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Vivienne Chow

Tributes pour in for James Wong  after he loses his long battle with lung cancer

The city is mourning the passing of one of the fathers of Canto-pop, master lyricist James Wong Jim, who died of lung cancer early yesterday morning.

Thousands of sorrowful messages flooded internet message boards, paying tribute to his contributions to music and popular culture.

'Your lyrics will stay in our hearts forever. We will miss you,' wrote Jason Ng on Commercial Radio's web page. Another message said: 'your laughter will never be forgotten'.

Wong, 64, passed away at Union Hospital in Tai Wai at 12.46am yesterday. His doctor, Tony Mok Shu-kam,  associate professor of the department of clinical oncology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, confirmed the news.

Dr Mok said Wong was admitted to the hospital on Saturday, but he was already in the final stages of lung cancer.

'We did everything to help, but he was too weak. He passed away peacefully,' said Dr Mok.

Wong's oldest son, Wong Yu-hong, said arrangements for the funeral will be announced later. 'I hope people will remember his laughter,' he said.

Wong was diagnosed with lung cancer in April 2001, but recovered with a combination of western and Chinese medicine treatments. Wong's situation became worse in 2002 and he underwent two more surgeries.

Wong began writing lyrics in the 1960s and wrote over 1,000 songs. Edmond Leung Hon-man's  Love Is Always There, which was about Sars, was one of Wong's last songs.

Veteran music critic Fung Lai-chi  said Wong, a friend of his, was a rare all-rounder who could write lyrics and music, as well as perform on stage.

'He insisted in writing with proper Chinese grammar. Not many modern lyricists play by this rule these days,' he said.

Calvin Poon Yuen-leung,  one of the most prominent lyricists of the 1980s was a friend of Wong's for 20 years. He said that Wong was a pioneer of Canto-pop.

'He paved the way for us to develop. From his lyrics you can feel his passion for life,' said Mr Poon.

Secretary for Home Affairs Patrick Ho Chi-ping expressed his sadness at Wong's death. 'Mr Wong made an enormous contribution to the local music culture. [His death] is our great loss. The public will always remember him, and the lyrics he wrote,' Mr Ho said.

The Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong  (Cash)  will tonight remember Wong, who was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2000.

At tonight's Cash Golden Sail Music Awards to be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, there will be a small and simple ceremony to commemorate Wong's contribution to Canto-pop. Elton Yeung Chi-hang, Cash's chief executive officer, said that Wong,  really cared about the organisation, which he helped found, and considered his 'own baby'.



Tears for the king of laughter and song