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From David Bowie’s record-breaking 1983 Serious Moonlight tour to Whitney Houston’s diva antics and Duran Duran’s sold-out Queen Elizabeth Stadium shows, these stories turn the spotlight on some of the music legends that have played Hong Kong.
1. David Bowie’s record-breaking 1983 Hong Kong concerts were a sold-out smash
David Bowie electrified Hong Kong with record-breaking shows at the Coliseum and, despite complaints over audience behaviour, the sold-out concerts were a monumental success. The two dates marked the finale of Bowie’s 1983 Serious Moonlight tour and saw massive queues for tickets when the shows were announced.
2. When Whitney Houston was booed on stage in Hong Kong for turning full egotistical diva
Despite initial success, American superstar Houston’s humiliating treatment of a fan on stage resulted in jeers from the audience at her final show. At the time the South China Morning Post reported that her diva behaviour had hit “new highs in egotism – even by the pop world’s standards”.
3. Duran Duran’s Hong Kong shows see Simon Le Bon reclaim teenybop crown at a sold-out Queen Elizabeth Stadium
Duran Duran’s 1989 Hong Kong concerts were a testament to the band’s enduring popularity, except with bosses at the Convention Centre who objected at the eleventh hour to the band playing there. The gigs were moved to Queen Elizabeth Stadium and were a massive success with fans treating singer Simon Le Bon like a god, reported the Post.

4. When Sammy Davis Jr insisted on playing Hong Kong in 1970 because it has “the finest tailors in the world”
The legendary American singer loved Hong Kong – and it’s tailors – and didn’t mind if his shows lost money because he wanted to play there so much, the promoter said at the time. Despite a last-minute change of venue due to red tape, the audience at the Lee Theatre were left spellbound, the South China Morning Post reported.
5. Pat Boone mobbed by screaming fans when he arrived in Hong Kong for two concerts in 1964
Police had to called in to hold back crowds of fans when teen idol Boone landed at Kai Tak airport on a whirlwind 24-hour visit that took in two City Hall concerts, media engagements, a visit to a foster child and a reception. Boone, known for his ballads, performed a repertoire of hits to adoring fans and even commented on the popularity of The Beatles.
Part of this article was produced with the assistance of generative AI.


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From our archives

When legends played Hong Kong, from David Bowie and Whitney Houston to Duran Duran

David Bowie arriving at Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong, in 1983. Photo: Sam Chan

Sammy Davis Jr on his way to his press conference in Hong Kong, in 1970. Photo: SCMP Archives

Taylor Swift and Elon Musk were foreshadowed in ancient China

Taylor Swift performs at Singapore’s National Stadium in March. The singer played six concerts in the Lion City as part of The Eras Tour. Photo: Getty Images

Death by a thousand cuts, or lingchi, was one of the worst ways to be executed in ancient China. Photo: Wiki Commons

9 best spots to eat and drink in Hong Kong, according to an up-and-coming Cantonese chef

Chef Oliver Li with Ying Jee Club executive chef Siu Hin-Chi. Photo: Jee

Jee combines Cantonese tradition with modern techniques. Photo: Jee

Amber revamped its concept in 2019 to remove dairy completely from its kitchen. Photo: Amber

Sing Kee, a dai pai dong on Stanley Street in Central. Photo: Alexander Mak

Chef Oliver Li recommend Leeder Quay on Wellington Street in Central for high-quality South African wines. Photo: Alexander Mak

A dish of roasted pork belly at Four Seasons Chinese Restaurant in Central. Photo: SCMP Archives

People buying food at Mong Kok Market. Photo: SCMP Archives

Dim sum dishes at Cuisine Cuisine at The Mira Hong Kong. Photo: Cuisine Cuisine

How fatherhood inspired two of Asia’s coolest creative names to launch this giant installation

Verdy and Kevin Poon in the Visty Playground ball pit in Pacific Place, Hong Kong. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

Verdy and Kevin Poon ahead of the launch of Visty Playground at Pacific Place, Hong Kong. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

Verdy stands under a giant statue of his character, Visty. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

Kevin Poon with a Visty plushie. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

A giant statue of Visty towers above the ball pit at the new Visty Playground installation at Pacific Place, Hong Kong. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

Verdy and Kevin Poon stand in the ball pit under a larger-than-life statue of Visty. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

A Visty plushie, created by Verdy, sits in the ball pit at the Visty Playground installation at Pacific Place, Hong Kong. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

A Visty plushie in the Visty Playground ball pit at Pacific Place, Hong Kong. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

WOAW Gallery owner Kevin Poon poses for a photo at his gallery in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Photo: May Tse

Verdy in one of his offices. Photo: Courtesy of Verdy

Part of the Visty Playground installation at Pacific Place, Hong Kong. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

Why this Chinese grandmother makes the world’s best scallion oil noodles, egg fried rice and pork belly

Grandma attended culinary school after she retired in her 60s, but most of her cooking knowledge came from being the eldest of six siblings, struggling through World War II and the Chinese Civil War. Photo: Graeme Kennedy 

Writer Tracy Wen Liu’s grandmother and parents, Zhu Jindong and Liu Zhongwei. Photo: Graeme Kennedy

Scallion oil noodles. Photo: Graeme Kennedy

Grandma’s egg fried rice, made with leftover rice. Photo: Graeme Kennedy

Tracy’s parents cooking in the kitchen. Photo: Graeme Kennedy

Grandma’s hard-working wok. Photo: Graeme Kennedy

Dishes from grandma’s kitchen. Photo: Graeme Kennedy

Poached river shrimp. Photo: Graeme Kennedy

Grandma’s pork belly. Photo: Graeme Kennedy

Dishes from Grandma’s kitchen. Photo: Graeme Kennedy

When Hong Kong lost Cantopop superstar Anita Mui

Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress Anita Mui wore a wedding gown at one of her last concerts in Hong Kong in November 2003. She died the following month on December 30. Photo: Reuters

Cantopop star Anita Mui called a press conference to address rumours about her health. Credit: SCMP Archives

Anita Mui Yim-fong in a still from the film Au Revoir, Mon Amour (1991). Photo: Golden Harvest 

PostMag

Culture

Relive iconic visits and concerts by music superstars Bowie, Houston, Duran Duran, Sammy Davis Jr and Pat Boone when they came to Hong Kong


Relive iconic visits and concerts by music superstars Bowie, Houston, Duran Duran, Sammy Davis Jr and Pat Boone when they came to Hong Kong.


.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Relive iconic visits and concerts by music superstars Bowie, Houston, Duran Duran, Sammy Davis Jr and Pat Boone when they came to Hong Kong

1. .css-jfmysa{display:inline;word-break:break-word;}.css-1ankfgb{cursor:pointer;display:inline;word-break:break-word;}David Bowie’s record-breaking 1983 Hong Kong concerts were a sold-out smash

Relive iconic visits and concerts by music superstars Bowie, Houston, Duran Duran, Sammy Davis Jr and Pat Boone when they came to Hong Kong

1. David Bowie’s record-breaking 1983 Hong Kong concerts were a sold-out smash