Gone, but the music remains

SOUNDS FAMILIAR - Baby A. Gil - The Philippine Star 

October 31, 2025 | 12:00am

Gone, but the music remains

We pause to remember and say a prayer for our loved ones who have left this world. Let us think, too, of the artists who are now gone. We feel the loss and will always be grateful for the music they left behind. Among the well-loved artists who passed away this year are (clockwise, from top left) Pilita Corrales, Cocoy Laurel, Louie Reyes, Davey Langit, Freddie Aguilar, Hajji Alejandro and National Artist for Film Nora Aunor.

Eugene Villaluz has been making beautiful music with the angels in heaven these past seven years. But he has been unable to sing one of his most memorable recordings, Nothing I Want More.

Arranged as a duet, it needed a very special partner. So why not bring in Louie Reyes, a fantastic singer, jazz artist, vocal coach, voice teacher and former New Minstrel.

So, Louie was called in to join that gathering of singers in the great beyond. She passed away in her home in the US last Oct. 26. She was married to New Minstrels founder Cesar de la Fuente for almost 50 years and had two sons.

Time now for her to join Eugene and sing again that showstopping chorus, “I don’t understand the reason/ I told you so before/ for when I’m with you there’s nothing I want more/ I want more…”

The grim reaper has had quite a time harvesting well-loved people in the music scene this year.  As the old joke goes, somebody up there must be forming a band to provide entertainment for some heavenly event. And some of the best were taken to be in that forever gig.

The talented singer and songwriter Davey Langit, 37, also said goodbye last Oct. 21 from a rare form of infection of the spine. Among his works were Paratingin Mo Na Siya and Dalawang Letra.

As we do during this time of the year, we pause to remember and say a prayer for our loved ones who have left this world. Let us think too of the artists who are now gone. We feel the loss and will always be grateful for the music they left behind.

And now for this year’s star-studded departure list, which I pray will not get any more additions:

Quincy Jones, 92, on Nov. 3, 2024. One of the greatest American composers and producers. Q, as he was fondly called, steered Michael Jackson to the top of the world with the albums “Thriller” and “Off the Wall.”

Marianne Faithful, 78, on Jan. 30, 2025, was the British rock and pop singer best known for As Tears Go By.

Roberta Flack, 88, on Feb. 24. The pop and R&B singer popularized The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Killing Me Softly with Your Song.

Richard Chamberlain, 90, on March 27. An actor and singer, he was Doctor Kildaire and later Father Ralph de Bricassart of “The Thorn Birds,” whose theme Three Stars will Shine Tonight was his big hit.

Johnny Tillotson, 86, on April 1. The rock and roll singer from the ‘60s was known for Poetry in Motion and Tears on my Pillow.

Pilita Corrales, 87, on April 12. A singer, actress and comedienne, she was Asia’s Queen of Songs, who gave a new spin to native music with her album “Philippine Love Songs.”

Nora Aunor, 72, on April 17. As the Superstar, she went from singing champion to global acclaim. She dominated the charts with her songs and the box office with her films. She was the country’s first Best Actress winner in a major film festival, “The Flor Contemplacion Story” in Cairo.

Hajji Alejandro, 71, on April 4, 2025. The member of the Circus Band-turned-pop idol was dubbed the “Kilabot ng mga kolehiyala.”

Freddie Aguilar, 72, on May 27.  Olongapo folk singer whose song Anak became the first Filipino song to hit big internationally.

Sly Stone of the funk band Sly and the Family Stone, 82, on June 9. Big hits were Everyday People and Dance to the Music.

Brian Wilson, 83, on June 11. Founder of the Beach Boys, the American rock and roll band who introduced the Surfin’ sound.

Cocoy Laurel, 72, on June 14. The multi-talented actor, singer, songwriter, poet and painter was The Engineer in “Miss Saigon” and Nora’s leading man in “Lollipops and Roses.”

Lalo Schifrin, 93, on June 26. A pianist, arranger and conductor, he provided music to “Mission Impossible” and “Enter the Dragon.”

nnie Francis, 87, on July 16. She was the girl singer of the ‘60s era with hits like Who’s Sorry Now and Pretty Little Baby.

Alan Bergman, 99, on July 17. He and his wife, Marilyn, composed The Windmills of Your Mind and The Way We Were.

Cleo Laine, 97, on July 24, was a British jazz singer and actress.

Chuck Mangione, 84, on July 22, was the instrumentalist who introduced the flugelhorn to pop music with Feel So Good.

Ozzy Osbourne, 77, on July 22, was Rock’s Prince of Darkness and creator of heavy metal sounds.

Jane Morgan, 101, on Aug. 4, was the singer and actress of the iconic recording of Two Different Worlds.

To all of them, let us say, thank you for the music.