Samuel Hui
Encyclopedia
Samuel Hui Koon-kit usually known as Sam Hui, is a Hong Kong
Cantopop
singer, lyricist and film actor. He is credited with popularizing Cantopop
both with the infusion of Western-style music and using popular, street Cantonese jargon in his lyrics writing. Hui is considered by some to be the first major superstar of Cantopop.
and St. Francis Xavier's College in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Hui and his two older brothers, Michael
and Ricky
, worked on several comedies in the early 1970s. Hui has also gained credit for popularizing Cantopop
, by incorporating the idiosyncrasies of Western popular music into the old Cantopop genre.
. Sam and Michael Hui starred as the host in 精裝雙星報喜 (The Hui's Brothers Show). At that time, he was the lead musician of his band named The Lotus. In the early years of his career, Hui performed English songs that were popular in Britain
and the United States
. He wrote the theme songs for the comedies produced by his brother, Michael Hui
, and started performing Cantonese
songs.
Hui's music appealed to the Hong Kong masses, particularly the working class, with simple lyrics and a light-hearted nature which was popular in Hong Kong music in the late 1970s. One of his most popular song during the mid '70s was the theme song of the film "The Private Eyes"
. It was a humorous reflection on the plight of the harsh working life for middle and lower class in Hong Kong. He penned most of the compositions and personally wrote most of the humorous lyrics that generally encompassed current issues in Hong Kong such as the song Could Not Care Less About 1997 , which literally encouraged Hong Kong people to throw caution to the wind and enjoy their life instead of worrying about the imminent handover to the People's Republic of China on 1 July 1997. While some of his songs are light hearted, other have philosophical messages that are brought out with artful use of Chinese words that have multiple symbolism. Examples can be seen in his farewell song in 1992 and From the Heart of Loafer, where for Cantopop, sophisticated language and messages are rare in lyrics of contemporary artists.
than to their oldest brother Michael. Sam and Michael reportedly fell out with each other after their pre-1985 successes. However, in Michael's Chicken and Duck Talk
(1988), Hui appeared in a short 3-minute cameo, playing the role of himself as master of ceremonies
at the grand opening of David's Chicken. Then in 1990, the three brothers reunited in 'Front Page', a lampoon on Hong Kong's sometimes over-zealous entertainment news industry. Hui also collaborated with several popular singers such as Leslie Cheung
both musically and on-screen culminating in the hit single co-written by both Hui and Cheung entitled Silence is Golden which Hui also sung as a solo track on his 1987 album Hot Summer
, as well as the catchy tune "I've Never Been Afraid".
Hui also starred in the Aces Go Places
, a series of Hong Kong action–comedies in the 1980s, with Karl Maka
. Hui held a farewell concert in 1991-92, in which he invited many music celebrities and officially declared that he would not be active in the movie industry nor in Cantopop
in the future. He was once seriously injured while filming The Legend of Wisely in Tibet
due to lack of oxygen, thereafter falling very ill and many of his fans pointed out that this near fatal accident may have been pivotal on his decision to retire as they superstitiously believed that he was haunted by a spirit.
, and also in Toronto, Canada, in which he dedicated this concert to his late-father. Despite reiterating his plans for retirement, Hui came back for a short stint in the movie Winner Takes All
co-starring Nicholas Tse
and Ruby Lin
. This he maintained, was a result of being unable to ignore his heart's desire.
Widely acclaimed as the "God of Song" in Hong Kong, he decided to come out of retirement in 2004 and held multiple come-back concerts in which he was welcomed by a Hong Kong public and sell-out shows. In these concerts, he paid tribute to the recent passing of close colleagues, Leslie Cheung
and Anita Mui
in 2003 and claimed that their deaths had influenced his decision to come out of retirement, culminating in his comeback song in 2004 with 04 Bless You. Hui performed in a concert in Kuala Lumpur
on 19 and 20 February 2005 with his brother Ricky and sons and his brother Ricky Hui
but has not made active plans for any follow-ups. He also performed in Vancouver on 15 December 2005 and in Singapore on 29 March 2008. In 2007, Hui signed with EC Music
and released his first album in 17 years, named "Life is Good" .
Hong Kong people
Hong Kong people refer to people who originate from Hong Kong. The term has no legal definition in Hong Kong. Rather, terms such as Hong Kong permanent resident and Hong Kong resident are used...
