HONG KONG – A constellation of artists gathered Wednesday night at the West Kowloon Cultural District’s AXA x WONDERLAND to honor the late Leslie Cheung on what would have been his 70th birthday, performing his greatest hits and sharing personal memories of the legendary Cantopop icon.
The concert, titled “Continue to Love Leslie Cheung 70th Birthday Concert,” featured a lineup including Kenny Bee, Dicky Cheung, William So, and Elisa Chan, among others. Each performer offered a deeply personal tribute, weaving together music, nostalgia and a sense of community that Cheung’s fans have cherished for decades.
A Night of Nostalgia and Music
Kenny Bee opened the emotional portion of the evening with Cheung’s ballad “This Life, This World.” After his performance, Bee told the audience that seeing old photographs on the large screen stirred vivid memories of their collaborations.
“Leslie and I worked together on several films, but we rarely sang together at public events,” Bee recalled. “At private gatherings—like his Christmas parties—there was always a live band. We would take turns: he’d sing one song, I’d sing another, and then we’d do a duet. Unfortunately, smartphones with recording capabilities didn’t exist back then, so very few fragments remain. But today, even though he’s not here physically, I feel we sang together again. Those memories are locked in my mind forever. Happy birthday, Leslie.”
Bee’s daughter, Katherine Bee, then performed the newly released single “70 Leslie with Love,” written specifically for the occasion. The lyrics cleverly referenced many of Cheung’s classic song titles, drawing warm recognition from the audience.
Dicky Cheung and Others Share Emotional Moments
Dicky Cheung delivered a theatrical performance, first appearing in a Republican-era costume to sing “Farewell My Concubine” before dashing offstage for a quick change and returning with a fresh arrangement of “Don’t Play Again.” Before launching into “The Wind Continues to Blow”—the song that Cheung famously credited with launching his meteoric career—Cheung told the crowd: “This song holds special meaning for everyone, especially for ‘Brother’ Leslie. It was the one that made him truly explode into stardom.”
William So began his set with “My Heart Belongs to You,” then invited Elisa Chan to join him for a duet of “Who Makes Your Heart Crazy.” Chan addressed the audience directly: “Who among you was at both the fifth and tenth anniversary concerts?” A roar of approval answered her. So responded, “Your reaction makes me feel that Leslie’s fans are like one big family. I hope that 20 or 30 years from now, I can still see all of you here.” Before singing “Afraid of Meeting Again,” Chan added, “This is the destiny that Leslie left for all of us.”
Broader Impact: Keeping a Legend’s Spirit Alive
The concert comes amid a wave of tributes marking Cheung’s milestone birthday, a figure who remains one of the most influential entertainers in Chinese popular culture. His music and film work—spanning genres from romantic ballads to groundbreaking cinema like “Farewell My Concubine”—continue to inspire new generations of artists.
The evening served not only as a retrospective celebration but also as a reaffirmation of the enduring bond between Cheung and his fans. As performers and audience alike shared the catharsis of song, the event underscored the timeless power of art to keep a beloved star’s spirit alive—one note, one memory at a time.
Related coverage: Anthony Tam Yiu-man recounted a brief encounter with Leslie Cheung, while Karen Mok paid tribute in a white outfit. Sam Hui performed a virtual duet of “Silent Is Golden” with Cheung’s pre-recorded vocals.
(Reporting from Hong Kong)
