The music of Richard Marx live

The idea is absurd. But when you get down to the basics and into the six degrees of separation game, it also begins to make sense. This is how it happens that I think of the late actor Patrick Swayze whenever I hear the song Right Here Waiting by Richard Marx. Marx is the composer and singer of Right Here Waiting which became one of the biggest hits of 1989. I heard a story a long time ago that Marx wrote the song for his wife Cynthia Rhodes. It was about missing her so much while he is on the road. Now, Rhodes is the actress and dancer who played the pregnant dance instructor in Dirty Dancing. And when you think of Dirty Dancing, the first thing that comes to mind is Swayze.

Well, although the idea makes some sense, it is most unfair to Marx. One of the biggest pop stars of recent times, he is a very successful singer, songwriter and producer. He is also quite attractive. But down girls! He is happily married to Cynthia, who gave up her career, she also starred opposite John Travolta in Staying Alive, to be a full-time wife and mother. I say, what girl wouldn’t, when you have a guy who looks like Marx, sounds like Marx and writes beautiful, romantic songs like Right Here Waiting.

The Richard Marx I like best though is the songwriter. It is also the one that constantly springs surprises. Like I would be reading the credits to a Josh Groban CD and there would be Marx, songwriter to To Where You Are, which was Groban’s breakthrough song from the Ally McBeal soundtrack. I was among those who thought for years that The Best Of Me is a David Foster song. It is. But co-written with Marx. And who can forget the Grammy Song of the Year winner Dance With My Father. Luther Vandross? Yes. But also co-written with Marx.

The fact is that although Marx has not been hitting the charts as often as before as a singer, he is on top of the game as a songwriter. His works have been recorded by the biggest names in the music industry, from Barbra Streisand to Cliff Richard to Julio Iglesias, Natalie Cole, Kenny Loggins, Michael Bolton, Celine Dion, John Farnham, Toni Braxton, ‘NSync, Kenny Rogers and many others. And take note, among the artists who recently got their hands on Richard Marx compositions are country music star Keith Urban, pop-rock group Lifehouse and the Platinum-selling band Daughtry. This shows how in step he is with current trends and how varied are his works.

The Marx that everybody out here is waiting for though, is the performer. For the first time ever, Marx will be singing his hits at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight. This must be one of the most awaited concerts to hit the Big Dome in recent times. Marx is a big favorite among sentimental Pinoys. He is one of those artists whose songs continue to be played on the radio as though they were released only a few weeks ago. You can hear Right Here Waiting or Hold On To The Night piped in into the malls, restaurants and other places. And karaoke sing-alongs will usually yield one or two Marx wannabes a night.

Right Here Waiting and Hold On To The Night will surely be the songs that fans will scream for tonight. I am sure they will also enjoy his other hits like Endless Summer Nights, Now And Forever, Angelia, Don’t Mean Nothing, Should’ve Known Better, Until I Find You Again, Angel’s Lullaby, Take This Heart, Satisfied, The Way She Loves Me, Touch Of Heaven, Children Of The Night, Hazard and Keep Coming Back. Maybe he will also do one or two that he did not record like Dance With My Father, This I Promise You and The Best of Me.

Call 911-5555 for tickets or better yet get them at the Coliseum ticket office or at Ticketnet outlets at SM Department Stores now. Incidentally, our very own Aiza Seguerra will also be performing in Marx’s show.