The Hi-Jacks | |
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Origin | Philippines |
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Past members |
The Hi-Jacks were a Filipino rock band that formed in the early 1960s. The group was established during a period when rock bands, also known locally as "combos", rose in popularity in the Philippines among young people. [10] Many of their songs consist of covers of pop music from the United States and the United Kingdom, such as " Pa Pa Ou Mau Mau" and " Hey Jude". [11] [12]
In 1969, the Hi-Jacks won the first Awit Award for Vocal Group of the Year (English, Local Division). [13] Later that year, they signed a contract to perform in Tokyo, Japan for six months. [14] By 1972, they had become a regular act at a club in Manila called D'Flame [15] when the group was acquired by the music label Sunshine, a division of Vicor Music. [6]
Towards the late 1980s, the group, which had since become composed of seven members, was the regular act at the Cabaret of the Playboy Club in Manila. [16] In November 1987, the group performed at an Elvis Presley tribute concert held at the Manila Hotel to benefit the Foundation for the Blind of the Philippines, Inc. [17] In February 1988, the band performed as the backing group of Ramon "RJ" Jacinto for the program "Jam Session '88," held at the Coconut Palace in Manila. [3]
In 1994, the band held a reunion concert at Jacinto's RJ Bistro in Makati on October 6. [18]
Release date | Single | B-Side | Notes |
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1965 | "The Monkey Time" | " Pa Pa Ou Mau Mau" | In Hong Kong, "Pa Pa Ou Mau Mau" peaked at No. 7 on the singles chart. [11] |
1967 | " I Can't Help Myself" | "I'm Falling in Love Tonight" | With Eddie Mesa; featured in the film Let's Hang On! |
1968 | "And You Let Her Pass By" | " Birdie Told Me" | |
1968 | " Hey Jude" [12] | ||
"Girl on a Swing" | "I Could Never Love Another" | ||
" Chewy Chewy" | " Goody Goody Gumdrops" | ||
" Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" | " Sing a Simple Song" | ||
"So Much in Love with You" | " Mony Mony" |
The real stars of that first night [December 11] were RJ and the Hi-Jacks, who weren't in the performers' list.
We danced at Manila Hotel's Jungle Bar, Stargazer, the Nile, D' Flame, Wells Fargo.
A show featuring Bobby Valle with the special participation of EJ Villacorta, Baron Barbers, and Miriam Pantig [....] Also features the Hi-Jacks and The Larry Matias Band.