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Tang Dynasty(唐朝乐队)

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Band Timeline

1989

Formation of Tang Dynasty Band

Tang Dynasty was formed in 1989 by vocalist and rhythm guitarist Ding Wu, bassist Zhang Ju, and Chinese-American guitarist Kaiser Kuo. Shortly after formation, Kaiser Kuo left the band and was replaced by Liu 'Lao Wu' Yijun, who went on to become known as China's first guitar hero. The band is credited as the first Chinese heavy metal and Asian folk metal band, pioneering a style blending progressive rock, metal, and traditional Chinese musical elements.
1990

Early Performances and Development

In 1990, Tang Dynasty performed in a Chinese modern rock concert where they played early versions of songs that would later be released. They also produced a metal/rock version of 'The Internationale' in Chinese in 1991. During this period, they developed their unique sound which combined the aesthetics of ancient Chinese culture with heavy metal, helping to establish their significant cultural role in Chinese rock music.
1992

Debut Album Release and Rise to Fame

December 1992 saw the release of Tang Dynasty's self-titled debut album. The album was a breakthrough success, selling approximately 2 million authentic copies across Asia and internationally. It presented a blend of progressive rock and traditional Chinese vocal techniques, with lyrics inspired by the cultural and artistic splendor of the Tang dynasty era, earning critical acclaim and a dedicated following.
1993

Major Concerts and Increasing Prominence

In 1993, Tang Dynasty performed at 'The Chinese Avant Garde' concert alongside prominent Chinese rock artists such as Cui Jian, Cobra, and Wang Yong. Their participation solidified their role as a leading act in Chinese rock. They closed the concert with the song 'The Internationale,' showcasing their political and cultural engagement through music.
1994

Continued Musical Influence and Concerts

The band continued to maintain their strong presence in the Chinese rock scene by performing at 'The Power of Chinese Rock Bands' concert in 1994. They shared the stage with artists Dou Wei, Zhang Chu, and He Yong, closing with powerful performances of 'Choice' and 'Soaring Bird,' reinforcing their reputation for integrating rock with Chinese cultural elements.
1995

Tragedy Strikes with Death of Bassist Zhang Ju

On May 11, 1995, bassist Zhang Ju tragically died in a motorcycle collision in Beijing. This loss profoundly impacted the band both emotionally and creatively. Gu Zhong joined as the new bassist while the band experienced other changes, including the departure of guitarist Liu Yijun in August 1995. These changes marked a challenging period for Tang Dynasty, both personally and professionally.
1996

Lineup Changes and Creative Conflicts

In August 1996, co-founder Kaiser Kuo rejoined the band after Liu Yijun left. During this time, Tang Dynasty faced creative conflicts and separated from their record label, Magic Stone Label. The band nearly disbanded due to these struggles, but persisted through lineup changes and internal tensions, reflecting the difficulties of maintaining their pioneering role in Chinese rock.
1998

Release of Second Album 'Epic'

Tang Dynasty released 'Epic' in 1998, their second studio album coming seven years after their debut. The album marked a stylistic shift, incorporating more Western rock influences, which led to mixed reactions among fans and critics who missed the distinct oriental rock style of their earlier work. The album did not achieve the same level of acclaim or commercial success as their debut.
1999

Live Tours and Guitarist Changes

In 1999, Tang Dynasty conducted a series of live performances showcasing songs from 'Epic' alongside hits from their debut. However, internal tensions led to the departure of guitarist Kaiser Kuo in June 1999, following disagreements exacerbated by political events. Subsequent replacements included Yu Yang and eventually young guitar virtuoso Chen Lei by late 2000, as the band continued to evolve their lineup.
2002

Return of Guitarist Liu Yijun

Liu Yijun, known as China's first guitar hero, rejoined Tang Dynasty in 2002. His return reunited the band with a key figure from their early heyday, helping to stabilize the lineup and restore some of their original musical dynamics. This reunion was important for both the band's creative chemistry and their fanbase.
2008

Release of Third Album 'Romantic Knight' and Documentary Appearance

Tang Dynasty released their third album 'Romantic Knight' ('Langman Qishi') in mid-2008, featuring the lead track 'Feng Shan Ji.' The album marked the band's continued commitment to blending traditional Chinese themes with rock music. That same year, co-founder Kaiser Kuo appeared in the Western documentary 'Global Metal' by Sam Dunn, highlighting the global reach and influence of metal music, including Tang Dynasty's pioneering role in China.
2009

