Pepe Smith joins heavenly gig

King is dead Pinoy rock icon Joey “Pepe” Smith. YUMMIE DINGDING

The king of Pinoy rock Joey “Pepe” Smith passed away yesterday. He was 71. His daughter Daisy Smith-Owen broke the news in a Facebook post.

The rock legend started his love affair with rock and roll at age 11 when he formed his first band which he called The Blue Jazzers, which was renamed The Villains and later, The Surfers.

“Thank you for everything, Papa Bear. Thank you for being the best Dad in the world. I know you’re in the best place now, no more pains Papa… I will see you in a few days. I love you to the moon and back,” Daisy wrote.

Pepe Smith first suffered a heart stroke in April 2015. He had another attack in July 2016.

Smith-Owen said his father was first rushed to the hospital early Monday morning.

Some of the country’s top music artists sent messages of condolences including Callalily’s frontman Kean Cipriano, former APO Hiking Society member Jim Paredes, Chris Suzara, Nicole Asensio, Chino Singson and Jugs Jugueta of Itchyworms, The Dawn’s former lead vocalist Jett Pangan, Gary Valenciano and Myrene Academia-Marasigan of Sandwich.

Smith first suffered a stroke in April 2015. He had another attack in July 2016.

He had a third stroke in November last year, which left him with a minor speech impediment.

He recently underwent a gallbladder and eye operation.

His daughter Sanya Smith also paid tribute to her father by posting a heartwarming Instagram photo.

Prior to making a name in the Filipino music industry, Smith made a name of his own in the international music scene.

Good music together Pinoy rock king Joey “Pepe” Smith romps with members of his band after a performance. YUMMIE DINGDING He was a singer-drummer for the Japanese psychedelic rock trio Speed, Glue and Shinki. But Smith was best remembered as the pioneer of Pinoy Rock during the ’70s as part of The Juan Dela Cruz band with legends Mike Hanopol and Wally Gonzalez.

Their hit songs included “Himig Natin,” “Balong Malalim,” “Beep Beep,” and “Titser’s Enemy No. 1.”

Smith rose to prominence when his band The Downbeats opened for The Beatles’ 1966 Manila concert.

Years passed by, the band became inactive. But Smith continued to pursue his musical career by releasing his own album “Idiosyncrasies” in 2005.

Smith leaves behind his five children: daughters Queenie, Sanya and Desiderata and sons Beebop and Delta.