Esther Wong

Infobox actor
name = Esther Wong
width = 250 px
height = 200 px
caption = Esther and George Wong, 1979
birthname = Esther Wong
birthdate = August 13, 1917
birthplace = Shanghai, China
deathdate = August 14, 2005
deathplace = Los Angeles, California
restingplace =
restingplacecoordinates =
othername =
occupation = music promoter
yearsactive =
spouse = Harry Wong
children = Frank Wong & Melinda Braun
parents =
influences =
influenced = California punk scene
website =
imdb_id =

Esther Wong was born August 13, 1917 in Shanghai, China, and emigrated to the U.S. in 1949.

She was a punk rock and New Wave music promoter. She got started as the owner of “Madame Wong’s” clubs, and when Polynesian bands weren’t filling her restaurants, she decided to try booking rock bands in 1978. Notable bands that she showcased included a “who’s who” of rock music. They included The Knack, The Police, The Motels, The Go-Gos, Naughty Sweeties, Oingo Boingo, The WILD, The Kats/The Nu Kats, Daniel Amos, The Kempsters, and The Ramones. Eventually this led to her nickname, the “Godmother of Punk.”

She closed the original “Madame Wong’s” in 1985 and “Madame Wong’s West” in Santa Monica, California in 1991.

She died from emphysema and lung cancer on August 14, 2005 in Los Angeles, California, and was survived by her second husband, Harry Wong, two children, Frank Wong and Melinda Braun, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. [ [http://www.laweekly.com/la-vida/a-considerable-town/farewell-madame-wong/8214/ LA Weekly—Columns—Farewell, Madame Wong—Jonny Whiteside—The Essential Online Resource for Los Angeles ] ]

External links

* [http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-08-17-wong-obit_x.htm Obituary at USA Today]

References