A massive retrospective of the work of Hans Zimmer, the German-born synthesizer player for the short-lived band The Buggles, is headed to Hong Kong later this year, with tickets set to go on sale this Friday at 10am.
Zimmer, best known for his synthesizing on the band’s seminal 1979 classic Video Killed the Radio Star (the first video to air on MTV), will be appearing as part of “Hans Zimmer Live on Tour” at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on Sept. 26, according to promoter Lushington Entertainments.
In addition to his work with The Buggles, Zimmer is still remembered for his work with Italian new wave group Kisma, the New Zealand singer-songwriter Zaine Griff, the electro-new wave act Helden, and an exhilarating 1984 live show with the Spanish group Mecano. (We hear Segovia was never the same.)
But if you’re curious as to how Video Killed the Radio Star would sound played by a full orchestra, you may be disappointed, as the concert promises to focus on the latter part of Zimmer’s career.
Some may be surprised to learn that after the ‘80s, Zimmer’s career slowed a bit as he transitioned into writing music for films.
He went on to compose the scores to several little-seen motion pictures, including Blade Runner 2049, Dunkirk, Inception, Interstellar, the Pirates of the Caribbean series, the Dark Knight trilogy, Gladiator, The Lion King, The Thin Red Line, The Last Samurai, Black Hawk Down, Rain Man, and Thelma and Louise, among about 140 other titles across several mediums — “which, combined, have grossed more than 28 billion dollars at the worldwide box office,” his website notes.
Though he never came close to achieving the same level of fame he had with The Buggles, Zimmer has won one Academy Award (and been nominated for nine others), won two Golden Globes (and been nominated for 12 others), and won three Grammys (and been nominated for 10 others).
He is also expected to someday win a Lifetime Achievement Award for his popularization of that “BWWWOOOOMMMMM” sound effect you hear in every single action movie trailer these days.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the Hong Kong Exhibition Centre would be hosting “The World of Hans Zimmer,” an orchestral event at which the composer would not be present. In fact, it is hosting “Hans Zimmer Live on Tour,” at which Zimmer will be appearing. Coconuts HK apologizes for any confusion caused.
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