A stroll down memory lane with evergreen singer Ching Shan By Fung Lan Yong

A stroll down memory lane with evergreen singer Ching Shan

By Fung Lan Yong

fungyong58@gmail.com

February 21, 2019

Debonair Taiwanese singer Ching Shan (Qing Shan), whose real name is Tsan Tie Yueh, was born in Zhejiang in eastern China that is famed for its picturesque West Lake, quaint water towns, historic districts and pristine waterways fed by the Grand Canal.  Born on 9 February 1945, the year of the rooster, he humorously referred to himself as a ‘senior rooster’ at a recent concert.  Since the 1960s, he has endeared himself as an icon in the Mandarin music scene and his golden hits are still sung by various entertainers today.

The foundation of post-war Taiwanese music was primarily created by Ching Shan and his peers, whose pop songs differ from those in Japan or China.  They adopted music elements from surf rock and soul, thus creating a new genre of music characterised by rock and roll beats.     To this day, Ching Shan’s unforgettable hit records and golden voice still endear him to millions of overseas Chinese in the USA, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia.  The-74-year-old continues to attract enthusiastic crowds in his sold-out concerts in Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, and Malaysia. 

The early years

Shortly after the Second World War, his parents migrated to Taiwan and he was barely six months old then.  As his father was a soldier and mother, a homemaker, it was not surprising that he was raised in a rather conservative environment.  He once revealed that he used to practise singing in the bathroom when he was young, but his father confiscated all his song sheets after discovering what he was doing.  Nevertheless, he endeavoured and excelled as a member of his school choir. 

While attending Provincial Taipei Commercial School, Ching Shan’s vocal talent impressed a music teacher who subsequently accepted him as a disciple, coaching him vocal music and the piano. After graduation, the aspiring singer intended to study classical music at the National Taiwan Academy of Arts; however, he was rejected due to the lack of formal musical training.   It was a blessing in disguise as the slightly rebellious youth started focusing on Mandopop instead, a genre that was considered as unconventional or counter-culture at that time. 

In 1965, Ching Shan became a member of the Happiness Choir, while also hosting and singing on the weekly "I Sing for You" program at one of the largest radio stations in Taiwan.  Today, he still co-hosts and sings on the same program at Chengsheng Broadcasting FM Taipei. The program is broadcast live every Friday which allows fans worldwide to call in to request songs or have a glimpse of the timeless singer at work in the studio.

In 1966, he was inducted into the national service which gave him the opportunity to sing and entertain at various military bases.  He soon gained the attention of the sergeant as a background singer in a military drama and was subsequently transferred to the Shengkang Arts Team to entertain the military.

Stage name and singing debut

Since Ching Shan’s real name not only consists of 52 strokes, but is also difficult to pronounce, his teacher-mentor decided to help him establish a meaningful stage name that rolls off the tongue. While still pondering, they gazed out of the window and saw some grassy hills at a distance, so the moniker Ching Shan, synonymous to “green hill,” was adopted.  A television host once joked, “Fortunately, you did not see a garbage truck at that moment!”  Nevertheless, the stage name has been specifically incorporated into one of his songs, reflecting how popular he has become. 

In 1968, Ching Shan completed his military training and subsequently signed a three-year contract with Leico Record where he recorded numerous albums and compilations that are still immensely popular today.  Although he earned only three thousand yuan for each record, he found it rewarding to see his album covers displayed in music stores and to hear his songs constantly played in Chinese establishments and communities.

In the same year, the dulcet was introduced to famed television producer, Shen Zhi, who managed a prominent singing program named “Qun Xing Hui.”  The producer, who soon became his teacher-mentor, was impressed by his singing style.  She invited him to her television show on a regular basis, thus helping him earn greater exposure and fame.  Additionally, Shen Zhi translated some Japanese songs and wrote the lyrics specifically for him, for example, “Difficult to Keep Love” and “Drizzle of Tears” that became instant hits.

Around this time, duet-singing began to gain popularity and Ching Shan was arranged to collaborate with Wan Qu.  For the following eight years, the duo, affectionately known as “singing lovebirds,” enjoyed immense success until Wan Xu got married and quit the music scene.  After that, he began to flourish as a solo singer.   

