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My Grandma Didn’t Let Me See Her Photo Album Before She Passed, And Only Now Did I Find Out About Her Illustrious Life
My grandma passed 3 months ago in Feb, age 93, of natural causes. I spent a lot of time scanning photos she left behind for her funeral and scanned more over quarantine.
My grandma, 梁萍 (Leung Ping / Teresa Leung; sometimes "Liang" instead) was a prominent "shidaiqu" pop singer under EMI/Pathé in Shanghai, who grew up in and witnessed hardships during the Chinese Civil War, Sino-Japanese War/WW2 and Communist Revolution. Upon the latter, shidaiqu was banned, deemed "Yellow Music" (in Chinese, "yellow", 黄, is a pun for "pornographic"). She fled to and continued singing in Hong Kong, then Singapore, before mostly retiring in San Francisco.
She was very private of these photos—I'd never seen them before she passed. My aunt reflected how she once asked her if she could look at them, and she smirked, "You can look at them when I go."
Here's a playlist of her music.
This is a condensed version, so you can visit my original Facebook album to see more.
More info: Facebook
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Photo Model, Around 50s
Final score:
214points
Photos are mostly focused on the 1940s, 50s (most prominent) and 60s, with a bit into modern times; and focused on her career, with a little bit of her personal life.
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#2
With Elizabeth Taylor, Mike Todd, And Run Run Shaw
w/ Run Run Shaw (Shaw Bros.), Elizabeth Taylor and her husband Mike Todd (who'd pass away only 4 months later in a plane accident). Singapore, November 1957.
She was asked by Shaw to be a representative of the Singaporean entertainment industry to greet Taylor.
Final score:
204points
I originally shared these on Facebook to an overwhelmingly positive response and figured the Bored Panda community might appreciate a look too, into the past of times gone by.
#5
With Her Mom, My Great-Grandma
Final score:
197points
This is a condensed version, so you can visit my original Facebook album to see more.
#6
Obligatory Selfie, Nye 2013. We Miss You!
Final score:
191points
#9
With Marian Anderson
w/ Marian Anderson, one of the most important African-American singers who helped break many racial barriers. 1957.
Final score:
183points
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 4 years ago
What an incredible photograph and memory! Your grandmother met some amazing people!
#12
She Still Looks Beautiful
Final score:
167points
#15
Looks Like A Shot From A Movie
Final score:
159points
Kenny Kulbiski 4 years ago
Yep! I'm thinking elegant undercover agents, midnight rendezvous, narrow escapes, and high adventures. To much noir on TMC probably.
#16
A Watercolor Painting Of My Grandma In '89, Which Hanged In The Hallway Of Her House
Final score:
157points
#17
I'm Guessing This Was A Broadcasted Live Performance On Radio Malaya
Malaya is a former name of Malaysia, that Singapore was part of until 1965... well, basically. The 50s and 60s were a crazy time between the UK, Malaysia, and Singapore).
Final score:
156points
#18
In Malaya, In Kedazaan-Dusun Tribe Clothing
Final score:
151points
Melania 4 years ago
Kadazan-Dusun is a Native Tribe of North Borneo, specifically Sabah, Malaysia (formerly, Malaya).This is a very unique combination of a different district traditional costume namely Penampang (the sleveless and long skirt) and Papar ( the white inner shirt and hat/siung). I am proud to see our traditional costume on Bored Panda!
#20
Beer Ad
Advertisement for German beer, Beck's. Was told that "Kunchi" is Malaysian for "key".
Final score:
144points
Steffi Lowin 4 years ago
This is my hometown beer. The key is Our city's symbol, thats the connection
#21
Another Newspaper Clipping, Competing For Miss Hong Kong
Final score:
141points
#22
With Yao Lee (I Believe That Is)
I speculate that may be Yao Lee by my grandma. Yao Lee was an important singer of shidaiqu, one of the "Seven Great Singing Stars" of Shanghai, and helped my grandma's singing career. The two of them would sing together over the radio.
You may have heard her music recently in the film, "Crazy Rich Asians."
Final score:
132points
Richard Tay 4 years ago
The lady on the left is not Yao Li. I know the were great friends, and had the honour of having dinner with both ladies in Hong Kong in 1992.
#23
A 1967 Release, I Believe
Final score:
131points
#24
40s-50s
Final score:
131points
#25
Another Obligatory Selfie
Final score:
124points
#26
On A Bicycle
Final score:
122points
#27
Concert
Final score:
119points
Richard Tay 4 years ago
I think this clam backdrop is the Cathay hotel nightclub restaurant in Singapore. It was very grand and they only had the top performers work there and you had to sing in English too.
#28
Still Performing In The 70s!
Final score:
113points
#29
Broadcasting Ad
Broadcasting ad, sponsored by a multivitamins company and some good ol' Danish beer.
Final score:
111points
#30
Concert
Final score:
111points
#31
Looks Like A Show
Final score:
107points
#33
Another Take From The Celebrity Party
Final score:
104points
logical fallacy 4 years ago
Elizabeth Taylor did have a thing for bling, didn't she. Just look at those earrings.
#34
In Her Youth
Final score:
101points
#35
With Carrie Koo Mei
I am not sure who that is to picture-left, but at the right is 顧媚 (Gu Mei / Carrie Koo Mei), another prominent shidaiqu singer, who also starred in a few Shaw Bros. films, before retiring to Vancouver to become a painter.
Final score:
99points
#36
Not Sure If She's At Recording Studio Or On Radio
Final score:
93points
#37
Singing Or Talking To An Auditorium
Final score:
91points
Donna Lucille 4 years ago
Your grandmother was way ahead of her time! You must be so proud of her!
#39
Singing On Radio Rediffusion In Hong Kong
Final score:
90points
Vicki Napoleon 4 years ago
You must be so proud of her! Did you have any idea that she was so talented and popular? She is so beautiful in all of these photo's ~ thank you so much for sharing all of them with us!! She was a remarkable woman!
#40
Playing With The Band
Final score:
90points
#41
Writing... A Letter, Or A Song?
Final score:
86points
Amelia Ratfire 4 years ago
She was a beautiful woman! Thank you, I enjoyed your post. You will see her again in the next world. Young and beautiful again!
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What do you think ?
satan hears a scream 4 years ago (edited)
She looked so much like my late grandma it made me cry because they both exuded the same confidence and happiness. We had strong women to look up to :')
satan hears a scream 4 years ago (edited)
She looked so much like my late grandma it made me cry because they both exuded the same confidence and happiness. We had strong women to look up to :')
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