Teddy Robin Explained

Teddy Robin
Birth Name:Kwan Wai-pang (關維鵬)
Birth Date:1945 3, df=yes
Birth Place:Guilin, Guangxi
Nationality:Hong Kong SAR, China
Occupation:Musician, singer-songwriter, record producer, film actor
Years Active:1960s-present
Relatives:Kelvin Kwan (Nephew)
Awards:
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Child:yes
T:泰迪羅賓
S:泰迪罗宾
P:tai4 di2 luo2 bin1
J:taai3 dik6 lo4 ban1
Module2:
Embed:yes
Background:temporary
Genre:Hong Kong English pop
Instrument:Vocals, guitar, piano

Kwan Wai Pang (; born 20 March 1945 in Guilin, Guangxi), known professionally as Teddy Robin, is a Hong Kong English pop singer-songwriter, actor, and director and producer. He began his music career in mid 1960s when Hong Kong English pop was at its peak. He formed a rock and roll band with his friends called Teddy Robin and the Playboys while Teddy was the vocal and guitarist. The band was the first Chinese-led rock band in Hong Kong. The band became a massive hit in Hong Kong.

From the 70s, Teddy started to get involved in the movie industry. in 1979, he was the producer of his first movie 《Cops and Robbers 點指兵兵》. He then played a pivotal role at the Pearl City Production Company and Cinema City Company Limited. Despite his heavy involvement in movie productions, he was still passionate about music and continued his involvement in record productions and film song creation during the time.

He has produced over 20 movies and directed 5 and 1/3 films throughout his career. He won various awards across film and music festivals, such as the CASH Hall of Fame Award from the Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong, The Best Original Film Song and the Best Supporting Actor from the Hong Kong Film Award, The Best Actor from Hong Kong Film Critics Society and The Best Actor from International Chinese Film Festival. He is also one of the five founders of Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild and the Honorary Director of Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild.

Early life

Teddy Robin was born in Guilin, Guangxi, alongside five brothers and sisters. He came to Hong Kong with his father in 1949, settling in Wan Chai.

As a rebellious child, Teddy was average at school. He always hung out at street court with his gangs. He called himself "Teddy Robin" because he admired the heroic image of Robin Hood.

At the early age of 11, Teddy started his career as a child broadcaster at Rediffusion (ATV).

Teddy developed his enthusiasm for rock and roll music when he first heard the sound of an electric guitar.[1] Then he started to explore and learn to play electric guitar . He then formed a rock band called "Teddy Robin and the Playboys" with his friends and his two younger brothers.

Apart from music, Teddy Robin is also a skilled painter and sketcher. He designed the cover for his singles, including "I Can’t Be Hurt Any More", "Not All Lies", "Breakthrough", "365 Days" and "Memories".

Music career

After graduating from high school, Teddy Robin worked as a Trainee Producer at Rediffusion English TV Station . He formed rock band "Teddy Robin and the Playboys" with Norman Chang, Fedrick Chan and his two younger brothers in 1966.[2] [3]

In the 1960s, the band was signed by Diamond Records and released its first album.[2] In 1966, "Teddy Robin and the Playboys" was the home band of Rediffusion TV's most popular music program "Soundbite 66".[4]

In 1968, Mr Chung King-fai invited Teddy to move from Rediffusion TV to TVB under the terms set by Teddy – to not only perform on the stage but also work behind the scene. He acted in his first movie "The Cost of Love" for Shaw Brothers Studio in 1969. Teddy Robin returned to Rediffusion TV in 1973 to host a youth show called "Melody Chain".

While in 1974, Teddy Robin realized rock and roll music started to diminish in Hong Kong, so he wandered to the United States and Canada until 1978.

