Profile | Hong Kong music icon Alan Tam: from Leslie Cheung’s rival to fans smashing his albums
‘Principal Tam’ ruled Cantopop in the late 1970s and ’80s but later vexed fans with his offstage actions. Still, he’s going strong today
For over half a century, Alan Tam Wing-lun has stood as a colossus in Hong Kong show business.
To his legions of fans, he is Principal Tam – a moniker that denotes a kind of institutional authority over the city’s music industry. As lead vocalist of The Wynners, he defined the sound of a generation; as a solo singer, he set records that remain impressive; and as a mentor, he has shepherded countless young stars into the limelight.
With more than 115 solo albums and sales exceeding 35 million records worldwide, the Cantopop heavyweight has cemented his position as an icon in Hong Kong’s entertainment history.
However, in recent years, the legacy of the 75-year-old Tam – famous for his quip that his youthful look made him “forever 25” – has been tested by intense scrutiny over sensational personal rumours and polarising political statements.
Born in Hong Kong in 1950 as the only son among six siblings, Tam inherited discipline and athleticism from his father, Tam Kong-pak, a celebrated football player who represented China in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.