Ex-Side A Lead Vocalist Prohibited from Performing “Forevermore”
JOEY GENEROSO – The former lead vocalist of the popular band Side A, faced controversy during the Strings & Voices concert held on October 19, 2024, in San Leandro, California.
The issue arose when he declined to sing the iconic song “Forevermore,” which many fans expected to be part of the finale. According to Filipino-American talent manager Oliver Carnay, who witnessed the incident, the audience was clamoring for Joey to perform his signature hit.
During the concert, Joey explained that he was banned from singing “Forevermore.” This revelation surprised many, as the song is closely associated with him. Medwin Marfil, the former lead vocalist of True Faith, was present at the concert and decided to take matters into his own hands by going on stage to initiate the performance of “Forevermore.” He was later joined by Noel Cabangon for a duet. When they encouraged Joey to join in, he hesitated and ultimately refused to sing the beloved track.
After the concert, Oliver attended the cast party, where he spoke to Joey and learned more about the reasons behind the ban. It turned out that Joey had been instructed not to perform “Forevermore” during the U.S. and Canada tour of Side A. The band had previously held a concert in Los Angeles on October 6, where Joey had already been informed of the ban. Oliver expressed confusion over the timing of the prohibition, given that Joey had performed “Forevermore” for years.
Fans of Joey Generoso were left puzzled and frustrated, questioning why he was suddenly prohibited from singing a song that had significantly contributed to his fame, while other artists were still able to perform it. The incident highlighted ongoing discussions around artist rights and the complexities within the music industry, especially concerning iconic songs that define an artist’s career.