walking, I found a form on the ground called losers (losers), which was the name at that time, and we picked it up.
That failure is picked up, but by our efforts it becomes a victory.
[Explanation] The good times didn't last long, and the "losers" band disbanded within two years of survival.
But Alan Tam was not reconciled. In 1973, he invited Zhong Zhentao and the original team to re-form a group called "Winner Band".
The Wynners, also known as the Wynners, translates to "achievers".
Five charismatic and daring young singers have also gradually brought the classic HK Phil from the stage of the Hong Kong Red Pavilion to mainland China, Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea and even the global market.
[Concurrent] Hong Kong artist Alan Tam
As soon as we released our first album, it became the whole of Southeast Asia in a very short period of time, such as Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan and other regions to become the top of the charts.
Then we go to some malls and meet the fans.
Our hairstyles, as well as our clothes, become a trend.
Many of them came, and the young people who came followed us.
[Explanation] In 1979, Alan Tam released his first solo album "Reverse Fighting Star" after his solo flight, and his music career has been unstoppable since then.
Since 1984, he has won the Most Popular Male Singer Award for the Top Ten Golden Songs for four consecutive years; in 1991, he performed "Flowers in Water" on the stage of the Spring Festival Gala, which fascinated countless audiences; Won the Golden Needle Award and became the first hall singer in history to win the Golden Needle Award twice... As of 2022, Alan Tam has released more than 130 albums and composed more than 100 lyrics and songs.
His music removes the slang words of previous Cantonese pop songs, and creates delicate and romantic lyrics and music styles in a more elegant and popular way, which also redefines the development trend of Hong Kong pop music since then.
[Concurrent] Hong Kong artist Alan Tam
For a while, I used to arrange some songs, and I also thought about whether it was possible to use our spirit to put it into the song and the lyrics. I hope that it can be given to young people, and other young friends can encourage them.
Then tell them to work hard and study hard like that.
[Explanation] With the return of Hong Kong in 1997, the focus of Hong Kong's cultural and entertainment industry began to shift to the mainland. Hong Kong pop music "going north" became a trend, and the cooperation and symbiosis between Hong Kong musicians and mainland music forces became daily.
The HK Phil no longer belongs only to Hong Kong, but integrates into the mainland market, which has the largest Chinese-speaking audience.
[Concurrent] Hong Kong artist Alan Tam
I started to enter our interior in the early 1990s.
And then, every few years we might go back to that place again, and not recognize it anymore.
Slowly from first-tier cities, second-tier cities, and now even third-tier cities are very developed.
Originally, cultural exchange was to bring out the views of the two places on culture, or the traditional feeling of culture, and then communicate with the other side, the two sides, and it became one plus one and three.
[Explanation] A few days ago, 28 singers including Alan Tam, Jacky Cheung and Andy Lau were invited to sing the theme song "Before" to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return.
For this veteran of the Hong Kong music scene, he has personally participated in and witnessed the development of Hong Kong and the country in the past 25 years since his return, and he is also full of confidence in the future of Hong Kong.
[Concurrent] Hong Kong artist Alan Tam
We had a song before called "Before".
I think this song is mysterious.
"Front" means a lot. I keep moving forward, looking ahead, and then rushing forward. Opportunities are all ahead, all in the Greater Bay Area.
The transportation advantage is, and then the language can communicate.
Opportunities are now in front of us. If we can seize them, we can develop them well.
(Reported by Fan Siyi, Liang Yuan, Luo Qianqian, Yue Ziyan from Hong Kong)
Responsible editor: [Fang Jialiang]