One of Hong Kong’s most respected composers, Joseph Koo, has died at the age of 92.

His death was confirmed by Canadian-Cantonese TV channel Fairchild TV on Wednesday. According to the outlet, Koo moved to Vancouver with his wife in 2018.

Koo was best known for composing the theme tune for the RTHK drama series, “Below the Lion Rock”.

He also wrote the theme song for Bruce Lee's last and incomplete movie “Game of Death”, the theme tune for the classic TV show "The Bund", as well as the theme song for the landmark film "A Better Tomorrow".

Koo was born in Guangzhou in February 1931 and his family moved to Hong Kong in 1948.

His sister was the famous singer Koo Mei.

After graduating from the Berklee College of Music in the 60s, he returned to Hong Kong and worked for the Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest movies studios.

He joined TVB as director of music in the 70s, and composed hundreds of well-known Cantopop songs and TV theme tunes, often alongside the late lyricist Wong Jim.

Koo received numerous awards, including the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1982, and the Gold Bauhinia Star in 2015.

Culture secretary Kevin Yeung expressed deep sadness over Koo’s passing, saying he has made important contributions to Hong Kong's pop culture.

Yeung described Koo's songs as a "timeless legacy" that has enriched the lives of many generations.

Meanwhile, a Hong Kong Studies professor with the University of Hong Kong, Stephen Chu, called Koo a "trend setter".

"Actually before the 1970s, Cantopop was kind of marginalised, because even Hong Kong people would consider English pop songs or even Mandarin pop songs to be superior to Cantonese pop songs. Koo made a very important contribution to the rise of Cantopop," he said.

In particular, Chu said one of Koo's most famous piece, "Below the Lion Rock", has inspired many Hong Kong people.

"Cantonese pop songs became one of the most important sources of Hong Kong people's cultural identity, and I think Koo played a very important part in these kinds of constructions... the so-called 'staying in the same boat' spirit became a very important spirit that inspired Hong Kong people for many years."
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Last updated: 2023-01-04 HKT 15:41