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Relive the moments when global icons like The Beatles, Muhammad Ali, Judy Garland, Mother Teresa and Luciano Pavarotti graced Hong Kong’s shores. A dip into the South China Morning Post’s archives reveals how these legendary figures left their mark on the city and its people.
1. When Beatlemania hit Hong Kong and over 1,000 fans greeted the Fab Four at Kai Tak airport
In June 1964 The Beatles arrived in Hong Kong as part of a world tour that saw them perform at Kowloon’s Princess Theatre. Despite a lukewarm review from the Post’s stuffy critic who appeared rather disdainful about the screaming fans in the auditorium, those screaming fans loved every minute.
2. Muhammad Ali mobbed on visit to see refugees at Kai Tak ahead of trip to China to meet Deng Xiaoping
In 1979, Muhammad Ali visited China and Hong Kong, meeting Deng Xiaoping in the Great Hall of the People and agreeing to help train the Chinese Olympic boxing team. In Hong Kong his programme involved promotional work for a casino group and visits to Vietnamese refugees where he was mobbed by fans.
3. Superstar Judy Garland’s Hong Kong trip saw her hospitalised for suspected heart attack after Australia tour disaster
After a tumultuous Australian tour in 1964 in which Garland complained that fans and media were “beastly” to her, she sought to relax in Hong Kong. However her plans were dashed when she had to be rushed to hospital with what was initially suspected to be a heart attack.

4. Mother Teresa’s Hong Kong visit saw the Nobel laureate pledge to pray for the city’s post-handover future
Mother Teresa visited the city in 1983, delivering a message of love, joy and family planning, and spoke out against the “sickness” of loneliness. During a tour of Shun Lei Tsuen Helping Hand Centre for the elderly, she told a Post journalist that she would pray for the future of post-handover Hong Kong.
5. Luciano Pavarotti’s Hong Kong triumph saw adoring audience demand 4 encores, but why did he vow never to return to mainland China?
The opera legend’s 1990 Hong Kong concert was a resounding success as the city was gripped by “Pavarotti Pandemonium”, reported the Post at the time. However he revealed that he did not want to return to mainland China after a 1986 tour because he had found it “so beautiful and so incredible’ that he wanted to preserve that memory forever.
Part of this article was produced with the assistance of generative AI


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Hong Kong’s star-studded past, from The Beatles and Muhammad Ali, to Judy Garland, Mother Teresa and Pavarotti

Paul McCartney, George Harrison, John Lennon and Jimmie Nicol (standing in for an unwell Ringo Starr) wave to fans as they arrive at Kai Tak airport in Hong Kong, in 1964. Photo: Information Services Department

Mother Teresa visits the Shun Lei Tsuen Helping Hand Centre for the elderly. Photo: SCMP Archives

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Michael Jackson, his minders and other visitors taking a roller coaster ride at Ocean Park during the pop superstar’s private trip to Hong Kong in 1987. Entertainer Dr Penguin (with moustache) sits behind him. Photo: SCMP


Prince Charles and Princess Diana at the opening of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, in Tsim Sha Tsui, in 1989. Photo: SCMP 

Pele, John McEnroe and Liverpool FC: Hong Kong’s most iconic sports moments

Pele (in white), of the Brazilian football team Santos, in action against the Hong Kong League XI at the Hong Kong Stadium,in 1970. Photo: SCMP Archives

Gary Player opens the Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course in Hong Kong, in 1995. Photo: SCMP Archives

David Bowie’s record-breaking shows in Hong Kong in 1983

British pop superstar David Bowie stunned Hong Kong with record-breaking concerts in 1983. Photo: Sam Chan

David Bowie arriving at Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong, in 1983. Photo: Sam Chan

David Bowie’s Hong Kong concert announcement appeared on The South China Morning Post in 1983. Photo: SCMP Archive

Avid fans queue outside the Tom Lee Music Co’s Central branch to buy tickets for the David Bowie concert. Photo: Sunny Lee

David Bowie performing during the Reality Tour concert in Hong Kong, in 2004. Photo: Steve Cray

David Bowie cemented his status as a global music icon. Photo: Steve Cray

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The Tus arrive in Vancouver, Canada, aboard a freighter from Taiwan en route to Oakland, California, in 1956. The family moved to San Leandro in 1960 despite the town’s history of racism – and thrived. Photo: The Tu family

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Music promoters Small & Tall (from left to right): Paul Kinley, David Brabbins and Jason Swamy photographed in 2012. Photo: May Tse

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PostMag

Discover the fascinating stories of some of the biggest ever names from the worlds of music and sport during their memorable visits to the city


Discover the fascinating stories of some of the biggest ever names from the worlds of music and sport during their memorable visits to the city.


.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Discover the fascinating stories of some of the biggest ever names from the worlds of music and sport during their memorable visits to the city

1. .css-jfmysa{display:inline;word-break:break-word;}.css-1ankfgb{cursor:pointer;display:inline;word-break:break-word;}When Beatlemania hit Hong Kong and over 1,000 fans greeted the Fab Four at Kai Tak airport

Discover the fascinating stories of some of the biggest ever names from the worlds of music and sport during their memorable visits to the city

1. When Beatlemania hit Hong Kong and over 1,000 fans greeted the Fab Four at Kai Tak airport