Veteran Radio DJ And Musician Chris Ho Dies Of Stomach Cancer
Tributes are now pouring in for the “forever 27-year-old”, who was an integral part of the local music scene.
Local radio DJ and musician Chris Ho has died after a two month battle with stomach cancer.
According to a post on radio stadio GOLD 905’s Facebook page, he passed away “at around 4.37am on Monday, September 27”.
"It is with deepest sadness that we are sharing that our dearest friend and colleague Chris Ho passed away peacefully at 4.37am on Monday 27 September. Chris had been battling stomach cancer for the past two months. He was brave, determined, and cheerful to the end. No words can express our heartfelt sorrow and he will be dearly missed by the GOLD 905, Mediacorp and radio family and everyone that knew him. Chris, you will forever be in our hearts.” the post read.
Local radio fans will remember Chris for hosting a number of different radio shows over the years with stations like Rediffusion, Lush 99.5 and Radio Singapore International.
In 2017, he joined GOLD 905 to helm the evening drivetime show ‘Homestretch with Chris Ho’ every weekday from 5pm to 8pm.
Chris never revealed his age to the media. In his 1998 book, Skew Me, You Rebel Meh?, he wrote that he wanted his obituary to read “X’Ho. Age: Forever 27 (the real age is none of anyone’s business)”.
A large number of tributes are now pouring in for Chris.
In a post on Facebook, Jazz musician and Cultural Medallion recipient Jeremy Monteiro wrote: "The whole Singapore Music Community is in shock and grief at the demise of the great Singapore musician and DJ Chris Ho”.
"I’ve known Chris for decades. He was always kind and gentle to me. His band indie rock band Zircon Lounge is legendary in Singapore music, shocking and breaking all music trends in Singapore. He was a rebel in his political views, but I always believed that he loved Singapore. We performed together on a number of occasions over the decades, most recently at the Shangri-La hotel ballroom in 2014 when I accompanied him on a Randy Newman song. He received the Composers and Authors Society of Singapore (COMPASS) Artistic Excellence Award in 2018. It is the last time I saw him and we snapped this happy photo together. I really really liked Chris Ho. I will miss him." he went on to write.
Chris Ho
In a statement released by Mediacorp, Chris was described as someone who was "much loved by all who knew and worked with him.”
"He was an icon in the local music scene and a household name as a multi-talented artiste. He was well known and respected for his strong support of local music talent and creation. He was one of the few DJs in Singapore who was both a radio and club DJ, as well as a music producer. His knowledge of music was extensive and varied, and it showed through in his work as a respected music columnist and author. With his passion for music, through his personal albums, and many contributions to songwriting and song appreciation, he left an indelible mark on the local music scene,” read the statement.
A number of local radio DJs, including Sonia Chew, Rosalyn Lee, Hazelle Teo and Kunhua also paid tribute to Chris.
Sonia Chew's IG Story
“Dearest Chris, may you rest easy and be free of pain and suffering. I will always remember our little conversations on the way to our respective evening shifts. You’ve brought immense joy to many. You are missed, and will always be loved,” Sonia wrote in an IG Story post.
Rozz reposted Chris’ last Instagram post, sharing a poem from American poet Allen Ginsberh that he’d left.
“Chris left a poem on 20th September. But of course, I wouldn’t expect anything less.” she wrote.
For those who wish to pay their respects to Chris, his wake will be held at the Ruby Room @Singapore Casket at131 Lavender Street from 6pm - 11pm this evening, or 11am -11pm on Tuesday, September 28 to Thursday, September 30. However, due to social distancing restrictions, the wake can only accommodate 30 visitors at any one time.Photos: Mediacorp, Chris Ho/Facebook, Jeremy Monteiro/Facebook, Sonia Chew/Instagram
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