Tan Choon Huat (Ling Xiao)
Ling Xiao (Chinese: 凌霄; born 1950; died 13 December 2025), born Tan Choon Huat, was a prominent Singaporean mandopop singer and entertainer whose career spanned over five decades. He was best known for his velvety vocals, emotional love ballads and deep influence on the Mandarin music scene in Singapore and the region. Ling Xiao also ventured into acting and mentoring, and was celebrated for his contributions to local entertainment and music culture.[1]
Tan Choon Huat | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Died | 13 December 2025 |
Background
Ling Xiao first rose to public attention in 1967, when he came in second in a local singing competition, marking the start of a long career in entertainment. His breakout song, “Melancholic Flower” (Ku Qing Hua； 苦情花), became one of his signature hits and established him as a leading voice in mandopop music.[1][2]
Over his career, he released more than 30 records with labels such as Happy Records, and toured and performed across Singapore and other parts of Asia, including Hong Kong, Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam and China during the height of his popularity. His voice was widely recognised for its smooth, gentle and emotive quality, earning him a loyal fanbase in the 1970s and beyond. Ling Xiao’s enduring legacy as a singer is frequently noted in retrospectives on Singapore’s music history.[1][3]
In his later years, Ling Xiao faced multiple health challenges. He suffered from hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes, and began kidney dialysis in 2022. That same year, he suffered a stroke that left him partially paralysed, significantly limiting his ability to perform and requiring long‑term care from family.[2]
Career
Acting and mentoring
In addition to his music career, Ling Xiao also appeared on television and in musical theatre. Notably, he performed in the Channel 8 Chinese drama Facing the Music (钢琴88 / Piano 88), which aired in 1998 and included a cast of veteran performers.[2][4]
He continued to remain active in the arts into later decades, taking part in stage musicals such as “Musical TARU”, a Mandarin theatre production staged by Resorts World Sentosa that blended fantasy elements with dramatic storytelling. Ling Xiao’s participation in such productions helped bring his musical talents to new audiences.[5]
Beyond performance, Ling Xiao also contributed to the development of younger talents. He served as a judge on Mediacorp’s Golden Age Talentime, a platform that spotlighted veteran and aspiring singers.[1][2]
Recognition and milestones
Ling Xiao was widely recognised as a veteran icon in Singapore’s music scene. In 2003, he received a Special Tribute Award, and in 2004 he was honoured as Best Evergreen Male Singer in awards ceremonies held by industry organisations. His music and influence were celebrated throughout his career. In 2017, he marked his 50th anniversary in the music industry with a special concert at Resorts World Theatre, where he performed many of his classic hits alongside guest artistes, celebrating a half‑century of artistic contribution and fan loyalty.[3]
Discography
1998
| Date Released | Album | Song | Duration | Record Label(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 December 1998 | 鸡蛋糕 | 鸡蛋糕 | 2:53 | Starmedia Distribution[6] |
| 小人物的心声 | 3:23 | |||
| 深秋 | 3:56 | |||
| 有了爱人四季春 | 2:58 | |||
| 秋诗篇篇 | 3:56 | |||
| 静静的河边 | 3:10 | |||
| 忆难忘 | 4:52 | |||
| 夕阳 | 3:21 | |||
| 爱神的箭 | 3:22 | |||
| 我的家哪里 | 4:21 | |||
| 昨天 | 4:04 | |||
| 大江乐去 | 3:49 |
2022
| Date Released | Album | Song | Duration | Record Label(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 October 2022 | 窗外下着思念的雨 | 窗外下着思念的雨 | 4:40 | 襄阳清韵文化传媒有限公司[6] |
2024
| Date Released | Album | Song | Duration | Record Label(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 November 2024 | 对或错我都奉陪 | 对或错我都奉陪 | 3:35 | 嗨库文化[6] |
| Date Released | Album | Song | Duration | Record Label(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 November 2024 | 石桥禅 | 石桥禅 | 3:42 | 嗨库文化[6] |
| 石桥禅 - 伴奏 | 3:42 |
2025
| Date Released | Album | Song | Duration | Record Label(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 January 2025 | 一念山海 | 一念山海 | 4:04 | 嗨库文化[6] |
| 一念山海 - 伴奏 | 4:04 |
| Date Released | Album | Song | Duration | Record Label(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 May 2025 | 痴人某 | 痴人某 | 3:40 | 嗨库文化[6] |
| 痴人某 - 伴奏 | 3:40 |
| Date Released | Album | Song | Duration | Record Label(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 June 2025 | 傩面 | 傩面 | 3:35 | 嗨库文化[6] |
| 傩面 - 伴奏 | 3:35 |
| Date Released | Album | Song | Duration | Record Label(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2025 | 浮生梦中梦 | 浮生梦中梦 | 3:24 | 嗨库文化[6] |
| 浮生梦中梦 - 伴奏 | 3:24 |
| Date Released | Album | Song | Duration | Record Label(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 November 2025 | 一蓑烟雨任平生 | 一蓑烟雨任平生 | 2:30 | 嗨库文化[6] |
| 一蓑烟雨任平生 - 伴奏 | 2:30 |
Death
Ling Xiao passed away peacefully at the age of 75 on 13 December 2025 at his home in Singapore. His younger sister confirmed his death and shared that he had been admitted to hospital earlier that month but was discharged home to recuperate with family. A wake was held in Bukit Merah, and his funeral was scheduled for 17 December 2025.[1][2][4]
References/Citations
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Nyi Nyi Thet. “Veteran S'pore singer & actor Ling Xiao dies at 75” Mothership, 14 December 2025. Accessed 16 December 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Lee, Jeremy. “Veteran local singer Ling Xiao dies aged 75, was recently admitted to ICU” Mustsharenews, 13 December, 2025. Accessed 16 December 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 “凌霄50世纪好歌金曲演唱会 Ling Xiao Glorious 50th Hits concert” Platinumlist. n.d. Accessed 16 December 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Wong, Calista. “Veteran Singapore singer Ling Xiao dies, aged 75” Stomp, 13 December, 2025. Accessed 16 December 2025.
- ↑ “Local and Regional Celebrities Join Star-Studded Cast of Resorts World Sentosa’s Highly Anticipated Mandarin Production – Musical TARU” Resorts World Sentosa, 31 August, 2018. Accessed 16 December 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 凌霄. Spotify. Accessed 16 December 2025. Retrieved from https://open.spotify.com/artist/58JBqZVOldRJPq1UzTBkmz