Singers, composers reveal their biggest musical influences

Before they were stars, they were fans.

Music artists are said to be the sum of their influences. A big part of who they have become were shaped by all the other artists they listened to and looked up to; whose songs they sang; and whose moves they tried to copy.

In this forum, the Inquirer talked to different singers and composers about their biggest musical influences, how they fell in love with them, and how they continue to be inspired by them.

Jose Mari Chan

Henry Mancini, the world-renowned composer of motion pictures themes and love songs. His romantic melodies, harmonies and musical arrangements made such a mark on my creative heart. Many of my songs were inspired by his music.

Ryan Cayabyab

I loved Johann Sebastian Bach’s music. I devoured his preludes and fugues as a teenager learning how to play the piano. I also loved Richard Wagner and Claude Debussy.

But for a long, long time, the American composers Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin were my music idols as a young musician growing up. Their music spun a sticky web that I couldn’t escape from—the harmonies, the rhythms and the melodies put me in a box and locked me in. Their music was irresistible.

But I outgrew them, too, eventually. But still, I look back and find influences (Bach to Bernstein) in some of my works! But I found a new idol to deconstruct: Samuel Barber!

Ogie Alcasid

As a singer, it’s Rico J. Puno. As a songwriter, my idols are Ryan Cayabyab, George Canseco and Rey Valera.

I regularly saw Rico J. on television back then. He just has a distinct style; he’s a star. I used to imitate him when I was young. His music was very soulful and I think that’s why he stood out.

I grew up listening to Ryan’s obras. My favorite is his song “How Can I.” George’s compositions for Basil Valdez are the songs of my generation—“Ngayon at Kailanman” being the standout. Rey, meanwhile, is the quintessential songwriter, someone who wrote music for himself and other artists. He sang from his heart with his very simple style. I love “Pangako sa ’Yo.”

Mitch Valdes

My dad, Manolo Valdes, was a singer in Japan, where I grew up in the 1950s and ’60s. He had a wall-to-wall vinyl collection of every possible type of music, from the classics to Broadway musicals to jazz and pop. He played them in the house the whole day.

As I developed my own preferences, of course, the rock bands of the ’70s came into the picture. What I miss is that even the dance tunes of Chicago and Earth Wind & Fire had a full big band sound.

As a band vocalist in the earlier years, you had to be able to sing all kinds of music. My experience in musical theater taught me to belt show tunes. I also loved the jazz and blues of my dad’s era. I also have bouts of feeling like a rocker. I love it all … except birit. I’m allergic to birit.

Isay Alvarez

Julie Andrews. I was 7 years old when I first watched “The Sound of Music.” The movie/musical inspired me even at that young age to pursue musical theater. I also admire Katy dela Cruz, who was an international jazz artist and a great actress, too. I used to imitate how she sang. She also fueled my desire to act for television and film.

Medwin Marfil

The band Prefab Sprout. Frontman Paddy McAloon writes really clever pop songs with fancy hooks. He is perhaps one of the best songwriters of his generation. But somehow this English band remains underrated, and has not been accorded what is due them. Sarap pakinggan ng mga kanta nila. It’s like being in a world where nothing is truly bad. A lot of True Faith songs were fashioned after Prefab’s sensibility of making songs that sound cool and feel good.

I also love Everything But The Girl. Ben Watt and Tracey Thorn as a duo have made some of the most gorgeous tunes in pop history. Tracey’s voice is perhaps my favorite female ever, apart from Sade’s and Shirley Bassey’s. Frank,  heartfelt lyrics and soaring melodies, on the other hand, are some of the things the band’s songs are known for. And we continue to imbibe those things when we write True Faith songs.

Gloc-9

The late Francis Magalona was the reason I wanted to become a hip-hop artist. I also look up to Asin, because its music was ahead of its time. Both of them influenced me in terms of songwriting; they influenced the content of the songs I write.

Lara Maigue

Celine Dion. Not a lot of people are fond of her nasal voice, but I love it so much, because that’s what makes her so distinct. She takes care of it (by taking lessons seriously) to preserve its quality. And to this day she still sounds the same—maybe even better. She has been my role model ever since. I have never stopped taking lessons from a voice coach. And I try to take on different genres, as Celine has elegantly and effortlessly done all these years.

For songwriting, it’s Sarah McLachlan. I love how she’s just honest with her emotions. She shows how beautiful a song could be with just vocals and a piano. I have learned to appreciate the beauty of simply singing from your heart, and not needing to belt out every last note just to impress people.

Ronnie Liang

Gary Valenciano and Basil Valdez. Aside from their powerful voices, most of their songs are inspirational. You will really feel the emotions through their music, whenever they perform. You will see and feel them through the lyrics, their voices, their facial expressions. I see them as good examples or influences. They’re God-fearing artists, too, and you will see that they really love what they’re doing.

Maybe that’s the reason I’m a balladeer. It’s their songs I was singing when I was little—“Sana Maulit Muli,” “Natutulog Ba ang Diyos,” “Gaya ng Dati,” “Nais Ko,” “Kastilyong Buhangin,” “Hanggang sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan.”

Billy Crawford

Michael Jackson is the performer—the king. I was six when I first heard his music, as part of Jackson 5—“Rockin’ Robin,” “Ben,” all the good stuff. And then it was the “Off the Wall” album, the “Thriller” album, and so on. I think all artists have a little Michael in them. I imitated him just like everyone else—his dancing ad libs, music, melodies.

Stevie Wonder, meanwhile, creates notes that no one else could replicate. I can’t imitate his singing and neither can I play the piano. But I’m just a big fan of his voice and of how he writes; his lyrics are always from the heart.

TJ Monterde

John Mayer. I love his straightforward approach to his songwriting, guitar riffs—everything about him. He inspires me to write more about love and life and all the little things in between.

Locally, the band Hale has always been one of my influences. The melancholic sound it produces uplifts my emotions, in a way. Plus, the lyrics about being broken in love is just perfect. I feel like they express whatever my heart wants to say through their songs.

Jason Dy

Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. I have always been fascinated by artists who not only sound good, but look good onstage, too. I look up to artists who can really perform. It’s one thing to be able to hit the right notes and sing all the right melisma and ad libs. But to be able to command a stage and captivate an audience is truly quite remarkable. I always try my best to take bits and pieces from my idols and incorporate them into my own personal style as a musician and performer.

Darren Espanto

First would be Michael Jackson. I guess everyone will agree with me that he is a legend and an icon in the music industry. Another is Bruno Mars.

These two are my favorites because they really perform well. They have amazing pipes and excellent dance moves. They’re the kind of performer I want to be. They influence and inspire me a lot; I sing the same genre of music.