50 years of Rhythm of the Rain

MANILA, Philippines - Seems like it was only yesterday when Rhythm of the Rain hit the airwaves and was the No. 1 song in over 50 countries including the Philippines. Lo and behold, that was 50 years ago. Since it first came out in early 1963, over 1,000 versions of the song have been recorded worldwide including recordings by premium artists like Gary Lewis & the Playboys, Dan Fogelberg, Sarah Brightman, Stephen Bishop, Neil Sedaka, Johnny Rivers, Jason Donovan, etc.

At the turn of the millennium, BMI certified it as the ninth most performed song of the century just in the US alone topping the seven-million mark. In 2012, it was estimated to break the 10-million mark. Pinoys loved the song so much that not only did they embrace Rhythm of the Rain wholeheartedly but all the songs in the Rhythm of the Rain album as well and passed the musical legacy like heirlooms to the succeeding generations. The phenomenal song was composed by prolific songwriter and singer John Claude Gummoe who is now in his mid-70s and very much in top shape. In fact, John is still touring around the US and this coming April, he will be back on Philippine soil for the 50th anniversary tour. Recently, John was awarded sole ownership of the band name The Cascades by the copyright and patent office after a lengthy battle with Cascades wannabes and bands not even remotely related to the Cascades who have set claim to the name.

John started the group in 1962, sang all lead vocals on the first album and wrote the hits. Finally, he feels great that he got back what he rightfully owns. Since the Cascades reunion in 2005 that happened right here in the Philippines and did two historical sold-out shows at the Araneta Coliseum, John has always been partial to using Pinoys to back him up. Not only does he believe in the Pinoy capability but also creativity. Since 2005, he has utilized Pinoy musicians with music wunderkind Carlo Gaa as his musical director and has brought him to almost all his concerts not only in the Philippines but also abroad.

For the 50th anniversary tour, Carlo will once again be at the helm together with a handpicked selection of Pinoy singers and musicians who have toured with him in the past. In conjunction with the tour, a limited edition 50th anniversary CD will be released containing three versions of Rhythm of the Rain (Live, Slow and Techno), Shy Girl, The Last Leaf, Angel on My Shoulder, My First Day Alone, There’s A Reason, Dreamin, All the Way to Yesterday, some new songs and more and will only be available at the concert venue.

For the first time in music history, the Cascades will be joined by the World Famous Platters who just concluded a very successful winter tour of North America for a blockbuster back-to-back all-hit dinner concert at the Isla ballroom of the Edsa Shangri-La hotel in April. It’s a guaranteed all-hit singalong concert of both the Cascades (Rhythm of the Rain, Shy Girl, The Last Leaf, My First Day Alone, etc) and the World Famous Platters (Only You, The Great Pretender, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, My Prayer, Remember When, etc.), plus special guest our very own Rockin’ ’60s. Seats are limited and tickets are now available at Ticketworld, SM Tickets, National Bookstores, Ayala Malls, Robinsons and the concierge of Edsa Shangri-La Hotel.

The Cascades and World Famous Platters Together is presented by Steve O’ Neal Productions and the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in collaboration with Hard Rock Café, Diva Universal, etc, 2nd Avenue, Solar News, Craft Coffee Workshop, MS for Men and RJ100.3 FM.