BLOGGER'S CHINESE 50s MUSIC EDUCATION:She was born in China, grew up in Shanghai, went to HK in 1949 and began her career there. Grace Zhang/Ge Lan or Zhang Yu Fang is still a favourite today.
There is much Western influence in her music and except for Zhou Xuan (previous posting), appeared in the movies mostly in cameo roles or solely on the soundtrack. Grace Chang was foremost an actress although she starred in musicals.
Her movies were very popular in Singapore. She started from 1953 and after starring and co-starring in nearly three dozen movies like Mambo Girl, Spring Song, Air Hostess, Wild Wild Rose and Sun, Moon And Star her popularity soared and she was considered, for some time, the queen of musicals.
In 1959 she sang on NBC/US television on the Dinah Shore show. Between 1950 and 1960 she also made records for the Bai-Dai label. Some personal favourites are, I Love The Cha-Cha, Carmen, *I Want Your Love (wo yao ni de ai), Oh Calypso and I Want To Fly In The Blue Sky.
Blogger would rush to the Cathay Cinema at Prinsep Street to watch these musicals. It was also the first time, blogger as a teenager, had seen such a pair of long legs! Or did she really?
The Indian rojak (spicy, tasty meal) at Waterloo Street and National Library came afterwards. And the biggest upset? Not stomach but not collecting her vinyls long ago.
*I Want You To Be My Baby - Georgia Gibbs.
YouTube Videos: DurianDave & boogetman65
Original article: Andy Lim Collection.
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