American singer brings back the enduring sound of the '90s

MANILA, Philippines - The local concert circuit’s line-up of acts continues to be studded with top international singers and performers.

The next major attraction in the catalog of coming imported acts is American singer Ed Kowalczyk, who will bring back the enduring sound of the ’90s alternative rock band Live during his debut concert on Aug. 24 at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

The former Live lead vocalist and principal songwriter will thrill fans when he performs some of the great hits that made Live one of the most successful alternative rock groups in the ’90s.

Among Live’s hits are All Over You, The Dolphin’s Cry, I Walk The Line, Selling The Drama, Lightning Crashes, Turn My Head, I Alone, Heaven, Iris, Shit Towne and many more.

He will also render selections from his 2010 debut solo album, Alive, such as Drive, The Great Beyond, Grace, Stand, Drink (Everlasting Love), Zion, In Your Light, Just In Time, Rome, Soul Whispers, Fire In The Mountain, Eat Your Love and A New World.

Dubbed Ed Kowalczyk Live In Manila, the one-night concert to be mounted by Ovation Productions will showcase the remarkable talent and style of Ed that have conquered the hearts of millions worldwide since he embarked on a musical career in 1991 in York, Pennsylvania when — together with Chat Taylor, Patrick Dahlheimer and Chad Gracey — he formed the band that would later be known as Live.

Live had its initial taste of international success with its 1994 album, Throwing Copper, which sold eight million copies in the US. The group also had several hit singles in the mid-’90s, notably Lightning Crashes, which stayed at the top of the Billboard’s Hit Mainstream Rock charts for 10 weeks and at the Modern Rock Tracks (now Alternative Songs) charts for nine weeks.

Throughout his stint with Live, Ed has built an impressive record of achievements that includes eight full-length albums, total CD sales exceeding 20 million, a huge global fan base and extensive touring all over the world.

 With the breakup of Live in 2009, Ed launched a solo career highlighted by the international release of his solo album, Alive, songs of which he composed with an acoustic guitar. Grace, the first single from the album, rapidly climbed its way up the Alternatives and Rock radio charts after seven weeks.

He also did a US concert series, teaming up with World Vision. Together with his new band that includes Ramy Anton (drums), James Gabbie (lead guitar), Chris Heerlein (bass) and brother Adam Kowalczyk (rhythm guitar), he performed favorites from Live’s catalog, along with tracks from his solo album.

He was also featured in the song, Evolution Revolution Love, from the 2001 Tricky album, Blowback, which was used in an episode of the top-rated NBC series, The West Wing.

Ed Kowalczyk Live In Manila is presented by Ovation Productions in association with Universal Channel, Jack TV, 2nd Avenue, Talk TV, Diva Universal, Basketball TV, Solar Sports, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Edsa Shangri-La Manila. It is also supported by The Philippine STAR, BusinessWorld, OptimaSignsolutions, MYX, 97.9 Home Radio, Mellow 94.7, Monster Radio 93.1, RJ 100.3 FM, Odyssey Live, Sony Music and ABS-CBN.

Tickets are priced at P4,500, P4,000, P3,500, P2,500, P1,500 and P500 and are available at Ticketnet outlets located at all SM Department Stores and at the Araneta Coliseum ticket office. For details, call Ticketnet at 911-5555.