Side A (group)

Dubbed as the "Philippines' premiere band" and the local version to the band Toto, Side A was founded in 1985 by the brothers Rodel and Naldy Gonzalez, with Joey Benin, Kelly Badon, Mar Dizon and Pido Lalimarmo. The band released its eponymous debut album in 1989. The band was first managed by the Christian-oriented artist management company called Artistation Inc., owned by the late Wyngard Tracy.

Side A achieved major commercial success during the 1990s. In 1993, the group's third album went triple platinum and in the mid-1990s, Side A garnered two Awit Awards, the Philippines' equivalent of the Grammys.[2]

Side A's eponymous debut album included their first hit single "Eva Marie" which paved the way for their illustrious recording career. Classic Side A songs such as "Windows of Our Souls" and "Di Pa Huli" can be found on the album. The uptempo song "Di Pa Huli" catapulted the band into the mainstream. Instead of "Side B", the B-side of their albums on cassette would say "Side A too".

Shortly after their success of their debut album, Rodel Gonzalez left for the band Second Wind. Pido Lalimarmo and Mar Dizon left in 1990 to form Artstart. Lalimarmo and Dizon remained with Artstart until 1994 when Lalimarmo united with Eva Marie Poon (sister of Richard Poon) to form Take One and Dizon joining Parliament Syndicate.

Side A's second album, The White Album, also their debut release under Vicor Records, earned double and triple platinum status for its sales. One of the biggest hits included on the album is "Hold On", featuring new lead vocalist Joey Generoso and new drummer Ernie Severino completing and forming the band's long-running line-up.

The Blue Album, their second album under Vicor also went double and triple platinum. The album features a cover version of Labuyo's "Tuloy Pa Rin Ako" which was recorded live at the Music Hall, one of the premiere lounges in Manila. The album cover sports exactly the same design as the White Album with the embossed Side A logo, only this time in blue.

In 1995, the album By Your Side under Warner reached gold status. The band won two Awit Awards, namely Best Performance by a Group for "By Your Side" and Best Jazz Performance with vocals for "True Love Can Always Wait". It was also the only album they released internationally with two additional singles: "Forevermore" and a cover of the Joey Albert song, "Tell Me". This album also commemorated Side A's 10 years in the music industry.

Side A held a 10th anniversary concert at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City and a live recording of the show was released titled Side A Live! The 10th Anniversary Concert which went triple platinum. This album contained cover versions of international and local OPM love songs. It includes the Joey Benin-written Janno Gibbs original "I Believe in Dreams", as well as a version of James Taylor's "Your Smiling Face" in which all of the band members could be heard singing solo parts.

In 1997, the album Year 12 was released and was certified gold. The album features a collaboration of international songwriters including Sharon Cuneta. It commemorated their twelfth year as a band.

In September 1998, Side A's offering for the Philippine Centennial Year, the album Ang Ating Awitin was released. Advance orders of the album guaranteed a gold album award for the group in its first week of release. It includes a groovier version of the Hotdog song, "Manila".

In 1999, the band released Remember December, their first and only Christmas album, and in 2000 the album Will I Ever was released with its carrier single, "Will I Ever". The album proved to be a minor success.

A compilation of all the band's greatest hits from 1985 to 2001 was released in the album The Platinum Collection. It contains new versions of their old hits.