TRIBUTE TO BOB McCOY
Pinoy [Classic] Rock California Jam
February 9, 2002
Friends of late Robert "Bob" McCoy gathered yesterday to celebrate and pay tribute to Bob, his music and his legacy.
We gathered at the studio of Bobby Martinez (former drummer of "The Barrons") and jammed the whole night. It was also the 40th day after Bob McCoy who succumbed to cancer last Dec 30, 2001.
Brothers Glenn Velasco (bass, "D' Deltas") & Vaughn Velasco (drums, "D' Deltas" and was considered the Gene Kruppa of the Philippines then) flew from Las Vegas for this nostalgic occassion. Bob's former band mates from the later formed band "The Retromaniacs" that he formed in the '90s here in the Bay Area were on hand - Dave Almendral (rythmn guitar), Nick Aquino (bass, former bass player for "The Barrons"), Eric Arellano (keyboard, band leader and keyboardist of top 40s band "'Til Dawn"). Eric Arella replaced Atek Jacinto ("Circus Band" bandleader, "Rage Band" creator and "Retromaniacs" original keyboardist) when Atek left for the Philippines.
Also present were Rey Tolentino (lead guitar), Bob's replacement, Tony Ramos (lead guitar), Roy Quicho (lead guitar).
Here's an excerpt from a the write up by Ceres Almendral-Jacinto (lead singer, "The Rage Band") who produced Bob's Indie CD which was released recently:
"Sleepwalk" will always be the signature song of Bob McCoy. Every time I hear the song, it is Bob McCoy who comes to my mind and not "the Shadows" who played the music.
"However, Bob persisted and at age 15 through guts and musical pining for something better, he devised a plan to hang out wherever the "Hi-Jacks" band played. In one of those private parties he asked the security guard to get Gene Generoso (of the "HiJacks") to come out so that he (Bob) could tall to him. A complete stranger to Gene, Bob
brazenly told him, "I am interested to be your lead guitarist and would like to join your band".....Gene asked Bob to meet at the Studio Center for audition. Gene was so impressed with Bob's talent that he introduced him (Bob) to Nonoy Jereza, another player of the famous "Hi-Jacks".
Eventually, Gene Generoso formed "D' Deltas" with Bob McCoy as its lead
guitarist.
From then on, the rest is history. Bob later teamed up with Glenn Velasco (bass), Vaughn Velasco (drums), Jess Maniquis (vocals/guitars), Mon Vecin (vocals.guitars), Jess Manahan and Snaffu Rigor as the "Jaime Jose & D'Deltas".
by: Gerry Socco (drums/percussions) San Francisco, California
Trivia: Who really was declared the Dave Clark 5 of the Philippines?
1) "The Tilt Down Men" of Letran and composed of the Sotto brothers
2) Bingbong Crisologo's "Bit's & Pieces" or
3) Jaime Jose & "D'Deltas"
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