Juan Miguel & The Hitmakers

If we had to choose two groups of performers we have admired through the years, without any doubt we would pick ’80s music exponent Juan Miguel “JM” Salvador and The Greatest Hits agrupacion of singers Nonoy Zuñiga, Anthony Castelo, Marco Sison, Hajji Alejandro, Rey Valera and Rico J. Puno. We have been exposed to their music through the years, as well as the hits and bumps along the way that when friends suggest an evening out, we know exactly where to bring them.

It was a Thursday when we set out for Strumm’s in Makati with a friend from out of the country. At the end of the first set of some 25 songs from the ’80s performed non-stop, our friend turned to us admitting that he knew each and every song as well as the lyrics of what Juan Miguel had performed with The Authority Band, but he had given it his own inimitable styling.

Our mind flashed back to some years back when Juan Miguel was the band leader of the Rage Rock Band, the most popular in town, winning recognition after recognition. This convinced Juan Miguel that they were ready to conquer the USA with the battle cry “Hollywood or Bust” but sadly, it became apparent that they had been had by one with supposed connections.

We asked JM if there was any lesson learned from that experience. He answered: “The attempt to penetrate the US market was set from the very moment Rage was being conceptualized. Every member knew that all those major sold-out concerts, stints in other Asian countries were training ground for a bigger dream. It was not Rage that failed. Every step was carefully calculated by our manager Atek Jacinto. He dared to dream. So did we. We all took the risk. The basic lesson I’ve learned in all that, is that life is a journey that takes you through trials and triumphs and every experience affects the other. I have matured spiritually, and abide by the will and grace of our Lord.”

We wondered how he has been able to make each performance fresh and interesting today. He said, “By simply being sincere about what you do onstage. I make sure I command attention the moment I step onstage. Every facial twitch or body jerk adds to the emotion you’re trying to express in any given song. Improvisation is also key, as no audience is the same. You have to read them to know exactly where they want to be taken.”

We continued asking if he didn’t feel limited by sticking to ’80s music. “My name has always been synonymous to ’80s music. Deviating from it would be a big mistake. The resurgence of ’80s music and anything retro has helped widen my audience. The people who used to watch me are all coming out again to relive the era, but this time with their kids in tow. There is no limit to what I can do as a musician, but knowing what your ‘branding’ limitations are and what makes you click with your audience, translate to longevity in a very diverse industry.”

Finally, we wondered why he has never included a female performer in his current band. “It was my decision to keep The Authority all-male against the prodding of many colleagues. I think that going against the norm of having female band members and remaining all-male, make us visually different. It’s part of the magic. Funny as it may sound, but what probably keeps the audience coming is also the fact that ladies can watch us without fear that their husbands might just be ogling at the female singers in skimpy outfits. I must admit though that having a female singer could broaden the repertoire, but my gut feel tells me not to fix something that ain’t broke. Our act works, and after almost 10 years, the audience response has never been better.”

After JM’s first set, we left knowing fully well we would be back with still another friend sometime soon.

It was close to midnight but we were certain the action was just beginning to heighten at Rico J.’s Chico Rico Bar in Makati that we had recently visited, written about and wanted our friend to experience. What we encountered was even better. We found the group collectively known as the The Greatest Hitmakers at the private smoking room separate from the main entertainment center, holding a pow-wow. Present were Nonoy, Marco, Anthony with Cita Astals and Rico himself. But the rest of the gang (Hajji and Rey) might as well have been around, the way they were included in the conversation.

This was supposed to be a production meeting since Boss Vic del Rosario of Viva Entertainment wanted to revive the group he had formed in 2010. We were invited to join their table but instead of the planned discussions, the group ended up reminiscing past times and sharing present-day problems, gossiping about those who were absent, eating hot pandesal, enjoying each other’s company to the hilt. We felt we had encroached on a private party that few would have been allowed to enter. Since we had known them all, we felt comfortable in their company. We were concerned, however, that our friend might have felt uncomfortable.

On the way home, we asked him how he felt. He smiled and told us that he had never had such a good time all in one day.

(E-mail at [email protected] or text me at 0917-8991835.)