Gone but not forgotten

Although gone, our departed loved ones are never far from our thoughts and prayers. But whenever we come to the end of October and when we welcome the start of November, the remembering goes deeper and includes not only those whom we lost but all of the souls who have gone ahead of us. 

Here are some of those who left this past year. But thanks to the music they created they have now become immortals.

Aretha Franklin, the legendary First Lady of Soul, lost her battle against cancer of the pancreas last Aug. 16. She was 76 years old and the U.S. of A. went into mourning, admired as she was by the entire nation. Aretha had hits like R.E.S.P.E.C.T., You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman, Operation Heartbreak, Day Dreaming, Spanish Harlem and her version of the inspirational Amazing Grace that often drove listeners to tears. I am different though. She gets me moving. My favorite Aretha song is Chain Of Fools. I hear it and I feel like hitting the dance floor.

Hotdog founding member Rene Garcia made a sudden departure last Sept. 2. He just bent down to try on a new pair of shoes and was suddenly gone. Cause was cardiac arrest and he was only 65 years old. The band Hotdog is still around. So are the songs it created and popularized. But although mostly reminiscent of fun times, hearing Manila, Langit Na Naman, Annie Batungbakal, Bongga Ka Day now feels different knowing that Rene is not around anymore to sing them live and give everybody a good time.

Do you remember Tab Hunter? He died last Aug. 8 of a blood clot in his brain.  He was 86 years old. Hunter was a big Hollywood heartthrob during the late ‘50s. He starred in films like Battle Cry, The Girl He Left Behind, Damn Yankees and Polyester. Now considered a teen classic, his song Young Love is one of the biggest-selling singles of all time. He also had hits with Red Sails In The Sunset, Jealous Heart and Ninety-Nine Ways. He revealed in his book Tab Hunter: Confidential, The Making of a Movie Star that he was gay and had a long relationship with Psycho star Anthony Perkins.

(Left) Isabel Granada and Montserrat Caballe. — AP photo

And now from late last year: Actress and singer Isabel Granada at 41, on Nov. 4 of brain aneurysm; Franco Hernandez, 26, singer and actor, one of the Hashtag boys of It’s Showtime!, by drowning on Nov. 11;  Lil Peep, 21, rapper famous for Come Over When You’re Sober and Awful Things, drug overdose in his tour bus; David Cassidy, 67 of liver failure on Nov. 21, pop idol of the big hits Cherish and I Think I Love You and a member of the legendary Partridge Family of television and recordings.

Johnny Hallyday, of lung cancer last Dec. 5. He was France’s biggest pop idol, 74, known for his memorable performances like entering an arena via helicopter or having a concert on the Eiffel Tower. A million turned up for his funeral and another 15 million watched on TV. It is said that it was Hallyday who brought rock and roll to France. Joey Corpuz, 59, in New York, paraplegic Filipino violinist known for his extraordinary skills as a teacher on Dec. 9.

Keely Smith, 89, singer formerly married to Louis Prima, known for Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen and Black Magic, of heart failure on Dec. 16; Shinee’s Kim Jong-hyun or Jonghyun, 27, Korean pop star last Dec. 18, possible suicide from carbon monoxide poisoning. His death brought attention to depression and gender bias in South Korea. Heather Menzies, 68, of brain cancer. She played Louisa in the much-loved musical, The Sound of Music. After her husband Vegas star Robert Urich died from cancer, she spent a huge part of her life raising funds for research and for patients with the dreaded disease.

Also Otoniel Gonzaga, 75, Filipino Tenor based in Vienna last Jan. 13.

Dennis Edwards, 74, frontman of the famous Motown group The Temptations of meningitis last Feb. 1. Edwards sang lead in hits like Cloud 9, Papa Was A Rolling Stone, Shaky Ground and other hits.

(Left) Kim Jong-hyun and Franco Hernandez.

Vic Damone, 89, of respiratory arrest last Feb. 11. He was an actor, Kismet, Hit The Deck, Rich Young And Pretty and the voice behind You’re Breaking My Heart, On The Street Where You Live, My Heart Cries For You, April In Portugal and other hits.

Seo MinWoo, 33, member of the South Korean group 100% of cardiac arrest last March 25.

Mac Miller, 26, of drug overdose last Aug. 31 in his home in Los Angeles. Often identified as Ariana Grande’s ex-boyfriend, Miller had struggled for years with substance abuse. Among his big hits are My Favorite Part ft. Grande, Hurt Feelings and Donald Trump. He scored a No. 1 with his Blue Slide Park Swimming album.

Montserrat Caballe, 85, Spanish operatic soprano famous for her Verdi and Donizetti repertoire, of gall bladder infection. Also well-known in pop circles as Freddie Mercury’s singing partner in Barcelona, the theme of the 1992 Olympic Games.

Heaven, grant all of them eternal rest.