George Leong's Discontent with the Music Industry

SINGAPORE – Veteran composer and musician George Leong has stirred controversy with a recent Facebook post where he expressed deep disappointment with the music industry and called out fellow local musician Dick Lee, branding him as "self-centred." The 54-year-old Leong, well-known for his work in Mandopop and Cantopop, revealed a surprising level of frustration about his career and the recognition he feels he has been denied.

Iconic Albums in the Trash

On January 6, Leong shared striking images of Hong Kong singer Sandy Lam’s album *Love, Sandy* and late superstar Leslie Cheung’s *Most Beloved* in the trash, stating that he was discarding both masterpieces despite their monumental significance in his career. "These were the most monumental records I had worked on," he lamented, despite their prolific impact back in 1995.

Bittersweet Career Journey

Leong, who made a name for himself as a producer under the Taiwan-based Rock Records label, described his journey through music as increasingly bittersweet. "The passion I’ve poured into music and my portfolio of over 2,000 works seem like little in the grand scheme of things," he wrote, emphasizing a sense of undervaluation and disillusionment. He criticized an industry that prioritizes cheap deals over quality and questioned the sincerity of the praises he occasionally receives.

Calling out Dick Lee

The seasoned composer called out Dick Lee, famed for his composition of Cheung's renowned song *Chase*, for allegedly forgetting Leong's involvement as the arranger of the piece. "Even Dick Lee, whose royalties from *Chase* could fill bank accounts for years, didn’t realize I was behind the arrangement until I reminded him in 2016," he added. He expressed disappointment that to this day, Lee still performs an arrangement by the late Iskandar Ismail, which Leong feels doesn’t do justice to the emotional weight of the song.

Dick Lee's Response

Lee, 68, responded to Leong’s diatribe with words of encouragement, recognizing him as a "brilliant and talented musician" yet maintaining a gentle admonishment. "We all have a love-hate relationship with music... don't deny that it is part of you," Lee suggested, encouraging Leong to continue expressing his musicality.

Leong's Resolution

However, Leong remained unmoved by Lee's comments, dismissing him as "wishful thinking" and asserting that he would never collaborate with him again due to what he perceives as Lee’s self-centeredness.

Moving Forward with a Memoir

In his reflection, Leong has decided to sever ties with the negativity of the industry, acknowledging that it no longer pays his bills and is not sustainable for his future. "My New Year’s resolution is to let go of the hope that I can sustain a career in music production," he declared.

Anticipation for Memoir

Additionally, Leong hinted at potentially writing a memoir detailing his 30-plus years in the music scene, promising to reveal "the good, the bad, the ugly, and the scandalous." This memoir would encompass experiences across the music industries of Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan, including tales of "famous composer-producers" who he believes lack fundamental music theory but have excelled in their careers nonetheless.

Support from Followers

His followers expressed their support and encouraged him to embark on this writing journey, marking a significant turning point in Leong’s storied career in the music industry. As he contemplates this next chapter, fans eagerly await what he might reveal in his forthcoming memoir.