After Leico, he signed a two-year contract with Haishan Record, the largest record producer that collaborated with many popular singers at that time.  After leaving Haishan, he did not sign up with any other recording companies, but started performing overseas most of the time.

2000s until the present

In 2004, Ching Shan performed for the first time in China at the Shanghai Lanxin Theatre.  In 2008, the 63-year-old held his “Golden Songs” solo concert in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre to commemorate his forty years of singing.  In 2010, he held his “Love Songs of the Century” concert in Hong Kong. In 2012, he performed solo at the Sydney City Hall, Australia, and at Venetian Theatre in Macau in 2018. Besides solo concerts, he has made numerous guest appearances all these years.

Leading actor and host

In the 1970s, Ching Shan became the leading actor of several musical-romantic movies.  Besides acting and singing, the distinguished singer has also hosted many popular television shows in Taiwan and Hong Kong. While being successful as an actor, he eventually decided to concentrate on singing because long hours of shooting could adversely affect his vocal cords.  He believes that a good night’s sleep is crucial to maintaining vocal health, which was especially important during the era when he had to perform regularly at music halls.

Moreover, singing allows him to connect with a real-life audience, while acting does not allow that. He once said, “I’m facing the audience when I sing, but I am only performing for the camera when I act, which seems surreal.”  The handsome singer considers singing as an integral part of his life, so he will never leave the music scene as long as fans still remember and welcome him.  Stressing that his existence as a vocalist totally relies on his ardent fans, he hopes that his music will keep them company always.          

Earliest generation of Mandarin singers

Affectionately known as the King of Sentimental Songs, the impeccable singer belongs to the earliest generation of Mandarin singers in Taiwan. In the late 1940s, Mandarin popular music began to fill Taiwan’s airwaves with the arrival of Chinese immigrants.  Throughout the 1960s, Shanghai-style Mandarin pop dominated the music scene, while televised variety shows became the primary means to promote Mandarin songs in Taiwan.  Meanwhile, the entertainment industry in Taiwan began to flourish, so singers with outstanding ability, such as Ching Shan, were highly sought after.

Ching Shan’s music dominated the Mandarin song market from the late 1960s to 1980s, and rapidly spread to other parts of the world.  Further, with the American military presence in Taiwan in the 1960s, pop music also filled its nightspots, favoured by upwardly mobile young people.  Demand for Mandarin songs was partly met by translations of Japanese and American songs at the time.  Hence, several of Ching Shan’s hit songs have Japanese or American origin, for example, “Vast Night” was derived from “Fraulein,” while “Waiting for You until Dawn” from “Love is Blue.”  His timeless “Drizzle of Tears” was a touching rendition of a Japanese song.  

Marriage and family

In 1973, 28-year-old Ching Shin married his girlfriend from Hong Kong after seeing her for two years.  Twelve years later, he became a single parent to two little daughters, the younger one being barely three years old then.  To ensure that both girls grew up in an environment conducive for growth and learning, the devoted father decided to put singing on the back burner until they were more independent.

As an efficient homemaker, besides grocery-shopping, cooking and cleaning on a regular basis, he would wait for his daughters at the station after school hours. He has also improved his culinary skills through trial and error and watching cooking shows; he has also perfected two of his own recipes, namely, onion roast duck and steamed chicken.

    

As the children grew older, his songs simultaneously became more popular, motivating him to make more frequent appearances on television and in concerts.  At a 2003 concert in Singapore, the proud father revealed that both daughters were studying at a university.  At a 2010 concert in Hong Kong, he proudly announced that his elder daughter has found the love of her life and that he would become a grandfather soon.  Today, his grandchildren are the youngest fans who will always clap and cheer him on.  While he enjoys their company, the congenial singer finds that the youngsters tend to remind him of the fleeting years when he was taking care of two little girls singlehandedly.

