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{{Short description|Taiwanese singer and actor}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{tone|date=December 2007}}
{{BLP sources|date=July 2014}}
{{BLP sources|date=July 2014}}
}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}


{{infobox person
{{infobox person
| name = Emil Wakin Chau
| name = Wakin "Emil" Chau
| image = File:WakinChau2007.jpg
| image = File:WakinChau2007.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = Wakin Chau in concert 2007
| caption = Wakin Chau in concert 2007
| native_name = 周華健
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1960|12|22}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1960|12|22}}
| birth_place = [[Sai Ying Pun]],
| birth_place = [[Sai Ying Pun]],
[[British Hong Kong]]
[[British Hong Kong]]
| education = [[National Taiwan University]] ([[B. S.|BS]])
| occupation = Singer, songwriter, actor
| occupation = Singer, actor
| years_active = 1986–present
| years_active = 1985–present
| spouse = Constance Woods (American)
| spouse = Constance Woods (American)<ref name=r1>Faith Wong (May 9, 2017) [https://www.todayonline.com/entertainment/music-business-not-my-daughter-says-wakin-chau Music business is not for my daughter, says Wakin Chau]. todayonline.com</ref>
| children = Andrew (周厚安), Anya (周厚恩)
| awards = {{awards|award=[[Golden Melody Awards]]|name='''Best Male Mandarin Artist'''<br>1993}}
| children = 2<ref name=r1/>
| awards = {{awards|award=[[Golden Melody Awards]]|name='''Best Male Mandarin Artist'''<br>1993}}
| website = [http://www.wakin.com/ Wakin.com]
| website = [http://www.wakin.com/ Wakin.com]
| module = {{Infobox Chinese|child=yes
| module = {{Infobox Chinese|child=yes
| t = 周華健
| t = 周華健
| s = 周华健
| s = 周华健
Line 26: Line 26:
| j = Zau1 Wa4 Gin6
| j = Zau1 Wa4 Gin6
}}
}}
| module2 = {{infobox musical artist|embed=yes
| module2 = {{infobox musical artist|embed=yes
| alias = Emil Chau, Wakin Chau, Zhou Huajian, Chow Wah-Kin
| alias = Emil Chau, Wakin Chau, Chou Hua-Chien, Zhou Huajian, Chau Wah-Kin
| background = solo_singer
| origin = [[British Hong Kong|Hong Kong]]
| origin = [[British Hong Kong|Hong Kong]]
| genre = [[Mandopop]], [[Cantopop]]
| genre = [[Mandopop]], [[Cantopop]]
| instrument = Vocals, guitar, piano
| label = [[Rock Records]]
| label = [[Rock Records]]
| associated_acts = Easy Band, [[Superband (band)|Superband]]
| associated_acts = Easy Band, [[Superband (band)|Superband]]
}}
}}
}}
}}
'''Wakin Chau''' (born 22 December 1960), better known by his stage name '''Emil Chau''' predominantly throughout the 1980s and 1990s, is a Hong Kong-born Taiwanese singer, songwriter and actor. Chau's popularity has spread throughout [[Taiwan]], Hong Kong, [[Mainland China]], and parts of Southeast Asia ([[Singapore]], [[Malaysia]], [[Indonesia]], and [[Vietnam]]). As of August 2007, he has released more than 40 albums and held several international concert tours.
'''Wakin Chau''' ({{zh|s=周华健|p=Zhōu Huájiàn|j=Zau1 Waa4 Gin6}}; born 22 December 1960), better known by his stage name '''Emil Chau''' during the 1980s and 1990s, is a [[Hong Kong]]-born [[Taiwanese people|Taiwanese]] singer and actor, popular throughout Taiwan, Hong Kong, [[Mainland China]], and parts of Southeast Asia ([[Singapore]], [[Malaysia]], [[Indonesia]] and [[Vietnam]]). As of 2007, he has released more than 40 albums.


==Biography==
==Early life==
Wakin Chau was born in a rice store owned by his family at [[Sai Ying Pun]] in then-British colony of Hong Kong. Growing up as the fourth son in his seven-member family, Wakin learned to play the guitar when he was about 13 years old. In 1979, he left for [[Taipei]] to major in mathematics at [[National Taiwan University]]. During his college years, he sang and played folk songs in local coffee shops. This activity was a tradition among NTU students, and it is how Wakin learned to sing in [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]], which would be key to his future as a music-maker in [[Taiwan]].
Wakin Chau was born in a rice store owned by his family at [[Sai Ying Pun]] in Hong Kong, the fourth son of seven children.<ref name=r1/> He began learning the guitar when he was about 13 years old. In 1979, he left for [[Taipei]] to major in mathematics at [[National Taiwan University]]. While at college he sang and played folk songs in local coffee shops, learning to sing in [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]].<ref name=r1/>


