MANILA, Philippines - Latin sensation Trini Lopez (photo) ushers the Valentine concert season with a show at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu on Feb. 9, 2011 and at the Araneta Coliseum on Feb. 10, featuring Pilita Corrales with special guest Ramon ’RJ’ Jacinto.
The Latin superstar is known for his hits If I Had A Hammer, America, Quizas Quizas Quizas, La Bamba, Lemon Tree, Besame Mucho, Cielito Lindo, Cuando Calienta El So, Guantenamera, Sugar, Sugar (en Espanol), and his own version of all-time favorite Spanish and English tunes.
Born in Dallas Texas, Trini began his entertainment career playing in club circuit. He was discovered in 1962 by record producer Don Costa while performing at Club PJ’s in Hollywood, California. Costa was impressed with Lopez’s Latinized versions of contemporary hits.
His debut album Trini Lopez Live at PJ’s was released in 1963 under Reprise Records, an American label founded by Frank Sinatra. The album included If I Had a Hammer, which became the No. 1 song in 36 countries, and was a radio favorite for many years. It sold over one million copies. He also performed his own version of the traditional Mexican tune La Bamba. The dance hit was re-issued as a single in 1966.
His popularity led the Gibson Guitar Corporation to come up with a Trini Lopez signature guitar in 1964. The singer came up with two designs -- the Trini Lopez Standard, a rock and roll model based on the Gibson ES-335 semi-hollow body, while the Lopez Deluxe was a variation of a Gibson jazz guitar designed by Barney Kessel. Both guitars were in production from 1964 until 1971 and are now highly sought after among collectors. Owners of the guitar include Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters, Nick Lachey, Noel Gallagher of Oasis and James Valentine of Maroon 5.
His chart-topping singles include Lemon Tree (1965), I’m Comin’ Home, Cindy (1966) and Sally Was a Good Old Girl (1968). On the adult contemporary chart, he had a total of 15 hits, including the Top 10 singles Michael (1964), Gonna Get Along Without Ya’ Now (1967) and The Bramble Bush (1967). Apart from his recording success, he became one of the top nightclub performers in Las Vegas, Nevada.
During the 1960s and 1970s Lopez moved into acting while doing concerts with extensive tours of Europe and Latin America. He was inducted in the International Latin Music Hall of Fame in 2003.
Catch Trini Lopez at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu on Feb 9 and at the Araneta Coliseum on Feb. 10. Produced by Ovation Productions the concert us supported by The Rockwell Club, ETC, 2nd Avenue, Diva Universal, Jack TV, Edsa Shangri-la, DZRJ 100.3FM, The Philippine Star, BusinessWorld, and ABS-CBN and Optima Sign Solutions. Ticket prices are P4500, 4200, 3500, 2500, 1000, 500. For inquiries, call Ticketnet 911-5555.
The Latin superstar will also be performing cuts from his album entitled El Immortal, a compilation of classic tunes like Let Your Love Flow, The Wanderer, Stuck in the Middle With You, Ramblin Man, If I Were a Carpenter, Sugar, Sugar (en Espanol), Guantenemera, I Can See Clearly Now, Lady Madonna, Lay, Lady Lay, Something Stupid and Wonderful World.