Wakin's World

News from around the world concerning our hero! 

Archives 2007:  

August 2008

• Wakin (aka Emil Chau) will be performing in the opening ceremonies of the Olympics! Article at WakinChau.com regarding dress rehearsal. (Chinese)

• Wakin, along with Jonathan Li, Luo Dayou and Zhang Zhenyue have announced their plan to form a new band.  The new band, a Super Group much like the Traveling Wilburys,  will be called Zong Guan Xian. The band's formation was announced formally in Taipei, Taiwan on 7/25, along with plans for a concert tour and a new album! 

  • Collection of articles announcing the band's formation at WakinChau.com  (Chinese)

  • News article comparing Zong Guan Xian to the Traveling Wilburys  (Chinese)

• Wakin granted an interview on 7/29.  Topics of conversation include how much Wakin is looking forward to the upcoming Olympics--Andrew's participation, and touring the Bird's Nest, etc.  He also talks about Zong Guan Xian,(the new Super Group) and announces they will begin performing with him in Beijing on 11/21. Other topics include tentative plans for a concert on the roof, ala Let It Be!  

  • Interview with Wakin 7/29 at Sina.com  (Chinese)

•  Wakin and Andrew volunteer as translators for the Olympic games, information about his upcoming Asian tour  (Chinese)  Wakin will be touring Asia beginning in September in Shanghai.  He will visit Beijing, Harbin, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Singapore also!

•   Wakin leads a guided tour through the Bird's Nest stadium. (Chinese)  

July 2008

• On July 5, 2008, Wakin took to the stage in Taipei, Taiwan for the 19th Session of Taiwan Jin Qujiang with fellow artists Luo Dayou and Jonathan Li. The Sina articles listed below have some nice pictures of the event:

  • "Group chart: Luo Dayou, Zhou Huajian, Li Zongsheng raises the high tide with Taiwan musical world eldest brothers". (In Chinese)

  • "Attempts the article: Zhou Huajian goes on stage sings starts the scene first high tide" (In Chinese)

  • "Attempts the article: Zhou Huajian and Li Zongsheng's is rousing on field performance" (In Chinese) 

   

• Wakin, Jonathan Li and other celebrity entertainers were aboard a historic Beijing to Taipei direct flight on July 4. For the first time since 1949, direct flights have been opened between Taiwan and mainland China, making tourism and business flights shorter and more convenient. "Zhou Huajian, Su Youpeng, Jia Jingwen experiences flies straight, approves, convenience quick (figure)" (In Chinese)

  • More about the historic direct flights from the Associated Press:

    • China-Taiwan Direct Flights Begin, 

    • Direct Flights Between Taiwan-China begin, 

    • Historic China - Taiwan Flights take off

• On July 3, 2008 Wakin, who is referred to throughout the Olympic site as Emil Chau, was part of an all-star lineup who performed at a music festival celebrating the upcoming Olympic games. Wakin sang a duet with Olympic torchbearer Jin Jing at the prestigious event, which was a part of the Olympic Cultural Festival held in anticipation of the onset of the Olympic Games in August. There's a great picture of Wakin (Emil Chau) with Jin Jing in the linked article.  "Four Thousand Chinese Sing Tributes to Olympics"

• Wakin has also recently been hard at work with singer Fan Weiqi, recording two duets to be released on Fan's upcoming new album. Fan Weiqi, who grew up listening to Wakin's music, invited him to appear in the tracks after performing with him in his Los Angeles, CA, concert in November of 2007. Songs "If You Were I" and "I Will Marry You Tomorrow" will feature both singers, presenting the idea of love from the male and female perspective. "Fan Weiqi, Zhou Huajian to will to sing 'I Want to Marry You Tomorrow' becomes a Buddhist get to know", (In Chinese)

  • A few more articles about Wakin's collaboration with Fan Weiqi, along with some really nice pictures:

    • Behind the scenes, making of the music video (video file)

     

    •  "Zhou Huajian, Fan Weiqi annotates hand in hand for the first time, 'If You Are I' (figure) (2)" (In Chinese)

     

    •  "Zhou Huajian testimony both banks fly straight on July 4 to return to Taiwan participate in Jin Qujiang (figure)" (In Chinese)

     

June 2008:

June, 2008

Dear Friends of Wakin-Chau.us,

I would like to apologize for the long delay in updates.     

When I finally sat down to do some work on the site, I was shocked to find that so much time has passed between now and the last time I submitted an update. They say that time flies when you're having fun.  Well, I'm here to tell you that unfortunately, sometimes it flies when you're NOT having fun, too.

Because of the time lapse, I'd like to offer you a brief explanation of what has happened to create my absence.

Late in April 2008, my youngest brother passed away at the age of 26.  His death was sudden, unexpected, untimely and tragic. 

Obviously, this has been a terribly painful time in my life. The past few months have gone by me in what feels like only enough time to sneeze.  Everything from late April to the time of this writing in late June is a blur of funeral arrangements and final details, mixed with a sense of total unreality.  When I look up and realize what the date is, I'm stunned.  I can't believe it's been so long since this happened.  I'm still very much in shock over his death, and having a hard time not only keeping track of time but of everything else, too. 

Please accept, therefore, my sincere apology for the lapse in updates.  I am working right now on getting caught up, and I should have some new information up here soon.

Best Wishes,

Webmaster, Wakin-Chau.us.

April 2008:

• On April 30, 2008, Wakin (Emil Chau), along with Jackie Chan, Wang Lee-Hom, Gigi Leung and other celebrated artists performed in a gala event marking the last 100 days before the Olympic games.  At the celebration, theme songs for the Torch Relay and Olympic Volunteers were revealed, including "I Am a Star", the theme song of the Olympic Volunteers created by Wakin (Emil Chau) and Lam Jik.   "Singers Celebrate 100-day Olympic countdown at Tai Miao"

Along that line, here's more about the songs that were debuted that night: "Theme Songs for Olympic Torch Relay, Volunteers Unveiled on 100-day Countdown"

March 2008:

Some Very Sad News....

• Zheng Laoshi, Wakin's longtime bassist and good friend, passed away on March 21, 2008 after a long battle with cancer.  He was 52.  A very nice tribute in photos can be found at the Wakin Weekend Society website in Japan (2EZone), and there is a press release at WakinChau.com  in Hong Kong.  (Original Chinese Language Version)  Our deepest sympathy, support, love and prayers for his family, friends and loved ones, including Wakin and his other very good friends at Stars Ferry.  May The Peace That Passes All Understanding be with you during this difficult time.

February 2008:

• Wakin's double-header concerts in Perth and Melbourne, Australia in early February were a fabulous success! Some beautiful PHOTOS are up and posted in the gallery of the Australian fans' website, Wakin. netfirms. com.  Go by and enjoy!

January, 2008:

• Another very nice article about Wakin's song, "I Am a Star" can be found on the official website of the '08 Beijing Olympic Games--this time in real, non-babelfished English!  The article also contains a handful of nice photos.  Many thanks to Cheryl for finding this one! 

• The music video for Wakin's song, "I Am a Star", was aired across China for the first time on January 20, 2008.  "I Am a Star" features words by poet Lin Xi, with music composed and performed by Wakin to encourage volunteerism at the upcoming 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.  Some nice pictures of Wakin, along with some Olympic Games volunteer youth at a special promotional event can be found here.

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