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Gloria Estafan, the Cuban singer/ songwriter has a lot to celebrate. Not only does she Unwrap her new high-octane album, but part of the offering is her inspiration, Stevie Wonder. The entire CD was recorded live, giving the album a raw, uncensored vibe. Gloria wanted musicians who'd influenced her growth as a singer/songwriter to appear on Unwrapped. That explains what Chrissie Hynde (singer-songwriter-guitarist, The Pretenders) and Manu Katache (drummer, The Ivory Coast, who has played with Sting and Peter Gabriel) are doing on the album.
To reach a level where legend Stevie Wonder assures you that 'we're family' - to put it mildly - is a grueling journey. Rising from the ghettos of Miami to almost losing her ability to walk, Gloria has had her fair share of trials and an equal number of successes.
Read the fascinating story of a woman who has struggled, survived and succeeded… all with her singing… to become an inspiration herself.
Humble Beginnings
From the ghettos of Miami to singer, songwriter, actor, activist, mother, wife - just a few of the roles Gloria Estefan plays. Born in Havana, Cuba, in 1957, Gloria's parents moved to the US when she was still in her diapers. Gloria's younger years were spent living in poverty in one of Miami's Cuban ghettos. José, like many other Cuban migrants, signed up for the Bay of Pigs invasion, leaving behind his wife and young daughter. This sparked off Gloria's amateur singing career as she sang songs of Cuba to other women who had been left behind.
José got transferred to Texas before being shipped off to Vietnam. He was one of the numerous victims of Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam and returned home with chemical induced multiple sclerosis. As the oldest child, Gloria looked after her sister and father while her mother went out to find work.
'My father would stand up, forget he couldn't walk and fall down. I had to pick him up a lot and he felt bad about that, but the music healed me. Singing in my room was a way of getting stuff out.' She was gifted a guitar by her parents when she was 12. Pounding away on it, singing the top tunes of the time, Gloria rarely cried.
In 1975, Gloria's mother persuaded her to sing at a wedding with the local band, The Miami Latin Boys. Bandleader Emilio Estefan was so impressed with both her voice and presence, that he pursued her till she agreed to join the band. This was the start down the road to fame with a new name Miami Sound Machine, which later changed to Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine.
A Romance for Life
Working side by side, a romance was blossoming between Emilio and Gloria. After going out for two years, on February 12th, 1978, Emilio proposed to Gloria. By September they were wed.
There have been lots of moments when I said, 'I can't do this; I can't handle this' and he said, 'Yes, you can',' says Gloria, candidly.
Although they work together, Gloria does not see this as too stressful but instead draws inspiration from their relationship. The band was constantly touring spreading their brand of music to their fans, gathering more along the way.
The Global Invasion
Gloria's music was yet to capture the Western audience. It changed in 1984 with the release of their first English album - Eyes of Innocence. Dr. Beat - the first single, became an anthem for clubbers across Europe. From their next album came Conga, still playing at retro clubs across India. It is the only song in the Billboard history to appear on the Pop, Latin, Soul and Dance charts, at the same time.
The band was on a roll - there was no looking back. The Rhythm Is Going To Get You did just that… it caught on like wildfire, with everyone across continents grooving to its catchy beat. If global success was not enough, they made an appearance at the Grammy awards.
You can read the rest of our feature on Gloria Estefan in the November 2003 issue of The Record Music Magazine available at your local newsagent.
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