Experienced musician and Rediffusion DJ Paul Cheong dies at the age of 75

SINGAPORE – Veteran local musician and former Rediffusion radio presenter Paul Cheong has died at the age of 75. The cause of death on July 6 is unknown.

His younger brother, fashion designer Francis Cheong, announced the death on Facebook and Instagram the same day. An obituary also appeared in the Straits Times on July 7.

Cheong wrote: “Paul Cheong, a shining star, a virtuoso mind and a paragon of compassion, has left his mortal coil and left behind an indelible legacy of love, wisdom and fortitude.”

Paul Cheong worked as a presenter at Rediffusion – Singapore’s first cable-based commercial radio station – from 1971 to 1991.

Because of his singing voice, he was known as Singapore’s answer to British musician Cliff Richard. In the 1970s, Cheong, who was known for his smooth voice, sported a shoulder-length perm and eyeliner.

In addition to his work as a radio presenter, he has also worked as a DJ at former clubs such as Top Spin at the Singapore Tennis Centre and Copacabana in Orchard Towers. He was also the first English-speaking presenter at the now-closed Golden Million nightclub at the Peninsula Hotel.

He released two albums in 1978 and 1979 with cover versions of hits of the time by artists such as British rock star Rod Stewart and the American band Bread.

While Cheong largely retreated from the limelight in his later years, in 2022 he appeared in an interview on local YouTube media outlet Singapore One with his former radio presenter Belinda Yeo, also known as Belinda Sunshine, to recall his younger days and his musical journey.

In the clip, Cheong said his first album sold around 85,000 copies in 18 months. After the interview, he also played a version of Rod Stewart’s “I Was Only Joking” (1977).