Tai Chi 40th Anniversary Concert to Remember Late Bandmate Gary Tong: A Brother's Promise to Keep His Place – "The Show Will Always Belong to Him"
When you talk about legendary Hong Kong bands, Tai Chi is a name that always holds a significant place. Formed forty years ago, these brothers who've grown up together are now deep in rehearsals for their upcoming Tai Chi 40th Anniversary Concert. But this time, the concert is more than just a milestone; it's a heartfelt tribute to a departed friend. Because on stage, they'll forever miss that quiet yet indispensable figure behind the keyboards: Gary Tong.
The brotherhood of Tai Chi has always been famously solid in the music scene. Gary's sudden passing last year truly shocked them and all their fans. After some time, the bandmates pulled themselves together, deciding to channel that longing into strength and once again "share the stage" with Gary through what they do best: music.
A Carefully Crafted Setlist: Fulfilling a Bandmate's Wish with Deep Cuts
Core members of Tai Chi, including Joey Tang, Patrick Lui, and Edde Sing, started planning early for this concert. Besides the guaranteed classic hits like Red Sports Car and Crystal, they also intend to take fans back to their old band rehearsal studio, digging out some long-unplayed hidden gems. According to insiders, Patrick mentioned during rehearsals that before he passed, Gary often talked about wanting to perform certain B-sides from back in the day. He felt those tracks truly represented Tai Chi's musical experimentation. "He said songs like After the Cold Wind and Don't Want to Love Foolishly – fans today might not know them, but he really missed that feeling." So for this concert, they've specifically included these songs in the setlist, as a final gift to Gary and to fulfill his wish.
"We've Permanently Reserved a Spot for Him at the Show"
Speaking about the concert's stage design, an insider involved in the production revealed that Joey Tang emotionally stated that although Gary can't be there in person, they will definitely reserve a spot for him on stage. "Maybe we'll place his favourite keyboard there, or use projections so he can jam with us. This show will always be Tai Chi as seven people. That spot will forever be his."
Long-time friends who have worked closely with Tai Chi, such as Paul Wong and the recently active group OneWeekStAr, might also appear as guest performers. A close associate recalled Paul mentioning how they used to go wild backstage back in the day, with Gary always smilingly watching everyone have fun. He particularly misses that friendship forged in those underground band rooms.
Concert Highlights at a Glance:
- Tribute Segment: Will feature special performances of several non-hit songs Gary loved, including lesser-known tracks like Never Say Goodbye Again in This Life.
- Star Guests: Friends like Paul Wong and OneWeekStAr will join on stage, sharing memories and stories of their time with Gary.
- Archival Footage: Stage screens will show precious documentary clips and behind-the-scenes moments from Tai Chi's early years, including footage of Gary creating in the band room.
- On-Site Tribute: A special area in the audience section will display musical instruments and personal items Gary used, allowing fans to pay their respects.
Four decades of brotherhood can't just be let go. The remaining six members of Tai Chi have chosen to continue their connection with Gary Tong through music, transforming their grief into the most sincere emotion on stage. For fans who've been listening since the 80s, this concert is probably more than just about the music. It's a chance to witness a bond in the Hong Kong music scene that transcends life and death, and to properly say to this quietly influential musician: Gary, thank you. We will always remember you.