YEARS ACTIVE: 1985 – PRESENT
90’S GROUP ROSTER: JOEY BENIN, NALDY
GONZALES, JOEY GENEROSO,
ERNIE SEVERINO, KELLY BADON
90’S HITS: FOREVERMORE, TELL ME, LET THE
PAIN REMAIN, ANG AKING
AWITIN, WILL I EVER, SO MANY QUESTIONS,
TULOY PA RIN AKO
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".
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.
Current members
Naldy Gonzalez - keyboard, vocals (1985–present)
Ernie Severino - drums, vocals (1990–present)
Leevon Cailao - lead guitar, vocals (2005–present)
Ned Esguerra - bass guitar, vocals (2008–present)
Yubs Esperat - lead vocals, acoustic guitar (2015 - )
Former Members
Rodel Gonzalez - lead vocals, saxophone (1985- 1995)
Pido Lalimarmo - guitar, vocals (1985-1990)
Mar Dizon - drums (1985-1990)
Kelly Badon - lead guitar, vocals (1985-2005)
Joey Benin - bass guitar, vocals (1985-2008)
Joey Generoso - lead vocals, guitar (1990-2015; brother of TV director
Pinggoy Generoso)
Rodel Gonzalez one of the founder of
this prestigious Filipino band break away by creating in 1995 another musical
band called Second Wind. He went to pursue his Christian ministry totally
sacrificing and giving up this band during its most prestigious and successful
career for the purpose of glorifying his creator and advanced his career making
disciples. He now resides and continued on advancing the gospel of Jesus Christ
in the United States of America.
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. 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."
