Singer and former matinee idol, Victor Wood, dubbed as the original “Jukebox King of the Philippines” passed away due to complications from Covid-19, as revealed by his wife, Nerissa to ABS-CBN. He was 75.
As per the ABS-CBN news report, Wood died at around 9AM at the New Era General Hospital in Quezon City.
A native of Camarines Sur, Wood shot to fame during the early 1970s with his cover of popular American hits from the 1950s to 1960s and was initially compared to Elvis Presley with his wavy curly hair and long sideburns that accompanied his popular renditions of rock and roll standards like “Daddy Cool,” (originally a 1957 hit for the doo-wop group, The Rays), “Little Darlin’,” (a hit by The Diamonds, also from 1957) and “Knock On Wood,” (a Stax/Volt soul hit by Eddie Floyd from 1966).
Wood, who also became known as “Plaka King,” later became an even bigger sensation when he started covering ballads like “Mr. Lonely” (originally by Bobby Vinton), “You Are My Destiny” (by Paul Anka) and what arguably became his signature song, “Eternally” (originally written by Charlie Chaplin and recorded by Engelbert Humperdinck, among many other artists).
Other hits also included covers of Teddy Randazzo’s “One More Chance,” Jerry Vale’s “Innamorata,” Buddy Holly’s “Peggy Sue,” and John Rowles’ “Cheryl Moana Marie.”
At the height of his popularity, Wood starred in many movies, mostly musicals opposite leading ladies that included Amalia Fuentes, Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos.
The advent of sub-genres like the Manila Sound and Pinoy Rock in the mid-70s that would later paved the way for a genre that is termed now as Original Pilipino Music saw the emergence of singers like Rico J. Puno and Hajji Alejandro who became popular with their Tagalog adaptation of known foreign hits. Although he did manage to record a popular original song with “Malupit Na Pag-Ibig,” quite possibly his last big hit, Wood was unable to keep up with the changing trends.
Wood’s decline in popularity, was also due in large part to the payola scandal he exposed, along with fellow singer Julius Obregon, in the mid-70s. Payola refers to the sum of money paid by record companies to radio stations to ensure airplay of promoted releases. As a result of his exposé, Wood’s career stagnated and by the end of the decade, he decided to migrate to the United States and found success with several business ventures unrelated to music.
Wood later returned to the Philippines to dabble in politics and ran for a Senate seat in 2007 under the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan party but lost. In 2011, he was honored as an OPM Icon in the 3rd PMPC Star Awards for Music along with Sylvia La Torre, Philippine Madrigal Singers, Joey “Pepe” Smith, Mike Hanopol, Freddie Aguilar, Celeste Legaspi, Ryan Cayabyab, Basil Valdez, Jose Mari Chan, Danny Javier, Jim Paredes, Boboy Garrovillo, Pilita Corrales and Nora Aunor.
He attempted to run again for the Senate in 2013 but was disqualified by the COMELEC. He also ran unsuccessfully for vice governor and congressman of Rizal. Following his rendezvous with politics, Wood has since maintained a low profile until his demise. In later years, art became his passion as painting became his way of best expressing himself.
At the time of his death, a biopic on his life and career, tentatively titled, “Jukebox King: The Life Story of Victor Wood” is set to be produced by EBC Films and Eagle Broadcasting Corporation. Written and directed by Carlo Ortega Cuevas, the upcoming film will be headlined by actor Martin Escudero playing the title role.
Yes, even as he dabbled in many other pursuits, music remains the greatest legacy of Victor Wood and for which many fans will always and perhaps, “eternally” remember him by.