SIDE A songwriter Joey Benin admitted he was the one who really requested the band’s erstwhile frontliner, Joey Generoso, to stop singing the hit ballad, Forevermore in the latter’s solo concerts and other shows.

Joey G will only be allowed to render the tune if he sings it with the original Side A Band or the present generation – Yubs Esperat (lead vocals, guitar), Leevon Cailao (lead guitar), Ned Esguerra (bass guitar) with Ernie Severino (drums) and Naldy Gonzalez (keyboards).

“Naniniwala ako this is for the good of everyone (for Joey G, Side A at sa mga tao para maliwanagan),” said Benin. “Kailangan lang maitama ang mali. With this, gusto ko sana maglabas ng statement about this issue.”

Here goes:

“Some of you may or may not have already heard of this but I have requested for Joey G to stop singing Forevermore, unless he sings it with Side A.

“I just want to clarify that this was a personal decision I made alone and not by Side A or any of its members, past or present.

“I reached out to Joey G and his management to express my concern that his solo performances of Side A songs, particularly ‘Forevermore,’ were causing confusion among the audience regarding the identity of Side A.

“Just to give you some context, when Joey G went solo in 2015, he had a concert at the Music Museum and invited me as one of the guests, which I happily supported.

I flew from Silay, Negros Occidental to support my bandmate, roommate when we tour, my kumpare, my dear friend. Sure why not, all support.

“However, napansin ko that many of the songs he performed were still from Side A repertoire, including the band’s banner song, Forevermore. Medyo nakikita ko na that this will have an effect on the current Side A’s career.

“And so, I talked to him and encouraged him to co-write with other songwriters, work with arrangers para makatulong sa kanya in establishing his own identity.

“Because I truly believe kayang kaya niya naman to go solo, especially since he has such a beautiful, distinct voice. Who wouldn’t love Joey G’s voice? He can sing anything and make it sound good.

“My interactions with Joey G have been nothing but friendly, almost familial… years of performing together and growing together made our friendship so deep, di maipagkakaila na para na kaming naging pamilya.

“So I continued to encourage him to establish a name for himself, moving away from songs (that use arrangements of our originals and remakes that we arranged, produced and recorded as a band) that keep him tethered to Side A.

“I don’t mean for him to completely cut ties with the band, not at all; that bond and brotherhood will last our lifetimes. But I do believe this to be best and fair to both him building a solo career and for the band to move on successfully without him.

“Fast forward to 2023. I saw a Facebook post promoting his concert Joey G Side Ko Lang. Honestly, I thought, ‘Wow! Finally, Joey G is taking off!’ However, I later saw videos of him performing Side A songs pa din on that Side Ko Lang concert.

“And yes, kasama ulit Forevermore. Sa totoo lang, I felt concerned knowing Side A still exist. Alam niyo, what you hear in a published song is just the tip of the iceberg.

“Beneath the surface lies a massive amount of hard work, effort in making a song, composing, producing, recording and the extensive amount of arranging and re-arranging that transforms a demo song into a final product.

“And every member of the band contributes to every sound created, all in an effort to deliver the songs to our listeners with excellence.

“I remember when I was with Side A (1985-2007) we never released a song without careful consideration. Every line sung, every guitar riff, every drum pattern, etc was meticulously crafted.

“Sometimes, or a lot of times, sobra na nga, halos hindi na kami natutulog. Naldy and I went overboard Ihink…but that’s what defines that Side A sound – it doesn’t go to print unless it meets our standards.

“While there were times our judgment wasn’t perfect, the band has always been committed to making every song with excellence. I know that even with the current members, that same passion and dedication remains.

“As I often say, as long as Naldy is with Side A, that excellent sound that we all love will always remain. My point is, what people hear is a finished product of a well-crafted song that was birthed out of passion, dedication and hard work by the whole band.

“The lead vocalist understandably usually gets a lot of the credit but that’s totally okay with all of us; that’s part of being in a band. When one gets the credit, we all feel good because we know we all contributed to it.

“And while on one hand, it is always deeply humbling and gratifying for one’s songs to be interpreted and recorded/performed by other artists, and on another, I am also supportive of former band members making a name of their own, I have been and always will be proud of and protective of Side A.

“So when it came to my attention that such songs that the whole band worked hard for were benefiting one but also unfairly taking away from the band – and have been clearly affecting the band though they themselves have remained silent about it, kept their peace, not making trouble, sometimes sila pa ang napapasama.

“Even though in a way, I feel they are the ones being taken advantage of – I had to somehow find a way to lend a hand.

“Which brings me to my decision with Forevermore, in particular. A song, inspired by my wife, and written for Side A, and as long as Side A exists, it will remain a Side A song.

“I know this is a bit long, but I wanted to make people aware that this was a decision I did not make lightly or hastily. And that the people involved are all important to me.

“If I am asked what I hope to happen out of this? I would say… First, I hope that Joey G will have a good solo career that would not affect Side A, meaning he will be known to have his own songs as Joey G and not singing Side A songs.

“Parang Steve Perry na nagka Foolish Heart after Journey. Note: When Steve Perry left Journey, he didn’t sing or perform any Journey songs, even with the songs he co-wrote with the band.

“Second, that Joey G and Side A would get to settle their differences and be reconciled. Third, that all of the members of Side A will be on one stage someday performing and creating that wonderful music that God has gifted all of us.”

AUTHOR PROFILE

Leah C. Salterio