Pepe Smith in “Singing in Graveyards” Photo by Andrei Suleik
MANILA, Philippines — OPM artists paid tribute to the late rock icon Joey “Pepe” Smith, who passed away on Monday morning at age 71.
READ: Pinoy rock pioneer Joey ‘Pepe’ Smith dies at 71
Friends from the music industry mourned his death and penned messages for the Pinoy rock legend in their social media accounts on Monday.
“We lost one of the greatest ever,” Chris “Top” Suzara said in a Facebook post. “With great sadness and deepest gratitude, may you Rest In Peace, Pepe Smith. You will never be forgotten and you will always be the only King of Pinoy Rock. You WERE Rock ‘n Roll!”
He added, “We all know you’ll be Rocking up there in Heaven, the greatest stage ever! Thank you for being the beacon of light that you always were. Idol talaga! Condolences to his family and his dearest loved ones.”
Frontman of band Callalily Kean Cipriano also paid tribute to Smith with a tweet saying, “Rest in peace Sir Pepe Smith.”
Rest in peace Sir Pepe Smith. 🙏🏻
— Kean Cipriano (@keancipriano) January 28, 2019
Singer-songwriter Nicole Asensio, on the other hand, thanked Smith in an Instagram post.
“Thank you for being really nice to me always…. for being genuine… for giving advice and for encouraging me to sing… for always showing concern for my dad and my family’s well being…” Asensio wrote in the caption.
She added, “Thank you for the music, Thank you for the good vibes. Thank you for paving the way for the rest of us ‘misfits’ who just wanna rock n make people feel.”
“It’s Showtime” host and Itchyworms member Jugs Jugueta shared on Twitter a video of his band’s remake of the classic Juan De La Cruz Band ballad “Panahon” featuring Smith.
Mahal ka namin, Pepe! Maraming salamat sa lahat! 🤘🏼😎❤️https://t.co/YMyEgm7Zaf#RIPPepeSmith#RockNRoklToTheWorld
— ＪＵＧＳ Ｊｕｇｕｅｔａ (@jugsjugsjugs) January 28, 2019
“Mahal ka namin, Pepe! Maraming salamat sa lahat!” Jugueta wrote.
Jugueta also shared a snapshot of himself with Smith while performing in an Instagram post captioned: “Pagtanda ko, ipagmamayabang ko sa mga batang musikero na naging kaibigan ko yung nag-umpisa ng lahat… yung King of Pinoy Rock, si @joeypepesmithofficial.”
He further wrote, “Pahinga ka na, Pepe. Mahal na mahal ka namin at ng maraming maraming tao! Kita tayo sa dulo, pagdating ng panahon.”
Chino Singson, guitarist of Itchyworms, also posted a photo of himself rocking the stage with Smith and wrote: “Rock in peace, Pepe. You will be sorely missed.”
Rock in peace, Pepe. You will be sorely missed 😔 pic.twitter.com/LWbc76Ixeh
— Chino Singson (@chinosingson) January 28, 2019
Bassist of OPM band Sandwich Myrene Academia-Marasigan paid tribute to Smith with a tweet that read, “Maraming, maraming salamat sa lahat Pepe Smith. You left us with so much. You are in the blood of every Filipino musician and music lover.”
Maraming, maraming salamat sa lahat Pepe Smith. You left us with so much. You are in the blood of every Filipino musician and music lover.
— KING OF THE NIGHT YEAH! (@Mapins) January 28, 2019
“Another OPM legend bites the dust. With deep sadness, I say Farewell Pepe Smith. Gentle travels,” one of the members of APO Hiking Society Jim Paredes wrote via his Twitter account.
https://twitter.com/Jimparedes/status/1089698845468983296
Smith, one of the pioneers of Pinoy rock, was part of the Juan Dela Cruz band with Wally Gonzalez and Mike Hanopol.
They are known for their hits such as “Balong Malalim,” “Beep Beep,” “No Touch,” “Himig Natin,” among others. /cbb