Lam was a graduate of Salesian English School, Hong Kong and University of California, Berkeley. He started out as a copywriter for an advertising agency owned by Wong Jim and Lam's sister Eunice. Lam was inspired by Wong to become a songwriter.

Lam was hired as creative director of the Giordano clothing chain in 1988 by then-owner Jimmy Lai. When Jimmy Lai entered the media industry, Lam followed him, becoming a consultant and later columnist for Apple Daily and Next Magazine.

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