Just in case you have forgotten amidst all the hoopla about Halloween. Please be reminded that there is a serious side to this spooky season. All Saints Day on Nov. 1 and All Souls’ Day the next day were created to remember departed souls and to send out prayers for their eternal and peaceful rest.
Here now are some of those that music lost this past year and who we now choose to remember.
Emy Munji, 92, pianist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, band leader and musical director, died last Oct. 19 of natural causes. Fondly referred to in the local music industry as Mang Emy, he was a most reliable musician.
Whenever artists and producers needed somebody who could do a great job fast and with no diva hassle, they called Mang Emy. Jose Mari Chan did. The New Minstrels did. And many others. He could play anything, folk songs, jazz, disco, etc. and he made them all sound good.
Why he even took on the mantle of Ian Hero. Remember that “faceless” pianist who played Top 40 MOR music during the late ‘70s? Some of his albums were actually performed by Mang Emy, and those sold very well, too.
Way back in 2001, Mang Emy came out with an album of his music titled The First 70 Years. He did not make it to the next 70 but he did have a very good run during the first batch and the years that followed.
Jerry Lee Lewis, 87, rock and roll pioneer, Great Balls of Fire, Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On last Oct. 28, 2022.
Danny Javier, 75, founding member of the Apo Hiking Society, singer and songwriter of hits like Pumapatak Na Naman ang Ulan, Awit ng Barkada, Kabilugan ng Buwan and others last Oct. 31.
Aaron Carter, 34, teen idol and brother of Backstreet Boy Nick Carter of accidental drowning due to drug use last Nov. 5, 2022.
Irene Cara, 63, actress, Flashdance and singer, Fame, of heart disease last Nov. 25.
Christine McVie, 79, member of legendary rock band, Fleetwood Mac, Rumours, last Nov. 30.
Sylvia la Torre, 89, versatile star of radio, Sebya Mahal Kita, recording, Waray-Waray, Pakiusap, film Tangtarangtang and TV, Oras ng Ligaya, last Dec. 1, 2022;
Jovit Baldivino, 29, singer and actor from Pilipinas Got Talent of intra-cranial aneurysm last Dec. 9, 2022.
Gabe Ascalon, 68, Mother Earth founder and rock guitarist last Dec. 13, 2022.
Jeff Beck, 78, influential rock guitarist, founding member of The Yardbirds last Jan. 10.
Burt Bacharach, 94, Oscar and Grammy winning composer, Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head, Alfie, I Say a Little Prayer, One Last Bell to Answer, last Feb. 8.
Ryuchi Sakamoto, 71, Japanese composer and Academy Award winner who was leader of the Yellow Magic Orchestra and who did the music for The Last Emperor and The Revenant, last March 28.
Tina Turner, 83, singer and rock icon with hits like Proud Mary with first husband Ike Turner and What’s Love Got to Do with It, Private Dancer as a solo act last, May 24.
Astrud Gilberto, 83, Brazilian singer, the voice of bossa nova who popularized The Girl From Ipanema, A Certain Sadness, Meditation and others, last June 5.
Emil Tiongco, 85, lead singer of the Tiongco Brothers, the Filipino version of the Four Aces, last July 15.
Tony Bennett, 96, iconic interpreter of the great American songbook with hits like Because of You, Rags to Riches, Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Tender is the Night, last July 21.
James Dy, 92, philanthropist businessman, music industry pioneer as founder of Dyna Recording, last July 29.
Artie Ilacad, 65, original member of the singing group Boyfriends with hits like Dahil Mahal Kita, Nais Kong Malaman Mo, Sumayaw, Sumunod last July 30.
Mike Enriquez, 71, radio DJ as Baby Michael and transitioned to television broadcaster, last Aug. 29.
Jimmy Buffet, 76, beach bum-turned-country music star and Margaritaville millionaire, last Sept. 1.
David McCallum, 90, actor, star of the series The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and NCIS and jazz recording artist, last Sept. 25.