The ties that bind Gary Lewis and his Pinoy fans

Tell me what's on your playlist, and I'll tell you who you are. Or at least based on a newly-released study that links your type of music to your personality. The research, which was carried out by a certain Professor Adrian North of Heriot-Watt University, is said to be the most extensive study of this subject ever undertaken, having looked into the musical tastes of about 36,000 people from all over the world.

You dig reggae? Chances are, according to the study, you have "high self-esteem, are creative, outgoing, gentle, at ease but not hardworking." Do you go for indie music? The study says indie lovers are creative, gentle, at ease but have low self-esteem, are not hard-working and not outgoing. If you're the kind who's into Madonna and other pop chart-toppers, you're hardworking, outgoing but not really creative.

Perhaps, the most interesting finding of the study is that a fan of heavy metal music could be the soulmate of a lover of Mozart, Beethoven and other classical music with their "similarities" in personalities. The study says that they both have creative natures, are at ease and not outgoing.  

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Speaking of music, the local music scene had a bit of a throwback to the 60's when Gary Lewis and the Playboys came to town last week. Although I have my ample share of oldies favorites, I have to admit I had the faintest idea who Gary Lewis was when I first heard he was coming. Thankfully, my editor-in-chief, my father and even videoke regulars my age were around to jog my memory by belting out lines of some of this rock 'n roll legend's hits that have withstood the test of time, upping my interest to meet the American singer himself for an interview at the Teatro Casino-Pagcor of Waterfront Lahug last Thursday.

His most familiar song to me is When Summer is Gone (I'll see you in September when summer is gone/ Have a good time but, remember, I'll be waiting back home/ And when you go out dating with some guy all alone/ Just remember I'll be waiting when summer is gone) and it wasn't a surprise to Lewis as this single is actually his most popular among Filipinos. His biggest hit, however, particularly in the US, is This Diamond Ring. A million records were sold in six weeks. All in all, he had eight gold singles, 17 Top 40 hits, and four gold albums in his entire career. 

His CICC concert last Friday formed part of his fifth Philippine tour—he had one in 2005, 1997, 1969 and 1966. These only show that the ties that bind Lewis and his Filipino fans are strong. Why he relishes performing before Filipinos is because they're the most diehard fans around. "Once a fan, they stay your fan forever," he says.

At 63 years old (though he doesn't look it), Lewis notes that many of his fans are also of his age or close to it. When asked if he makes new records, new music, he answers in the negative. "I don't have to because everybody wants to hear the old songs," he explains.

He continues, "I don't really care with the kind of music today. I'm happily stuck with the 60s music. I have a lot of memories from that time. I grew up with it."

Like many a youngster in the 60s, his biggest musical influences are the Beatles, with whom he had a close encounter during the group's concert in California. At that time, Lewis already scored a hit with This Diamond Ring, and when the Beatles knew that he was in the audience, he was ushered backstage to meet them. He even remembers wearing an ala Beatles suit, to which the Beatles complimented. "They told me they really wanted to meet me in person, and I said I wanted to meet them."

Lewis, by the way, is the son of the very popular American comedian Jerry Lewis. And it was through his father that met his first wife, a Filipina named Sara Jane "Jinky" Suzara. She was the daughter of his father's friend. They first met during his concert in the Philippines in 1966. They dated for a week, then maintained a long-distance relationship. One year after, they got married, producing a daughter. The marriage lasted for four years, and even if it didn't work out, the singer says that they are still friends and he has remained tight to her family. In fact, he often comes to the country (unannounced) to attend the birthday of his mother-in-law, who is now 95 years old.

Asked for advice for budding musicians, he says, "If it's really the life that you want, go for it. Don't let anyone stop you."