Filipino rock legend, Jun Lopito, has passed away. He was 64 years old.

On Wednesday (30/03), local label Offshore Music confirmed the news of Lopito's death, thanking the '70s guitar icon for his friendship and music. "You will be missed. Rest In Peace. Jun Lopito. Our deepest condolences to his family," they write. A cause of death was not revealed.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Offshore Music (@offshoremusicph)

In a Facebook post, The Dawn guitarist Francis Reyes shared he first met Lopito at a guitar competition they were both judging. He recalls the guitarist playing "lyrical bluesy lines that sang and can also rip your head off with borderline metal runs." 

Filipino rock icon and Offshore Music head Ely Buendia also took to social media to share his condolences. On Twitter, he wrote, "Rock the Heavens, Jun Lopito. Thank you for the privilege of working on your music. You are truly one of the greatest voices, songwriters, and guitar players of OPM. My heart goes out to your family. NMRK"

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ely Buendia (@elybumbilya)

Imago's Zach Lucero recalled his graveyard shifts at NU 107.5, where he would play 'Pure Souls' and 'Regular Guy'. "There's something about those 2 songs that hit the spot for me in my shift of 2am-6am. It just fit the hours. I got to session for the guy behind those 2 songs for about a year in Republic of Malate. Crazy fun times. Such an honor to have played with a legend. Thank you for everything sir. Rest well Jun Lopito."

"I remember being starstruck when Jun Lopito walked in the studio, No air to him at all, always smiling and eager to have a conversation with two upstart guitar players," Urbandub frontman Gabby Alipe shared on Instagram. "Such a privilege to watch a master at work. Grateful to have met him. Grateful for his music. A true rock n roll icon. A Pinoy music legend. Daghang salamat Senyor. Pahuway na."

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Gabby Alipe (@udubgab)

General Luna guitarist and audio engineer Audry Dionisio, who worked with Lopito as the recording/mixing engineer for his last album, also shared, "I heard all the insane stories from way back, he shared all his life lessons, he was excited for his new material, he was so alive. He was truly one of the greats, and I was extremely lucky to have been part of that."

One of Lopito's collaborators, Grace Nono, wrote, "You shared your immense gifts with us freely, humbly, lovingly, and joyfully. You walked among us with quiet gravity, like a steady chant that permeated the atmosphere, making things lighter, clearer, more potent. Mahal ka naming lahat, Jun! Maraming, maraming salamat sa 'yo at taospusong pakikidalamhati sa iyong buong mag-anak!"

Prior to his passing, Lopito finished recording his last album bodhi3NMRK in 2020.

He was known for his 1995 project Bodhisattvas, working with The Jerks, sharing the stage with Pepe Smith, Edmund Fortuno, and Gary Perez in Airwaves, and performing alongside the likes of Sampaguita, Asin, Pinikpikan, and Anakbayan.

Watch Jun Lopito's live performance of 'Sa 'Yo' below.