‘Godfather of Canto-pop’ Joseph Koo passes away in Vancouver

In Vancouver, Joseph Koo wasn’t well known outside music circles in the Chinese community. But in Hong Kong he was a star, a household name during the golden era of Canto-pop in the 1970s and ’80s.

Author of over 1,200 songs, he was dubbed “The Godfather of Canto-pop.” He also wrote soundtracks for Bruce Lee movies like Fist of Fury and Enter the Dragon, and wrote the themes and music for many TV series, such as a popular nightly variety show, Enjoy Yourself Tonight.

Koo moved in Vancouver in the early 1990s, and travelled back and forth between Vancouver and Hong Kong. He retired here about four years ago, and died of natural causes at Richmond Hospital Jan. 4 at the age of 92.

Joseph Koo Ka-fai was born Jan. 9, 1931 in Guangzhou, China. His older sister Koo Mei left China to become an actress in Hong Kong after the Second World War, and after she became established the rest of the family followed.

His sister was part of the Shaw Brothers movie studio, and had a music teacher who taught Koo piano.