‘Lyrical Maverick’ Peter Lai, who wrote multiple hits for Cantopop stars, dies at 76
Renowned Hong Kong lyricist Peter Lai, known as the 'Lyrical Maverick,' has passed away at the age of 76. He was celebrated for writing iconic hits for Cantopop legends like Leslie Cheung, Sam Hui, and Anita Mui.
Why it matters
Lai's death marks the end of a significant era in Cantopop history, as his lyrics were instrumental in defining the golden age of Hong Kong's music industry.
Condolences have flooded social media in response to the death of Hong Kong’s Peter Lai Bei-dak, with long-time collaborator and entertainer Sam Hui Koon-kit paying tribute to the legendary lyricist with a handwritten letter.
Comments flooded social media as people expressed gratitude for Lai’s contributions, calling him a “grandmaster” and a “legendary genius”.
Veteran musician and actor Hui shared the note on social media on Thursday to express his sorrow.
“Thank you for creating countless outstanding works for the Hong Kong music industry. Your lyrics were popular without being vulgar,” he wrote. “I am grateful to have had you on my musical journey.”
Sports commentator Eric Chung Chi-kwong, a close friend of Lai, announced his death at the age of 76 on Wednesday.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in