‘RJ’ Jacinto: The music never ends

The Main Man is back, and so is his music.

Rock n’ roll pioneer and the Father of Retro in the Philippines, Ramon "RJ" Jacinto will perform this Friday night at 8 p.m. and every Friday thereafter at the lobby of Mandaluyong City’s Edsa Shangri-La Hotel with his band.

For RJ and Friends, RJ reveals, "I will have an expanded repertoire heavy on retro." So expect to hear 2002 hits alongside disco hits of the ’70s and ’80s and the greatest hits from the ’50s and ’60s.

This rousing show and party rolled in one marks RJ’s return to the weekly night scene.

"It’s a fresh come-back," RJ says with visible pride.

For baby-boomers and baby-boomers at heart, the comeback heralds the thrilling chance to get down and party the inimitable RJ way.

Why the return? "It’s like Michael Jordan," RJ replies. "Can you imagine Michael’s life without basketball? (In the same way) I can’t imagine mine without music!"

The deeper explanation is that RJ has reached a point in his life where he wants to focus on what is nearest and dearest to his heart–that is, continuing to revel in and to share great music. As he explains, "At my age, I should just focus on the things I want to do. I just want to keep on with music."

"The older you get," he elaborates, "even with your clothes, you only want a certain set of clothes. Ayaw mo na ng masyadong maraming gamit sa bahay. You want things simpler. So I decided I will not let go of my music until I die."

That focus has influenced not only RJ’s decision to perform weekly, but his business orientation, too. He is focusing with renewed vigor on radio and TV, two things he says he also loves and whose running he says he "knows by heart."

"I relaunched my radio station featuring songs with the format of ‘the latest and the greatest’," RJ relates. "I also relaunched my TV station which now has a more powerful transmitter. We will feature texting with trivia contests all day long on various topics, plus voting – it will be interactive. We will have a TV garage sale daily where people can sell things rather than have a garage sale in their homes. RJ TV 29 started home-shopping on TV. Now we’re going to give things away!"

As if all these weren’t enough, RJ hopes he can discover and help develop upcoming Filipino artists, a venture he did successfully in the past with Andrew E., Sampaguita, Heber Bartolome, the APO, and other artists in the early l970s.

"I have a studio and production company," RJ says. "It’s still there and I might reactivate it for young bands. I’d like to discover young talents and help them get exposed. I was placed by God in a situation where I have a recording studio, I have connections, and radio stations nationwide. I can easily give a break to somebody who can never get a break.

"I’d like to thank people who have helped me along and I hope I’ve helped other people along. I hope I can help in the same way that the industry has helped me a lot. You cannot expect to get if you don‘t give."

That RJ is back with a loud bang just goes to show how one can never put a good man down –nor his music. Like the classics, RJ simply gets better with time.

"The ’60s and ’70s music just gets better," RJ observes. "Even the young bands play Motown. That’s because the ’60s was a renaissance. It saw an explosion – there was Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, the Everly Brothers, Peter, Paul and Mary, James Brown, the Beatles, Barbra Streisand – all of them. It saw the birth of the music that we play today."

For all the fun and pleasure associated with being a rock n’ roller, the truth is that RJ Jacinto has a serious side perhaps not too well known to the general public.

"I come across as a guy who enjoys life and everything but I have a very serious side when it comes to the country," RJ says. "For 15 years (during Martial Law) I lost my passport, we were persecuted, our assets taken over. Not too many people know that during the Martial Law years, I used to travel with Ninoy Aquino and strategize with the opposition.

"So when it comes to the country I’m willing to lay down my life. Music is not all fun, party and money. It’s also a crusade."

True enough, RJ’s radio station played a key role in the EDSA 1 Revolution. "My AM radio station, Radyo Bandido was used by June Keithley. So a small rock n’ roll station became the instrument in toppling Marcos. During EDSA Dos, Radyo Bandido also played the tapes of Chavit Singson."

During Erap’s impeachment trial, too, RJ’s White Album helped impart a message. "My band, The Ousters Band, became so popular because we converted (the song) Wooly Booly into Huling Huli because the masa could not understand what was happening in the impeachment trial. So we explained it in a song. Naintindihan ng masa and they got rid of their fear.

"By singing something, you get rid of your fear. Music reaches people through the heart. My music –without my meaning to –became an instrument of social change, democracy. At least, may meaning yung music ko."

At EDSA Shangri-La, RJ’s gig will feature former Parliament Syndicate band member Carol Navea as female singer; Ben Tesoro of the legendary Hi-Jacks band, guitarist; Carlo Gaa on keyboards; Rolly Roldan on bass guitar; and Benjie Evia on drums.

The opening gig tomorrow night will be heard on RJ stations in eight key cities. RJTV 29 will also air the event at a later date. The party starts at 8 p.m. and raffle prizes will be given away.

A true-blue Atenean who studied in his alma mater from grade one until he finished his Economics course, RJ shares, "The Jesuits teach you to do your best in whatever field you decide. If you want to become a cook, then be the best cook; don’t be mediocre. If you want to be a janitor, be the best janitor. In the service of Christ, do your best."

RJ chose to be a musician, and there’s no doubt he’s done the best he can.

And guess what? Here’s another thing to look forward to: A world tour for RJ and the Hotdogs is in the works. But that would be another story.