Kong Ling (; born c. 1935) was a 1960s Hong Kong–based singing star and recording artist who sang in various genres, including Jazz, Cha cha, Hong Kong English pop, Rock and roll and Pop music. She had also recorded with the popular Hong Kong pop group The Fabulous Echoes.
Background Kong Ling's real name is Kong Yan Lai (江欣麗). In 1951, she won an inter-school singing competition for her cover of Jo Stafford's "Congratulations" song. She started her professional career in 1954 which led to her touring Singapore for nine months. Due to the success from that she returned to Hong Kong and was in demand. In Hong Kong, she became known as the "Sweetheart of Hong Kong."m.review33.com Kong Ling - More than I can sayPopsike Off-Beat Cha Cha - Kong Ling / RARE HONG KONG IMPORT / DIAMOND STEREO EXOTICA
Along with the Celso Carrillo band, she recorded an album for the Diamond label. The name of the album was Hong Kong Presents ..... Off-Beat Cha Cha. The album was a Jazz / Cha Cha type of record with Carrillo playing piano, conga and cow bell on various tracks.Discogs Kong Ling* – Hong Kong Presents Off-Beat Cha Cha Carrillo who was Hong Kong's leading pianist would later work on Mona Fong's album for the same label.Muzikland June 30, 2006 Mona Fong - Mona Fong Meets Carding Cruz
In 1961, she was a guest on the Arthur Godfrey show.St. Petersburg Times July 16, 1961 Godfrey: No Network Plans The show that aired in May 1961 featured Kong Ling, Johnny Nash, The McGuire Sisters, Erroll Garner and Buddy Hackett.The Hour May 13, 1961 TV-EIGHT Friday Television Program In October of that year she was in New York as part of a six-month contract to do radio and television appearances. She was contracted to the Columbia Broadcasting System.Billboard October 23, 1961 Page 42 Hong Kong, Comings & Goings Along with Rebecca Pam she had recorded for the Diamond Music Company.Billboard December 15, 1962 Page 30 Trade Talk Backed by the Fabulous Echoes, her version of "Al Di La" and by September 22, 1962, it had been leading on the Hong Kong best selling charts for three weeks.Billboard September 22, 1962 Page 80 International News, Hong Kong, New 'Al Di La Overtakes Old by Karl Myatt Prior to that her first album that she cut for the Diamond label had been a best seller in Hong Kong and the far East.Billboard October 16, 1961 Hong Kong
Discography (selective) "I Love You Baby" / ? – Diamond D.76 "Let's Twist Again" / "Why Not Now" – Diamond D 178 – (1964)Discogs Kong Ling, Discography "I've Told Every Little Star" / "Al Di La" – Diamond
EP Kong Ling Sings Your Favorites – Diamond DEP 001 – (1964) Kong Ling - Diamond DEP 005 – (1965) Kong Ling Vol. 3 – Diamond DEP 011Discogs Kong Ling, Discography
Album Hong Kong Presents ..... Off-Beat Cha Cha - Diamond SLP 1000Discogs Kong Ling, Discography Kong Ling with The Diamond Music Co. Studio Orchestra Theme For A Dream – Diamond LP 1005Discogs Kong Ling, Discography Kong Ling & The Fabulous Echoes Kong Ling & The Fabulous Echoes Vol. 2 – Diamond LP 1011 Kong Ling & The Fabulous Echoes Vol. 2 – Diamond 1781340 – (2008) (Compact Disc)Discogs Kong Ling, Discography Kong Ling + The Fabulous Echoes & Vic Christobel Dynamite – Diamond SLP 1008
References
External links Kong Ling at Singapore 60's Pop Music Hall of Fame