Tai Chi 40th Anniversary Concert to Remember Late Bandmate Gary Tong: Brothers Insist on Keeping a Place for Him — "The Show Will Always Belong to Him"

When you talk about legends of Hong Kong's music scene, the name Tai Chi always holds a significant place. Formed forty years ago, this group of brothers who have known each other since their youth are now diligently rehearsing for their upcoming Tai Chi 40th Anniversary Concert. But this time, the concert is more than just a milestone for them; it's a tribute to a departed friend. Because on that stage, they will forever miss the quiet yet indispensable figure sitting behind the keyboard: Gary Tong.

The bond of brotherhood within Tai Chi has always been famously strong in the industry. 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 use the music they know best to "share the stage" with Gary once more.

Curating the Setlist with Care: Fulfilling This Brother's Wish with Rare Tracks

For this concert, core members of Tai Chi, including Joey Tang, Patrick Lui, and Sing Taan Wah (Edde), started planning early. Besides the guaranteed classic hits like "Red Sports Car" and "Crystal," they also want to take fans back to their old band rehearsal studio, digging out some hidden gems they haven't performed in a long time. According to insiders, Patrick mentioned during rehearsals that before he passed, Gary often talked to them about how much he wanted to sing some of their lesser-known tracks from back in the day. He felt those songs truly represented Tai Chi's musical explorations. "He said songs like 'After the Cold Wind' and 'Don't Want to Love Foolishly'—maybe today's fans don't know them, but he really missed that sentiment." So for this concert, they've specifically included these songs in the setlist, as a final gift to Gary and to fulfill a wish of his.

"We'll Always Keep a Place for Him at the Show"

Regarding the concert's stage design, insiders involved in the production reveal that Joey Tang emotionally stated that even though Gary can't be there in person, they will definitely keep 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 about the seven members of Tai Chi; that place will always be reserved for him."

Old friends who have worked closely with Tai Chi over the years, such as Wong Koon Chung (Paul) and the recently active group OneWeekStAr, are also likely to appear as guest performers. Those close to the band recall Paul saying how they used to have a blast backstage, with Gary always watching everyone having fun with a smile on his face. They particularly miss that kind of friendship forged from their underground band studio days.

Highlights of the Concert:

• Tribute Segment: Specially selected performances of several non-hit songs that Gary loved during his lifetime, including lesser-known tracks like "Never Say Goodbye Again."
• Star Guests: Friends like Paul Wong and OneWeekStAr will take the stage to share memories and anecdotes about their time with Gary.
• Precious Footage: The stage screens will show rare documentary footage and behind-the-scenes clips from Tai Chi's early years, including scenes of Gary composing in the band studio.
• On-Site Display: A special area will be set up in the audience section showcasing musical instruments and personal items Gary used, allowing fans to pay their respects in person.

A brotherhood of forty years isn't something you can just let go. The remaining six members of Tai Chi have chosen to continue their connection with Gary Tong through music, transforming their loss into the most sincere and touching performance on stage. For all the fans who have been listening since the 80s, this concert probably isn't just about hearing the songs. It's about witnessing a bond in the music scene that transcends life and death, and properly bidding farewell to this quietly influential musical maestro by saying: Gary, thank you. We will always remember you.