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Biography
Wally Gonzales is a Filipino bluesman and professional guitarist. A Pinoy rock icon, Gonzales established and played with the Juan de la Cruz Band, along with lead singer and drummer Pepe Smith and bass player Mike Hanopol. Gonzales was dubbed as "the quiet Juan dela Cruz" band member because of his non-flamboyant lifestyle. He was also a businessman who worked as a shipping company's treasurer for ten years. In 1995, he founded the band called Wally and Friends composed of Dondi Ledesma (bassist), Wowie Posadas (drums, jazz keyboardist), Joonie Centeno (vocals), and Armand Quimpo (second guitarist). One of his famous and influential work is an instrumental called "Wally's Blues" from his second solo album, On the Road. He rejoined the Juan de la Cruz Band during the group's reunion concert on June 11, 2005 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, Philippines. His trademark musical instruments are the vintage Gibson SG and Gibson Melody Maker guitars.