The night’s big winner, Hong Kong’s Sandy Lam, was a no-show. -- PHOTO: UNIVERSAL MUSIC
Hong Kong singer Sandy Lam swept the Golden Melody awards at the Taipei Arena last night, in a triumphant comeback after a six-year hiatus from the music scene.
But in a glittery awards night peppered with the brightest talents in the Chinese music scene, the reclusive Lam was nowhere in sight.
Receiving the awards on her behalf were record company representative Chen Ailing and Shilei Chang, her co-producer on Gaia, her long awaited work that netted Best Album.
In her thank-you note, read out loud at the ceremony, the ever-mysterious Lam apologised for her absence but did not explain it.
"Thank you, judges," read her note.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be there this time to receive the award myself. I would like to thank the teachers that I've had along my journey and every music co-worker I've had. Thank you. Love, Sandy."
A beaming Jolin Tsai with her trophy for Best Song of the Year at the 24th Golden Melody Awards in Taipei. -- PHOTO: AFP
Other than best album and best producer, the 47-year-old singer was also crowned Best Mandarin Female Singer, beating the massively popular Jolin Tsai, 32, who last won the award in 2007.
Victory would have been especially sweet this year as the stiff competition meant that the field of nominees had been widened to six from the usual five.
Lam had been nominated for a total of six categories and hopes had been high that she would emerge a big winner.
THE WINNERS
Best Song of the Year
"The Artist" by Jolin Tsai
Best Mandarin Album
Gaia by Sandy Lam
A pleased Taiwanese singer Jam Hsiao was Best Mandarin Male Artist. -- PHOTO: REUTER
Best Mandarin Male Singer
Jam Hsiao
Best Mandarin Female Singer
Sandy Lam
Taiwanese band Monkey Pilot walked away with the Best Band award. -- PHOTO: REUTER
Best Band
Monkey Pilot
Best Album Producer
Jointly won by Sandy Lam and Shilei Chang, for Gaia
This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on July 7, 2013. For similar stories, go to sph.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore. You will not be able to access the Premium section of The Straits Times website unless you are already a subscriber.