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Lowell Lo
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Key Information

Lowell Lo Kwun Ting (Chinese: 盧冠廷, born 12 October 1950) is a Hong Kong singer-songwriter, actor and film composer. He wrote the film scores to many Hong Kong films, and in particular, the theme music of the Hong Kong Film Awards. He is now also an environmental activist.

Early life

[edit]

Lowell Lo Kwun Ting was born on 12 October 1950 in Hong Kong. Both his parents are opera singers. At the age of 16, he and his family moved to Seattle in the United States. There, he was a family friend of Bruce Lee. In 1977, he returned to Hong Kong.[1]

Filmography

[edit]

Films

[edit]
  • Find Your Voice (2019)
  • Sons of the Neon Night (2019)
  • Crossing Hennessy (2010)
  • Black Rose II (1997)
  • How to Meet the Lucky Stars (1996)
  • Spider Woman (1995)
  • She Shoots Straight (1990)
  • Magnificent Warriors (1987)

[2] [3]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Lowell Lo

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from Grokipedia
Lowell Lo (Chinese: 盧冠廷; born 1950) is a , , and film composer renowned for his contributions to music and cinema, particularly through composing scores and theme songs for over 100 films during the and 1990s. Born in as the son of renowned artist Lo Hoi-tin, he grew up in a family from , , and was raised by his grandmother after his parents emigrated to the . As a dyslexic child who struggled academically and attended boarding school, Lo found solace and confidence in music, eventually moving to at age 16 where he lived modestly while studying at a music academy and purchasing his first . Lo's career breakthrough came in 1977 when he won the grand prize at the American Song Festival, prompting his return to where he released his debut album as a in 1983 and began focusing on film composition in the early 1990s. His notable film scores include works for My Little Sentimental Friend (1984), An Autumn's Tale (1987), (1987), The Killer (1989), A Chinese Odyssey Part Two: Cinderella (1995), (2001), and Little Q (2019), alongside acting roles in films such as (1985) and It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World II (1988). He also composed the iconic theme music for the Hong Kong Film Awards ceremonies. Lo's accolades include three Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Original Film Song—for Passion (1986), Pedicab Driver (1989), and (2010)—as well as the Golden Horse Award for Best Original Film Score for (1988). In his later career, Lo shifted focus toward environmental following a 1998 of multiple chemical sensitivities, which he attributed to exposure to toxic emissions; this led him to advocate for green living, open a shop selling eco-friendly products in Sai Kung in 2003, and release albums like Movie to Music in 2015 that revisited his compositions. Throughout his multifaceted career, Lo has emphasized perseverance, stating that "setbacks are important to achieving eventual success."

Early life

Family background

Lowell Lo was born Lo Kwok-fu on October 12, 1950, in , to a family from , . His parents were both Cantonese opera singers, with his father, Lo Hoi-tin (also known as Lo Hai-tin), being a renowned in the field. After his parents emigrated to the , Lo was raised by his grandmother. This familial immersion in profoundly shaped Lo's early interest in music and performance, as he later reflected that the tradition was "in [his] blood." Lo grew up in a musically oriented household in post-war , where the were central to daily life. Additionally, Lo's family had ties to notable figures in Hong Kong's cultural scene; he grew up as childhood pals with martial arts icon during his early years in the city.

Education and relocation

As a dyslexic child who struggled academically, Lo attended a primary , where teachers initially perceived him as lazy. He found solace and confidence in music despite these challenges. At the age of 16 in the late 1960s, Lo relocated from Hong Kong to Seattle, Washington, to join his parents who had immigrated earlier. Sponsored by restaurateur Ruby Chow, he lived in the attic of her Chinatown establishment—where Bruce Lee had previously resided—and took on jobs such as dishwashing to support himself while adjusting to life in a new country. This move exposed him to a diverse cultural landscape, far removed from his early influences in Hong Kong's Cantonese opera tradition. In Seattle, he purchased his first electric guitar. During the 1970s, Lo pursued formal education in music while navigating the challenges of adaptation in Seattle's immigrant community. He studied at the and the , honing his skills in and composition amid an environment rich with American folk, soul, and rock influences from artists like . These years marked a period of personal growth, where he discovered his compositional talents through school activities and entered competitions, culminating in a grand prize win at the 1977 American Song Festival. In 1977, Lo returned to , drawn by emerging opportunities in the local entertainment industry that aligned with his burgeoning musical aspirations. This relocation bridged his American experiences back to his roots, setting the stage for his integration into Hong Kong's vibrant music scene without immediate professional commitments.

