Music’s dear departed
I was sad to learn of the demise of Chito Bertol last Oct. 4. He was well known as the Elvis Presley of the Philippines and I say he was one of the best versions of the King of Rock and Roll. More than that though, Chito was a hero of the environment. He was president of the Manila Seedling Bank Foundation (MSBF), a beautiful breathing space in Quezon City that propagated trees and plants and made them available at very low prices.
Chito was literally heartbroken when the MSBF was taken over by the Quezon City government. I do hope there is no highrise standing over that once green piece of land. Chito was 77 years old and like the others in this list, his music lives on through the recordings he made.
And now one more tribute and prayers for music’s dear departed this past year.
Oct. 30, 2018, Rico J. Puno, 65. He was the Total Entertainer who ruled concerts with his jokes and magnificent singing voice. He made hits like Kapalaran, Macho Guapito and May Bukas Pa.
Jan. 2, Daryl Dragon, 76, Toni Tenille’s Captain for the duo Captain & Tennile, who had hits like Do That To Me One More Time and Love Will Keep Us Together.
Nov. 13, Lucho Gatica, 90, Brazilian singer and actor who popularized bolero all over the world with songs like Besame Mucho, Me Importas Tu and Historia De Un Amor.
Jan. 14, Bob Aves, 65, guitarist known for fusing jazz music with Asian rhythms.
Jan. 15, Carol Channing, 97, star of the theater, films and television who originated legendary roles in Hello, Dolly and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
Jan. 16, Brian Velasco, 41, the drummer of the famous rock band Razorback, by jumping off the roof of a building.
Jan. 26, Michel Legrand, 86, French composer of unforgettable melodies like Summer of 42, What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life and Windmills Of Your Mind.
Jan. 28, Joey “Pepe” Smith, 71, rocker who, as part of the pioneering Juan de la Cruz Band, introduced Pinoy Rock. He composed Himig Natin and also rocked hard and loud with Beep Beep, Nadapa Sa Arina and Balong Malalim.
Jan. 29, James Ingram, 66, soul balladeer of How Do You Keep The Music Playing, Baby Come To Me, One Hundred Ways, Somewhere Out There and Yah Mo Be There.
Feb. 11, 2019, Armida Siguion-Reyna, 88, actress, singer, film, TV and record producer. She kept traditional Filipino music alive and vibrant via her long-running television show, Aawitan Kita.
Feb. 21, Peter Tork, 77, played the keyboards for the boy band The Monkees of the big hits Last Train To Clarksville, I Wanna Be Free, I’m A Believer and Daydream Believer.
Feb. 23, Stanley Donen, 94, acclaimed director of great movie musicals like Singin’ in the Rain, Funny Face and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
Feb. 28, Andre Previn, 89, composer and conductor who scored films like Gigi, My Fair Lady, Porgy and Bess and Irma La Douce.
May 13, Doris Day, 97, star of the screen, Pillow Talk and television, The Doris Day Show and singer of hits like Que Sera Sera, Everybody Loves A Lover and It’s Magic.
May 15, Eduardo “Gryk” Ortaleza, 74, a legend of the advertising world, he wrote the lyrics to Mamang Sorbetero, No One Throws Away Memories and Umagang Kay Ganda.
June 6, Dr. John, 77, of a heart attack. He was a legendary New Orleans pianist and guitarist famous for fusing rock and R&B with jazz.
June 20, Jacqui Magno, 65 of cancer. Founding member of the Circus Band, she later became a renowned jazz soloist.
July 6, Joao Gilberto, 88, of age-related ailments. He is known as the Father of Bossa Nova and helped bring worldwide popularity to the Latin beat with his recordings of Wave, The Girl from Ipanema and others.
Sept. 15, Ric Ocasek, 75, New Wave pioneer and frontman of the band The Cars of the hit songs My Best Friend’s Girl, Good Times Roll, Moving In Stereo and Drive.
Sept. 30, Jessye Norman, great American dramatic soprano famous for her roles in Carmen, Aida and Salome.
Oct. 4, Diahann Carroll, 84, first black American actress to topbill a high rating TV series, Julia, and the star of the Richard Rodgers musical No Strings, of breast cancer.
Oct. 6, Ginger Baker, 80, rock’s first superstar drummer and co-founder of the legendary rock band Cream which included Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce.
Oct. 14, Sulli, 25, K-Pop star of To The Beautiful You, The Pirates and Fashion King, said to have been driven to suicide by bullying.
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