Chen Haode
Peter Chan Ho Tak, nicknamed “Golden Melody Golden Boy”, is a Hong Kong male singer and member of the Hong Kong Artists Golf Association. Born in Lam Tsuen, Tai Po, New Territories, he studied under vocal coach Qin Yan[1]. He rose to fame between 1972 and 1975 with hits such as “Autumn’s Sorrow,” “Don’t Find Me Annoying”/“Parting Swallow,” and “Temple Bell.” He maintains an active fan club, “Peter Chan Fans Club,” formed in the early 1970s. Together with Samuel Hui, whose “Tower Rising into Clouds” also debuted in 1972, he is considered a pioneer of Cantonese pop music in Hong Kong.[2]
Background
Nickname origin
When he signed with PolyGram in 1972, his hairstyle resembled British singer Cliff Richard.[3] Entertainment journalists dubbed him “Golden Melody Golden Boy.”[3]
Early life
Born into a middle-class Hakka family, he grew up in Lam Tsuen Village, Tai Po, where his father served as village head.[4] Childhood hobbies included cricket fighting and foraging for bayberry.[5] He attended Tai Po Old Market Public School and enjoyed reading and music, influenced by his music teacher and his father’s Cantonese opera records.[6] In secondary school at Tai Kwong Chee Heng, he learned Western instruments and took drum lessons at the Boys’ Brigade Hall, Kowloon.[6]
Singing career and other ventures
After graduation he worked as a trainee at Polydor Hong Kong handling clerical tasks and cleaning. He formed a band at Polydor’s rooftop studio and performed at hotel and club events. Senior producer Wong Kai‑kwong allowed him studio time, leading to recordings at EMI with composer Chung Chiu‑fung. He recorded Mandarin and Cantonese tracks, then in 1972 released “Autumn’s Sorrow,” penned for Adam Cheng’s unused song “Autumn Wind” and became a major hit lasting until ~1975.[7] He followed with “Don’t Find Me Annoying”/“Parting Swallow,” co‑sung with Jenny Cheng, later covered by Shu Ya‑Sung, further boosting popularity.[7]
When his PolyGram contract ended in 1978, he joined Moonrise Records as album producer, releasing “Peter Chan Live Tonight,” “Life’s Warmth and Chill,” and “Jennie’s Heart Echoes,” earning Gold Disc honors.[7] Moonrise’s ownership changed in 1991 and its catalog returned to Starburst Entertainment, which has handled his releases and concert promotions since. He also co‑founded Film Warriors Production in Malaysia and Singapore, booking Hong Kong stars such as Chow Yun‑fat for corporate events. Later he briefly ran a Portuguese restaurant group before selling out.
Full return to singing
By 1985–86, live lounge singing surged and he fully resumed performances.[8] He rehearsed with Mai Ching of Giant Trio and managed a fashion company in Shanghai and Taiwan (~1992), while subscribing to Shanghai Conservatory courses. He ended the fashion venture when local boutiques multiplied and returned to Hong Kong, singing regularly at bar venues. In 1999, Hang Art Asia invited him to a concert, re‑igniting his career. His TVB appearance on “A Tribute to Classic Hits“ in 2002 further raised his profile. Since 2002 he has mounted annual concerts, including the 2010 “Friendship Duet Concert,” 2012 “Tender Rhythms Concert,” and 2013 “Singing Joy Concert,” and tours North America. He also plays golf, a hobby adopted during a 1990s Vancouver stay. In 2012 he held the “Peter Chan 40th Anniversary Concert,” in 2017 the “45th Anniversary Classics Concert,” and planned a joint 2019 concert with George Lam and Samuel Hui, postponed to 2020 and ultimately canceled due to COVID‑19.
Personal life
His first relationship with actress Lee On‑yee produced his son Chan Tsz‑Lung; a second relationship produced daughter Chan Chi‑Ling, but neither union lasted. In 2017 he revealed that he later married to secure joint golf club membership in Shenzhen, sharing his passion for golf.
Discography
- 1973: _Hundred Flowers Pavilion_
- 1974: _My Heart Breaks for You_
- 1978: _Live Tonight_
- 1979: _Life’s Warmth and Chill_
- 1981: _Father‑Son Affection_
- 1997: _45 Years of Classics 2_
- 2003: _Peter Chan: Golden Years Selection_
- 2005: _30 Years of Echoing Hits_
- 2016: _Peter Chan: Serene Virtue 101_
Film and TV appearances
- Television
- 1986: _Lovely Thirty-Eight_ (cameo, ATV)[8]
- Film
- 1986: _Night Woman_[8]
Guest appearances
TVB
- 1975: _Enjoy Yourself Tonight_
- 2002: _Tribute to Classic Hits_ (Episodes 2, 15–17)
- 2006: _Tribute to Classic Hits_ (Ep 15)
- 2006: _Super Sing-off_
- 2010: _Golden Melody Arena_ (Ep 4)
- 2015: _Sunday Sing King_ (Eps 6, 13, 24)
- 2017: _50 Years of Pop Classics_ (Ep 2)
- 2018: _50 Years of Pop Classics_ (Ep 46)
- 2019: _50 Years of Pop Classics_ (Ep 82)
- 2019: _Today VIP_ (Ep 214)
- 2020: _50 Years of Pop Classics_ (Eps 12, 39)
ATV
- 2008: _50 Years of Music Drama_ (Eps 4, 13)
References
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%99%B3%E6%B5%A9%E5%BE%B7#cite_ref-1
- ↑ http://eastweek.my-magazine.me/main/19061
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%99%B3%E6%B5%A9%E5%BE%B7#cite_ref-6
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%99%B3%E6%B5%A9%E5%BE%B7#cite_ref-7
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%99%B3%E6%B5%A9%E5%BE%B7#cite_ref-%E9%99%B3%E6%B5%A9%E5%BE%B7%E9%87%8D%E6%8A%95%E5%A8%9B%E6%A8%82%E5%9C%88_%E5%8F%83%E5%8A%A0%E5%BD%B1%E8%A6%96%E6%BC%94%E5%87%BA_8-0
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%99%B3%E6%B5%A9%E5%BE%B7#cite_ref-9
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%99%B3%E6%B5%A9%E5%BE%B7#cite_ref-%E9%99%B3%E8%90%8D%E8%88%87%E9%99%B3%E6%B5%A9%E5%BE%B7%E4%B8%8A%E5%A5%91_%E6%98%A8%E5%A4%A9%E7%B5%90%E6%88%90%E8%AA%BC%E5%A7%8A%E5%BC%9F_%E5%90%8C%E6%99%82%E5%90%88%E4%BD%9C%E5%85%B1%E7%87%9F%E5%95%86_10-0
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%99%B3%E6%B5%A9%E5%BE%B7#cite_ref-11