Renowned figure in the Hong Kong music industry and talented lyricist-actor, Peter (also known as Leung Sai Sow), passed away on August 5th at the age of 76. His close friend, Chung Chi Kwong, confirmed the sad news to the media, revealing that Peter had been bedridden since suffering a stroke in March, with his health deteriorating progressively.
In an interview with “Sing Tao Headlines,” artist Chung Chi Kwong spoke solemnly about Peter’s health before his passing. He shared that Peter had been in poor health in his later years and had been residing in a nursing home since the beginning of the year. In the early hours of March 1st, Peter collapsed due to a stroke while in the facility and had been bedridden for recuperation since. Recalling a visit on Peter’s birthday on May 13th, Chung Chi Kwong mentioned that he sang a birthday song for Peter, but received no response as Peter was unresponsive. Chung Chi Kwong reminisced that just a few days before Peter’s stroke, they had tea together, and Peter seemed in good spirits, with no indication of the eventual separation, hence leaving no final words.
Peter was a significant figure in the Hong Kong music scene. Despite having only a fifth-grade education, his love for Cantonese opera and early exposure to theatrical performances contributed to his heightened Chinese language proficiency. Orphaned at the age of nine, Peter later worked as a private driver and submitted articles during his leisure time, eventually writing a column for the “Young People Weekly” under the title “Driver Chekov’s Memoirs.” With his talent and hard work, Peter made a name for himself in the world of lyricism.
In the 1970s, Peter collaborated with Sam Hui, creating popular songs such as “Wanderer’s Heart,” “Half A Catty, Eight Taels,” “The Heroic Legends of Mahjong,” “Shallow Smile in the Pear Blossom,” and “The Contract.” His lyrics for Sam Hui often depicted grassroots life, using colloquial, vivid, humorous, and satirical language that resonated with the public, becoming a cultural landmark of the era and earning him the title of “Witty Lyricist.”
In addition to Sam Hui, Peter’s talent attracted numerous other superstars like Alan Tam, Leslie Cheung, Roman Tam, and Anita Mui to collaborate with him. He showcased a diverse range of styles in songs like “Goddess of Love,” “A Wild Goose on the Horizon,” “Late-arriving Spring,” “Monica,” “The First Time,” and “Splitting the Iceberg,” which have become timeless classics still celebrated today.
Peter’s prolific output of over three hundred lyrics spanned the golden period of the Cantonese pop music scene, making remarkable contributions to Hong Kong’s popular culture.
Beyond his role as a lyricist, Peter also worked as a scriptwriter, film producer, creative manager at the Shaw Brothers Studio and Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), and was a familiar face in Hong Kong as a “licorice actor.” Since the 1980s, he appeared in numerous TV series and films, often portraying grassroots, comedic characters. His portrayal of “Uncle Leopard” in TVB’s long-running series “Wonder Women” endeared him to audiences, becoming an unforgettable character.