Cantopop
Cantopop
Cantopop is a colloquialism for "Cantonese popular music". It is sometimes referred to as HK-pop, short for "Hong Kong popular music". It is categorized as a subgenre of Chinese popular music within C-pop...
singer, lyricist and film actor. He is credited with popularizing Cantopop
Cantopop
Cantopop is a colloquialism for "Cantonese popular music". It is sometimes referred to as HK-pop, short for "Hong Kong popular music". It is categorized as a subgenre of Chinese popular music within C-pop...
both with the infusion of Western-style music and using popular, street Cantonese jargon in his lyrics writing. Hui is considered by some to be the first major superstar of Cantopop.
Early life
Hui graduated from the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Hong Kong, Ying Wa CollegeYing Wa College
Ying Wa College , formerly known as Anglo-Chinese College, abbreviated YWC), is the world's first Anglo-Chinese school. It has thrived on the vision of its founding fathers and the good work of generations of devoted principals and teachers, whose educational approach is particularly apt for Hong...
and St. Francis Xavier's College in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Hui and his two older brothers, Michael
Michael Hui
Michael Hui Koon-Man is a Hong Kong comedian, scriptwriter and director. He is the eldest of the four Hui brothers who remain three of the most prominent figures in the Hong Kong entertainment circle during the 1970s and the 1980s...
and Ricky
Ricky Hui
Ricky Hui Koon-Ying was a Hong Kong movie star. He and his brothers, Michael and Sam, made several comedy blockbusters in the 1970s and 1980s.-Biography:...
, worked on several comedies in the early 1970s. Hui has also gained credit for popularizing Cantopop
Cantopop
Cantopop is a colloquialism for "Cantonese popular music". It is sometimes referred to as HK-pop, short for "Hong Kong popular music". It is categorized as a subgenre of Chinese popular music within C-pop...
, by incorporating the idiosyncrasies of Western popular music into the old Cantopop genre.
Singer
Hui started his career as a host on a youth music TV show on the TV network TVBTelevision Broadcasts Limited
Television Broadcasts Limited, commonly known as TVB, is the second over-the-air commercial television station in Hong Kong. It commenced broadcasting on 19 November 1967...
. Sam and Michael Hui starred as the host in 精裝雙星報喜 (The Hui's Brothers Show). At that time, he was the lead musician of his band named The Lotus. In the early years of his career, Hui performed English songs that were popular in Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He wrote the theme songs for the comedies produced by his brother, Michael Hui
Michael Hui
Michael Hui Koon-Man is a Hong Kong comedian, scriptwriter and director. He is the eldest of the four Hui brothers who remain three of the most prominent figures in the Hong Kong entertainment circle during the 1970s and the 1980s...
, and started performing Cantonese
Cantonese
Cantonese is a dialect spoken primarily in south China.Cantonese may also refer to:* Yue Chinese, the Chinese language that includes Cantonese* Cantonese cuisine, the cuisine of Guangdong province...
songs.
Hui's music appealed to the Hong Kong masses, particularly the working class, with simple lyrics and a light-hearted nature which was popular in Hong Kong music in the late 1970s. One of his most popular song during the mid '70s was the theme song of the film "The Private Eyes"
The Private Eyes (1976 film)
The Private Eyes is a 1976 Hong Kong comedy film directed by and starring Michael Hui and co-starring Samuel Hui and Ricky Hui and featuring Richard Ng in his second film role. John Woo was the production designer and also co-director though he was uncredited. Sammo Hung served as the film's...
. It was a humorous reflection on the plight of the harsh working life for middle and lower class in Hong Kong. He penned most of the compositions and personally wrote most of the humorous lyrics that generally encompassed current issues in Hong Kong such as the song Could Not Care Less About 1997 , which literally encouraged Hong Kong people to throw caution to the wind and enjoy their life instead of worrying about the imminent handover to the People's Republic of China on 1 July 1997. While some of his songs are light hearted, other have philosophical messages that are brought out with artful use of Chinese words that have multiple symbolism. Examples can be seen in his farewell song in 1992 and From the Heart of Loafer, where for Cantopop, sophisticated language and messages are rare in lyrics of contemporary artists.
Film
On a personal note, Hui is closer to his middle brother RickyRicky Hui
Ricky Hui Koon-Ying was a Hong Kong movie star. He and his brothers, Michael and Sam, made several comedy blockbusters in the 1970s and 1980s.-Biography:...
than to their oldest brother Michael. Sam and Michael reportedly fell out with each other after their pre-1985 successes. However, in Michael's Chicken and Duck Talk
Chicken and Duck Talk
Chicken and Duck Talk Chicken and Duck Talk Chicken and Duck Talk (Chinese: 雞同鴨講 (Gai tung aap gong (Chicken with Duck Talk)) is an award-winning 1988 film co-written by Michael Hui, who also starred. It was directed and co-written by Clifton Ko...
