An unforgettable night with Rainmakers

MANILA, Philippines - After a long absence, the Rainmakers are back.

On Sept. 3, 9 p.m. at Teatrino in Greenhills, San Juan, the singing group composed of Joel Macanaya, Joseph Lansang, Ramon Villanueva and Jojo Grospe will serenade their fans — old, new, young and middle-aged — in a concert titled Like A Love Song.

The title is taken from one of the songs in their last album, which says: “Love comes like a love song. Here now will be gone soon. But you welcome it into your heart. Just like any old fool.”

On several levels, the words capture the essence of the Rainmakers over the past four decades.

To begin with, most of their songs are about love, either expressly or implied. Also, like cherished love songs, the Rainmakers have come and gone and come back again. And, again like a love song, when they come back, we welcome them into our hearts.

Of course, in a way the Rainmakers have always been here, if only in the countless covers and versions of their immortal classic Binibini (most notably by Noel Cabangon, Nyoy Volante, Janno Gibbs and Brownman Revival) and recently their ‘90s favorite You and Me by Voizboys.

We note that with the return of the Rainmakers after a 10-year hiatus, the rains are also coming back after a long dry spell. There’s not only apparent literal truth and sequential logic in these two events. There is history — and perhaps, the hand of destiny.

For it was precisely in the thick of the rainy season of 1969 when the Rainmakers was formed and named after the prevailing weather.

The singing group was organized to represent UST High School in the Student Catholic Action (SCA) vocal group competition. Following the audition of more than a hundred aspirants, 10 members were chosen. Among them were Joel Macanaya, Luke Gaston, Jojo Grospe, Ed de Guzman and Tom Callueng.

Inspired by the vocal textures of such seminal groups as the Beatles, Beachboys, Lettermen and Sandpipers, the early Rainmakers were an instant success, winning the SCA contest’s grand prize for two consecutive years.

Later in college, they turned professional as a quintet composed of Joel, Luke, Ed, Tom and Jojo. They made regular appearances on TV with Nora Aunor on Channel 5 and on Channel 11’s Lunchbreak.

When they graduated in 1973, Ed and Tom left the group for more conventional pursuits. In 1974, Joseph Lansang — with his crystal-clear falsetto — took their place. It was around this time that the group, fueled by an increasing confidence in their talent, made the quantum leap of writing their own material. As their musicality, creativity and overall professional finesse grew by leaps and bounds, there was never any doubt that they were bound to attract the attention of music industry bigwigs. The latter soon materialized in the person of Snaffu Rigor and George Canseco, who gave them the opportunity to record their first single under Vicor Records. The song was Pang-umaga, Pang-tanghali, Pang-gabi, the theme song of the movie with the same title.

They also recorded an adaptation of the Carpenters’ hit song I Won’t Last A Day Without You, with Tagalog lyrics written by Canseco himself.

Soon after this long-awaited big break, they went to Osaka for a three-month stint in various clubs and hotels.

They came back in time for the release of their first single and, more importantly, an offer from Vicor to produce a full-length album. This gave birth to their biggest hit Binibini, composed by Joseph while confined at home with a bad case of sore eyes. The rest, as they say, is history. The song catapulted the Rainmakers to the forefront of Pinoy pop.

Other notable songs from that album were Talagang Sa Iyo, Ale-ale, OK Ka Sa Akin, Gabi’t Araw (theme song of Vilma Santos’ movie Burlesque Queen) and the theme song of FPJ’s Totoy Bato.

Throughout the ‘80s, they received numerous awards and accolades here and abroad. Among them was the Aliw Award for Best Group Performer (for two consecutive years). Responding to sustained public demand, they performed in countless music bars and leading clubs as well as in concerts throughout the country. They also recorded more songs under Discorp with Danny Olivares as producer. Among them were Oh, Baby, Let’s Start A New Day and Song Of Love.

In the ‘90s, once again proving their durability, the Rainmakers came out with yet another big hit, You And Me, written by Ramon Villanueva. In their ensuing resurgence, they did many concerts here and abroad. So successful were they that they were asked to do return engagements in various places like Hong Kong, Italy and Canada.

At present, the Rainmakers are busy rehearsing for the upcoming comeback concert with a well-chosen bunch of musicians as back-up. The fact that the drummer — Junjun Regalado — is the son and heir apparent of their original drummer Jun Regalado and the bass player is Joel’s son-in-law Manuel Tabuñar may be seen as an eloquent testament to the Rainmakers’ continuing reach across generations.

Perhaps it’s too much to say that what the world needs now is another vocal group revival. But certainly what the Rainmakers have to offer this time — an unforgettable night of sweet nostalgia — is well-worth looking forward to. That signature blend of cool voices, tight harmonies and even tighter one-voice-like unison and clear falsetto, like the sound of gentle rain will be refreshingly welcome in these cacophonous times. Like a love song, indeed.