==Music career==
Wakin had high hopes to establish a career as a recording artist, and he actively sought out contacts in the music industry. But a persistent lack of interest eventually led him to give up trying to become a performer – instead, he could sign on as an assistant producer at [[Rock Records]], where he wrote marketable pop songs for other artists.
Hoping to establish a career as a recording artist, Chau sought contacts in the music industry, but after a lack of success, eventually signed on as an assistant producer at [[Rock Records]], where he wrote pop songs for other artists. He was later encouraged by [[Chyi Yu]] to perform jingles for commercial advertisements. One of his jingles for a car commercial was heard by his boss at Rock, who recognised his voice and gave him a chance to record a [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]] album, released on [[Rock Records]] in 1987.


⚫
From 1985, under the name Emil Chau, he has released more than 40 albums in [[Standard Mandarin|Mandarin]], [[Cantonese]] and English. His platinum albums, including ''You Make Me Happy and Sad'' ({{lang|zh|讓我歡喜讓我憂}}), ''The Flowery Heart'' ({{lang|zh|花·心}}), ''Music Brings Us Together'' ({{lang|zh|有弦相聚}}) and ''Emil & Friends'' ({{lang|zh|朋友}}) have won awards in Taiwan, Mainland China, Hong Kong and Singapore.{{which|date=December 2020}}{{cn|date=December 2020}} Chau reverted to using his given name Wakin in 1999.
Wakin was later encouraged by [[Chyi Yu]] to sing some jingles for commercial advertising spots. One of these tunes was for a car commercial, and it happened to catch the attention of Wakin's boss at Rock, who realised it was the voice of his own assistant producer.


Chau formed the four-member supergroup [[Superband (band)|Superband]], along with [[Jonathan Lee (record producer)|Jonathan Lee]], [[Chang Chen-yue]] and [[Lo Ta-yu]]. They disbanded and resumed their solo careers in 2010.
This opened the door for Wakin to record and release his first [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]] album under the [[Rock Records]] label in 1987, and it was a period of particularly good fortune for Chau as he launched a succession of chart-topping records.


==Other activities==
Shortly before his music career took off, Wakin met an American girl named Constance Woods, whose father was in Taiwan as a Fulbright scholar. Seeming to have plenty in common (including birthdays only one day apart) Wakin and Constance began to date, got engaged and then on 16 November 1986, they married in Taipei. Four months later there was another ceremony with family and friends in the United States of America on 14 March 1987. They have a son named Andrew and a daughter named Anya.
⚫
Chau has also appeared in some films, and on TV and radio programs in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan. Alongside his singing career, he is a restaurateur and is active in international charitable causes, such as kidney dialysis charities in Singapore, the January 2002 "Take a Deep Breath" concert in [[Taipei]] to raise money for local health-care organisations, Beijing's 4th Grand Charity Drive for Children in 2005, and [[Jackie Chan]]'s all-star concerts in Las Vegas.

⚫
From 1985, Emil Chau, who has been using his given name Wakin since 1999, has released more than 40 albums in [[Standard Mandarin|Mandarin]], [[Cantonese]] and English. He has become a prominent name in the [[music of Taiwan]] and has fans of all ages not only around Asia but also in North America, Europe and elsewhere. His platinum albums such as ''You Make Me Happy and Sad'' ({{lang|zh|讓我歡喜讓我憂}}), ''The Flowery Heart'' ({{lang|zh|花·心}}), ''Music Brings Us Together'' ({{lang|zh|有弦相聚}}), and ''Emil & Friends'' ({{lang|zh|朋友}}) have won awards in Taiwan, Mainland China, Hong Kong and Singapore.

⚫
Wakin has appeared in a number of films and made guest appearances on TV and radio programs in China, Hong Kong, [[Taiwan]], [[Malaysia]], Singapore and Japan. Alongside his singing career, he is a restaurateur and also is active in international charitable causes, such as kidney dialysis charities in Singapore, the January 2002 "Take a Deep Breath" concert in [[Taipei]] to raise money for local health-care organisations, Beijing's 4th Grand Charity Drive for Children in 2005, and [[Jackie Chan]]'s all-star concerts in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]].

Wakin Chau has formed with distinguished artists [[Jonathan Lee (record producer)|Jonathan Lee]], [[Chang Chen-yue]], and [[Lo Ta-yu]] in the four-member band [[Superband (band)|Superband]]. In 2010, after finishing all their concerts and tours, they disbanded and resumed their individual careers.