Career

Music career

Lowell Lo entered the music industry as a in 1983, releasing his debut album Tianniao (Sky Bird) through , which showcased his style and distinctive vocal delivery. This was followed later that year by Xiaozhen (Little Town), establishing his presence in the scene with introspective lyrics and melodic compositions. Throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s, Lo maintained strong affiliations with , releasing several acclaimed solo albums that highlighted his evolution as a versatile songwriter blending pop, folk, and elements. Notable works from this peak period include Pei Zhe Ni Zou (Accompanying You Walk) in 1986, featuring the titular that became a staple for its emotional resonance, and Dan Yuan Ren Chang Jiu (May We Last Forever) in 1988, known for its poetic themes of enduring love. In the early 1990s, he briefly associated with , collaborating on the 1993 album 2 x Man Life with Jonathan Lee, which included reflective tracks like "Wo (Men) Jiu Shi Zhe Yang" emphasizing personal introspection. His hit "Yisheng Suo Ai" (Love in a Lifetime) from 1995 further solidified his legacy, topping charts with its heartfelt melody and widespread radio play. Lo also composed the official theme music for the Hong Kong Film Awards, a recurring piece that underscored the ceremony's prestige and reflected his compositional skill beyond solo releases. In his early career, this work overlapped briefly with his emerging film scoring efforts, though he prioritized original songwriting. Following his commercial height in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Lo transitioned to less frequent music releases, opting for selective projects that allowed deeper personal expression amid his broadening interests. Post-1990s outputs included sporadic albums like Beyond Imagination in 2015 under Universal Music Hong Kong, featuring reimagined classics, and a notable comeback in 2016 with new material and live concerts at the Hong Kong Coliseum, marking his return to the stage after a period of reduced activity. Subsequent efforts, such as Together as One in 2023 and My Music . My Life in 2025, continued this selective approach, focusing on collaborative and nostalgic themes, with the latter accompanied by the "一生所愛演唱會2025" concert series.

Film composition

Lowell Lo entered the field of film composition in the mid-1980s, starting with theme songs for films produced by Cinema City Company Limited, including My Little Sentimental Friend (1984) and Merry Christmas (1984). He achieved early recognition with the full original soundtrack and theme song for (1985), followed by his score for Passion (1986), which earned him the Best Original Film Song award at the Hong Kong Film Awards. These initial works marked his transition from songwriting to cinematic scoring, where he often provided vocal performances that integrated seamlessly with the film's narrative. Lo's compositional style drew from his Cantopop roots, blending them with orchestral elements to suit action and drama genres prevalent in Hong Kong cinema. He incorporated traditional Chinese instruments such as the erhu, alongside influences from soul music, blues, jazz, and nostalgic melodies, creating emotionally resonant scores tailored to the films' themes and settings. Notable examples include his scores for God of Gamblers (1989), which captured the high-stakes energy of gambling dramas; The Killer (1989), enhancing the film's intense action sequences with a mix of tension-building orchestration and soulful undertones; and Pedicab Driver (1989), where his music underscored the blend of comedy and martial arts with lively, rhythmic arrangements. These contributions helped amplify the emotional and atmospheric impact of Hong Kong's action-oriented films during the era. At the peak of his productivity in the late and early 1990s, Lo composed scores for over 100 films, establishing himself as one of the most prolific composers in cinema and contributing to its of production. His work during this period, including scores for A Chinese Odyssey Part Two: Cinderella (1995) and Love and the City (1994), produced timeless tracks that became synonymous with the vibrant sound of the industry. Output diminished in the as Lo shifted focus to other pursuits, though he returned selectively with scores like (2001), infusing the comedy-action hybrid with upbeat, motivational themes, and (2010), a nostalgic that highlighted his enduring ability to evoke sentiment through melodic simplicity.

