Photos of Beyond lead singer Wong Ka-kui, whose untimely death 30 years ago stunned Hong Kong and East Asia
- Wong co-founded Hong Kong rock band Beyond in 1983, which went on to become widely loved and critically acclaimed across East Asia
- He sustained massive head injuries after falling off the stage while shooting a game show in Japan in 1993, and was pronounced dead six days later on June 30
On the 30th anniversary of Wong Ka-kui’s untimely death at age 31, we look back at some of the highlights of the legendary Hong Kong rock star’s life and legacy.
Wong was born in 1962 and grew up in Hong Kong’s Sham Shui Po district. As a teenager, he taught himself to play the guitar, first on a pre-owned acoustic guitar, then on a second-hand electric guitar.
In 1983, as the vocalist and rhythm guitarist, he co-founded Beyond with drummer Yip Sai-wing. The band was later joined by Wong’s younger brother, Steve Wong Ka-keung, on bass in 1984, and Paul Wong Koon-chung on lead guitar in 1985.
Beyond remained mostly underground in their early years, but gradually found commercial success with hits such as Truly Love You in 1989 and Glorious Years in 1990. Both songs are still often referenced today.
In 1993, Wong’s signature work Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies, written to celebrate the band’s 10th anniversary, became and remains one of Hong Kong’s most popular songs.
At this point, Beyond was widely loved and critically acclaimed across East Asia, from Japan to Taiwan.
Unfortunately, Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies would be Wong’s last hit with Beyond.
On June 24 of the same year, Wong fell off the stage while shooting a game show in Japan. He sustained massive head injuries and fell into a coma immediately, and was subsequently pronounced dead on June 30.
Wong was buried in Hong Kong with his Martin D-28 acoustic guitar.