==Discography==
==Discography==
⚫
===Mandarin studio albums===

⚫
===Mandarin albums===
* {{lang|zh-tw|最後圓舞曲}} The Last Waltz (Feb 1985)
* {{lang|zh-tw|最後圓舞曲}} The Last Waltz (Feb 1985)
* {{lang|zh-tw|心的方向}} Direction of the Heart (Jul 1987)
* {{lang|zh-tw|心的方向}} Direction of the Heart (Jul 1987)
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* {{lang|zh-tw|讓我歡喜讓我憂}} You Make Me Happy and Sad (Nov 1991)
* {{lang|zh-tw|讓我歡喜讓我憂}} You Make Me Happy and Sad (Nov 1991)
* {{lang|zh-tw|花·心}} The Flowery Heart (Apr 1993)
* {{lang|zh-tw|花·心}} The Flowery Heart (Apr 1993)
* {{lang|zh-tw|今夜陽光燦爛}} Asia Tour'93 Emil Alive! (Jan 1994)
* {{lang|zh-tw|風雨無阻}} Nothing Will Stop Me From Loving You (Jun 1994)
* {{lang|zh-tw|風雨無阻}} Nothing Will Stop Me From Loving You (Jun 1994)
* {{lang|zh-tw|我願意去等}} I Am Willing to Go Soon (Feb 1995)
* {{lang|zh-tw|我願意去等}} I Am Willing to Go Soon (Feb 1995)
* {{lang|zh-tw|愛相隨}} Love Follows Us (Jul 1995)
* {{lang|zh-tw|愛相隨}} Love Follows Us (Jul 1995)
* {{lang|zh-tw|愛的光}} Light of Love (Feb 1996)
* {{lang|zh-tw|愛的光}} Light of Love (Feb 1996)
* {{lang|zh-tw|小天堂}} My Little Paradise (Sep 1996)
* {{lang|zh-tw|朋友}} Emil & Friends (Apr 1997)
* {{lang|zh-tw|朋友}} Emil & Friends (Apr 1997)
* {{lang|zh-tw|有故事的人}} Story Teller (Aug 1998)
* {{lang|zh-tw|有故事的人}} Story Teller (Aug 1998)
* {{lang|zh-tw|現在}} Now (Nov 1999)
* {{lang|zh-tw|現在}} Now (Nov 1999)
* {{lang|zh-tw|忘憂草}} Day Lilies (Otc 2001)
* {{lang|zh-tw|忘憂草}} Day Lilies (Otc 2001)
* {{lang|zh-tw|329最完整周華健}} All Out (2003)
* {{lang|zh-tw|一起吃苦的幸福}} Love Hotel (Jul 2003)
* {{lang|zh-tw|一起吃苦的幸福}} Love Hotel (Jul 2003)
* {{lang|zh-tw|周而復始}} Keep Wakin 1987-2002 (Sep 2003)
* {{lang|zh-tw|雨人}} Wakin in the Rain (Mar 2006)
* {{lang|zh-tw|雨人}} Wakin in the Rain (Mar 2006)
* {{lang|zh-tw|花旦}} Diva (May 2011)
* {{lang|zh-tw|花旦}} Diva (May 2011)
* {{lang|zh-tw|江湖}} Jiang Hu (Dec 2013)
* {{lang|zh-tw|江湖}} Jiang Hu (Dec 2013)
* {{lang|zh-tw|賽貂蟬}} My Farewell Lady (Mar 2019)
* {{lang|zh-tw|少年}} The Younger Me (Dec 2019)
* {{lang|zh-tw|少年}} The Younger Me (Dec 2019)
* {{lang|zh-tw|我把人生唱成一首給你的歌}} A Song for You (Feb 2020)


===Cantonese albums===
===Cantonese studio albums===
*{{lang|zh-hk|有弦相聚(真的周华健)}} Music Brings Us Together (Otc 1994)
*{{lang|zh-hk|有弦相聚(真的周华健)}} Music Brings Us Together (Oct 1994)
*{{lang|zh-hk|弦途有你(真的周华健 Ⅱ)}} (Apr 1995)
*{{lang|zh-hk|弦途有你(真的周华健 II)}} You Stand By Me (Apr 1995)
*{{lang|zh-hk|弦弦全全(真的周华健·完满篇)}} (Dec 1995)
*{{lang|zh-hk|弦弦全全(真的周华健·完满篇)}} Completely (Dec 1995)
*{{lang|zh-hk|弦猶在耳}} Emil's Live Moments (Jun 1996)
*{{lang|zh-hk|生·生活}} Living With Emil Chau (Dec 1996)
*{{lang|zh-hk|生·生活}} Living With Emil Chau (Dec 1996)
*{{lang|zh-hk|世界由你我開始}} (Otc 1997)
*{{lang|zh-hk|世界由你我開始}} The World Begins With Us (Oct 1997)
*{{lang|zh-hk|聽健}} (Feb 1998)