Acting career

Lowell Lo began his acting career in the mid-, initially taking on minor and comedic supporting roles in cinema, often appearing in ensemble alongside his primary work as a . One of his early recurring roles was as the character Mo-Mo in the popular It's a Mad, Mad World series, debuting in It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World II () and reprising it in sequels such as It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World III (1989) and It's a Mad Mad Mad World, Too (1992), where he contributed to the film's humorous family dynamics. Other notable appearances included roles like Chimp Chan in Chicken and Duck Talk () and Ma Hui in Lost Souls (1989), typically in lighthearted or ensemble parts that showcased his affable screen presence. Throughout the 1990s, Lo's acting output peaked, with around 20 credits in total across his career, many overlapping with his compositional duties and featuring him in varied supporting roles such as Lo Yau Choi in Happy Together (1989) and the piano player in Now You See It, Now You Don't (1992). This period marked a blend of comedic and character-driven parts, evolving from brief cameos to more integrated ensemble contributions. In his later career, Lo transitioned toward more dramatic and substantial roles, appearing as Loy's father (a ) in the family drama Crossing Hennessy (2010), which explored themes of loss and reconciliation. He continued this shift with the role of Headmaster Lo in the musical drama Find Your Voice (2019), portraying a mentor figure in a story about pursuing dreams through music. These performances highlighted his versatility beyond , often infusing characters with emotional depth drawn from his own artistic background.

Filmography

As composer

Lowell Lo has composed original scores and theme songs for over 100 films since the mid-, with his contributions spanning action, drama, and comedy genres during the industry's golden era in the late and . His as composer includes the following notable works, listed chronologically, with indications of award-winning scores and original song contributions where applicable:
YearFilm TitleNotes
1984My Little Sentimental FriendTheme song.
1985InfatuationOriginal score and theme song (pop classic featuring erhu melody).
1986PassionTheme song "Jui Oi Si Sui" ("Who is Most Loved"), winner of Best Original Film Song at the 6th Hong Kong Film Awards (1987).
1987An Autumn's TaleOriginal score.
1987Prison on FireTheme song.
1988Painted FacesOriginal score, winner of Best Original Film Score at the 25th Golden Horse Awards (1988).
1989God of GamblersOriginal score.
1989The KillerOriginal score.
1989Pedicab DriverTheme song "Pang Jeuk Oi" ("Relying on Love"), winner of Best Original Film Song at the 9th Hong Kong Film Awards (1990).
1992'92 The Legendary La Rose NoireOriginal score.
1994Love and the CityOriginal score.
1995A Chinese Odyssey Part Two: CinderellaTheme song.
2001Shaolin SoccerSongs.
2010Echoes of the RainbowTheme song, winner of Best Original Film Song at the 30th Hong Kong Film Awards (2011).
2019Little QOriginal score.
2021Once Upon a Time in Hong KongOriginal score.
No unreleased or minor works beyond these documented contributions are noted in available records.

As actor

Lowell Lo has 34 acting credits in Hong Kong cinema, spanning 1984 to 2025, where he primarily took on supporting roles and cameos that showcased his comedic timing and versatility. Notable collaborations include repeated pairings with in films like The Top Bet (1991), It's a Mad Mad Mad World Too! (1992), and How to Meet the Lucky Stars (1996). His acting appearances are listed chronologically below:
YearTitleRole
1984Aces Go Places - Our Man from Bond StreetTrain engineer
1985InfatuationTong Tai Chung
1985It's a Drink! It's a Bomb!Host of Sarsae game at fair
1986Rosa'Mustache' Lei Kung
1987Magnificent WarriorsYouda
1988It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World IIMao Mao (supporting role)
1988Couples, Couples, CouplesZhang Pao Niu (supporting role)
1988Chicken and Duck TalkChimp (cameo)
1988Heart to HeartsAlex's colleague (supporting role)
1988King of Stanley MarketHung (supporting role)
198818 TimesHigh Lo (supporting role)
1988Operation Pink SquadSDU Policeman (cameo)
1989Mr. CoconutPalm reader on TV (cameo)
1989It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World IIIMao (supporting role)
1989Pedicab DriverSan Cha Cake (supporting role)
1989Beyond the SunsetAllen (supporting role)
1989How to Be a Millionaire14 Knives (supporting role)
1989Mr. SunshineShao (supporting role)
1989Lost SoulsMa Hui (supporting role)
1989Happy TogetherLo Yau Choi (supporting role)
1990Doctor's HeartSuckling Ngau (supporting role)
1990Mortuary BluesMr. Lin (supporting role)
1991You Bet Your LifeLo Yu (supporting role)
1991The Top BetTai (supporting role)
1991The BanquetTaxi driver (cameo)
1992Now You See Love... Now You Don'tPiano man (cameo)
1992It's a Mad Mad Mad World Too!Lo (supporting role)
1995Spider WomanMalone (supporting role)
1996How to Meet the Lucky StarsWaiter (cameo)
1997Black Rose IICameo appearance
2010Crossing HennessyLoy's father (ghost) (supporting role)
2019The Love of ImmortalLiu Banxian (supporting role)
2020Find Your VoiceHeadmaster Lo (supporting role)
2025Sons of the Neon NightSupporting role

