Compiled by C. ARUNO, JUNAID IBRAHIM and R. ARAVINTHAN
RENOWNED pianist Richard Hoon (pic) passed away on Sunday in Sitiawan, Perak, reported China Press.
RTM music director Datuk Mokhzani Ismail said Hoon drew his last breath at 10.30pm that day.
“The post-mortem has been completed. The wake will be held from Jan 26-28 at the Nirvana Memorial Centre in Kuchai Lama,” he posted on social media.
Hoon was the first Malaysian to have graduated from the prestigious Berklee College of Music and was once known as the “Prince of Piano” among his peers.
He was a former pianist, conductor, and composer for RTM, and served as the pianist in the Shanghai Jazz Piano Band.
He has played alongside many big names, including the legendary Teresa Teng, Hong Kong singer Frances Yip, and Malaysian musician Datuk Elaine Kang.
> Wedding bells may ring soon for Malaysian actor Hero Tai and his Ukrainian girlfriend Tatiana Lin, reported China Press.
The 36-year-old, who is currently in Malaysia with his girlfriend for Chinese New Year, was recently asked if his parents were asking him to get married soon.
“I have discussed my plans with my other half. If any friends ask, I will say: ‘Everyone, get your ang pow ready’,” he hinted.
Tai, who has been dating Lin since 2021, said they both have agreed on the issue of marriage, but were waiting until they could afford to buy a house together.
According to Tai, his parents had many positive things to say about Lin.
“My father and mother think she is cute as she is one cycle (12 years) younger than I am.
“My father was shocked when I took her to his restaurant to learn how to make a lobster dish as it can be a terrifying experience.
“She may have been scared, but she succeeded on her first try,” Tai said.
Both Tai and Lin will be in Malaysia for two months before returning to Taiwan.
Lin and Tai admitted to their relationship in August last year, adding that they started out as friends before falling in love with each other.
Tai first brought Lin home to Malaysia to meet his parents last July.
In the past, he was reported to have dated Anechka Marchenko, a Russian TV presenter based in Taiwan.
However, the relationship lasted only five months.
Tai, who is originally from Parit Buntar, Perak, is known for his roles in Kepong Gangster, The Perfect Girl and Tears of the Mom.
The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.
