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 nameWolfrando Lavalan Jr.
BornSeptember 25, 1957
Philippines
DiedMarch 29, 2022(2022-03-29) (aged 64)
GenresRock, blues, reggae, alternative rock, progressive rock
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
LabelsOffshore Music

Early life

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Born 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

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In 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

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Jun died on March 29, 2022, at the age of 64.[11]

Awards

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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

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  1. ^ "Filipino rock icon Jun Lopito has died". NME. March 30, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  2. ^ "Chickoy Pura: With a little help from his friends". philstar.com. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "Up close with a guitar god, 'regular guy' Jun Lopito". www.yahoo.com. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  5. ^ "There's a Jun Lopito benefit gig on Friday! | Coconuts Manila". Coconuts. May 14, 2014. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  6. ^ "The Jerks | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  7. ^ Sallan, Edwin P. "We will never see another Pepe Smith". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  8. ^ "Remembering Pepe Smith". Manila Bulletin Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 31, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  9. ^ Filipinas. Filipinas Pub. 1997. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  10. ^ "Up close with a guitar god, 'regular guy' Jun Lopito". www.yahoo.com. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  11. ^ Sallan, Edwin P. (March 30, 2022). "Pinoy Rock legend Jun Lopito passes away | Edwin P. Sallan". BusinessMirror. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
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