Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Li Jinhui

Role / Field:

Pioneering Chinese composer and songwriter who innovated musical forms after the fall of the Qing Dynasty.

Born:

1891-09-05

Died:

1967-02-15

Century / Era:

1891s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Li Jinhui (Chinese: 黎錦暉; pinyin: Lí Jǐnhuī; 5 September 1891 – 15 February 1967 although some sources suggest he died 1968) was a Chinese composer and songwriter born in Xiangtan, Hunan, Qing China. He created a new musical form with shidaiqu after the fall of the Qing Dynasty—moving away from established musical forms. The Nationalist government attempted to ban Li's music. Critics branded his music as "Yellow Music", a form of pornography, because of its sexual associations and he was branded a "corruptor" of public morals.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

This kind of music was banned in China after the Chinese Communist Revolution in 1949, and Li was eventually hounded to his death, a victim of political persecution in 1967 during the height of the Cultural Revolution. Born into a scholarly family in Xiangtan, Hunan, Li Jinhui was the second oldest of the renowned eight Li brothers. His older brother Li Jinxi was a linguist and acquaintance of Mao Zedong, and his youngest brother Chin Yang Lee (Li Jinyang) later became an author in the US. Li grew up studying the Confucian classics and attending progressive schools like Shaoshan and Xiangtan. In total he had 8 brothers, including Li Jinxi.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

One...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. P. Elkin — Contemporary (Born in 1891) (1891): Influential Australian anthropologist and Anglican clergyman (1891–1979)
• Alexander Rodchenko — Contemporary (Born in 1891) (1891): Pioneering Constructivist artist, photographer, and designer of the Soviet era.
• Antonio Gramsci — Contemporary (Born in 1891) (1891): Italian Marxist philosopher known for his theory of cultural hegemony.
• Akshay Kumar — Contemporary (Born in 1967) (1967): Veteran Indian actor and producer, celebrated for action roles and prolific career.
• Albert Luthuli — Contemporary (Died in 1967) (1967): Pioneering anti-apartheid activist and leader of the ANC in South Africa.
• Aleksandr Karelin — Contemporary (Born in 1967) (1967): Dominant Greco-Roman wrestler, nicknamed the "Russian Bear", celebrated for unmatched Olympic success.
• Abu Hanifa — Shared historical date (09-05 · Born) (699): Founder of the Hanafi school of Sunni jurisprudence, a pivotal scholar of early Islam.
• Al Stewart — Shared historical date (09-05 · Born) (1945): Scottish folk-rock musician known for blending historical tales with intimate songwriting.
• Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib — Shared historical date (02-15 · Died) (653): Paternal uncle and wealthy merchant of the Prophet Muhammad; ancestor of the Abbasid Caliphate.
• Alexander Borodin — Shared historical date (02-15 · Died) (1887): Russian Romantic composer, chemist, and physician known for 'Prince Igor' and symphonies.
• 1891 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1891
• September 5 (09-05) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on September 5
• 1967 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1967
• February 15 (02-15) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on February 15

Frequently Asked Questions about Li Jinhui