Departure of Liu Yijun and Adjustments

In January 2009, guitarist Liu Yijun announced his departure from Tang Dynasty for personal reasons. Vocalist Ding Wu took on the role of second guitarist, illustrating the band's adaptability in handling lineup changes. The band then prepared for new releases and continued their work despite these shifts.
2010

Preparation for Fourth Album and EP Release

In early 2010, Tang Dynasty announced they were preparing their fourth album, demonstrating ongoing creativity and endurance in the Chinese rock scene. In March, they released a two-song EP titled 'Ups and Downs,' which served as a teaser for their evolving sound and a bridge to their forthcoming full-length album.
2013

Release of Fourth Album 'Thorn' and Touring

The band's fourth studio album, 'Thorn,' was released in November 2013. This release was significant as it reinvigorated Tang Dynasty's presence in the rock scene and coincided with their first international tour in nearly 20 years, expanding their cultural impact beyond China and reconnecting with global audiences after a long period focused primarily on domestic activities.
2019

Lineup Changes with New Guitarists

On February 20, 2019, Tang Dynasty announced via Weibo that lead guitarist Chen Lei had left the band. He was replaced by two new guitarists, Liu Jingwei and Fu Dalong, returning the band to a five-piece lineup. These changes reflect the band's ongoing evolution and commitment to maintaining their relevance and vitality in the modern rock music scene.

Albums

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唐朝
11 tracks
1992
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演义
9 tracks
1999
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浪漫骑士
12 tracks
2008
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

陈磊

2000

Guitar

赵年

N/A

Drums (drum set)

丁武

1988

Electric guitar

丁武

1988

Lead vocals

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

刘义军

2002
2009

Electric guitar

虞洋

1999
2000

Electric guitar

刘义军

1989
1996

Electric guitar

张炬

1988
1995

Electric bass guitar

Story of Tang Dynasty

Tang Dynasty was formed in 1988. It is China’s first heavy metal rock band, named after the Tang Dynasty, one of the most prosperous dynasties in history. In 1992, they released their album "Dream Back to Tang Dynasty", which caused a sensation in Taiwan and mainland China. This album established Tang Dynasty's important position in the Chinese rock music scene. The band is considered one of the most representative rock bands in the Chinese music scene. They won the Best Rock Band Award at the 7th Golden Record Awards in 2013 and the Hall of Fame Band Award in 2014.

Some of their well-known songs include "Dream Back to Tang Dynasty," "Sun," "Flying Bird," "Moon Dream," "Romance," "Black Humor," "Your Illusion," "Farewell," "Road," "Howling Train," "Feng Chan Ceremony," "Song of the Great Wind," "Thorn," "Tears of the Elk," "Elephant Doesn't Complain," "Rattlesnake," and many more.

The band has gone through several changes in members, disbandment, and reorganization.

== Members ==

=== Current Members === Ding Wu (1988 - present) - Lead vocalist, founding member. Liu Jingwei (2019 - present) - Guitarist Fu Dalong (2019 - present) - Guitarist Gu Zhong (1995 - present) - Bassist Zhao Nian (1989 - present) - Drummer

=== Former Members === Kaiser Kuo (1988 - 1989, 1996 - 1999) - Guitarist, founding member. Andrew Szabo (1988 - 1989) - Drummer, founding member. Zhang Ju (1988 - 1995) - Bassist, founding member. Liu Yijun (1989 - 1995, 2001 - 2009) - Guitarist Yu Yang (1999) - Guitarist Chen Lei (2000 - 2019) - Guitarist

==== Support Members ==== Qin Qi (1990) - Lead vocalist, sang the song "Dream of the End of the Century" on the album "Tang Dynasty."

=== Member Timeline === ※ This timeline is accurate to the year. ※ Andrew Szabo's position is unclear.

== Development History ==

=== 1980s === 1988: Tang Dynasty was formed by Ding Wu (lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist), Zhang Ju (bassist), and two American Chinese, Kaiser Kuo (guitarist) and his classmate Andrew Szabo (drummer).

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