Pinoy rock icon Wally Gonzalez suffers stroke, tests positive for COVID-19; son appeals for financial help
The son of Filipino guitar icon Wally Gonzalez is knocking on the hearts of Good Samaritans for financial support to help his father.
Gonzalez was the guitarist for the legendary rock band Juan de la Cruz.
“Last week, my dad Wally Gonzalez suffered a mild stroke that rendered him extremely weak and unable to move on his own power. He is currently confined at Perpetual Help Hospital [in] Las Piñas and his initial findings saw an onset of pneumonia as well to go with the stroke. He is also a diabetic,” John Gonzalez wrote on Facebook.
“I am launching this online fundraiser to help ease the medical expenses that have so far been incurred and will be entailed as long as he still isn't well enough to be discharged. He has been confined since Wednesday, January 20, and the costs have already ballooned to an extent that it [had] already eaten up what budget we set aside for it.”
He added, “We are reaching out for help with his medical expenses through his friends, colleagues in the music industry, and the fans through your generosity to help him out and aid in his speedy recovery.
“As he has passed the hat before for some worthy causes that benefited people, let's pass the hat for him this time around.”
COVID-19 positive
In an updated post yesterday, January 24, John revealed that his father has tested positive for COVID-19.
“The pneumonia I mentioned was a part of it. He is advised to stay one more week since the treatment for Remdesivir takes that long.
“We are hoping by his next test, he turns negative so he can finally be discharged, or released to a more budget-friendly room. The treatment is very expensive.”
John said that the veteran musician is also being treated for a blood infection.
“The number of contributions has been good so far, but please help this reach more of his fans and friends who may want to help out. The fundraiser will keep on going to help cover the near two-week stay and treatment that my father needs to recover from this,” appealed John.
“Thank you to everyone who has helped so far. We will not forget you, and to the fans, we will definitely try to give something back in return when everything is okay.”
Man of few words
Photo by: John Gonzalez (FB)
Wally Gonzalez co-founded Juan de la Cruz in 1968 with drummer Edmund “Bosyo” Fortuno.
The band's original line-up consisted of Gonzalez, Fortuno, Sandy Tagarro (bass guitar and vocals), Bing Labrador (keyboards), and Alex Cruz (saxophone and flute).
Juan de la Cruz's 1971 debut album Up in Arms was a commercial failure. The record has never been reissued making it a rarity and a collector's item today.
The band members engaged in several side projects throughout this period. The most notable among these offshoots was the progressive rock band Anak Bayan composed of Fortuno, Labrador, and Cruz of Juan de la Cruz alongside guitarist Vic Naldo and bassist Marlon Ilagan.
The uncertainty surrounding Juan de la Cruz due to the members' varying priorities and changing personnel prompted Gonzalez to give the band a makeover.
Gonzalez found the right combination in singer-songwriter and drummer Joey “Pepe” Smith, and singer-songwriter and bassist Mike Hanopol.
Starting over but this time as a trio, Juan de la Cruz would trailblaze a new era in Filipino music, paving the way for the inception of Original Pilipino Music (OPM).
The band merged blues with rock and wrote songs that were relatable to the youngsters of the martial law era.
Juan de la Cruz would produce the hits “Himig Natin,” “Balong Malalim,” “Titser's Enemy No. 1,” “Beep, Beep,” and “No Touch," among others.
Gonzalez was dubbed as the “quiet one” in the band and was happy to relinquish the spotlight to the flashier and more charismatic Smith and Hanopol.
Juan de la Cruz broke up in the early '80s. The band's influence transcended its time with musicians from succeeding generations citing the band as a major influence.
Gonzalez would form various bands and collaborate with musician friends after Juan de la Cruz.
Occasionally, the guitarist would reunite with Hanopol and Smith for reunion shows in the Philippines and abroad.
His most memorable work post-Juan de la Cruz was the instrumental “Wally's Blues” from his sophomore solo record, On the Road, released in 1978.
Donations can be made through John Gonzalez's BPI account 3319 1927 69; GCash 0998 883 9647. For inquiries on other payment options, message John Gonzalez on Facebook.