Victor Wood was one of the original stars of Pinoy pop.

The iconic singer passed away today, April 23, 2021. He was 75.

Victor Wood was born in Buhi, Camarines Sur on February 1, 1946. Wood was one of, if not the biggest music artist under Vicor Records when the label was establishing itself in the late 60’s and in the early 70’s.

The singer was eventually dubbed the “Jukebox King,” a title reserved only for the biggest and most popular singers in the country. Wood released a total of 26 albums during his reign as one of the most recognizable singers in local pop. He also released almost 2 dozen singles during the course of his career.

Vicor released his debut album “I’m Sorry My Love” in 1970. The album contained his versions of the popular hits of the day.

Some of the hits he sung included ballads such as “Mr. Lonely,” “Release Me,” “Crying Time,” and “Where Is Your Heart.” But Wood could just about sing anything and he did so through his interpretation of diverse music styles. From the folk sounds of “Tom Dooley,” country flavored “A Tear Fell,” waltz and Latin in “Tennessee Waltz” and “Teenage Senorita,” and “Malaguena,” to a more localized flavor with Tagalog (“Kalyehon 29”) and regional songs like the Visayan “Ihilak.”

Veteran music scribe Poch Concepcion wrote of Victor Wood: “His place in the rich, colorful history of Vicor’s local music catalogue is at the crossroads in the development of Original music.” The writer also posited that “Victor Wood bridged the gap between artists who gained fame by singing foreign covers and the succeeding batch who broke wide open the doors that led to Pinoy rock, folk, jazz, and the Manila Sound.”

Victor Wood also ventured into politics in the 80s, was an actor and a painter.