The band became prominent in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, mainland China, and Overseas Chinese communities.
[1] In 1993, band frontman and major composer Wong Ka Kui died at the age of 31, after an accident during the filming of a gameshow at Fuji Television in Tokyo.
In the early 1980s, lead vocalist Wong Ka Kui and drummer Yip Sai Wing started out as young musicians who were both interested in Pink Floyd's progressive rock.
[2] Wong Ka Kui was notably influenced by western styles of rock, and the likes of David Bowie and King Crimson.
[2] After a couple of flops, Beyond started to gain popularity following the release of the hit song "Great Land" (大地).
The song was from the band's album Party of Fate (命運派對), which sold extremely well, achieving triple platinum.
[2] According to a later interview with Wong Ka-Keung, Mandela was "deeply moved" when he heard about the song during his final days in hospital.
In May 1993, Beyond released the album Rock and Roll (樂與怒) which included the song "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies" (海闊天空).
[8][9] Actor Teruyoshi Uchimura and Wong Ka Kui both fell off a broken stage and sustained massive head injuries.
[8][9] The death occurred at the prime of the band's career, with the tremendously successful song "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies" released around the time.
Criticisms followed that the Japanese were having too many late night shows of this type, and the TV station crews were overworked.
[2] This album pays tribute towards the deceased Wong with "Paradise" by Paul, the instrumental "We Don't Wanna Make It Without You" composed by the band, "Scar" and "Wishing You Happiness" by Steve.
Aside from those, Steve also sang "Wake Up", composed by the trio as well to express how Hong Kong fans are blindly supporting singers during their era which stirred up controversy.
[2][12] Throughout the trio era, their albums have a more alternative rock feel, unlike the progressive rock sound of previous albums which made some fans who have stuck around or came back after Wong's death, praised the trios for their determination and dedication to hold up the band's name that Wong have helped made reaching its popularity among the fans and Cantopop.
This came to a head after Paul claimed that his pay should be higher than that of Yip Sai Wing, as he believed that he had contributed much more to the band's composing and producing.
[2] For the first time in three years, the three remaining members of Beyond reunited to play "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies" for the Wong Ka Kui Memorial Concert.
[13] Yip Sai Wing and Paul Wong held a concert called "Beyond Next Stage Live 2008" on 11 Oct 2008 in Genting Highlands, Malaysia and later on 8 November 2008 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
[15] The original lyrics of the song "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies" epitomizes the untamed pursuit of ideals and freedom despite obstacles.