Side A

Side A (band)
Origin Manila, Philippines
Genres Pop, OPM, Pinoy rock, r&b
Years active 1985present
Labels Ivory Music
Vicor Music
Warner Music Philippines
Viva Records
MCA Music Philippines
Associated acts South Border
Freeverse
The Kelly Badon Project
Artstart
Anthem
Take One
Second Wind
Website Side A Worldwide
Members Naldy Gonzalez
Leevon Cailao
Ernie Severino
Ned Esguerra
Yubs Esperat
Past members Kelly Badon
Joey Benin
Pido Lalimarmo
Mar Dizon
Rodel Gonzalez
Joey Generoso

Side A is a Filipino pop band formed in 1985 who gained recognition in the Filipino music scene in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, best known for their hit single "Forevermore".

Origins and early years

Dubbed as the Philippines' answer to Toto, Side A was founded in 1985 by the brothers Rodel and Naldy Gonzalez, with Joey Benin, Kelly Badon, Mar Dizon and Pido Lalimarmo. They released their eponymous debut album in 1989. They are managed by a Christian-oriented artist management company called Artistation Inc., owned by the late Wyngard Tracy.

Members

Current members

Former Members

Biography

In terms of commercial success, no other group in the Philippines was able to match Side A's track record in the '90s. In 1993, the group's third album went triple platinum and in the mid-1990s, Side A garnered two Awit Awards, the Philippines' equivalent of the Grammys.[1]

The debut album

Side A's eponymous debut album included their first hit single "Eva Marie" which paved the way for their illustrious recording career. Classic Side A songs such as "Windows of Our Souls" and "Di Pa Huli" can be found on the album. The upbeat song "Di Pa Huli" catapulted the band into the mainstream and thus capturing a wider audience. This also started the very popular cassette tape trend in which the Side B of the tape says "Side A too".

Shortly after their success of their debut album, Rodel Gonzalez left for Second Wind. Pido Lalimarmo and Mar Dizon left in 1990 to form Artstart. Lalimarmo and Dizon remained with Artstart until 1994 when Lalimarmo united with Eva Marie Poon (sister of Richard Poon) to form Take One and Dizon joining Parliament Syndicate.

The White Album

This much awaited debut under Vicor is the second album of the band which earned them a Double and Triple Platinum Award for its outstanding sales. One of the biggest hits included is "Hold On" featuring new lead vocalist Joey Generoso and new drummer Ernie Severino completing and forming the band's long-running line-up.

The Blue Album

This second album under Vicor awarded them a Double and Triple Platinum award. The album features a cover of Labuyo's "Tuloy Pa Rin Ako" which was recorded live at the Music Hall, one of the premiere lounges in Manila. The song captures the energy and excitement of Side A during their live performances. The band line-up has not been changed until the present. The album cover sports exactly the same design as the White Album with the embossed Side A logo, only this time in blue.

By Your Side

This 1995 album under Warner proved to be the most awarded album so far. Aside from its Gold Record Award, Side A won two Awit Awards, namely Best Performance by a Group for "By Your Side" and Best Jazz Performance with vocals for "True Love Can Always Wait". It was also the only album they released internationally with two additional singles: "Forevermore" and a revival of the Joey Albert hit, "Tell Me". This album also commemorates Side A's 10 years in the music industry.

Side A Live! The 10th Anniversary Concert

Side A's 10th Anniversary concert at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City proved to be a memorable occasion and to top it off this live concert recording earned them a Triple Platinum Award. A soothing collection of foreign and Original Pilipino Music (OPM) love songs with a touch of Side A. It includes the Joey Benin-written Janno Gibbs original "I Believe in Dreams". The album also features the James Taylor classic "Your Smiling Face" in which all of the band members can be heard singing solo.

Year 12

A certified Gold record released in 1997, this long overdue studio album proved to be worth the wait for Side A fans. The album features a collaboration of international songwriters including Sharon Cuneta. It commemorates their 12th year as a band.

Ang Ating Awitin

Side A's offering for the Philippine Centennial Year, this album was released in September 1998. Advance orders of the album guaranteed a gold album award for the group in its 1st week of release. Side A also releases a groovier version of one of the The Hotdogs' hit songs, "Manila", the ode to the capital of the Philippines.

Remember December

Side A's first and only Christmas album in 1999.

Will I Ever

Released in 2000 with the carrier single "Will I Ever". The album proved to be a minor success.

The Platinum Collection

A collection of all their greatest and most known hits from 1985 to 2001. A certified best-seller containing new versions of their old hits.

Gig, All Hits Live and the new Side A

Kelly Badon left the band to form The Kelly Badon Project with former members of Freeverse and was replaced by former Take One guitarist Leevon Cailao (making him the youngest member of the band). His debut with the band features him singing Fra Lippo Lippi's "Later" on their Gig: All Hits Live (at Bagaberde) album. The new live album obtained minimal success.

Joey Benin also left Side A. He currently tends a fish farm and a developing natural organic farmland in Silay, Negros Occidental with his wife and kids.[2] He was replaced by Ned Esguerra, former Freeverse member.

Joey Generoso also left the band to pursue a solo career under the name "Joey G."

