Pepe Smith Rockfest postponed after musician suffered stroke

Photo from ABS-CBN News.
Photo from ABS-CBN News.

Filipino rock legend Pepe Smith’s official Facebook page announced yesterday that the upcoming Pepe Smith Rockfest will be postponed to a later date after the musician suffered a stroke on Tuesday.

“This is upon consultation with his manager, the family and PEPE SMITH himself in respect to his health and well-being,” the Facebook post reads.

The rockfest was supposed to be held this Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Amoranto Stadium in Quezon City and had several local rock acts as part of the lineup. No word yet on the new concert date.

Smith, 69 years old, is known as the “Mick Jagger of the Philippines” and rose to popularity in the 1970s as part of the Juan de la Cruz Band.

According to ABS-CBN News, he was rushed to the Metro Antipolo Hospital at around 11pm on Tuesday night after complaining about the movement of his tongue. He was then moved to the hospital’s acute stroke unit at around 3am on Wednesday morning.

Although he is having a difficult time speaking, Smith’s manager Mark de Leon assured that the musician is still in good spirits.

“He [keeps on saying] ‘rock and roll’ inside [the room]. He also shares stories with the nurses. If you give him a guitar, he’ll play it inside,” de Leon told GMA News.

This is Smith’s third stroke since 2016.



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