(1988), Hui appeared in a short 3-minute cameo, playing the role of himself as master of ceremonies
Master of Ceremonies
A Master of Ceremonies , or compere, is the host of a staged event or similar performance.An MC usually presents performers, speaks to the audience, and generally keeps the event moving....
at the grand opening of David's Chicken. Then in 1990, the three brothers reunited in 'Front Page', a lampoon on Hong Kong's sometimes over-zealous entertainment news industry. Hui also collaborated with several popular singers such as Leslie Cheung
Leslie Cheung
Leslie Cheung Kwok-Wing , nicknamed elder brother , was a film actor and musician from Hong Kong. Cheung was considered as "one of the founding fathers of Cantopop", and "combining a hugely successful film and music career".In 2000, Cheung was named Asian Biggest Superstar by China Central...
both musically and on-screen culminating in the hit single co-written by both Hui and Cheung entitled Silence is Golden which Hui also sung as a solo track on his 1987 album Hot Summer
Hot Summer
Hot Summer was a Cantopop album by Leslie Cheung released in 1988 by Hong Kong record company Cinepoly and followed on the heels of the success of Cheung's Summer Romance the year before...
, as well as the catchy tune "I've Never Been Afraid".
Hui also starred in the Aces Go Places
Aces Go Places
Aces Go Places, , also known in the United States as Diamondfinger or Mad Mission 1, is a 1982 Hong Kong action/comedy film directed by Eric Tsang, and starring Sam Hui and Karl Maka.-Plot:...
, a series of Hong Kong action–comedies in the 1980s, with Karl Maka
Karl Maka
Karl Maka is a popular Hong Kong producer, director, actor and presenter. He was born on 29 February 1944 in Taishan, China. One of his popular movie is the Aces Go Places film series which he acted alongside Sam Hui....
. Hui held a farewell concert in 1991-92, in which he invited many music celebrities and officially declared that he would not be active in the movie industry nor in Cantopop
Cantopop
Cantopop is a colloquialism for "Cantonese popular music". It is sometimes referred to as HK-pop, short for "Hong Kong popular music". It is categorized as a subgenre of Chinese popular music within C-pop...
in the future. He was once seriously injured while filming The Legend of Wisely in Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
due to lack of oxygen, thereafter falling very ill and many of his fans pointed out that this near fatal accident may have been pivotal on his decision to retire as they superstitiously believed that he was haunted by a spirit.
Retirement
During the late 1990s, Hui's father had advised him to retire to avoid the stresses he endured from hosting concerts. Hui's "lack of oxygen" suffered on a previous film, was actually carbon monoxide poisoning. His mother purportedly also had some reservations against his performing, mainly that he could injure himself on stage. A Hong Kong concert in 1990 supposedly marked his early retirement, however Hui then agreed to host a 42 show concert. Around the time of the 30th show, Hui's father died but despite his grief, he continued to host. During 1991-1992, Hui hosted a total of 14 shows in Hong Kong preempting his actual retirement. He also hosted a show in Vancouver, Canada, in the Pacific ColiseumPacific Coliseum
Pacific Coliseum is an indoor arena, at Hastings Park, in Vancouver, British Columbia.Completed in 1968, at the former site of the Pacific National Exhibition, the arena currently holds 16,281, for ice hockey, though capacity at its opening was 15,713....
, and also in Toronto, Canada, in which he dedicated this concert to his late-father. Despite reiterating his plans for retirement, Hui came back for a short stint in the movie Winner Takes All
Winner Takes All (2000 film)
Winner Takes All is a 2000 Hong Kong film directed by Clifton Ko. This is comedy film for Lunar New Year.-Plot Outline:...
co-starring Nicholas Tse
Nicholas Tse
Nicholas Tse is a Hong Kong singer-songwriter, actor and musician, and son of actor Patrick Tse. He is a member of the Emperor Entertainment Group...
and Ruby Lin
Ruby Lin
Ruby Lin is a Taiwanese actress and pop singer. Her English name is from her mother's love of the jewel.Lin made her acting debut in a TV commercial in Taiwan. When she received her first experience in front of the camera in 1995, for a minor role, she started to develop a passion for acting...
