Cantopop King ready to rule again

CANTOPOP stars can forget about ruling the scene because the Godfather, Sam Hui, is not about to give up his reign.

Speaking over the phone from Hong Kong earlier this week, ahead of the Singapore stop of his current What a Wonderful World tour next Saturday, Hui says: "My life is still full of music and I enjoy the warmth of an audience so I will still perform for a long, long time to come."

And why not? The prolific 65-year-old singer-songwriter-actor - nicknamed "God of Song" and "Father of Cantopop" because of his knack for churning out one hit after another during the 70s and 80s - has enjoyed an extremely successful showbiz career that is now entering its fourth decade. During that period, he has recorded 23 Cantonese albums, four English ones, and starred in 26 movies.

His self-penned songs about working class Hong Kong-ers featured plenty of colloquial Cantonese phrases and struck a chord not only with the locals but also with music-lovers across South-east Asia.

Hui further sealed his superstar status by starring in hit madcap comedies like The Private Eyes, The Contract,Security Unlimited and more with his brothers, Michael and the late Ricky Hui.

Although he went into semi-retirement from 1992 to 2004 for health reasons, Hui has since bounced back to tour the world and even released a new studio album in 2007.

Through the decades, he has built up a loyal following, including some who attend every show their idol plays. A few hundred of them are expected to be in Singapore next week and some over-zealous female ones are known to get touchy-feely with him.

Teased about their very public display of affection for him, Hui laughs it off, saying: "We've known each other for so many years already, so I'm more like a big brother to them; I'm just very thankful for their undying support."

The kisses which some of them shower on him is also something his wife of 42 years, Filipino-American Rebecca Fleming, has come to accept as part of the fame game because there is mutual trust between the couple.

Hui even makes efforts to keep the romance in his marriage alive. "My wife and I go on holidays and sometimes we even have candlelight dinners together," he reveals.

His tour has also turned into a family act of sorts with both his grown-up sons, Ryan and Scott, involved as the part of the production team.

The former, who is also a singer-songwriter like his father, designed the tour collaterals like its posters and T-shirts; while his younger brother, a filmmaker, shot the promotional footage used for What A Wonderful World. That's not all - Scott's wife will also perform a duet with her father-in-law next Saturday.

The show itself will be a musical marathon featuring 37 songs which will include all of Hui's evergreen hits plus cover tributes by his departed Cantopop peers and friends like Leslie Cheung, Roman Tam and Anita Mui.

Hui has been getting into shape in preparation for the tour and has lost almost 10 kilogrammes from eating right, running, swimming and practising karate daily.

That fitness regime apparently is also part of his secret to staying and looking young. "Always be happy and stay positive," he shares.

That mantra has led him to name the show What A Wonderful World and will also serve as an inspiration when he's ready to pen some new songs next year, after the tour - which will also take in cities in China and Australia - comes to an end.

"I want to write that life is worth living despite the calamities that are happening around the world," Hui adds.

dylantan@sph.com.sg

@DylanTanSYBT

Sam Hui's 'What A Wonderful World 2014' takes place at Singapore Indoor Stadium on June 7, 2014 at 8pm. Tickets from $88-$188 available to book on the phone 6333 5000 or online at www.sportshubtix.sg/ www.unusual.com.sg