MUSIC MAKER - Late famous musician Quốc Dũng, a leading artist in Vietnamese music in the 1970s-90s, and his wife, pop star Bảo Yến. Photo courtesy of the artist’s family.

HCM CITY— Famous musician and producer Quốc Dũng died of stroke while at home on Sunday (September 24) in HCM City. He was 72.

Dũng, whose real name was Nguyễn Quốc Dũng, was born in Thailand in 1951. His family returned to his home city Sài Gòn (now HCM City) in 1954.

He studied music at the Sài Gòn National Music School and Vạn Hạnh University. He played different instruments, such as guitar, mandolin, violin, drum, keyboard, organ and piano.

He began his career when he was 17 years old as a composer. His first song, Em Đã Thấy Mùa Xuân Chưa (Do You Feel Spring Coming?), highlights love and women.

In the 1970s, he and late famous musicians Nguyễn Trung Cang and Lê Hựu Hà became a phenomenon in the industry after releasing many Vietnamese pop songs.

He later married pop star Bảo Yến.

He worked as a music producer and mixer for leading music studios, and radio and television stations, including Hồ Chí Minh Television (HTV).

He worked with famous Vietnamese singers such as Cẩm Vân and Nhã Phương. He mixed and produced many albums and soundtracks in musical productions released by HTV.

In a career spanning more than five decades, he was particularly renowned for his love songs. Many of his hits, such as Bài Ca Tết Cho Em (Love Song for You in Lunar New Year), Chuyện Ba Người (Love Triangle) and Điệp Khúc Mùa Xuân (Melody of Spring), are still fresh and leave a strong impression on fans.

Dũng wrote, mixed and composed more than 1,000 songs and music pieces. In 2012, a music book featuring 100 love songs by Dũng was released in HCM City.

“Dũng’s art plays a role in Việt Nam’s contemporary music,” said pop star Cẩm Vân of HCM City.—VNS