It was back in 1964, when Joaquin Concepcion, fondly known as 'Uncle Kin'  to the  KUAM family, founded the Radiants.  

As teenagers, he and Rick Castro formed the band to have a good time and 60 years later, the Radiants, truly island icons, remain Guam's longest performing band.

Louise Borja joined the Radiants in 1990.

“I know that Kin always highlighted and was so very proud of the band, even throughout the years. There was a moment when he wasn't in the band, but he really highlighted the success of the band and how we're still performing. A dream of his was to hold a 60th concert and invite a lot of the former members to a celebration or reunion,” said Borja. 

Unfortunately, Uncle Kin passed before his dream could be fulfilled. But the family and band members are making his dream come true. First anniversary mass for uncle kin will be on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 5 p.m. at the St. Anthony Catholic Church. 

 

 Dinner and the musical tribute will take place at the Tamuning Senior Center after

Lynn Borja Paulino, who started in 1987,  said the tribute will bring people together and just have fun.

“That's really what he always said, every time we had a gig, just go out there and have fun. I think that's why we're still doing it because we're still having fun,” said Paulino. 

Back in 1977, Mike Franquez joined the band as a drummer. He is the most senior member.

“Over the years, we became a family. We share a lot of things together. On and off stage. Kin was a very big part of the band...he held it together,” said Franquez. 

The tribute will showcase the evolution of the band over the course of 60 years and how the music has changed throughout the decades.

“Starting with the 60's and one of the things Kin always mentioned, back in the 60's they were an all-male group. So of course they played a lot of the Beatles,  a lot of the Young Rascals, and then throughout the decades, the 70s became the disco era, you'll hear the evolution of music that evening,” Franquez added. 

According to Franquez, that is the legacy he left behind, and what the current members hope to carry on and at 60 years strong, the Radiants continue to thrive.

“I used to tell Kin all the time, we want to inspire and evolve and keep going. we want to inspire the younger generation to fill in the shoes that we inherited from our previous members,” he added. 

Again, the tribute is set for Saturday, Oct. 5.