Martin Nievera is the the Philippines’ Concert King
OPM icon Martin Nievera, one of the most respected singers in the Philippine music industry, shared the story about his moniker “Concert King” started.
Martin has been in the industry for many decades and his legacy as a music icon continues to the younger generation. He is being admired for his talent and charisma on stage, and also because of how he brings inspiration and helping younger artists.
Just like many artists in the Philippines, Martin has a moniker that has become part of his legacy. He is known as the Concert King.
In a recent interview, based on the article in ABS-CBN News, the seasoned performer shared that his moniker started from a sarcastic joke.
Martin Nievera said that it was started by reporter Bob Castillo of People’s Journal who meant it sarcastically. “He meant it sarcastically. He did not like me, only right before he passed did we become friends. ‘Yung ‘Concert King Kuno’,” the seasoned performer shared.
The OPM icon continued his story as he reiterated that it was just a joke after his concert at the Folk Arts Theater. That concert was not televised because it was too bad. Martin admitted that in every song he sang at that time, he was out of tune. However, without bragging he said that his audience did not mind it. He could not hear properly because of their crowd’s scream.
On the other hand, Martin stressed that he worked hard to stand by his moniker. “I had to learn to be the Concert King. I put myself in Reno, Nevada, to sing in dives. I paid my dues. Ang ganda ng boses mo—can you do it in front of an audience? Can you do it in front of an audience that’s not listening, smoking, drinking, and not caring? We had to go through that before we could appreciate the screaming fans,” he said.
The seasoned singer also said that what started as a joke, he became on the right track. However, even after four decades in the industry and he has proven his star status, Martin admitted that he is still not comfortable being called the “Concert King.”
For him, his king is his audience, no matter how big it is or small. He shared that he can make a venue feel big.
Martin Nievera is set to 42nd anniversary concert in September and this is produced by his fellow OPM icon Ogie Alcasid who said that he has been convincing the Concert King to perform again at the Big Dome.