Joey "Pepe" Smith, Mike "Jeprox" Hanopol and Wally Gonzales
The Juan dela Cruz Band
The Juan de la Cruz Band was a Pinoy rock band that started in 1970. In 1971, the Juan de la Cruz Band released its first album, titled "Up In Arms". The album, which was released by Vicor, had the following musicians:
Wally Gonzales (lead guitar/vocal)
Rene Segueco (organ/piano/vocal)
Clifford Ho (bass/vocal)
Romy Santos (flute/sax/clarinet)
Bobot Guerrero (drums)
It should be noted that Sandy Tagarro, although not included on the album cover or credits (except as the writer of "Lady in White Satin") was the drummer and lead singer on the album. Bobot Guerrero stepped up to the drums after Sandy left the band.
After "Up In Arms", Joey "Pepe" Smith and Mike Hanopol joined the band. Along with remaining member Wally Gonzales, the trio arguably started the "Pinoy Rock" movement with the song "Himig Natin". Although it wasn't the first song to be sung in Tagalog, it was the first song of its kind that was sung in the country's native tongue. The band went on to release several more albums:
Himig Natin (1973)
Super Session (1974)
Maskara (1975)
Greatest Hits Live (Live at Cebu)
The Best of Juan de la Cruz Band (1980)
Kahit Anong Mangyari (1981)
The Juan de la Cruz Band has had many musicians cross it's path. In no special order:
Joey "Pepe" Smith
Wally Gonzales
Mike Hanopol
Edmund Fortuno
Bo Razon
Bing Labrador
Alex Cruz
Rene Segueco
Clifford Ho
Romy Santos
Sandy Tagarro
Bobot Guerrero
Nides Aranzamendez
Nick Boogie
Lorie Ilustre
Homer Flores
Chito Ilagan
Danny Bornilla
--from wikipedia
