The Long Tall Howard Medina Show: DZBB's ultimate throwback music program

July 18 2014

By JAMES “Tootie” ABAN


 

Throwback hits from the ‘40s to the ‘90s greet listeners of DZBB’s The Long Tall Howard Medina Show every weekday from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Howard Medina, the man behind the console, serenades with the songs of yesteryears.

From time to time, remakes punch through the afternoon airwaves.

Unlike in the FM stations, DJ Long Tall Howard does not have a playlist. He plays by request.

“I can play anything from the 1940s to the present. I have an extensive library of songs,” he said.

“It’s not the title. It’s not the artist,” he mused. “The sound is more important…Dapat,  the first few notes of the song ay alam na ng listeners ko. Alam na ang kanta.”
 
Deep Kapuso roots

Nineteen-year-old Howard Medina started his career in 1968 as a disk jockey at dzFF of the Republic Broadcasting System (RBS), now known as GMA Network Incorporated.

His superior, Naldy Castro, gave him the radio moniker Long Tall Howard, derived from the famous song “Long Tall Sally” of Little Richard.

He divided his time between radio and Bits ‘N Pieces, a boyband where he served as vocalist and bass guitarist.

Because of his expertise and fine choice of music, he worked with WEA records in 1976 and Dyna Records in 1969. In 1982, he joined television as the country’s first music video jockey.

His multiple jobs brought him closer to some international singers like Cliff Richard, Air Supply and The Lettermen.

In 2004, his devotion to the music industry led him to put up the Steve O’Neal productions with his friends. The group is behind the concerts of international singers in the Philippines and other Asian countries.

Last January, Mike Enriquez, his long-time friend and the consultant of GMA’s Radio Operations Department, offered him the music program that he now hosts.
 


Nothing like the oldies

DJ Long Tall Howard admitted that cueing a song using today’s modern equipment is much easier compared to the days of the turntable and the 45s.

“Napakadali ngayon. Dati hahanapin mo pa ang plaka, at kailangan hawak mo na ang plaka kapag naka-cue ang turntable. At pag pinakawalan mo [ang plaka sa turntable] ay tama na. Pero kung di mo hawakan ang plaka at in-on mo ang turntable, ay tutunog [distorted]…Mas maraming ginagawa noong araw,” he reminisced.

DJ Long Tall Howard, now 68, said he digs today’s hit makers – One Direction and Katy Perry.  

But when it comes to music, he insisted that nothing beats the oldies.

“Mas gusto ko ‘yung music noong early ‘80s. ‘Yung mga lumang kanta ay inuulit na ngayon ng mga batang singer, dahil ang sikreto ng mga lumang kanta…simple melody, simple lyrics,” he said.

Through the years, even in the dark days of Martial Law, the life of DJ Long Tall Howard was filled with good memories because of music.

“Music in my life never stops. My heart has been kept young by the music that I practice,” he added.