A band that rocks

One of the big- gest crowd-drawers at the recent Pasinaya Festival of Barangay Bel-Air was a band called the Rockin’ 60s. Although the name might seem to say that it plays only music from the ’60s, band leader Titus Santiago says they’re about more than just that.Most of the music the band plays ac- tually spans the years from 1958 to 1962, which covers the pre-Beatles era. It even goes beyond that, to the post-Beatles era, to groups like the Dave Clark Five to Karen Carpenter (who began her career in the late ’60s) and on to the ’70s. Ultimately, says Titus, what the band plays will depend on what its audience wants. “Whenever we perform, we always ask for the audience profile (so that we can tailor-fit our music to what they want),” he says.

The Rockin’ 60s was formed in 2010. But it actually started in 2007 when guitar- playing lawyer Andy and his wife, author Felice Sta. Maria, decided to put on a show to celebrate the ’60s. Together with Lenny de Jesus, they started to rehearse in Andy’s studio and Lenny’s penthouse in Makati. Soon after, Rockin’ 60s had its first concert at the Teatrino in Greenhills early that year. One of the members of the group, Elen Jison-Golez, decided to put on more shows, but unfortunately fell ill and passed away soon after. Titus and the other remaining members decided to push on and form the Rockin’ 60s band as a tribute to her.

The band’s current members, aside from Titus (known as “The Ricky Nelson of the Philippines”) are vocalists Weng Erana, a culinary school graduate who caters parties. Aside from her interest in food, Weng has also performed with RJ Jacinto and the Hi-Jacks, among other popular bands; TV cooking show host and culinary expert (she is descended from the Aristocrat clan of Aling Asiang) Nancy Reyes-Lumen, who also co-authored the bestselling Adobo Book; and Cholo Santiago, a businessman who manages several music bars and sources local sing- ers for bands here and abroad. The band’s rhythm section is composed of lead guitarist Steve de Jesus (who was also lead guitarist of the Spirit of ’67 band); Bololong Erana, a dentist by profession, on rhythm guitar; Boyet Pigao (who was with the APO Hiking Society as musical arranger/drummer for more than 20 years) on drums; another veteran mu- sician, Nato Canlas, on keyboards; and Cash Manalang, founding member of Asia’s premier Beatle tribute band Area One, on bass and vocals.

Aside from events like the annual Bel-Air

Pasinaya, the Rockin’ 60s also performs at private parties and other functions like wed- ding receptions and bigger events (once, it performed at the Baguio Country Club’s New Year countdown). It costs between P70,000 to P80,000 to book the band, but the price already includes a quality sound sys- tem and stage lights. The band also prepares a repertoire good for a two-hour, 15-minute performance. The first hour is when the band performs; the second part, lasting an hour and 15 minutes, is what Titus refers to as the “dancing portion” where everyone can get up on their feet and move to the band’s music. The band averages about four gigs a month.

During its performances, it’s not just the so-called “oldies” who enjoy the music of the Rockin’ 60s. Its audience — and there is definitely a steady audience for this kind of music — consists of people of all ages. “I think we definitely found the right niche,” says Titus. “For the more mature audiences especially, we bring back good memories through our music. We play the soundtrack of their happy lives. These are songs they have not heard in a long time, and when they’re played, there’s a rush of good memories.”

The Rockin’ 60s has won praise from audiences wherever it performs. One of its regular guests who goes by the name Tom Y., said of them: “The harmony of the Rockin’ 60s is done so well that the minute the band starts the music, you will definitely appreciate each individual’s tal- ent. With five vocalists each having their own voice and style, the group is able to match the songs with the proper vocalist to perfection. What gives us great plea- sure is that the members perform with gusto and joy in their hearts.”

The band’s shows are an experience for the guests as much as they are for the band members themselves. Every- one is meant to enjoy its music. “We always try to exceed what the audience expects,” says Titus. In short, there’s al- ways a rockin’ good time on hand with the Rockin’ 60s.