Photo: Razorback's Tirso Ripoll is one of the headlined musicians in this "Super Session"

Pinoy Rock lovers young and old are in for a treat. DZRJ is presenting the greatest gathering of Pinoy band players in one SuperSession. The venerable radio station which invented the word “Pinoy Rock” is celebrating 45 years of existence. And what better way to celebrate than to gather Pinoy Rock icons from the 60’s and 70’s and put them together with 80’s, 90’s and present day pinoy band stars in a super session with a cause – to raise money for the families of our fallen soldiers.

On October 25 at the A-Venue Events Hall in Makati Avenue, two founding fathers of Pinoy Rock, RJ and Pepe Smith, will lead the Super Band ably assisted by Raimund Marasigan (The Eraserheads and Sandwich), Chickoy Pura (The Jerks), Buddy Zabala (The Eraserheads / The Dawn), Jett Pangan (The Dawn), Marc Abaya (Kjwan), Razorback’s Kevin Roy, Tirso Ripoll and Louie Talan, Cookie Chua (Color It Red), Kat Agarado (Sinosikat?),Zach Lucero (Imago), Wendel Garcia (Pupil), Nino Avenido (Greyhoundz), Francis de Veyra (Radioactive Sago Project), Kakoi Legazpi (Rivermaya), guitarist Jun Lopito, and a host of others from different bands.

Photo: Kakoi Legaspi

DZRJ, a radio station established in August 1963 by Rock N’ Roll pioneer Ramon “RJ” Jacinto in the backyard of his parents’ home, was a starry-eyed teenager of 17 when he founded the legendary station. Always the cutting-edge radio station, DZRJ played up-to-date hits, introduced a new style of broadcasting and spawned many disc jockeys who ruled the airwaves during the formative years of Rock N’ Roll and the decade that followed.

DZRJ was first to air and give a break to promising bands that the other radio stations would not touch. Always the innovator and pioneer, RJ encouraged his teenager jocks to think out-of-the-box and gave them a home to develop their dreams.

The station introduced The Juan de la Cruz Band, Sampaguita, The Apo Hiking Society, Anakbayan, Florante, Maria Cafra, Aunt Irma, Freddie Aguilar and many more. DZRJ was also the first to air The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Steely Dan, The Beach Boys, The Eagles and many more.

Soon the station had a cult following. In the 70’s, you tuned into DZRJ for cool, cutting-edge alternative music. It’s jocks soon became personalities in their own right – Double A (Allan Austria – RJ’s co-founder of RJ & The Riots), Red Rooster, Little Rock (The late Sony Pecson), Baby John (Ronnie de Asis who is now back on RJ FM 100.3 as station Manager), Stoney Burke (Mike Llamas), Cousin Hoagy (Hoagy Pardo), Becky Zarate (Brother Becky), Charlie Brown (The late Emil Quinto) and Howling Dave (Dante David) among others.

“The role of DZRJ in the development of Pinoy music cannot be underestimated. At its height, if you were not listening to DZRJ, you didn’t have good taste or you were not up-to-date in music,” says Baby John, now Papa John of RJFM 100.3. Even Jingle Magazine got its boost from DZRJ. Its Sta. Mesa studio was the headquarters of the most creative, rebellious bunch of DJ’s, music-lovers and innovators.

Of course, DZRJ also played the role of Radyo Bandido, the voice of the People Power Revolution in 1986. But that’s another story.

SUPERSESSION – on Oct. 25, Pepe Smith will go back to his roots as the Mick Jagger of the Philippines, and drummer of The Downbeats, the 60’s band where he started singing Rolling Stones Cover songs. He will also reprise his Juan de la Cruz Band hits like “Ang Himig Natin”.

RJ Jacinto, one of the earliest pioneers of Rock n’ Roll (even before Pepe Smith) and who is known as the country’s Guitarman, will go back to back with Pepe and will lead the best guitarists in the land in giving the audience the best classic rock they will ever, ever get. RJ will lead a jam on his song “Muli”, Clapton’s “Crossroads” and Pepe will perform “Ang Himig Natin” with everybody on stage.

A posthumous award of recognition will be given to “Rock of Manila” jocks, Dante David (Howlin’ Dave), Emil Quinto (Charlie Brown) for their contribution to the station.

This concert is for the benefit of Golden Rooster Foundation to raise funds for the families of our fallen soldiers.

Gates open at 8 PM

For info, call 899-3108. Tickets are also available at RJ Guitar
Center Outlets and Ticketnet (hotline 911-5555).

Ticket prices at 950, 750, 500, 300 plus 5% service charge

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Editor's Note - Some Updates: The Super Session's Revolving Cast of Characters

Seems that the RJ Gig resembles a bit like a game of musical chairs (or a "Trip to Jerusalem") with some members of the original cast of characters dropping off the roster for one reason or another. 

The lineup has changed somewhat since the press release above was written. We have this list from Allan Roy posted on the PhilMusic Forums , which explains some of the comments posted after this article. Here goes:

Guitarists :
RJ Jacinto, Tirso Ripoll, Joey Puyat, Cowboy Santos, Kakoi Legaspi,Daniel Crisologo, Chickoy Pura, Johnny Alegre

Drummers:
Wendell Garcia, Paolo Manuel , Bea Lao, Zach Lucero

Bass:
Dondi Ledesma, Simon Tan, Nino Avenido, Francis De Vera, Louie Talan

Vocals :
RJ Jacinto, Pepe Smith, Marc Abaya, Cookie Chua, Nicole Ascensio, Emee Fortuno, Emil Sanglay, Cowboy Santos, Raymund Marasigan, Chickoy Pura , Aia De Leon and LC De Leon (Reklamo Band)

Percussions:
Diego Beltran

Keyboards:
Ernie Vinoya

Hence the new poster below...

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The (New) Event Poster: