Yao was born in 1907 and graduated from a seminary in Taipei. His love for music caused him to go against his father's wishes and give up a life in religion; instead he joined the Columbia record company.
生於民國一九○七年的姚讚福，畢業於台北神學院，因為熱愛音樂，違背父命，放棄神職工作，進入古倫美亞唱片公司。