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SCMP Reporter

December 10-18, 8pm, Coliseum

It's been delayed by tragedy and the star performer has pulled out because of ill health, but concerts marking  composer Joseph Koo Ka-fai's 50 years in showbusiness are finally coming together.

A dozen popular Canto-pop singers from the 1970s and 80s have been enlisted to celebrate the timeless music of Koo, perhaps best known for  hits such as Under the Lion Rock, Loving Freedom and Shanghai Bund.

The show was  scheduled for February,  but was postponed because of the death of lyricist James Wong Jim, Koo's  friend and songwriting partner.  Then it was  announced  that 73-year-old Koo  wouldn't be attending because  of illness - but ticket sales  were strong and three more shows have been added.

Artists lined up  include Lisa Wang Ming-chuen, Kenny Bee, Adam Cheng Siu-chow, Francis Yip, Susanna Kwan Kuk-ying, Teresa Cheung Tak-lan and Elisa Chan Kit-ling - all of whom are known for singing  Wong/Koo songs, many of which were theme songs for TVB martial arts dramas.

Cheng is probably the one most closely associated with Koo. He's known for his renditions  of Chor Lau Heung  and Loving Freedom, the theme song of the drama series King of the Beggars.

Shanghai Bund was a huge Canto-pop hit and is almost the trademark of singer Francis Yip (above). There will also be a number of popular songs written for Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, a drama series based on the novel by martial arts novelist Louis Cha.

In his five-decade career,  Koo has also composed music  for local movies that achieved success overseas such as A Better Tomorrow (1986), starring Chow Yun-fat, and the Bruce Lee films Fist of Fury (1972) and The Big Boss (1971).

Wong's death not only led to the postponement of the concerts, but has added a sentimental note to the shows. The audience is unlikely to hear one of Koo's most famous songs, Under the Lion Rock, because both the lyricist  and the singer best known for performing the number, Roman Tam, have died.

9 Cheong Wan Rd, Hunghom, $100, $200, $300, $400, Urbtix. Inquiries: 2333 6360



Everlasting Golden Hits