Cantopop legend reflects on 40-year record-breaking career

Hong Kong Cantopop legend Jacky Cheung completed the 218th concert of his Jacky Cheung 60+ World Tour in Haikou, Hainan province, on Sunday. The concert also marked the 1,000th tour performance of his 40-year singing career, making him the first Chinese-speaking singer to surpass 1,000 concerts in a world tour.

Cantopop is a genre of popular Cantonese music.

Cheung's 10 world tours are considered legendary, from his first solo tour Jacky Cheung 87 Concert in Hong Kong in 1987 to his 10th tour in 2025 — a 38-year musical journey.

His performances have reached worldwide audiences in a career that has taken him to over 100 cities in more than 18 countries and regions, attracting millions of fans. This remarkable achievement not only created an unparalleled legacy in the Chinese music world but has also witnessed Chinese pop music hitting the global stage.

Cheung, 63, stated that breaking records has not been his goal but each of his tours has consistently done just that. In 1995, the Friends of Jacky Cheung Concert held 100 shows, setting a record for the number of concerts by a Chinese singer. In 2010, the 1/2 Century World Tour attracted more than 2 million attendees in one year, setting the Guinness World Record for the "largest audience for a tour in 12 months". In 2016, A Classic Tour lasted for two years and three months, with 233 performances, making it the highest number of performances for a single tour by a Chinese singer. In 2023, Cheung returned to the stage with the 60+ World Tour and, as of the Haikou performance, had performed 218 shows, potentially breaking the record set by the previous tour.

One of the most influential Chinese-speaking singers, Cheung has won numerous top music awards, including Most Popular Asian Artist at the 1994 Billboard Music Awards, Most Popular Hong Kong Male Singer at the Hong Kong Top Ten Golden Songs Awards (1994, 1997, 1998), and Best Mandarin Male Singer at the 1998 Golden Melody Awards. He has also won the Hong Kong Annual Album Champion title by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry seven times.

During the concert on Sunday, Cheung reflected on his 1,000 shows: "What do 1,000 shows mean to me? It's proof that over the past 40 years, I have spent nearly 3,000 hours onstage. I have enough sincerity and love for this stage."

He also expressed appreciation for his fans: "Without you, I could not be on this stage doing what I love".

Cheung debuted in the music industry in 1984. Over the years, the singer, who has long collaborated with Universal Music Group, has released over 50 solo albums.

"Jacky Cheung's remarkable achievements over his 40-year career and his profound influence on popular culture have long transcended the Chinese music industry. In terms of album sales, the popularity of his works and the scale of his tours, Jacky Cheung is truly a world-class superstar. Reaching 1,000 tour concerts is an achievement few musicians experience, even globally," said Adam Granite, executive vice-president of market development at Universal Music Group.

Timothy Xu, chairman and chief executive officer of Universal Music Greater China, said: "It is an honor to witness this milestone. Jacky Cheung is not only our pride but also a benchmark in the Chinese music world. We look forward to continuing this journey with him, exploring the infinite possibilities and advancing the global influence of Chinese culture."