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Kuh: how to be a diva

Kuh Ledesma, in top hat and red boots, with a reunited Music & Magic, the group she founded in the late 70s. (Publicity photo)

Face it: you’re either a diva or you ain’t.

In fact, the alternate dictionary definition of “diva” as “a popular singer” has it wrong.

Everyone can be a pop singer but not all can be a diva.


For the kill

Divahood requires attitude, presence and an instinct to go for the scene-stealing kill.

All of which Kuh Ledesma has in spades.

Case in point: at the recent press conference of the reunion concert of Music & Magic, a covers show band that Kuh founded in the late 70s, the press began to badger the members about doing an impromptu performance.


Like a star

After a brief huddle, the group launched into an unrehearsed, a capella version of “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch).” A hit by the soul group The Four Tops, the song was a Music & Magic crowd-pleaser back in the day.

While the group did well being the long-time pros they are, Kuh literally one-upped her cohorts by elegantly hoisting herself up on a chair as soon as the rest of the group had sung the intro of the song.

As it had been back when Music & Magic were pwesto kings at hotel bars and concert halls, Kuh was the star.


 

For fun’s sake

Later, she would tell Yahoo, it was all “for fun’s sake.”

From the looks of things that afternoon, it was. The press was delighted and the rest of the members of the group seemed to take things in stride.

In fact, Fe de los Reyes, the singer and comedian who flew to Manila from the US where she is now based, openly told the press of the disparity in their talent fees back then.


Earned more money

“Kung kami kumikita ng P300, siya P600,” she said, eliciting laughter both because the sums sound ridiculous today and by her matter-of-fact acceptance of Kuh as the star of the group.

Checking out the members’ mostly white outfits that day, Fe said it was Kuh’s idea to get them all suited up in one color.

But, she related, there were times in the old days when Kuh would ask the group to dress up in a thematic color for a photo shoot and then Kuh herself would show up in something totally different. You know, the better to stand out.




Interpreting Odette Quesada's Till I Met You, the grand prize winner in the 1983 Metro Manila Popular Music Festival. (Contributed photo)
Interpreting Odette Quesada's Till I Met You, the grand prize winner in the 1983 Metro Manila Popular Music Festival. (Contributed photo)
Music & Magic back in the day (Contributed photo)
Music & Magic back in the day (Contributed photo)

No tension?

“I don’t think that it (caused tensions then),” Kuh told Yahoo. “I don’t know if anyone of them felt that way kasi ako naman talaga ang soloista and I put up the band and all. And I actually had more jobs than they did. Kasi kung hindi naman kami kumakanta together I was always doing solos.”

Although she says that misunderstandings were inevitable, she credits their manager for stepping in. “Ine-explain naman niya (and it) makes things clearer to them.”

Kuh eventually went solo but continued to tour with Music & Magic as her support act.


Not the only star

But Kuh wasn’t the only star in Music & Magic. She was just the diva.

The group, which was known for its one-of-a-kind cover versions of chart-topping and standard hits of the 60s to the early 80s, had a deep bench.

Aside from Kuh and Fe de los Reyes, the band was composed of Jet Montelibano, Eva Caparas (who’s still performing), Angeli Pangilinan, Toto Gentica (now married to rock star Lou Bonnevie), Hector Pedero, Butch Elizalde and Nonoy Mendoza.

Eventually new members replaced those who left like Bobby Taylo (of the ASAP Band), dentist Vicky Sevilla-Pangilinan (who joined them when Angeli married Gary Valenciano), and Jeannete Casuga-Trevias (now a music director and keyboard artist in Hawaii), who replaced the late Maricor Perez.

All are still involved in music today, either as performers or producers.


Why young people should be interested

And while it’s clear Music & Magic’s show entitled Trending Music & Magic The Reunion set at the PICC on October 3 is aimed at people of a certain generation, we asked Kuh why younger people should still check them out.

“It would be good for young people to watch us so they know dedication, discipline and also love for music and performing,” she said.

“There’s so much to learn from Music & Magic.”


Trending Music & Magic The Reunion
, a joint production of Viva Live and Artist House, happens on October 3, 8 p.m.at PICC Plenary Hall. Tickets priced at P4500, 3000, 2000 and 1000 are available at Viva Concerts (687-7236), Artist House (815-1953),Ticketnet (911-5555),SM Tickets (470-2222) and Ticketworld (891-9999).

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