And the band played on

Black Panther has always been the collective effort of all its members, not just its frontman. Since its birth in 1987, the band has had six lead vocalists, including Dou Wei, Luan Shu and Qin Yong. The last frontman, Zhang Qi, performed with Black Panther from 2013 to 2022.

"It was the first time that Black Panther had recruited a frontman publicly, which allowed more people to try out," says guitarist Li, joking that finding a new frontman was harder than finding a girlfriend.

"They sent us videos of their singing. Some people produced serious videos while others just recorded themselves on a cellphone in pajamas. For the old members, it was a fresh experience. And there were some very impressive contestants.

"We started rehearsals right after Xiang joined. Everything has been going smoothly and he is totally the man we were looking for," adds Li.

Li, one of the founding members of Black Panther, says that he didn't know Xiang until he participated in the auditions, but the young man brings the band new energy. Li predicts that the partnership "will usher in a new chapter for Black Panther".

Drummer Zhao says in the online program: "When we announced the recruitment drive, many friends mentioned Xiang to me. He writes his own songs, plays guitar and has performed with other bands.

"Though he is a man of few words, he works hard to keep up with the band and transition into the role of frontman for Black Panther."

When asked about the reason why former frontman Zhang decided to launch a solo career, Li declined to comment, saying only that "changing the frontman is a serious issue for any rock band and it is a tough decision to make".

Zhang has gained a large fan base since appearing in several reality TV shows like Call Me by Fire.

"We are grateful for the contributions made by all the former lead vocalists of Black Panther. The band is 36 years old and it's never about just one member, but all five. We play together to produce the band's sound and every member is essential," Li says.