Wolfrando Lavalan Jr. (September 25, 1957 – March 29, 2022),[1] professionally known as Jun Lopito, was a Filipino guitarist.[2][3] He worked with most of the Philippines' rock bands and singers such as Pinoy rock legend Pepe Smith and ethnic singer Grace Nono.[4]
Jun Lopito | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Wolfrando Lavalan Jr. |
| Born | September 25, 1957 Philippines |
| Died | March 29, 2022 (aged 64) |
| Genres | Rock, blues, reggae, alternative rock, progressive rock |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Labels | Offshore Music |
Early life
editBorn as Wolfrando Lavalan Jr., Jun Lopito was the son of Wolfrando Lavalan Sr. better known as "Lopito", a comedian and the original Filipino TV host of Tawag ng Tanghalan in the 1950s. Jun at the age of 8 was caught up in music after seeing The Beatles in concert in 1966.[5] At the age of 17, he played blues and rock. In 1979, the alternative rock and blues band The Jerks was formed and he joined later in the year.[6]
Career
editIn 1976, Joey Smith of the Pinoy rock band Juan dela Cruz during its hiatus formed the band The Airwaves.[7][8] The band The Jerks was formed in 1979 and Lopito joined as a guitarist and left the band in the 90s. The album Bodhisattvas was released in 1995 as his first solo album[9] on which he composed four of the eleven songs.[10]
Death
editJun died on March 29, 2022, at the age of 64.[11]
Awards
edit| Year | Award Giving Body | Category | Nominated Work | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Awit Awards | Best Rock Recording | "Pure Souls" | Won |
| NU Rock Awards | Guitarist of the Year | — | Won | |
| 1998 | Katha Awards | Best Rock Song | "Reklamo ng Reklamo" | Won |
| NU Rock Awards | Best Album | "Reklamo ng Reklamo" | Won |
References
edit- ^ "Filipino rock icon Jun Lopito has died". NME. March 30, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
- ^ "Chickoy Pura: With a little help from his friends". philstar.com. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
- ^ Broughton, Simon; Ellingham, Mark; McConnachie, James; Duane, Orla (2000). World Music: The Rough Guide. Latin and North America, Caribbean, India, Asia and Pacific. Rough Guides. p. 217. ISBN 9781858286365. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
Jun lopito.
- ^ "Up close with a guitar god, 'regular guy' Jun Lopito". www.yahoo.com. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
- ^ "There's a Jun Lopito benefit gig on Friday! | Coconuts Manila". Coconuts. May 14, 2014. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
- ^ "The Jerks | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
- ^ Sallan, Edwin P. "We will never see another Pepe Smith". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
- ^ "Remembering Pepe Smith". Manila Bulletin Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 31, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
- ^ Filipinas. Filipinas Pub. 1997. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
- ^ "Up close with a guitar god, 'regular guy' Jun Lopito". www.yahoo.com. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
- ^ Sallan, Edwin P. (March 30, 2022). "Pinoy Rock legend Jun Lopito passes away | Edwin P. Sallan". BusinessMirror. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
External links
edit- Jun Lopito discography at Discogs
- Jun Lopito at IMDb