Alan Tam

Best known for his romantic ballads, Hong Kong legend Alan Tam was among the most popular Cantopop singers of the 1980s. Born in Hong Kong on August 23, 1950, he began his career as a member of the Wynners, with whom he experienced his first taste of success. He embarked on his solo career in 1979 with the debut album Naughty Boy. During the 1980s his popularity rose dramatically, to the point where the Hong Kong press pitted him as the rival of fellow Cantopop legend Leslie Cheung in terms of success. In later years his popularity waned steadily as a new generation of Cantopop singers emerged, yet he remained active and continued to garner a strong following. ~ Jason Birchmeier