A minute of silence
Getai singer Hao Hao mourns singer Frankie Kao Ling-feng's death backstage
He was getting ready for a show on Monday night when he heard the devastating news of Taiwanese veteran singer Frankie Kao Ling-feng's death.
Singapore-based Taiwanese getai singer Hao Hao felt his heart sink when his personal assistant showed him the news on a mobile phone.
"It was a heartrending moment. I was about to go on stage, and I contemplated if I should break the news to the audience," the 33-year-old told The New Paper over the phone yesterday.
"I decided not to, but I observed a minute of silence on my own backstage as a sign of respect."
Kao, who was known affectionately by his fans as Frog Prince, was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2012.
He died on Monday evening in a hospital in Taiwan at the age of 63.
Hao Hao, who worked with Kao four times in the past few years, has listened to Kao's songs since he was young and performs his hits, such as A Fire Torch In Winter, on stage.
He sang praises of Kao's professionalism, saying: "I worked with him before and after he had cancer. Regardless of whether he was healthy, he always had a serious work attitude.
"He was very meticulous and took care of all the small details for his performance. I really respect him."
Local getai organiser Aaron Tan, 38, who worked with Kao in 2012 for a private event, also spoke highly of him.
"Although he was a superstar, he did not take his performance lightly. He set very high standards for himself and demanded a lot on stage. You could see his passion and professionalism, something which we can all learn from."
The thrice-married Kao underwent three rounds of chemotherapy before giving up on the treatment earlier this year.
He was planning to hold a concert in Taiwan next month to mark his 40th anniversary as an artist.
During his performance here last November, a frail Kao, whose weight dropped from 76kg to 57kg, put up an entertaining and heartwarming 40-minute set which left him feeling exhausted but happy.
Singer Andy Ko, 16, who is the only son of his six children, wrote on his Weibo: "My dad led an exciting glamorous life without regrets, and he can finally leave behind his pain and go to heaven. He is the best dad in the world and will always remain in my heart.
"I'll take his dream along with me and preserve his legacy. Here's to our Frog Prince Kao Ling-feng."
FROG PRINCE 'DARED TO TAKE RISKS'
Veteran Taiwanese singer Yu Tian was the first to reach the hospital when his good friend Frankie Kao died.
He told local media over the phone from Taiwan yesterday: "Kao's body was still warm when I reached, even though he had died. He left even before I had the time to talk to him. I broke down and cried."
Yu, who had known Kao for more than four decades, reminisced about the good times they had.
The 67-year-old is particularly fond of the times when Kao lived next door as they visited each other all the time.
He recalled: "We would drop by each other's place regularly. It was memorable and fun."
Yu, who is performing in Singapore next month, thinks of Kao as an extraordinaire as he was not afraid of failure and dared to take risks on stage.
"Kao had a very strong identity on stage. He was willing to try new things in his performances during the 1970s, a time when people were more conservative," he said.
He revealed that Kao had some financial difficulties when he was alive, and added that he would gather his good friends from the entertainment industry to help tide Kao's family over this challenging period.
"I'll definitely take care of his wake and provide financial support. Kao's family thanked me for standing by them. We will hold a meeting soon to see how else we can help," Yu said.
"Kao's son looked sad but he didn't cry (when I met him). Maybe he had already cried before that, knowing that his dad was dying."
FYI
WHAT: Yu Tian, Li Ya Ping & Luo Shi Feng 2014 Concert
WHEN: March 9, 8pm
WHERE: Esplanade Theatre
TICKETS: $38 to $148 from Sistic (www.sistic.com.sg or 6348-5555)
REACTION FROM LOCAL FANS ONLINE
"Burn On Fire Bird! This classic song of his can only be listened to on CDs now. I will miss his songs. Rest in peace Kao Da Ge (Mandarin for older brother)."
- Jen MK Chow
"Goodbye Kao Da Ge. I've been listening to your songs since I was young. So sad. I will miss you. Rest in peace."
- Emily Helen Lin
"You have always been the king of performances on stage that my husband and I respect and like. I will always miss your classic song Can't Get To Hold Your Hand. Rest in peace."
- Chermaine Soh
Frog Prince 'dared to take risks'
Veteran Taiwanese singer Yu Tian was the first to reach the hospital when his good friend Frankie Kao died.
He told local media over the phone from Taiwan yesterday: "Kao's body was still warm when I reached, even though he had died. He left even before I had the time to talk to him. I broke down and cried."
Yu, who had known Kao for more than four decades, reminisced about the good times they had.
The 67-year-old is particularly fond of the times when Kao lived next door as they visited each other all the time.
He recalled: "We would drop by each other's place regularly. It was memorable and fun."
Yu, who is performing in Singapore next month, thinks of Kao as an extraordinaire as he was not afraid of failure and dared to take risks on stage.
"Kao had a very strong identity on stage. He was willing to try new things in his performances during the 1970s, a time when people were more conservative," he said.
He revealed that Kao had some financial difficulties when he was alive, and added that he would gather his good friends from the entertainment industry to help tide Kao's family over this challenging period.
"I'll definitely take care of his wake and provide financial support. Kao's family thanked me for standing by them. We will hold a meeting soon to see how else we can help," Yu said.
"Kao's son looked sad but he didn't cry (when I met him). Maybe he had already cried before that, knowing that his dad was dying."
FYI
WHAT: Yu Tian, Li Ya Ping & Luo Shi Feng 2014 Concert
WHEN: March 9, 8pm
WHERE: Esplanade Theatre
TICKETS: $38 to $148 from Sistic (www.sistic.com.sg or 6348-5555)
Reactions of local fans online
"Burn On Fire Bird! This classic song of his can only be listened to on CDs now. I will miss his songs. Rest in peace Kao Da Ge (Mandarin for older brother)."
- Jen MK Chow
"Goodbye Kao Da Ge. I've been listening to your songs since I was young. So sad. I will miss you. Rest in peace."
- Emily Helen Lin
"You have always been the king of performances on stage that my husband and I respect and like. I will always miss your classic song Can't Get To Hold Your Hand. Rest in peace."
- Chermaine Soh
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