Chinese vocal duo Phoenix Legend has come under fire by music
fans, accusing their hit song On the Moon of plagiarizing
the 2001 smash hit All Rise by British boy band Blue.
Phoenix Legend gained nationwide popularity last year by
performing the song on China Central Television's (CCTV) "Star
Boulevard," a show similar to "American Idol."
The song was included on Phoenix Legend's album released in
2005.
Shanghai-based Xinmin Evening News reported fans have
voiced great concerns after comparing On the Moon with
Blue's All Rise, saying the two sound "almost the same" in
terms of tune and rhythm.
Music fans have petitioned CCTV to take On the Moon off
the roster for its upcoming Spring Festival gala, a show with an
estimated hundreds of million in audience viewers worldwide.
However, the report cited responses from CCTV saying no
particular department is in charge of dealing with such
controversy.
The gala had its second run-through on February 7, with On
the Moon still on its set list.
Last year, Chinese pop-punk band Flowers was criticized for
possibly plagiarizing their hit song Xi Shuashua from a
Japanese band.
(CRI.cn February 13, 2007)