. This he maintained, was a result of being unable to ignore his heart's desire.
Leslie Cheung
Leslie Cheung Kwok-Wing , nicknamed elder brother , was a film actor and musician from Hong Kong. Cheung was considered as "one of the founding fathers of Cantopop", and "combining a hugely successful film and music career".In 2000, Cheung was named Asian Biggest Superstar by China Central...
and Anita Mui
Anita Mui
Anita Mui Yim-fong was a popular Hong Kong singer and actress. During her prime years she made major contributions to the cantopop music scene, while receiving numerous awards and honours. She remained an idol throughout most of her career, and was generally regarded as a cantopop diva...
in 2003 and claimed that their deaths had influenced his decision to come out of retirement, culminating in his comeback song in 2004 with 04 Bless You. Hui performed in a concert in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
on 19 and 20 February 2005 with his brother Ricky and sons and his brother Ricky Hui
Ricky Hui
Ricky Hui Koon-Ying was a Hong Kong movie star. He and his brothers, Michael and Sam, made several comedy blockbusters in the 1970s and 1980s.-Biography:...
but has not made active plans for any follow-ups. He also performed in Vancouver on 15 December 2005 and in Singapore on 29 March 2008. In 2007, Hui signed with EC Music
EC Music
EC Music is the record label of IEC Record, subsidiary of IEC and fellow subsidiary of Media 8 Entertainment. EC Music label aims to specialize in particular genres of music to provide marketing insight and high quality music. The first artist signed by EC Music is Sam Hui...
and released his first album in 17 years, named "Life is Good" .
Personal life
Hui is married to Filipino-American Rebecca "Rebu" Fleming, with whom he has two sons, Ryan and Scott. Ryan is also a singer-songwriter and has released several albums, while Scott has pursued a career in film, directing a few videos for his brother.Guitars
- GibsonGibsonGibson may refer to:* Gibson Amphitheatre* Gibson Appliance* Gibson Girl* Gibson Guitar Corporation* Gibson * Gibson Generating Station-Places:In the United States:* Gibson, Arkansas* Gibson, Georgia* Gibson, Iowa* Gibson, Louisiana...
Dove (Retired) - Ovation Adamas 1687 (Retired)
- Ovation Custom Legend C2079 (Retired)
- TaylorTaylor GuitarsTaylor Guitars is an El Cajon, California‐based luthier, specializing in acoustic guitars, as well as semi-hollow and solidbody electric guitars. It was established in 1974 by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug.- History :...
Doyle DykesDoyle DykesDoyle Dykes is an American country acoustic guitarist from Jacksonville, Florida. He is influenced by a wide variety of musical styles and musicians such as Chet Atkins, the Allman Brothers, to the Beatles and U2...
DDSM (Present) - Taylor 614-CE Grand Auditorium Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar (Present)
- Ovation 1778T-RF (Present)
Cantonese albums
- 鬼馬雙星 (1974)
- 天才與白痴 (1975)
- 半斤八兩 (1976)
- 財神到 (1978)
- 賣身契 (1978)
- 79夏日之歌集 (1979)
- 念奴嬌 (1980)
- 摩登保鑣 (1981)
- 最佳拍檔 (1982)
- 最佳拍檔大顯神通 (1983)
- 新的開始 (1983.12)
- 最喜歡你 (1984.08)
- 最緊要好玩 (1985.08.30)
- 熱力之冠 (1986.08)
- 宇宙無限 (1986.12, EP)
- 潮流興夾Band (1987)
- 許冠傑新曲與精選 (1987)
- Sam and Friends (1988)
- 許冠傑89歌集 (1989)
- 香港情懷90 (1990)
- 90電影金曲精選 (1990)
- 歌神與您繼續微笑(04) (2004.06.01)
- 人生多麼好 (2007)
English albums
- Time of The Season (1971)
- Morning After (1974)
- Interlude (1975)
- Came Travelling (1977)
Filmography
- Back Alley Princess (馬路小英雄,1973)
- The Tattooed Dragon (龍虎金剛, 1973)
- Chinatown Capers (小英雄大鬧唐人街, 1974)
- Naughty! Naughty! (綽頭狀元, 1974)
- Games Gamblers PlayGames Gamblers PlayGames Gamblers Play is a 1974 Hong Kong film directed by Michael Hui with action direction by Sammo Hung.-Cast:*Chan Lap Ban*Cheng Kwan-Min*Cheung Wah*Chiao Roy*Fung Ging Man*Ho Pak-Kwong*Michael Hui*Ricky Hui*Sam Hui*Benz Hui*Sammo Hung...
