Wing (singer)

Wing Han Tsang (Chinese: 曾咏韓; pinyin: Zēng Yǒnghán; b. 1960), popularly known simply as Wing, is a New Zealand singer of Chinese origin. Her singing style has drawn comparisons to Florence Foster Jenkins[1] and Mrs. Miller.[2] She is an example of outsider music.

Wing
Born
Wing Han Tsang

c. 1960 (age 59–60)
British Hong Kong
OccupationSinger
Chinese name
Musical career
OriginHong Kong
New Zealand
GenresVarious
InstrumentsVocals, electronic keyboard
Wing
Traditional Chinese曾咏韓
Simplified Chinese曾咏韩

Career

Having taken up singing as a hobby after immigrating to New Zealand, Wing gained an audience by entertaining patients at nursing homes and hospitals in and around Auckland. This prompted suggestions that she release a CD; the result was a debut titled Phantom of the Opera, featuring the title song from the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, and a selection of other popular tunes to the accompaniment of a programmed electronic keyboard.

Despite her unconventional style the recording proved a success, leading to a number of subsequent releases of cover versions that eventually gained her an international audience.[3]

She has appeared on such shows as SportsCafe and Rove Live. She guest starred on South Park in an episode named after her that was first broadcast in March 2005. On the DVD commentary for this episode, series creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone explain that she had to approve her cartoon likeness before allowing her music to be used. Parker also says he received a letter of thanks from her for the sales boost she enjoyed as a result of the episode.

In addition to recordings, Wing has made various appearances in New Zealand, like Massey University Orientation in Wellington.[4]

On 21 August 2007, Wing made her U.S. debut in San Francisco. Wing performed at the 2008 South by Southwest festival.[5]

On 11 May 2008, she performed on the BBC Introducing stage at Radio 1's Big Weekend,[6] singing versions of ABBA's "Dancing Queen" and "Mamma Mia" and Elton John's "Candle in the Wind".[7] DJ Scott Mills, who had played Wing during his Radio 1 drivetime shows, had to personally pay to fly her over so she could sing at the festival, in Maidstone.[8]

Wing appeared on New Zealand music TV station, C4, in June 2008 for their series Rocked The Nation, where she sang "Pokarekare Ana".[7]

Wing toured the United States in the fall of 2009. On 25–26 October 2009, she appeared at the Birdland Jazz Club in New York City. On 2 November 2009, she performed at Rrazz Room in San Francisco.[9]

In 2015, Wing announced that she retired from the musical business via her official website.

Discography

Albums
  • Phantom of the Opera[5]
  • I Could Have Danced All Night
  • The Sound of Music and the Prayer
  • Wing Sings The Carpenters
  • Wing Sings All Your Favourites
  • Everyone Sings Carols with Wing
  • Wing Sings the Songs You Love
  • Beatles Classics by Wing
  • Dancing Queen by Wing
  • Wing Sings Elvis
  • Breathe
  • One Voice
  • Too Much Heaven
  • Wing Sings For All The Single Ladies And Raps For All The Safe Parties
  • Television Radio Heroes (2012)

EPs
  • Carols – rap and sing a beautiful Christmas (5 songs)
  • Beat It (4 songs)
  • Stop The Nonsense (featuring Rappy McRapperson) (4 songs)
  • Wing Sings More AC/DC (4 songs)

Singles
  • Wing Sings AC/DC
  • Safe Computer (featuring Rappy McRapperson)
  • Santa Claus on a Helicopter
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References
  1. "Wing wows New York's Birdland Jazz Club". TVNZ. ONE News/NZPA. 27 October 2009. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
  2. "5 People Who Became Famous By Singing Badly". 12 August 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  3. "Joy Behar New Year's Eve Live: with special Guest: Wing". SFStation.com: SF Station. December 2008. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
  4. ""wing sings" – YouTube". Retrieved 6 January 2018 – via YouTube.
  5. Wing, a SXSW 2008 Showcasing Artist Archived 31 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine from the SXSW website (includes an MP3 of her cover of AC/DC's "Hell's Bells")
  6. Mills, Scott. "Wing the UK" Archived 16 February 2010 at the Wayback Machine No. 1, BBC Radio 1. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  7. "Wing Music – Official Web Site". Archived from the original on 30 January 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
  8. "Scott Mills: Wing in the UK Archived 2010-11-14 at the Wayback Machine" No. 12, BBC.co.uk: Radio 1. Retrieved 09:16, 10 August 2011 (UTC).
  9. International performances Archived 25 March 2005 at the Wayback Machine, Wing Music. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
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