Chinese singer Chen Lin file photo
A grand public memorial was held for late singer Chen Lin on Wednesday night at the Starlight Theater in Beijing as friends and loyal fans bade a final goodbye to the beloved singer.
Chen's fellow singers and close friends, including Na Ying, Han Hong, Qi Qin, Yang Kun, Man Wenjun, pop duo Yu Quan and music producer Zhang Yadong, attended the memorial, according to an article on Chinanews.com.cn.
Chen's ex-husband, Shen Yongge, who organized the ceremony, said the memorial would be made into a documentary. Chen's current husband, Zhang Chaofeng, did not attend.
Na Ying, who grieved for friend's tragic suicidal death, performed Chen's hit song "I Never Know Your Love," which sent the teenage singer to fame in 1993 when China's pop music scene had just started to take shape on the mainland.
Heavyweight TV hosts Li Jing and Dai Jun who had interviewed Chen on their entertainment program recalled her musical talent, personal life and enthusiastic involvement in many charity organizations.
"We are all the kids of Lin's mother from now on," said a tearful Han Hong onstage, calling for more love from their circle to support Chen's elderly mother.
Zhang Yadong regretted he had not done more collaborations with Chen before singing the deceased singer's hit song "Just Love," which Zhang produced.
Singer Zhu Hua praised Chen's passion for music, saying it felt like she was stepping on a gas pedal of a car whenever she sang.
"She set up rooms in style, she cooked good spicy food, and she lived for love," Zhu said of Chen.
Chen's mother who wrote an open letter to appease public speculation about her daughter's death a couple of days ago appeared at the memorial and thanked all the attendees.
Chen's close friend, singer Zhang Qiang, who was with Chen on the night before her death did not attend the event, but expressed her sorrow and love for her in a condolence letter.
Chen suicidal leap from a building in Beijing in the early morning of October 31 astonished the public and the music world and sparked various speculation. She was reported to have suffered from a frustrated marriage with her current husband.
According to media reports, a close source said after the memorial that Chen's friends were planning another concert in her memory in Chengdu, Sichuan province, where Chen had lots of happy memories, by January 31, on what would have been the singer's fortieth birthday.
