Who Knows The Dawn

The Dawn is a Filipino rock band (see Pinoy rock) which gained popularity during the late 1980s in the Philippines. The band broke up in 1995 and eventually, lead vocalist Jett Pangan formed another band bearing his name. In late 1999, however, they again reunited.

The Dawn was originally formed in 1985 by Teddy Diaz (vocals and guitars), Jett Pangan (lead vocals), Clay Luna (bass), and JB Leonor (drums). They derived the band's name from a portrait of the Holy Spirit that symbolized the dawn of a new day (probably found in a book given by the Sisters of the Holy Spirit to Teddy Diaz,[1] as well as a crucifix which Teddy also received from the same sisterhood), called The Dawning of the Holy Spirit. Diaz, Leonor and Luna initially wanted a female vocalist; but in the course of their search, Jett Pangan auditioned and bagged the trio's unanimous nod. The recharged quartet began performing in clubs and eventually recorded a demo of a song entitled "Enveloped Ideas," a copy of which they submitted to DWXB 102.7, a now-defunct Metro Manila–based FM radio station that played Alternative rock / New Wave music. It topped the radio station's charts in 1986, helping the group gain a cult following. Heavily influenced by the New Wave style of the '80s, "Enveloped Ideas" is distinct for its introductory operatic vocals a la Klaus Nomi.

While The Dawn was in search of a major record label, Luna left the band to immigrate to the US. Carlos "Caloy" Balcells, bass player of another Filipino group, the Cicada Band, soon replaced him.

Success and tragedy

The Dawn ca. late 80's (L-R, front to rear) the late Teddy Diaz, Jett Pangan, JB Leonor and Carlos BalcellsIn 1986, The Dawn signed with OctoArts International and, the next summer, released their eponymous debut album, which gained commercial success. Many felt that The Dawn would fill the void left behind by the Juan de la Cruz Band when their music slowly faded in the 1980s.

At the height of their popularity in 1988, and just weeks after the release of their second album I Stand With You, Teddy Diaz was stabbed to death in front of his girlfriend's house on August 21, 1988 by two bystanders allegedly under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Despite the demise of Diaz, his influence is still felt among many guitarists today and he has become a legend among many Filipino musicians. The Dawn, together with the Filipino music industry also considers Teddy to be the band's driving force till this day.

The band bravely soldiered on; at one time employing the services of a masked guitarist (nicknamed Zorro by some fans) in the absence of a permanent axeman. Atsushi Matsuura, a Japanese guitarist who had earlier released a solo album in the Philippines under Ivory Records, was inducted to perform lead guitar duties in January 1989. He was later replaced by Francis Reyes, ex-Afterimage guitarist, who was also a DJ at NU-107, a local alternative rock radio station. Francis also happened to be close friend of Teddy's. Classically trained session keyboardist Millette Saldajeno joined the band in late 1990; she was replaced by Isidore Fernandez in 1992.

Source: The Dawn History