At a 2017 concert in Hong Kong, the graceful singer and affectionate father reiterated that, since both his daughters are already married, he now dreads facing the lunar new year.  Fortunately, they live near his residence and it only takes a ten-minute walk to reach them.  Nowadays, the elder daughter usually takes a stroll with him in the morning, while the younger one does the same in the evening.      

Bringing laughter

Ching Shan’s sense of humour has always brought laughter to the audience.  During a 2018 concert, the duet partner jokingly said that the inimitable singer was not only dashing, but he was also prosperous because one of the Hong Kong highways was named after him.  To the applause of the audience, he rebutted that there was also a mental hospital with his namesake, and that his friends could receive a discount!

When asked what type of soap he had been using to maintain his good looks all through the years, he wittingly remarked that he normally used laundry soap because it was effective and cost-saving.  Additionally, the baritone singer admitted that he does not need any written lyrics when listening to older singers as they have excellent enunciation and style; however, he finds it difficult to understand younger singers without referring to the lyrics or subtitles, adding that some younger singers consider the older generation outmoded. 

Unpleasant experiences

When asked to describe some of his unpleasant experiences, the incomparable singer revealed that he once tried to a get a shortcut to the next music hall by jumping over a railing, but inadvertently knocked it over and landed on his knees. A police officer saw him on the muddy spot and started blowing his whistle; he was so embarrassed that he quickened his steps with his head down.       

Another jolting incident occurred while he was getting ready for a concert in Hong Kong.  A faulty hairdryer reduced him to unconsciousness in the bathroom, but he slowly recovered from the shock and got up by himself.  When asked which body part he would conceal if someone suddenly entered the bathroom and caught him in his birthday suit, he cleverly said that he would just turn his back around.  

When the singing sensation was still performing at Shengkang in the 1960s, nobody told him that he had mispronounced a character in a certain song. Only after the album was distributed did someone write to inform the record company about the error. 

  

Singing style

Ching Shan’s singing style has charmed fans around the world because it is very natural with a touch of class.  His concerts usually showcase him as a pitch perfect vocalist and genuine performer without depending on highly technical effects.  His elegant and unmatchable style continues to appeal to connoisseurs of fine music with a taste of distinction.  Retro-music enthusiasts still regard his concerts as a rare chance to appreciate the musical talent of an authentic performer.     

In the 1960s, one out of three songs in Taiwan must aim to “purify” society, focusing on moral-ethical values, such as patriotism.  Several of Ching Shan’s songs, such as “Life is Adorable” and “Journey of a Thousand Miles” emphasise industry, optimism, perseverance and courage.  These classic songs remain to be inspiring masterpieces that turn his concerts into an unforgettable experience of a lifetime for music enthusiasts. 

Characteristics of timeless singers

When asked to describe younger singers, Ching Shan implied that older singers have good vocal control and stay on pitch, allowing them to sing each note distinctly for the intended musical effect in a song.  Further, their good singing tone enables them to use clear consistent sounds, while their clear enunciation helps them craft each syllable precisely as intended.  He noted that younger singers tend to deliver the lyrics in much more relaxed manner, so they might not sing crisp syllables.

Ching Shan added that older singers show solid vocal support for their singing, allowing them to produce strong clear notes and a broad tone.  They are able to combine good posture, proper breathing technique, and overall practice and development of their voice.  Moreover, they pay greater attention to musical phrasing to deliver a compelling performance. They are not only expressive, but they also know how to shape each line by appropriately combining pitch, volume, tone and enunciation.

Further, Ching Shan explained that old songs are more elaborate compared to the modern ones; old songs consist of at least three stanzas, each containing different verses; therefore, singers in the olden days not only had to memorise the lines, but they must also adequately express them with appropriate feelings and emotions.  Their movements and gestures were also limited as cordless microphones and computers were unavailable in those days.      

The golden years

Regarded as a prince on a white horse by his duet partners and fans, Ching Shan, with his much-anticipated concerts throughout the world, is one of the most prominent representatives of Mandarin songs. Acknowledging that time and tide wait for nobody, the fetching balladeer admitted that he used to take things too seriously in the past; however, he rarely wants to worry about anything nowadays.  Putting health and happiness first, he welcomes each new day as the beginning of love.   

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