In Concert King’s recent junket to promote his upcoming concert, he talked about how having a positive disposition keeps him grounded, and as I pointed out during our quick chat, makes him look younger, too.
“You know, I love to be spontaneous but it’s good that you have something to look forward to. That’s probably the reason why you see the same guy from way back then,” he said in response to my question as to why he looks young despite being in the business for 40 years now.
“A lot of things about me changed a lot. I move slower, my voice is not as high as it used to be, and even my breathing while singing is different now. That guy you saw back then, what remains is his passion to love, his love to be in love,” he carried on.
It has now been forty years since Martin Nievera returned to the Philippines and ventured into the entertainment business. And to celebrate this milestone, the Concert King performed on Saturday, November 19, at The Theatre at Solaire. The concert is called M4D.
Being the son of the legendary balladeer Bert Nievera, Martin had dreamed of following in his father’s footsteps since he was a kid. After being tapped to sing background to Barry Manilow and besting over four thousand contestants in the California State Talent Competition, he decided he had what it takes to be a singer.
Vicor Music Corporation signed Martin to a recording contract in 1982. Vicor president Vic del Rosario, Jr. handpicked the Vehnee Saturno composition “Be My Lady” to be part of his first album Take 1, which was released in 1983.
The song turned out to be a massive hit and became the beginning of four decades of more hits. Among those that followed were “How Can I,” “Each Day with You,” “Pain,” “Paradise,” “Please Don’t Throw My Love Away,” “Christmas Won’t be the Same Without You,” “Say That You Love Me,” “Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin,” “Ikaw ang Aking Pangarap,” “Forever,” and “You Are My Song,” just to name a few.
Martin’s success – not to mention having recorded 28 albums – as a recording artist fanned out into other areas of entertainment. Aside from singing, Martin is also a lyricist for songs like “You Are My Song” and “Forever.” He appeared in movies like Always and Forever and Si Mister at si Misis. He also dominated television starting with Penthouse Live in 1984 down to Martin and Pops Twogether down to the talk show Martin After Dark and others.
As of today, Martin is considered one of the greatest stars in the history of Philippine entertainment. Despite his success, he continues to work. He is host of the TV show ASAP, he is fully booked for shows here and abroad and he is now working on a new album.
“I have to relearn my old songs because I don’t sing those songs anymore. But the good news is at this point in my life, I’ve learned to embrace me,” he said of his preparation for the concert.
“I’ve always tried to be someone else or sound like someone else or sing someone else’s song kasi sikat sya. But I think after 40 years, I’ve now been given the license to just sing me, just do me. And that’s what people will hear,” he concluded.