Award and recognition

Personal life

Teddy Robin is married and has one son and one daughter. His son works at Morgan Stanley in London as an Executive Director and his daughter is a sugar artist in Canada.[9]

Filmography

As actor

YearTitleRoleAwards
2019 A Lifetime Treasure
2013 Tales from the Dark 2
2013 Doomsday Party
2011 ICAC Investigators 2011
2010Merry-Go-Round
Gallants Ben LawWon – Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards for Best Actor
Won – Hong Kong Film Award for Best Supporting Actor
Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom FlameWang Lu (after face-lift)
1995Hong Kong Graffiti Johnny K
1993Temptation of a Monk
1992Cageman Tong Sam
Twin DragonsTyson
1991Great Pretenders Mr. Giant
The Banquet
1990To Spy with Love Terry
1988The Eighth Happiness Hsiu-Fang's Husband
Three Against the World Cho Fei-fan
1987Kino Countdown Huge Ben
Legend of the Golden Pearl
1985Working ClassHing
Lifeline Express
Run Tiger RunTeddy Shit
1984Banana CopChiu Din-Boh/Ping Pong Ball
1983All the Wrong SpiesInspector Teddy Robin
1982It Takes Two
1981All the Wrong CluesChief Inspector Robin
1970The Price of Love Wu Yu Sheng

As film director

YearTitleAwards
1988Women Prison
1995Hong Kong Graffiti
1990Shanghai, Shanghai
1987Legend of the Golden Pearl
1983All the Wrong SpiesNominated – Hong Kong Film Award for Best Director

As composer

YearTitleAwards
2010GallantsWon – Hong Kong Film Award for Best Original Score
2009Permanent Residence
1996Black Mask
1995Great Adventurers
The Private Eye Blues
Hong Kong GraffitiNominated – Hong Kong Film Award for Best Original Film Song
1993Full Contact
Miss Butterfly
Lady Super Cop
1991Legend of the Brothers
1990Shanghai, Shanghai
To Spy with Love
1989Bloody Brotherhood
1988Tiger on Beat
Three Against the World
As Tears Go By
1987City on FireNominated – Hong Kong Film Award for Best Original Film Score
Nominated – Hong Kong Film Award for Best Original Film Song
1986Till Death Do We ScareNominated – Hong Kong Film Award for Best Original Film Song
1983Aces Go Places 2Nominated – Hong Kong Film Award for Best Original Film Score
All the Wrong SpiesNominated – Hong Kong Film Award for Best Original Film Score
1982Aces Go Places
1981Chasing Girls
1980The Saviour
1970The Price of Love
Sources:[10] [11]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: 中環出更:泰迪羅賓 分享音樂人生路 . 東方日報 . 18 June 2011 . 2 December 2019 .
  2. Book: 劉靖之 . 香港音樂史論 粵語流行曲.嚴肅音樂.粵劇 . 2013 . 商務印書館(香港)有限公司 . 98、99 . 9789620756122 .
  3. Web site: 點指泰迪羅賓 電影的壽命絕對可以比我們長 . 25 December 2018 . 南方人物週刊 . 3 December 2019 .
  4. Web site: 章國明×泰迪羅賓 40年電影熱血對談 . 24 May 2018 . 信報 . 3 December 2019 .
  5. Web site: 第30屆香港電影金像獎提名及得獎名單 . 2011 . 香港電影金像獎董事局 . 3 December 2019 .
  6. Web site: 2010年度香港電影評論學會大獎得獎名單公佈 . 10 January 2011 . 香港電影評論學會 . 3 December 2019 .
  7. News: 泰迪羅賓與官恩娜榮獲《金考拉國際華語電影節》最佳男、女演員獎《東風破》揚威海外 . 東華三院 . March 2012 . 3 December 2019 .
  8. News: 泰迪羅賓獲「終身成就獎」 從沒想過退休矢志不停創作 . 星島日報 . 12 May 2017 . 3 December 2019 .
  9. Web site: 泰迪羅賓揀擇 . 17 February 2012 . 東週刊 第44期 . 3 December 2019 .
  10. http://hkmdb.com/db/people/view.mhtml?id=3744&display_set=eng Teddy Robin at hkmdb.com
  11. http://chinesemov.com/actors/Teddy%20Robin.html Teddy Robin at chinesemov.com