Singer David Huang Dies at 61; Friend Shares Fond Memories

Veteran singer David Huang, widely known as the "Prince of Stars," has passed away in Hawaii at the age of 61. His family confirmed the news through their lawyer on June 3. The news was shared by his friend and fellow musician Yan Yongheng, who also goes by the nickname "Salt."

Yan Yongheng posted a touching tribute on Facebook, remembering his friend and recalling their time working together. He shared a specific memory of encountering Huang at the Shanghai airport, where Huang enthusiastically waved and called out "Salt! Salt!" Yan expressed regret that they only managed a warm hug and brief greetings, forgetting to take a commemorative photo due to their focus on completing their work.

Yan Yongheng served as the recording engineer for Huang's debut album, "Let Everyone Be Heartbroken." He detailed the challenging and innovative recording process, noting that Huang enjoyed working at their studio because it felt like home. Huang often presented them with unique challenges, bringing American music partners to the studio for new experiments, particularly with electric guitar performances.

Yan also shared anecdotes about studio life, including Huang's humorous request when he ran out of "tracks." Yan explained his nickname "Salt" and his earlier moniker "King Yama," derived from his surname. He elaborated on the studio's technical setup, which involved using analog tape recorders and a specific mixing console configuration to achieve a rich sound, contrasting it with the then-emerging digital recording technology. He expressed regret that Huang's "Let Everyone Be Heartbroken" album was never submitted for a Golden Melody Award for Best Recording.