Wong Ka Kui
| Wong Ka-kui | |
|---|---|
| Chinese name | 黃家駒 (traditional) |
| Chinese name | 黄家驹 (simplified) |
| Pinyin | Huáng Jiājū (Mandarin) |
| Jyutping | Wong4 Gaa1keoi1 (Cantonese) |
| Born |
10 June 1962 British Hong Kong |
| Died | 30 June 1993 (aged 31) Tokyo, Japan |
| Resting place | Tseung Kwan O Chinese Permanent Cemetery |
| Occupation |
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| Genre(s) | Rock, Cantopop, Mandopop |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Voice type(s) | Baritone |
| Label(s) | |
| Years active | 1983–93 |
| Associated acts | Beyond |
| Ancestry | Taishan, Guangdong |
Wong Ka-kui (10 June 1962 – 30 June 1993), was a Hong Kong musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the leader and co-founder of the rock band Beyond, for which he was the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and principal songwriter. For his musical compositions, he won a lot of awards from 1988 onward under his band’s name. The band’s hit songs include “Loving You”, “Truly Love You”, “Silent Years”, etc.
During the rehearsal of a game show for Fuji Television in Tokyo, Japan on 24 June 1993, Wong fell off a three-metre platform head first, and died six days later from head injuries.
When Wong was a teenager, he was greatly interested in European and American music. At the age of fifteen, his neighbour gave him a shabby acoustic guitar and Wong taught himself to play it. From that moment on, he spent most of his time learning music on his own while still working other jobs.
In 1983, Wong Ka Kui met Yip Sai Wing and formed the band Beyond. Yip played drums and Wong sang and played rhythm guitar. In the same year they won an award for "Best Band" in a competition sponsored by Guitar Magazine. Paul Wong, who initially designed posters and record covers for Beyond, joined the band later on as a guitarist. In 1984, Wong Ka Kui's brother, Wong Ka Keung joined the band on bass. Thereafter, Beyond remained an independent band, playing shows at nightclubs and schools. In 1986, Beyond self-published Goodbye Ideals on cassette tape. Their early styles were mostly hard rock, new wave, post-punk, experimental, and avant-garde. Leslie Chan, who later became their manager, attended one of their live performances and was impressed by their style. As a result, Chan invited Beyond to sign with Kinn's music. However, their musical style was not widely accepted by listeners in Hong Kong. Disappointing album sales presented Beyond with a dilemma. In 1987, Beyond recorded and release released their first album Arabian Dancing Girls. Their sound was softened with keyboards, but their album sales still did not meet expectations. At the same time, they were constantly criticised by other rock bands about commercializing their original hard rock. In 1988, Beyond released the pop album Modern Stage. For the first time, they included some slow-paced, love songs as well as songs with satirical lyrics about society. Again, their album sales were poor; their management company threatened that no more opportunities would be provided to them if they failed again.
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