Kong Ling
| Kong Ling | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Kong Yan Lai ( giang hân lệ ) |
| Born | Hong Kong |
| Genres | Jazz,Cha cha,Hong Kong English pop,Rock and roll,Pop music |
| Occupation(s) | singer |
| Labels | Diamond |
Kong Ling(Chinese:Giang linh) was a 1960sHong Kongbased singing star and recording artist who sang in various genres, includingJazz,Cha cha,Hong Kong English pop,Rock and rollandPop music.She had also recorded with the popular Hong Kong pop groupThe Fabulous Echoes.
Background[edit]
Kong Ling's real name is Kong Yan Lai ( giang hân lệ ). In 1951, she won an inter-school singing competition for her cover ofJo Stafford's "Congratulations" song. She started her professional career in 1954 which led to her touring Singapore for nine months. Due to the success from that she returned to Hong Kong and was in demand. In Hong Kong, she became known as the "Sweetheart of Hong Kong."[1][2]
Along with theCelso Carrilloband, she recorded an album for theDiamondlabel. The name of the album wasHong Kong Presents..... Off-Beat Cha Cha.The album was a Jazz / Cha Cha type of record with Carrillo playing piano, conga and cow bell on various tracks.[3]Carrillo who was Hong Kong's leading pianist[4]would later work onMona Fong's album for the same label.[5]
In 1961, she was a guest on theArthur Godfreyshow.[6]The show that aired in May 1961 featured Kong Ling,Johnny Nash,The McGuire Sisters,Erroll GarnerandBuddy Hackett.[7]In October of that year she was in New York as part of a six-month contract to do radio and television appearances. She was contracted to theColumbia Broadcasting System.[8]Along with Rebecca Pam she had recorded for the Diamond Music Company.[9]Backed by the Fabulous Echoes, her version of "Al Di La" and by September 22, 1962 it had been leading on the Hong Kong best selling charts for three weeks.[10]Prior to that her first album that she cut for the Diamond label had been a best seller in Hong Kong and the far East.[11]
Discography (selective)[edit]
- "I Love You Baby" /? - Diamond D.76
- "Let's Twist Again" / "Why Not Now" - Diamond D 178 - (1964)[12]
- "I've Told Every Little Star" / "Al Di La" - Diamond
EP[edit]
- Kong Ling Sings Your Favorites- Diamond DEP 001 - (1964)
- Kong Ling- Diamond DEP 005 - (1965)
- Kong LingVol. 3 - Diamond DEP 011[13]
Album[edit]
- Hong Kong Presents..... Off-Beat Cha Cha- Diamond SLP 1000[14]
- Kong Ling with The Diamond Music Co. Studio Orchestra
- Theme For A Dream- Diamond LP 1005[15]
- Kong Ling & The Fabulous Echoes
- Kong Ling & The Fabulous EchoesVol. 2 - Diamond LP 1011
- Kong Ling & The Fabulous EchoesVol. 2 - Diamond 1781340 - (2008) (Compact Disc)[16]
- Kong Ling + The Fabulous Echoes & Vic Christobel
- Dynamite- Diamond SLP 1008
References[edit]
- ^m.review33Kong Ling - More than I can say
- ^PopsikeOff-Beat Cha Cha - Kong Ling / RARE HONG KONG IMPORT / DIAMOND STEREO EXOTICA
- ^DiscogsKong Ling* – Hong Kong Presents Off-Beat Cha Cha
- ^Quirino, Richie C. (2008).Mabuhay Jazz: Jazz in Postwar Philippines.Anvil.ISBN978-971-27-2067-3.
- ^Muzikland June 30, 2006Mona Fong - Mona Fong Meets Carding CruzArchived2015-12-08 at theWayback Machine
- ^St. Petersburg TimesJuly 16, 1961Godfrey: No Network Plans
- ^The HourMay 13, 1961TV-EIGHT Friday Television Program
- ^BillboardOctober 23, 1961Page 42 Hong Kong, Comings & Goings
- ^BillboardDecember 15, 1962Page 30 Trade Talk
- ^BillboardSeptember 22, 1962Page 80 International News, Hong Kong,New 'Al Di LaOvertakes Old by Karl Myatt
- ^BillboardOctober 16, 1961Hong Kong
- ^DiscogsKong Ling, Discography
- ^DiscogsKong Ling, Discography
- ^DiscogsKong Ling, Discography
- ^DiscogsKong Ling, Discography
- ^DiscogsKong Ling, Discography