Rock Band Tai Chi's Joey Tang
Joey Tang’s soft-rock band Tai Chi dominated the Hong Kong music scene in the 80s, but the rise of Canto-pop made life a struggle for the Eagles-style band and the members went their separate ways in 1995. Tang stayed in the industry, however, producing much of the music for the handover. Now Tai Chi has reunited and is on the comeback trail.
My dad threw away my first pair of boot-cut jeans. Same for my guitar. I was only in primary six.
When I was six, I memorized Paul McCartney’s “Band on the Run.”
The only toy I had was a radio. I was good at pulling it apart to get the magnet out to play with. I listened to English songs - early Bee Gees and Terry Jack.
I wanted to learn guitar during form one but my dad refused. He would allow me to learn only Chinese instruments. So I picked up the flute. I spent so much time playing the flute that I had to repeat the year. After that, my dad wouldn’t let me play anymore.
My mum secretly bought my first guitar from Tom Lee. It cost $90. I practiced when my father was working and hid it under my bed when he came home.
Tai Chi is a combination of three bands. We met in the Mark One studio - that’s the place where you got all the 80s bands: Ram, China and later Beyond. I was in Trinity and joined up with instrumental bands Tai Chi and Nasa. We later entered the Carlsberg Music Competition in 1985 and won the best band.