Pumanaw na ang founding guitarist ng Juan de la Cruz band na si Wally Gonzalez dahil sa cardiac arrest nitong Biyernes ng umaga, July 23.
Siya ay 71 taong gulang.
Ang Juan de la Cruz Band ang kauna-unahang OPM Rock band sa Philippine music history na itinatag ni Wally noong 1968.
Si Wally ang itinuturing na pinakatahimik na miyembro ng Juan Dela Cruz, ang bandang nagpasikat din sa mga miyembro nitong sina Mike Hanopol at Pepe Smith (December 25, 1947-January 28, 2019.
Wally Gonzales, Pepe Smith, and Mike Hanopol
Ang "No Touch," "Panahon," "Titsers Enemi No.1," "Ang Himig Natin," "Beep Beep," at "Balong Malalim" ang ilan sa mga walang kamatayan at phenomenal hit songs ng Juan Dela Cruz Band noong dekada ’70 na hanggang ngayon ay patuloy na pinatutugtog sa radyo.
Kinumpirma ng anak ni Wally na si John sa PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) ang pagpanaw ng musikero.
Sabi ni John tungkol sa pumanaw na ama, “He loved being around his friends, bandmates and fans.
"He liked helping out people by doing fundraisers, like what he did for Pepe Smith and for the affected people by Yolanda, he did a pass the hat series of gigs to raise enough money to buy groceries to help out.
“He was very much a humanitarian, even if he didn't see himself as one. For him siguro, he just wanted to help and do the right thing.
“Saka he was always gracious of his stage time towards young and upcoming musicians, singers and most especially guitarists.”
Naulila ni Wally ang kanyang asawa, dalawang anak, at isang apo na lalake.
Mag-uumpisa bukas, July 24, mula 10 a.m. hanggang 10 p.m., ang lamay para kay Wally sa Gallerie lll Chapel ng Golden Haven Crematorium and Memorial Chapels, C5 Extension, Villar Sipag Complex, Las Piñas City.