===English albums===
===English studio albums===
*Sad Without You (Sep 1988)
*Sad Without You (Sep 1988)
*Blue Bird (Feb 1991)
*Blue Bird (Feb 1991)
*I Remember (May 1992)
*I Remember (May 1992)
*Songs of Birds (Aug 1993)
*Songs of Birds (Aug 1993)
*Forever Young (Best Collection) (Jun 1996)
*My Oh My (Feb 2001)
*My Oh My (Feb 2001)

*My Favorite Songs (May 2002)
===Collaborations===
* "[[Beijing Welcomes You]]" (2008) with various artists (only [[Sony Music Taiwan]])
* "I Love You Suddenly" (2009) with [[Della Ding]] - ''[[Autumn's Concerto]]'' ending theme


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
Line 117: Line 104:
*1997: ''[[All's Well, Ends Well 1997]]'' - Long
*1997: ''[[All's Well, Ends Well 1997]]'' - Long
*1997: ({{lang|zh|知解時空}})
*1997: ({{lang|zh|知解時空}})
*1997: ''[[Walk In]]'' ({{lang|zh|奪舍}})
*1997: ''[[Walk In (film)|Walk In]]'' ({{lang|zh|奪舍}})
*1997: ''[[Spicy Love Soup]]'' ({{lang|zh|愛情麻辣燙}}) - Neighbor
*1997: ''[[Spicy Love Soup]]'' ({{lang|zh|愛情麻辣燙}}) - Neighbor
*1999: ''[[Gorgeous (film)|Gorgeous]]'' ({{lang|zh|玻璃樽}}) - L.W. Lo
*1999: ''[[Gorgeous (film)|Gorgeous]]'' ({{lang|zh|玻璃樽}}) - L.W. Lo
Line 126: Line 113:


<ref name="one">{{Cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0154235/ |title=Wakin Chau
<ref name="one">{{Cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0154235/ |title=Wakin Chau
|accessdate=17 April 2010 |publisher=imdb.com}}</ref>
|access-date=17 April 2010 |publisher=imdb.com}}</ref><ref name="two">{{Cite web |url=http://chinesemov.com/actors/Emil%20Chau.html |title=Wakin Chau |access-date=17 April 2010 |publisher=chinesemov.com}}</ref>
<ref name="two">{{Cite web |url=http://chinesemov.com/actors/Emil%20Chau.html |title=Wakin Chau |accessdate=17 April 2010 |publisher=chinesemov.com}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 133: Line 119:


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Facebook|wakinchauofficial}}
* {{Instagram|wakinchauchannel}}
*[http://www.wakin.com/ Wakin.com] (Big5-code; his personal website in Taiwan)
*[http://www.wakin.com/ Wakin.com] (Big5-code; his personal website in Taiwan)
*[http://wakinchau.com/ True Blue Emil's Page] (Hong Kong, Big5-code)
*[http://wakinchau.com/ True Blue Emil's Page] (Hong Kong, Big5-code)
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[[Category:Hong Kong Mandopop singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Hong Kong Mandopop singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Hong Kong male film actors]]
[[Category:Hong Kong male film actors]]
[[Category:Hong Kong people of Chaoshanese descent]]
[[Category:Hong Kong emigrants to Taiwan]]
[[Category:Taiwanese people of Hong Kong descent]]
[[Category:Taiwanese people of Hong Kong descent]]
[[Category:Cantonese people]]
[[Category:Cantonese people]]

Latest revision as of 19:40, 16 November 2024

Wakin "Emil" Chau
周華健
Wakin Chau in concert 2007
Born (1960-12-22) 22 December 1960 (age 63)
Sai Ying Pun, British Hong Kong
EducationNational Taiwan University (BS)
Occupation(s)Singer, actor
Years active1985–present
SpouseConstance Woods (American)[1]
Children2[1]
AwardsGolden Melody Awards – Best Male Mandarin Artist
1993

Chinese name
Traditional Chinese周華健
Simplified Chinese周华健
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZhōu Huájiàn
Yue: Cantonese
JyutpingZau1 Wa4 Gin6
Musical career
Also known asEmil Chau, Wakin Chau, Chou Hua-Chien, Zhou Huajian, Chau Wah-Kin
OriginHong Kong
GenresMandopop, Cantopop
LabelsRock Records
WebsiteWakin.com

Wakin Chau (Chinese: 周华健; pinyin: Zhōu Huájiàn; Jyutping: Zau1 Waa4 Gin6; born 22 December 1960), better known by his stage name Emil Chau during the 1980s and 1990s, is a Hong Kong-born Taiwanese singer and actor, popular throughout Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mainland China, and parts of Southeast Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam). As of 2007, he has released more than 40 albums.