Awards and recognition

Hong Kong Film Awards

Lowell Lo garnered significant recognition at the Hong Kong Film Awards, with multiple nominations spanning categories from 1986 to 2010 that highlighted his prowess in film composition. These accolades, presented annually to honor outstanding achievements in Hong Kong cinema, underscored his innovative contributions to original scores and songs during a pivotal era for the local industry. In , Lo received nominations for Best Original Film Score and Best Original Film Song, marking his early breakthrough in the awards circuit and establishing him as a rising talent in cinematic music. Lo secured three wins for Best Original Film Song: in for "Who's the Most Beloved" from Passion, in for "Relying on Love" from Pedicab Driver, and in for "Echoes of the Rainbow" from the film . These victories, celebrated at ceremonies that drew attention from the film community, elevated his reputation as a whose emotionally resonant became integral to the success of key productions. Overall, Lo's consistent presence in the nominations—totaling over a dozen across Best Original Film Score and Best Original Film Song categories—reflected his enduring influence on cinema, where his work bridged traditional elements with film to enhance .

Other honors

In 1977, while studying , Lo won the grand prize in the amateur category of the American Song Festival for his composition "Sing Till the Morning," beating over 12,000 entrants from across the country. Earlier submissions to the same festival had also earned him five honorable mentions for English-language tracks, marking his early international recognition as a songwriter. During the 1980s and 1990s, Lo received acclaim from major labels including EMI, where he debuted with the folk-rock album Tianniao in 1983, praised for its innovative blend of styles that influenced Cantopop. His songwriting for artists under Rock Records further solidified his status, with tracks like those on his 1992 EMI album contributing to his reputation for timeless melodies in the industry. In 1988, Lo won the Golden Horse Award for Best Original Film Score for Painted Faces. In April 2025, Lo was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the ViuTV Chill Club Chart Award Presentation, honoring his enduring contributions to as a and . This recognition highlighted his role in retrospectives, where his works are frequently cited for pioneering emotional depth in the genre.

Activism and later years

Environmental activism

Lowell Lo's environmental activism began in the late 1990s, following his 1998 diagnosis of multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome, attributed to prolonged exposure to chemicals from recording studio equipment and materials during his music career. This personal health crisis prompted him to research the impacts of pollutants on human well-being, leading him to adopt a sustainable lifestyle and advocate for reduced chemical use in daily life. His experiences highlighted Hong Kong's broader pollution challenges, including indoor air quality issues exacerbated by urban density and industrial activities. In 2003, Lo and his wife opened Green Earth, an organic lifestyle store in Sai Kung, , to promote eco-friendly products and educate the public on . The store focused on non-toxic alternatives for household items, emphasizing conservation and waste reduction amid Hong Kong's growing environmental pressures from urbanization. Lo participated in campaigns addressing air quality and resource conservation, such as public talks in schools and events urging reduced to combat local and global warming. Through these efforts, he collaborated with local initiatives to foster community awareness of pollution's health effects. Lo's advocacy extended to music-inspired events, including the 2008 "2050" concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum, Hong Kong's first carbon-offset performance, where he offset the event's 12,000 watts of electricity use by investing in renewable energy projects like solar and wind power. The concert and its title track "2050" warned of environmental collapse by mid-century if pollution and overconsumption continued, drawing on themes of wildlife protection and sustainable living. Collaborations included a 2010 partnership with WWF Hong Kong for a video series offering home carbon-reduction tips, like energy-efficient appliances, to support air quality improvements and broader conservation goals. This commitment to environmental causes represented a pivotal shift in Lo's later career, integrating with his creative background to influence discussions on Hong Kong's .

