Sandy Lam
Sandy Lam | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lâm ức liên | |||||||||||
 Lam in 2024 | |||||||||||
| Born | 26 April 1966 | ||||||||||
| Occupations |
| ||||||||||
| Years active | 1982–present | ||||||||||
| Spouse | |||||||||||
| Musical career | |||||||||||
| Genres | |||||||||||
| Instruments | Vocals | ||||||||||
| Labels | Stardust(1986–present) Universal Music(2012–present) | ||||||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | Lâm ức liên | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | Lâm ức liên | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
Sandy Lam Yik-lin[1][2](Lâm ức liên;born 26 April 1966), is a Hong Kong singer, actress and producer. She rose to fame in the 1980s, before expanding her fan base significantly in Asia, releasing more than 30 stylistically diverse albums inCantonese,Mandarin,English and Japanese.
As one of the most famous figures in Chinese-language music of 20th and 21st centuries, Sandy is known not just for her commercial success, but also her ability to transform, and willingness to step outside of the frameworks of the genre and industries in which she operates. Her albums,Gaia(2012) and0(2018), each earned her aGolden Melody Award for Best Mandarin Female Singer.[3][4]
Sandy has recorded not only withCBS Sony Recordsand Stardust Label in 1980s, but also withWarner Music,Rock Records,Virgin Records,Capitol Records,EMIMusic, and nowUniversal Music.
Early life
[edit]Born in Hong Kong on 26 April 1966 as the eldest of three children, Sandy Lam spent her early years inNorth Point.Music had always been a major part of the Lam family. Her father, emigrated fromShanghai,was a professionalErhumusician with theHong Kong Chinese Orchestraand her mother performedYue operaat local venues.
A DJ and an actress
[edit]In 1982, while still a secondary school student atMarymount Secondary School,Sandy was asked by a classmate to audition for a disc jockey position at theCommercial Radio Hong Kong.Soon after, she started working as a part-time DJ at Commercial Radio 2 with a stage name "611".[5]In 1984, she became a full-time DJ and was spotted by Tony Lee ofCBS/Sony Recordsfor her talent during an outdoor performance singingCrying in the Rain.She was signed to CBS/Sony in 1985 and released her debut album in 1986.[6]Meanwhile, Sandy acted in the moviesMerry Christmas"Thánh đản khoái nhạc" (1984) andThe Intellectual Trio"Long phượng trí đa tinh" (1985) and played the role of a nurse in aRTHKtelevision series "Tả lân hữu lí" (1985).
Musical career
[edit]Sandy's musical career was not a breakout success. Her firstCantoneselanguage album and corresponding imagery was heavily influenced by the Japanese idol craze. Yet despite the popularity of this style in Hong Kong, Sandy failed to strike a chord with the general public. It was not until her albumGrey"Hôi sắc" (1987) that the locals started taking the former DJ seriously as a singer. Both the title song "Hôi sắc" and a cover version ofBerlin'sTake My Breath Away(from the movieTop Gun) "Kích tình" shot up the charts, bringing Sandy her first awards at the1987 Jade Solid Gold Best Ten Music Awards Presentation.She further showed her ability to transcend genres on the jazz-influencedReady(1988).
City Rhythm
[edit]At this make-or-break stage of her career, it was theCity Rhythm"Đô thị xúc giác" series that really launched her into the big leagues, where she has remained ever since. A trilogy of records released between 1988 and 1990,City Rhythmgave Hong Kongers a taste of her true musical and conceptual capabilities, going platinum in the process. Serving as Executive Producer, the albums were filled with glossy dance-pop bops and ballads originally recorded by Western artists.City Rhythmwas the first successful execution of a concept record inCantopop.Lyrically daring, the series was profoundly feminist; representing the female experience of life and love on the busy Hong Kong streets, and embodied a woman who refused to compromise her aims and desires, with each song taking on a specific aspect of life.
The song selection was also interesting: Sandy covered the songs of artists such asMartikaandTaylor Dayne,positioning her as a fresh and youthful artist. Through this series, Sandy was not only able to encapsulate the glitz and glamour of 1980s Hong Kong and golden-era Cantopop, but also embody its youthfulness and ambition. A collection of corresponding remix records solidified her as Hong Kong's dancing queen.