Discography[3]

Studio albums

Album Tracks Year Label
Side A Di Pa Huli
Eva Marie
Love Will Find A Way
Love That Was
Still A Mystery
Windows Of Our Souls
Can't You Love Me Anymore
Heart For Another Love
Love's Bound In Time
Forever Stay
1989 Ivory Music, Inc
White Album Hold On
I Will Always Stay
Only You There Will Never Be Another
Lahat May Pag-Asa
Time To Let Go
I'll Be There
Chances Are
Samahan Mo Ako
1991 Vicor Music
Blue Album Tuloy Pa Rin Ako
Love is Here To Stay
Sana Naman
I'll Be Seeing You Again
Pangako
Love Isn't Hard To Find
Only You The Prelude
Don't Stop Believing
1993 Vicor Music
By Your Side Set You Free
True Love Can Always Wait
You and I
So Many Questions
By Your Side
Open Your Eyes
Forevermore
Tell Me
1995 Warner Music
Side A 12 The Girl Is So Right For Me
Endlessly
Just Wanna Make You Happy
Always There
Don't Get Me Started
Wala Nang Iba
Forever Starts Today
Can't Keep This Feeling In
All This Time (feat. Sharon Cuneta)
Breakaway
1997 Warner Music
Ang Ating Awitin Ang Aking Awitin
Let The Pain Remain
Iduyan Mo
Pinay
Habang May Buhay
Manila
Sa Ugoy Ng Duyan
Anak
Forevermore (feat. ELKE and MIRA SAISON of Toy Symphony)
1998 Warner Music
Will I Ever... Will I Ever
If Only
Still The One
'Till
Falling In Love With Marilyn
I Accept
I Still Cry
Clara's Eyes
One Wish
I Wanna Love You
2000 Warner Music
Titanium Dream On
Love is Another
Fragile
Break My Heart Again
Don't Let The World Win
Nais Ko
With You
When I C U 2NYT
Make Believe
I Surrender
2003 PolyEast Records
Only One Only One
Kung Wala Ka Na
Just Wanna Be With You
That’s Okay
Tila
Fallin'
Something’s Missing
Can’t You See
Where Do I Go?
Save Me
Die Just A Little
2009 MCA Music, Inc.

Compilation albums

Album Tracks Year Record label
Side A 2000 : The Gold Collection 2000
The Platinum Collection Forevermore
So Many Questions
Tell Me
Ang Aking Awitin
Will I Ever
The Girl's So Right For Me
If Only
By Your Side
Think It Over
Let The Pain Remain
Endlessly
Anak
Set You Free
Umagang Kay Ganda
Clara's Eyes
All This Time
Foolish Heart (live version)
2001 Warner Music
Side A Acoustic Love Songs 2002 Warner Music
Side A: Vicor Music 40th Anniversary Collection 2003 Vicor Music
Anthology Di Pa Huli
Eva Marie
Window Of Our Souls
Hold On
I Will Always Stay
Only You
Time To Let Go
Chances Are
Tuloy Pa Rin Ako
Sana Naman
Pangako
Don't Stop Believing
Set You Free
You And I
So Many Questions
By Your Side
Forevermore
Tell Me
By Your Side (Live)
I Believe In Dreams (Live)
No Other Love (Live)
Foolish Heart (Live)
Forevermore (Live)
The Girl Is So Right For Me
Endlessly
Ang Aking Awitin
Let The Pain Remain
Manila
Sa Ugoy Ng Duyan
Anak
Will I Ever
If Only
Clara's Eyes
All This Time (feat. Sharon Cuneta)
Think It Over (feat. Zsa Zsa Padilla)
Tell Me (Acoustic Version)
Ang Aking Awiting (Acoustic Version)
Got To Believe In Magic
2004 Warner Music
Side A Back2Back Freestyle 2004 Viva Records
18 Greatest Hits 2009 Viva Records
Side A 25: A Silver Anniversary Collector's Edition 2011 Warner Music

Live albums

Album Tracks Year Record label
Side A Live! 10th Anniversary Concert By Your Side
I Believe in Dreams
No Other Love
Sabi-Sabi
Medley: I'll Alway Stay In Love This Way; Don't Know What To Say, Don't Know What To Do; You; Tell Me
Set You Free
Foolish Heart
Hurt
Your Smiling Face
Forever More
1996 Warner Music
Side A Gig (All Hits Live) All I Need
Heart of Mine
Later
Whenever I Call You Friend
Wild World
Heart To Heart
Stormy
Rosanna
Rainbows End
Sailing
Our Love
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
Queen Medley (We Will Rock You, We Are The Champions, Bohemian Rhapsody)
You To Me Are Everything
Stars
Faithfully (encore!)
2005 Viva Records

Christmas album

Album Tracks Year Record label
Remember December Remember December
This Christmas
My Christmas Wish
Christmas Time Again
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Merry Christmas, Happy Christmas
Miss Kita Kung Christmas
Pasko Na Sinta Ko
Give Love on Christmas Day
Thank You for Christmas Day
1999 Warner Music

EPs and singles

References

  1. Artist Biography by Michael Sutton. "Side A | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-06-10.
  2. "Side A through the years, forevermore! | Entertainment, News, The Philippine Star". philstar.com. 2008-10-03. Retrieved 2014-06-10.
  3. "Side A Worldwide - Discography". Sidea.tripod.com. Retrieved 2014-06-10.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, April 20, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.