September 8 - 21, 2017
Jan. 22-Feb.7, 2015
Philippine Showbiz Today
13
efore they were stars, they
he biggest musical in f l uences of
B
were fans.
T
Music artists are said to be
the sum of their influences. A big
part of who they have become
were shaped by all the other artists
they listened to and looked up
to; whose songs they sang; and
whose moves they tried to copy.
Different OPM (Original
Pilipino Music) singers and
composers discuss their biggest
musical influences, how they fell
in love with them, and how they
continue to be inspired by them.
♪ OPM ♫
musicians and composers
back then. He just has a distinct
style; he’s a star. I used to imitate
him when I was young. His music
was very soulful and I think that’s
why he stood out.
I grew up listening to Ryan’s
obras. My favorite is his
song “How Can I.” George’s
compositions for Basil Valdez are
the songs of my generation—
“Ngayon at Kailanman” being
the standout. Rey, meanwhile,
is the quintessential songwriter,
someone who wrote music for
himself and other artists. He sang
Ryan Cayabyab
from his heart with his very simple
I loved Johann Sebastian style. I love “Pangako sa ’Yo.”
Bach’s music. I devoured his
preludes and fugues as a teenager
learning how to play the piano. I
also loved Richard Wagner and
Claude Debussy.
Jose Mari Chan
But for a long, long time, the
Henry Mancini, the world-
renowned composer of motion American composers Leonard
pictures themes and love songs. Bernstein and George Gershwin
His romantic melodies, harmonies were my music idols as a young
and musical arrangements made musician growing up. Their music
such a mark on my creative heart. spun a sticky web that I couldn’t
Many of my songs were inspired escape from—the harmonies, the
rhythms and the melodies put me
by his music.
in a box and locked me in. Their
music was irresistible.
But I outgrew them, too, Mitch Valdes
eventually. But still, I look back and
My dad, Manolo Valdes, was
find influences (Bach to Bernstein) a singer in Japan, where I grew
in some of my works! But I found up in the 1950s and ’60s. He
a new idol to deconstruct: Samuel had a wall-