Wildflower
[edit]In 1991, Sandy worked withSingaporeansongwriterDick Leeand released the coming-of-age albumWildflower"Dã hoa". With wildflowers being a metaphorical representation of the mental journey of a modern Asian woman,Wildflowerwas a stunning collection of contemporary east-meets-west music. Marrying traditional themes and western jazz influences,Wildflowernot only made people recognize the versatility and artistic talent of Sandy, but initiated the ‘Unplugged’ craze of early 90s Cantonese music – the creation of authentic and raw musical products that connected with the listener more intimately. Although reception was at first lukewarm, it was eventually recognized as a pioneering work in the Cantonese musical canon, and is now rightly regarded as one of the most important and culturally defining albums of Cantopop.[7][non-primary source needed]
Home Again Without You
[edit]Simultaneously, Sandy was also developing her Taiwanese market and establishing herself in the world ofMandopop.Her debut Mandarin language album,Home Again Without You"Ái thượng nhất cá bất hồi gia đích nhân" (1990), was not only a huge commercial success selling over 600,000 copies in Taiwan alone, but was seen as a watershed moment in Cantopop: the success prompted many Hong Kong musicians to test the waters of Mandopop, ushering in the start of Taiwan’s regional dominance in pop music.
Love, Sandy
[edit]In 1995 she paired up with Taiwanese music producerJonathan Leeand released her fourth Mandarin albumLove, Sandy.A ten-track collection of ballads, love songs andR&B-inspired pop, the album was a commercial blockbuster selling 800,000 copies in Taiwan and 3 million across Asia, cementing her in new markets including Singapore and Mainland China. Almost every song became a hit record, with many becomingKTVstandards. To date it remains one of the best-selling albums in Mandopop history.
Upon release of 14th Cantopop albumFeeling Perfect"Cảm giác hoàn mỹ" (1996), Sandy spent most of her time in Taiwan, China, and Japan. Sandy made a brief foray onto the stage in 1997 when she was cast as the female lead in Hong Kong's biggest musicalSnow.Wolf.Lake"Tuyết · lang · hồ", the production went on to play 42 consecutive sold out performances in theHong Kong Coliseumwhich remains the record today.
At Least I Still Have You
[edit]After a hiatus lasting years following the birth of her daughter, she re-emerged and released a steady stream of Mandarin albums into the mid-00s, honing her capabilities and continuing to push herself creatively. Works during this time includedClang Rose"Khanh thương mân côi" (1999), critically praised for being avant-garde yet commercially viable, andSandy Lam's"Lâm ức liên ’S" (2000) which included mega-hitAt Least I Still Have You"Chí thiếu hoàn hữu nhĩ". A Korean remake of the song, sung bySuper Junior-M,a sub-group of theK-PopbandSuper Junior,was released on their Me album titledDangsinigie(당신이기에) in 2008. From a lyrical perspective, Sandy took on a greater song-writing role for the first time onTruly… Sandy"Nguyên lai… Lâm ức liên" (2001), where she co-wrote four songs. In the same year, Sandy appeared as cast member of anAndrew Lloyd WebberconcertMasterpiecein Beijing and Shanghai, which also featuredWest EndandBroadwaystarElaine Paigeand China's all-time best-selling recording artistKris Phillips.In April 2002, she was invited to sing the Mandarin theme song,On My Own"Chúc ô ngã", whenCameron MackintoshstagedLes Misérablesin Shanghai.
In 2005, Sandy released her first Cantonese album in almost ten years:True Colour"Bổn sắc". Following the MandarinBreathe Me"Hô hấp" (2006) album, it would be over six years until we heard from Sandy again on record. Using this time to tour, Sandy also considered next steps for her music. From 2009, Sandy slowly began working on an album that she wanted to be different from anything she had done previously. Rather than playing safe and being too reliant on other producers and songwriters, Sandy wanted to make a fundamental change to the way she made music.
Gaia
[edit]In 2012 Sandy releasedGaia"Cái á". Titled after the Goddess of earth inGreek mythology,the album was boldly experimental in which she experimented withNew Agesounds, adding spice to her repertoire.
Gaiawas praised not only as a triumphant comeback, but held up as a landmark album in Mandopop. Lauded by critics as a forward-thinking and ground-breaking record, she was awarded four awards at the24th Golden Melody Awardsin 2013, including "Best Mandarin Female Singer" as well as "Best Mandarin Album", "Best Album Producer" and "Best Musical Arranger".[8]
Sandy continued to challenge herself in other avenues, for example in 2017 she was a surprise entrant in aHunan TelevisionshowSinger 2017,which introduced her as a pop icon to a whole new generation of fans.[9]
Re: WorkzandIn Search of Lost Time
[edit]She returned to Cantopop briefly, harking back to her early days by releasing two albums of cover songs from 1980s Hong Kong, namelyRe: Workz(2014) andIn Search of Lost Time"Bồi trứ ngã tẩu" (2016), rearranging and adapting the songs to different styles and genres.
Singer 2017
[edit]In January 2017, Sandy joinedHunan Television's showSinger 2017,as one of the eight initial singers (contestants who entered the competition on the first week with exemption in the Breakout round). She was declared the winner in the final on 15 April 2017.[10]
0
[edit]In 2018, Sandy released her 12th Mandarin album0under negligible promotional-fanfare.[11]Three years in the making,0continued Sandy's path of challenging herself musically. Releasing her first single "Core", for the second time collaborate withMayday's main vocalistAshin.A deeply emotional yet analytical affair,0is a record that tries to understand and explain the many concepts of zero, including the idea of beginnings and endings. Sandy won "Best Mandarin Female Singer" and "Best Recording Vocal Album" awards for this album at the30th Golden Melody Awardsin 2019.[12][13]
Personal life
[edit]Sandy married Taiwanese singer-songwriter and producerJonathan Leein 1998. They have a daughter together, Renee ( lý hỉ nhi ), born on 17 May 1998. Sandy and Jonathan Lee divorced in 2004.[14]Sandy was in an eight-year relationship with the drummer-songwriterJun Kungfrom 2011 to 2019.[15][16]
Discography
[edit]
Cantonese albums[edit]
|
Mandarin albums[edit]
Japanese albums[edit]
English albums[edit]
|
Filmography
[edit]Motion pictures
[edit]| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Thánh đản khoái nhạc Merry Christmas | Student in an aerobic class |
| 1985 | Long phượng trí đa tinh The Intellectual Trio | Slant Eyes |
| 1986 | Mạo bài đại tặc Who's The Crook? | Monaliza Ho |
| 1988 | Quần long đoạt bảoThree Against the World | Fan's daughter |
| 1988 | Mãnh quỷ học đường The Haunted Cop Shop II | Miss Bad Luck |
| 1989 | Đả công cuồng tưởng khúc Gift From Heaven | Candy Lam |
| 1990 | Loạn thế nhi nữ Shanghai, Shanghai | Pao |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1984–85 | Tả lân hữu lí The Neighbourhood |
| 1990 | Đồng cư tam nhân tổ When the Sun Shines |
Major awards
[edit]| Year | Event | Award |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Commercial Radio Ultimate Song Chart Awards | Best Female Singer (Gold) |
| 1991 | RTHK Top 10 Gold Songs Awards | Top 10 Songs ("Home Again Without You"Ái thượng nhất cá bất hồi gia đích nhân ) |
| 1991 | RTHK Top 10 Gold Songs Awards | Outstanding Mandarin Song Award ("Home Again Without You"Ái thượng nhất cá bất hồi gia đích nhân ) |
