Philippines a special place for Rex Smith

REX SMITH thinks “singing is like breathing” for him.

SIXTEEN years ago, on a Manila-bound Philippine Airlines flight, American singer Rex Smith, who was then slated to hold his first concert in the country, received what turned out to be one of his life’s most memorable welcomes—a taste of Filipino hospitality.

Four hours into the flight, Rex recalled, a flight attendant got on the microphone and, much to his surprise, began to croon: “And I don’t know how I knew it…” Before he knew it, everyone else was singing along to “Simply Jessie,” one of his most popular hit songs. He then stood up and surveyed the cabin to see over 300 people waving at him.

“Talk about an introduction! At that moment, I knew I was heading somewhere good,” Rex told the Inquirer in a recent phone interview arranged by the Araneta Group. “I was like, ‘Is this really happening now?’ It was like being in a Tom Hanks movie.”

From then on, the 60-year-old artist would become a regular visitor in the country, regaling fans with big concerts at arenas or with intimate ones at hotels.

“It’s been a wonderful embrace from Filipinos ever since. Filipinos have this sense of openness that is unequaled,” related the ’70s heartthrob, who likewise popularized “You Take My Breath Away” and “Forever,” starred in the TV series, “Street Hawk,” and made his theater debut via the stage musical, “Grease.”

On Sept. 18, he takes the stage at the Kia Theatre for a one-night concert,
titled “I Am Rex,” which is mounted
by Steve O’Neal Productions and Uniprom (call 9115555).

“The Philippines is a special place for me. What a musical nation,” he said.

Excerpts from the interview:

You’ve been in music, TV, theater, film. Do you sometimes look back and think how you were able to do all those?

I was lucky to have been young during a time when it was possible—I was in theater, I was a teen idol, rock ‘n’ roll artist, soap opera star. It’s hard to do all those things now….
Many people know me for “You Take My Breath Away,” and I’ve been singing that for so many years now.
But I also did six Broadways shows and six national tours; I had good roles on television and in films. How did I get so lucky? Because I was always curious and made it happen.

But which among these things came most naturally to you?
Singing is like breathing for me; I feel I was born to do it. I dreamed about it as a child…As years pass, you require more discipline to do it. But I’ve never had to resort to surgery or anything. I’m blessed with a strong body and a strong voice.

Is there still anything on your bucket list?

I went to culinary school, I studied in Italy. Perhaps I could open a restaurant, a grill, someday and put all my memorabilia there.

What was your teen idol days like?

I was at my loneliest when I was at my most popular. People saw me as someone different. Yes, it can be exhilarating, but it can also be scary when your clothes are being ripped off and there are eight policemen around you as a mob chases you down. I’m grateful I have a much quieter life now.

What’s your mindset now, career-wise?

I have two 24-foot walls in my home where all my memorabilia are—albums and gold, platinum records, etc. I’m looking at it now as we speak, and I’m just grateful I had this journey.
The thought of it empowers me when I’m onstage performing…I don’t chase fame; I just appreciate what I have and entertain people who enjoy my music. I don’t perform to feed my ego; I do it because I’m an artist—and that’s what artists do.

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