RJ Jacinto to build rock museum

Ramon “RJ” Jacinto has always believed that rock ‘n’ roll is the “music of the masses, the beat of the country’s people.” And so it’s only fitting, he pointed out, to encapsulate the local scene’s rip-roaring history and pay tribute to some of the genre’s most revered artists in a hall of fame, which he hopes to build soon.

“We Filipinos are famous for being fantastic music artists, but there are hardly any places that people can visit to see a retrospective of Philippine rock,” he told the Inquirer in an interview.

The pioneering rock musician and entrepreneur, whose 1960s band RJ and the Riots, was one of the first to adopt electric instruments, related that he had already talked with rock stars Pepe Smith and Ely Buendia, who agreed to put some of their memorabilia on display.

Showcase

“My plan is to showcase the beginnings of rock ‘n’ roll and the history of key bands and artists. It will likewise house a collection of guitars, costumes, etc… And of course there will be music playing,” said Jacinto, who himself will share his hoard of old tape recorders and vinyl records.

Jacinto said the hall of fame, which he envisions as a possible tourist attraction, will be established in Makati City. “I will try to convince more artists to join in, and share their stuff,” he said, adding that he also intends to form a board of trustees that will be tasked to evaluate potential hall of fame inductees.

The undertaking, Jacinto said, is true to his long-running advocacy of promoting band music, which started with his founding of the alternative radio station dzRJ in the 1960s.

“I’ve always been on a crusade to promote the music of the streets. I think we were the first radio station to air the songs of Sampaguita, Juan de la Cruz, Florante, Maria Cafra and all these groups that the others wouldn’t play,” he said. “We made our facilities available to them, so they could record for free and get exposure.”

In 1986, soon after returning to the country after his family’s 14-year-exile in the United States, Jacinto opened RJ Bistro in Makati City. The rock ‘n’ roll lounge aimed to thrust bands back into the spotlight during a time when solo artists and session musicians dominated the industry.

“Bands started fading away in the 1980s—they were either holed up in Olongapo City in Zambales, or traveling. And the rock scene was quite chaotic,” Jacinto said. “So the first thing I did was hire bands in the bistro to prove that it was still possible.”

Thus, Jacinto, who’s turning 70 tomorrow, said he feels compelled to continue his cause. “I’ve been playing music for about 55 years now, and I want to celebrate by giving back. I want to do something that will preserve our history and recognize our musicians,” he said of the planned Pinoy rock ‘n’ roll hall of fame.

To jumpstart the project, Jacinto will hold “Icons of Pinoy Rock”—a concert that he will headline with Smith of the legendary 1970s group Juan de la Cruz Band; and Buendia, who now fronts the bands Pupil and Oktaves. “The proceeds of the concert will be set aside for the hall of fame,” he said, adding that the show will be reminiscent of the parking-lot concerts he used to organize in the 1970s.

Also featured in the show set on June 6, 8:30 p.m, at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City are: Resty Fabunan (Maria Cafra), Basti Artadi (Wolfgang), Marc Abaya (Kjwan), Raymund Marasigan (Sandwich) and Kevin Roy (Razorback).

“I’m thankful to have all these great musicians with me,” he said. “I don’t think there’s a better way to celebrate their contributions to the Pinoy rock scene than with this concert. We want to give people something special to remember.”

For tickets, call TicketNet at 9115555 or SM Tickets at 4702222.

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