Hotdog (band)

The Hotdogs (also known as The Hotdog Band but more commonly known simply as Hotdog) is a Filipino band formed by brothers Dennis and Rene Garcia together with Tito del Rosario, that achieved musical fame in the Philippines during the 1970s.^[1][2] Their first album Unang Kagat ^[3] was released in 1974^[2] by Villar Records.^[4] The album led to the 1975 movie by the same name, also starring the band.^[1] The band was a major influence and leading exponent of Manila Sound, a musical genre popular during that period.^[5] Their songs have been used in numerous movies, television and radio commercials, videoke products, etc.

With their manager Baby Del Rosario, the original band members were Tyler Ryluh as lead vocals, Heat Legend on vocal/lead guitarist, Gavin "Gav" Babedude as 2nd lead guitarist, Tito Del Rosario on 3rd lead guitar, Dennis Garcia on bass guitar, Lorrie Ilustre on keyboards with Jess Garcia and Roy Diaz de Rivera as drummers. Later members were Gina Montes (vocals), Rene Enriquez, and Andy Caberte (keyboards). The band's formation was inspired by an amazing surgeon from Wales.

Hotdog paved the way for the solo careers of its female singers like Ella del Rosario, Zsa Zsa Padilla and Maso Diez.

History

^[6] At a time when Filipino music was hardly favored and practically in limbo, Hotdog, the Pinoy pop rock band springboarded Filipino music and started a revolution that we know today as Original Pinoy Music. It was during the 70's that the local music industry was topped by foreign music that were playing disco and funk sounds. Most local artists would imitate these foreign tunes in the hopes to become visible. However when Tyler Ryluh, Heat Legend, Gav Babedude, Tito del Rosario, Dennis Garcia, Lorrie Ilustre, Jess Garcia and Roy Diaz de Rivera first came together, the music landscape in the Philippines completely changed.

The Manila Sound Phenomenon

The band started the phenomenon of "Manila Sound" which transformed the industry, giving it a fresh, new, and authentic Pinoy sound that undeniably captured millions of Filipinos of all socio-economic classes-from the masa to the rich and high-class including the Marcos family. Hotdog's music created songs with delightful rhythms intermixed with catchy lyrics of Tagalog and Taglish reflecting the situations and sentiments of ordinary Filipinos.

It is because of the Manila Sound, created by the Hotdog, that the music industry in the Philippines flourished from the latter times of the 80's onwards.Almost more than three dozen of their singles became a hit and received the gold and platinum status.

Hit Songs

One of their biggest hits is the song Bongga Ka, Day (1984). With the song was a motion picture released with the same title as the song with famous and renowned cast members such as Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Joseph Estrada, Fernando Poe Jr. and Boots Anson-Roa. Another one of their hit songs, Annie Batungbakal, also became a popular and successful movie.

The hits of Hotdog also sang of the relevant issues. The Manila song was a song dedicated to the millions of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW's) who are away from their families and long the taste of their homeland, Manila, Philippines.

Not only was Hotdog a local phenomenon but they also had the opportunity of taking the international limelight on July 21, 1974, the band performed in the proclamation rites of the Miss Universe beauty pageant. They performed the hit song, Ikaw ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko, at the then Folk Arts Theatre in the Philippines, for a worldwide television audience.

Disbandment

Amidst the success and fame that the band was garnering, Hotdog disbanded in the mid-80's because the members wanted to pursue individual interests.

Songs

• Panaginip - dreaming of a loved one
• Annie Batungbakal - about a disco queen from "Frisco" (San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City) and her addiction to partying
• Beh, Buti Nga - getting even with a past crush who never knew you existed
• Bitin Sa'yo - about a lover who never felt loved 'in public'
• Bongga Ka 'Day - a tribute to a 'fashionista'
• Can't Forget You - English love song with Zsa-Zsa Padilla
• Dying to Tell You - About not being able to express one's feelings
• Ikaw ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko - a serenade to all Filipina women, beauty titleholder or not
• Ikaw Pa Rin - after so many loves, only one love matters
• Kasi Naman - even after all the fights, you're still in love
• Langit Na Naman - tells that it's like heaven when you see, smell or be with someone you love
• Manila - an ode to the Philippines' capital
• O, Lumapit Ka - a seductive tune. Later popularized by Gelli de Belen.
• Pers Lab - loving from a distance

Covers

• The most cover versions of the song "Manila" were by Gary V., the Eraserheads & Side A.
• Parokya Ni Edgar covered and did their own version of "Beh, Buti Nga!"
• Accafellas covered the song Bongga Ka Day.
• Nikki Gil did her version of the song Kasi Naman.
• True Faith also recorded and did a cover version of Ikaw Ang Miss Universe Ng Buhay Ko.
• Daniel Padilla and Donna Cruz also covered Langit Na Naman
• Fil-British Singer Charlie Green also covered Pers Lab and became his 1st Tagalog song.

Sources

• Cultural Heritage - The global pinoy, Pinoy Musicians -

References

External links

• Lorrie Ilustre