| 1991 | Commercial Radio Ultimate Song Chart Awards | Best Female Singer (Gold) |
| 1992 | Commercial Radio Ultimate Song Chart Awards | Best Female Singer (Gold) |
| 1995 | 3rd Singapore Hit Awards 1995 | Best Female Vocalist |
| 1995 | 3rd Singapore Hit Awards 1995 | Best Album ("Love, Sandy") |
| 2001 | 3rd CCTV-MTV Music Awards | Best Female Singer (Taiwan Region) |
| 2001 | 8th Singapore Hit Awards 2001 | Best Female Vocalist |
| 2002 | 9th Singapore Hit Awards 2002 | Asia Pacific Most Outstanding Female Artist Award |
| 2002 | 9th Singapore Hit Awards 2002 | Honorary Music Award |
| 2005 | 5th Global Chinese Awards | Outstanding Achievement Award |
| 2013 | 24th Golden Melody Awards | Best Female Mandarin Singer |
| 2013 | 24th Golden Melody Awards | Best Mandarin Album ("Gaia"Cái á ) |
| 2013 | 24th Golden Melody Awards | Best Album Producer ("Gaia"Cái á ) |
| 2013 | 24th Golden Melody Awards | Best Music Arrangement ("Gaia"Cái á ) |
| 2019 | 30th Golden Melody Awards | Best Female Mandarin Singer |
| 2019 | 30th Golden Melody Awards | Best Vocal Recording Album ("0") |
| 2019 | 11th Freshmusic Awards | Best Album of the Year ("0") |
| 2019 | 11th Freshmusic Awards | Best Female Singer |
Published work
[edit]| Title | Publisher | Released date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| My Shanghai: Through Tastes & Memories | Times Editions | 1 April 2004 | ISBN978-9812328328 |
References
[edit]- ^Lui, Mabel (15 March 2024)."Despite her multiple comebacks, Cantopop queen Sandy Lam loves the quiet life".South China Morning Post.Retrieved1 September2024.
- ^Chen, Vivian (30 August 2012)."Canto-pop diva Sandy Lam emerges with first album in six years".South China Morning Post.
- ^Chen, Christie (7 July 2013)."GOLDEN MELODY: Sandy Lam's Gaia biggest winner of night".Taiwan News.Central News Agency.
- ^Lee, Hsin-Yin (30 June 2019)."Golden Melody: Sandy Lam wins best Mandarin female singer".Focus Taiwan.Central News Agency.
- ^Chu, Yiu-Wai (5 January 2017).Hong Kong Cantopop: A Concise History.Hong Kong University Press. p. 86.ISBN978-9888390571.
- ^"Sandy Lam".South China Morning Post.13 August 2009.
- ^"Hương cảng nhạc bình cảng mị lục thập 1st–10th hương cảng lưu hành nữ thanh chuyên tập".Hong Kong Music Critics. 25 December 2017. Archived fromthe originalon 26 February 2022.
- ^"Hong Kong singer Sandy Lam wins top music awards at Taiwan's Golden Melody Awards".South China Morning Post.7 July 2013.
- ^Hsia, Heidi (17 April 2017)."Sandy Lam wins 'Singer 2017'".Cinema Online.Yahoo! News.
- ^Tsai, Chen-yi (21 April 2017)."Hong Kong pop diva Sandy Lam tops 'Singer 2017' show".Taipei Times.
- ^"Thôi! [ vô quang thính ca ] lâm ức liên x kinh hỉ chế tạo".Sandy Lam Official Channel. 27 December 2018.Archivedfrom the original on 21 December 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^Lee, Hsin-Yin (30 June 2019)."Golden Melody: Sandy Lam wins best Mandarin female singer".CNA English News.
- ^"Golden Melody Awards 2019: Winners' list and red carpet pictures".Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore. 30 June 2019.
- ^"Jonathan Lee and Sandy Lam spotted having dinner with daughter in Taipei".AsiaOne. 2 May 2019.
- ^Sandy Lam."Sandy Lam Weibo post February 6, 2020".
- ^"HK singer Sandy Lam and musician Jun Kung end eight-year romantic relationship".The Straits Times.7 February 2020.
External links
[edit]- Sandy Lamon YouTube
- Sandy LamonFacebook
- Sandy LamonInstagram
- Sandy LamatIMDb
- Sandy LamonFilmography
- Sandy and Me
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