(鬼馬雙星, 1974) - The Last MessageThe Last MessageThe Last Message is a 1975 Hong Kong comedy film directed by and starring Michael Hui and co-starring Samuel Hui and a cameo appearance by Ricky Hui. This is the second film of the Hui Brothers.-Plot:...
(天才與白痴, 1975) - The Private EyesThe Private Eyes (1976 film)The Private Eyes is a 1976 Hong Kong comedy film directed by and starring Michael Hui and co-starring Samuel Hui and Ricky Hui and featuring Richard Ng in his second film role. John Woo was the production designer and also co-director though he was uncredited. Sammo Hung served as the film's...
(半斤八兩, 1976) - Money Crazy (發錢寒, 1977)
- The Contract (賣身契, 1978)
- Security UnlimitedSecurity UnlimitedSecurity Unlimited is a 1981 Hong Kong comedy film directed by and starring Michael Hui and co-starring his brothers Samuel Hui and Ricky Hui, who are known as the Hui Brothers...
(摩登保鑣, 1981) - Aces Go PlacesAces Go PlacesAces Go Places, , also known in the United States as Diamondfinger or Mad Mission 1, is a 1982 Hong Kong action/comedy film directed by Eric Tsang, and starring Sam Hui and Karl Maka.-Plot:...
(最佳拍檔, 1982) - Aces Go Places 2Aces Go Places 2Aces Go Places 2 , is a 1983 Hong Kong action-comedy film directed by Eric Tsang and starring Sam Hui, Sylvia Chang and Karl Maka. The film has also been dubbed into English and was released overseas as Mad Mission II....
(最佳拍檔大顯神通, 1983) - Aces Go Places 3Aces Go Places 3Aces Go Places 3 , also known in the United States as Mad Mission 3: Our Man from Bond Street, is a 1984 Hong Kong action-comedy film directed by Tsui Hark and starring Sam Hui and Karl Maka.-Cast:* Sam Hui* Karl Maka* Sylvia Chang...
(最佳拍檔之女皇密令, 1984) - A Family Affair (全家福, 1984)
- Robby the Rascal (1985)
- Working Class (打工皇帝, 1985)
- Aces Go Places 4Aces Go Places 4Aces go Places 4 also known in the United States as Mad Mission 4: You Never Die Twice is a 1986 Hong Kong action-comedy film directed by Ringo Lam, and starring Sam Hui and Karl Maka.-Cast:* Sam Hui - King Kong* Karl Maka - Albert Au...
(最佳拍檔千里救差婆, 1986) - The Legend of Wisely (衛斯理傳奇, 1987)
- Chicken and Duck TalkChicken and Duck TalkChicken and Duck Talk Chicken and Duck Talk Chicken and Duck Talk (Chinese: 雞同鴨講 (Gai tung aap gong (Chicken with Duck Talk)) is an award-winning 1988 film co-written by Michael Hui, who also starred. It was directed and co-written by Clifton Ko...
(雞同鴨講, 1988; Cameo) - Aces Go Places 5: The Terracotta HitAces Go Places 5: The Terracotta HitAces Go Places 5: The Terracotta Hit is a 1989 Hong Kong action comedy film directed by Lau Kar-leung with action choreography by Lau Kar-wing. This is the fifth and last film of the Aces Go Places film series. Film stars Samuel Hui and Karl Maka from the original film series joined by new cast...
(新最佳拍檔, 1989) - The Dragon from Russia (紅場飛龍, 1990)
- The SwordsmanThe SwordsmanThe Swordsman or Swordsman is a 1990 Hong Kong wuxia film. King Hu was credited as the director but he allegedly left the project midway, and the film was completed by a team led by producer Tsui Hark. The film is adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer...
(笑傲江湖, 1990) - Front Page (新半斤八兩, 1990)
- Laughter of the Water Margins (水滸笑傳, 1993)
- All's Well, Ends Well TooAll's Well, Ends Well TooAll's Well, Ends Well Too is a 1993 Hong Kong comedy film directed by Clifton Ko, and released as comedy fare as is the usual custom to entertain movie-goers on the Lunar New Year celebrations...
(花田囍事, 1993) - Winner Takes AllWinner Takes All (2000 film)Winner Takes All is a 2000 Hong Kong film directed by Clifton Ko. This is comedy film for Lunar New Year.-Plot Outline:...
(大贏家, 2000)