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May 04, 2003
In Memory of Leslie Cheung
When I was in high school, I worked at the local video rental store in Rochester, New York. It was my job to know everything about the videos in stock, so that I could make recommendations to the customers, and answer their questions.
I loved this job mostly because I could watch the movies for free, and even take them home for the night after the store closed. I remember, watching "Farewell My Concubine" for the first time in my family room, and from that moment on, idolized Leslie Cheung.
When I met Leslie for the first time, it was at Hong Kong’s "Green Spot" pub after an awards ceremony in 1999. Everything was new to me, as it was my first album in Hong Kong. I was already in awe of the evening, and there was Leslie Cheung, walking right up to me! He spoke, and my jaw dropped. First of all, because I had no idea Leslie’s English was so perfect. He spoke in an elegant British accent, which suited his style so appropriately. Secondly, because he asked ME to go up on the Green Spot stage with him to sing a duet together, "Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me"! I played the piano and sung Elton John’s part, and he sung George Michael’s. I remember every moment of that performance like it was yesterday, the way Leslie stood center stage looking totally at ease, making eye contact with me, and the audience, comfortable and in control although we had never rehearsed, never discussed the song, never even met before! We had a chemistry, although perfect strangers, that during the performance convinced us both that this was the beginning of beautiful friendship. That night, he told me to call him Uncle Leslie, which is how I have referred to him to this day.
Onstage, Uncle Leslie’s talents are formidable. His singing, dancing, and acting exude a style all his own. He is one of the handful of artists that I respect most in all of Asia because of his true talent, mixed with brains, integrity, and passion. He sets the standard for the new generation of young artists in Asia because he is our role model, our idol, and we adore him.
Offstage, Uncle Leslie’s talents are even more impressive. His personality is one of a kind. He is the friendliest person I know. Whenever I stayed in Hong Kong, he would always make me feel at home. "If you ever get tired of eating room service, or staying in hotels, you are always welcome in my house" he said to me many times. "I can be your mother in Hong Kong!", he would joke good-naturedly.
He is such a rare type of friend to me, especially because so much of what I go through, he has been through. Balancing a music and acting career, giving concerts in Taiwan, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the U.S. and Japan, shooting commercials, living in hotels, feeling lonely, being heckled by paparazzi, being used or betrayed, staying focused on the artistry, being applauded, being rejected, negotiating contracts, ALL aspects of my job, he can relate to and understand.
In 2000, he asked me to play the part of his nephew in his directorial debut, "From Ashes to Ashes". Being a part of this production was so much fun, every day on the set was a spectacle watching this larger-than-life character, in his element. Even after the movie was finished filming, I went with him to the editing studio, and was moved by the amount of care he put into the post-production. He operated the equipment on his own, and did all of the edits personally.
Uncle Leslie taught me the importance of an artist respecting his own work. I realized that because he respects his own artistry so much, it rubs off on everyone else around him. When it comes to his work, he is always proud and confident, sometimes even boastful which I love. When he asked me, "Did you see Farewell My Concubine?", I found "yes" to be laughably insufficient. Instead, I said, "THAT was a fucking good movie". He nodded, "Yes, that was FUCKING good movie". It’s rare to find a talented artist who doesn’t second guess himself, and never apologizes for who he is. "I am who I am" is Uncle Leslie’s motto, and one of his favorite songs.
There are a million other things that I would like to say about how incredible this man is. It just comes to the point, however, where sighting examples is futile, there are just too many. For those of you who never got the chance to meet him, just take my word for it. He is special. For all his hard work, I thank him. Uncle Leslie is a huge influence in the entertainment industry, and in my life. It is strange that I still talk about him in the present tense.
Perhaps this is because he is a Legend, and a Legend by definition, lives on.
Date: 2003年5月4日
Source: 紀念張國榮 published by Tokimeki Publishing, Japan
Posted by staff at May 4, 2003 04:21 PM
Comments
You are just soooo lucky to have met him. You're right, he's a legend!
Posted by: Jane at February 13, 2005 03:04 AM
LOL..."that was a fucking good movie" never imagined these words to come out of Wang Li Hong and Leslie Cheung's mouths. Hoping for the opportunity to read more of Li Hong's thoughts.
Jenn
Posted by: Jenn at February 23, 2005 05:26 AM
Yes, Leslie is such a legend that u cannot find another one to substitute his position. He is such a great guy that he devotes his life to music and artistic career. His personality is impressed by every audience who has listened to his songs.
Posted by: Jason Mak (HK) at April 21, 2005 07:55 PM
不失去的時候, 不知道原來會這麼痛
Posted by: Ann at May 7, 2005 04:45 PM
i'm just in awe imagining LH and Leslie colleborating on Elton John's don't let the sun go down on me in a bar........what a scene, really wish i could've been there.....
Leslie is a respectable man. May him rest in peace forever.
Posted by: Xiaosu at January 1, 2006 12:09 PM
How nice to have read this piece of writing tonight, from an artist I admire so much, to the first artist I was crazy about. I still miss Leslie Cheung till this very day.
Leehom, I enjoyed your concert very much in HK last year, well done! Longing to listen to your next album...
Posted by: Jan at April 17, 2007 11:06 PM