It is with deep sadness that we mourn the passing of Joseph Koo (Master Koo), the ‘Godfather of Cantopop’ on 3 January, 2023. It is a huge loss to both the Society and all musicians in the Hong Kong music scene.

Master Koo’s music career has lasted over half a century with countless classic works, and his songs have enjoyed great popularity. Originated by Master Koo, a new Cantopop genre incorporating Chinese tunes into pop songs swept through the entire Chinese society in the 1970s and 1980s and made great contributions to Hong Kong pop music. The theme songs of TV dramas he created are deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and everyone is familiar with them, including ‘Ti Xiao Yin Yuan’, ‘Kuang Chao’, ‘Yi Tian Tu Long Ji’, ‘Shi Zi Shan Xia’, ‘Shang Hai Tan’, ‘Liang Wang Yan Shui Li’, ‘Wan Shui Qian Shan Zong Heng’ and many more.

Being a founding member of the Society, Master Koo has contributed a lot to the promotion of music creation and copyright in Hong Kong. In 1997, he was awarded the ‘CASH Hall of Fame Award’ by the Society. Master Koo had also maintained contact with the Society over the years and spared no effort to support the younger generations. In 2009, Master Koo and the Society launched the ‘Joseph Koo New Generation Award’ in recognition of local new generation musicians who made outstanding achievements in the music scene.

Master Koo was friendly and easygoing. Every CASH colleague who had come into contact with him would praise his musical talent and shall never forget his kind attitude towards people. We will always remember Master Koo’s great contribution to the Hong Kong pop music scene, as well as his selfless spirit in supporting the younger generation. May Master Koo rest in peace, and we would like to express our deepest condolences to Master Koo’s family.