Recent activities

In the late , Lowell Lo continued his acting career with roles in films such as Find Your Voice (2020), in which he played the role of Headmaster Lo, a genial principal mentoring underprivileged students through music, and Sons of the Neon Night (2025), where he portrayed the supporting character Uncle Wan (Manny). Entering the 2020s, Lo's professional output shifted toward selective music projects and occasional performances, influenced by his age and health challenges, including chronic chemical sensitivity syndrome that previously caused severe and emotional distress but is now managed through a strict organic diet and hydration regimen. He released albums like (2020), featuring re-recorded classics, Walk with Me (2023), and Together as One (2023), which included collaborations such as "Melody. Story" with and "Two People Sitting Opposite on the Train" with , emphasizing storytelling through melody. Lo made notable public appearances in 2024, performing at the outdoor music carnival "ImagineLand" at the Pop Culture Festival on April 6-7 in Victoria Park, where he took the stage alongside artists like Samantha Lam and AGA as part of the Gen S Concert, celebrating 's musical heritage. This event marked a rare large-scale performance amid his scaled-back schedule. In interviews around this time, Lo reflected on his career, expressing gratitude for fan support while noting his focus on personal well-being over prolific output. In 2025, Lo appeared in the film (Chinese title: Wind Forest Fire Mountain), directed by and starring , playing the role of Uncle Wan in a story exploring human resilience amid natural and personal turmoil; the film achieved recognition in October. He released the single "Walk with Me" and the companion album My Music. My Life (2CD), featuring live recordings and tributes like a 2015 version of "The Love of a Lifetime." Culminating his stage career, Lo held his final concerts, My Music·My Life: The Love of a Lifetime 2025, at the on June 21–22, drawing crowds for performances of hits including "Accompanying You" in a grand finale chorus; he described it as his last Red Pavilion show, prioritizing health and family thereafter. His environmental persisted subtly through organic lifestyle endorsements in recent media, aligning with his long-term commitment to sustainability without formal campaigns in this period. On May 24, 2025, Lo and his wife Tang Shuchen appeared on RTHK's Jacky Club radio show, discussing life reflections and wellness.

References

  1. https://www.filmarchive.gov.hk/documents/6.-Research-and-Publication/06-02-Filmmakers-Search/English/Lowell-LO_e.pdf
  2. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hkedition/2014-12/29/content_19189136.htm
  3. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0516319/
  4. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/238973-lowell-lo-koon-ting?language=en-US
  5. https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0516319/awards/?ref_=nm_awd
  6. https://www.discogs.com/artist/4708492-Lowell-Lo
  7. https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/1951660/hong-kong-canto-pop-legend-lowell-los-comeback-complete
  8. https://www.liveone.com/artist/lowell-lo/1093967
  9. https://music.apple.com/us/artist/lowell-lo/14627641
  10. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/238973-lowell-lo-koon-ting
  11. https://open.spotify.com/album/5G25VZuaYQFuyZXVNrXowM
  12. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/lowell-lo-mn0002318086
  13. https://hkmdb.com/db/movies/view.mhtml?id=7204&display_set=eng
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  16. https://watch.plex.tv/person/lowell-lo
  17. http://www.lovehkfilm.com/features/hkfa_1986.htm
  18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098155/awards/
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  20. https://mydramalist.com/people/62959-lowell-lo
  21. https://hkmdb.com/db/people/view.mhtml?id=5675&display_set=eng
  22. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0516319/awards/
  23. https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000329/1986/1/
  24. https://www.hkmdb.com/db/movies/awards.mhtml?id=6816&display_set=eng
  25. https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000329/1987/1/
  26. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2010/04/18/winners-at-the-29th-hong-kong-film-awards/
  27. https://tidal.com/browse/artist/3511248
  28. https://www.ebay.com/itm/385091311694
  29. https://ol.mingpao.com/ldy/showbiz/latest/20250406/1743937975145/chill-club-%25E7%259B%25A7%25E5%2586%25A0%25E5%25BB%25B7%25E7%258D%25B2%25E9%25A0%2592%25E7%25B5%2582%25E8%25BA%25AB%25E6%2588%2590%25E5%25B0%25B1%25E7%258D%258E-%25E5%2585%25AC%25E9%2596%258B%25E5%25A4%259A%25E8%25AC%259D%25E5%25A4%25AA%25E5%25A4%25AA
  30. https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/entertainment/20250406/bkn-20250406191546684-0406_00862_001.html
  31. https://www.scmp.com/article/634359/lo-returns-green-message
  32. https://www.wwf.org.hk/news/?6465/Mr-Lowell-Lo-x-WWF-4-carbon-reduction-tips-at-home
  33. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13322146/
  34. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4968738/
  35. https://www.viberate.com/artist/lowell-lo/
  36. https://open.spotify.com/album/1Pt9Nfx1LhfDZyRYeStbem
  37. https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202404/06/P2024040600456.htm
  38. https://www.chinadailyhk.com/hk/article/384265
  39. http://hktopten.blogspot.com/2025/10/20251022-for-week-ending-sunday-october.html
  40. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFEncJX0Lgg
  41. https://www.rthk.hk/radio/radio2/programme/jackyclub/episode/1024143
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