Early life

[edit]

Wakin Chau was born in a rice store owned by his family at Sai Ying Pun in Hong Kong, the fourth son of seven children.[1] He began learning the guitar when he was about 13 years old. In 1979, he left for Taipei to major in mathematics at National Taiwan University. While at college he sang and played folk songs in local coffee shops, learning to sing in Mandarin.[1]

Music career

[edit]

Hoping to establish a career as a recording artist, Chau sought contacts in the music industry, but after a lack of success, eventually signed on as an assistant producer at Rock Records, where he wrote pop songs for other artists. He was later encouraged by Chyi Yu to perform jingles for commercial advertisements. One of his jingles for a car commercial was heard by his boss at Rock, who recognised his voice and gave him a chance to record a Mandarin album, released on Rock Records in 1987.

From 1985, under the name Emil Chau, he has released more than 40 albums in Mandarin, Cantonese and English. His platinum albums, including You Make Me Happy and Sad (讓我歡喜讓我憂), The Flowery Heart (花·心), Music Brings Us Together (有弦相聚) and Emil & Friends (朋友) have won awards in Taiwan, Mainland China, Hong Kong and Singapore.[which?][citation needed] Chau reverted to using his given name Wakin in 1999.

Chau formed the four-member supergroup Superband, along with Jonathan Lee, Chang Chen-yue and Lo Ta-yu. They disbanded and resumed their solo careers in 2010.

Other activities

[edit]

Chau has also appeared in some films, and on TV and radio programs in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan. Alongside his singing career, he is a restaurateur and is active in international charitable causes, such as kidney dialysis charities in Singapore, the January 2002 "Take a Deep Breath" concert in Taipei to raise money for local health-care organisations, Beijing's 4th Grand Charity Drive for Children in 2005, and Jackie Chan's all-star concerts in Las Vegas.

Discography

[edit]

Mandarin studio albums

[edit]
  • 最後圓舞曲 The Last Waltz (Feb 1985)
  • 心的方向 Direction of the Heart (Jul 1987)
  • 我付出我的真愛 我實現我的夢 I Gave My Love I Realized My Dream (Aug 1988)
  • 期待更多 付出更多 The More You Give the More You Expect (Jan 1989)
  • 最真的夢 The Truest Dream (Nov 1989)
  • 不願一個人 I Don't Want to Be Alone (Dec 1990)
  • 讓我歡喜讓我憂 You Make Me Happy and Sad (Nov 1991)
  • 花·心 The Flowery Heart (Apr 1993)
  • 風雨無阻 Nothing Will Stop Me From Loving You (Jun 1994)
  • 我願意去等 I Am Willing to Go Soon (Feb 1995)
  • 愛相隨 Love Follows Us (Jul 1995)
  • 愛的光 Light of Love (Feb 1996)
  • 朋友 Emil & Friends (Apr 1997)
  • 有故事的人 Story Teller (Aug 1998)
  • 現在 Now (Nov 1999)
  • 忘憂草 Day Lilies (Otc 2001)
  • 一起吃苦的幸福 Love Hotel (Jul 2003)
  • 雨人 Wakin in the Rain (Mar 2006)
  • 花旦 Diva (May 2011)
  • 江湖 Jiang Hu (Dec 2013)
  • 少年 The Younger Me (Dec 2019)

Cantonese studio albums

[edit]
  • 有弦相聚(真的周华健) Music Brings Us Together (Oct 1994)
  • 弦途有你(真的周华健 II) You Stand By Me (Apr 1995)
  • 弦弦全全(真的周华健·完满篇) Completely (Dec 1995)
  • 生·生活 Living With Emil Chau (Dec 1996)
  • 世界由你我開始 The World Begins With Us (Oct 1997)

English studio albums

[edit]
  • Sad Without You (Sep 1988)
  • Blue Bird (Feb 1991)
  • I Remember (May 1992)
  • Songs of Birds (Aug 1993)
  • My Oh My (Feb 2001)

Collaborations

[edit]

Filmography

[edit]

[2][3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Faith Wong (May 9, 2017) Music business is not for my daughter, says Wakin Chau. todayonline.com
  2. ^ "Wakin Chau". imdb.com. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
  3. ^ "Wakin Chau". chinesemov.com. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
[edit]
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