Gloria Estefan, the #68 Artist of the Rock Era, Part One

"Her rhythm has had me for nearly 40 years."

"Her sound is timeless."

"I love her!  All her music is fantastic."

"She has the voice of an angel."

"Classy, beautiful and talented--what's there not to love?"

"Her music is timeless and her ballads about adult emotions still touch me in more ways than any other."

"Beautiful music, beautiful voice, beautiful person."

"Gloria is amazing."

"She is one of the best vocalists for our time."

"Gloria is one of the greatest singers forever."

"Thank you for songs that touch my heart."

"What an amazing voice! I have a lot of respect for her."

"One of the top female vocalists for all-time."



What we have here is a tremendous husband and wife team; one who wrote the music, arranged the parts, and assembled the musicians and the other whose amazing voice carried out the plan.  We very nearly lost her, and it is her great success after that tragedy that allows her to reach #70 for all-time.

Gloria Fajardo Garcia was born September 1, 1957 in Havana, Cuba.  When the Cuban Revolution took place, the family fled to Miami, Florida.  Gloria went to Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Miami and graduated from the University of Miami in 1979 with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology.

Gloria became a citizen of the United States in 1974.  She soon began dating Emilio Estefan, band leader of the Miami Sound Machine.  The couple married on September 2, 1978.

The group, now featuring Gloria as lead singer, began recording in 1977 and within a year signed a recording contract with CBS International Records.  They released their first CBS album in 1978.  After several releases, the group released the album Eyes of Innocence on Epic Records in 1984.

The next year, the group released the album Primitive Love.  The single "Dr. Beat" was a pretty big hit in the U.K. and a few other European countries.

Primitive Love has sold over three million units.  "Conga" reached #1 in Canada, #3 in the Netherlands and #10 in the United States and sold over one million copies.

"Conga" won the top prize at the Tokyo Music Festival in 1985.  The album, which went to #1 in the U.K. and the Netherlands, has sold over four million copies.  "Bad Boy" was lined up next, and it raced to #2 in the Netherlands, #6 in West Germany, #8 in the U.S., #9 in Switzerland and #10 in Canada.  It also sold over one million singles.

Estefan and the group saved the best on the album for last, releasing the single "Words Get In The Way".  It was a monster Adult Contemporary #1 hit that also reached #5 overall in the United States and #8 in Canada.  The smash earned a Billboard Music Award for Top Adult Contemporary Single and helped win awards for Top New Pop Artist and Top Pop Singles Artist.

 

In 1987, the Miami Sound Machine released the album Let It Loose.  By this time, records were promoted as Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine and eventually simply as Gloria Estefan.  The single "Rhythm Is Gonna' Get You" led off the parade by reaching #5.

 

Ever a mid-charter, Estefan and the group released another great song, "Can't Stay Away From You", a #1 AC Smash that peaked at #6 on the Popular chart in the U.S., #1 in the Netherlands and #7 in the United Kingdom.

 

The single "1-2-3" gave Estefan three consecutive #1's on the Adult Contemporary chart and also landed at #3 overall in the U.S., #9 in the U.K. and #10 in Canada.

Estefan's "Anything For You" also topped the AC and Popular charts and hit #2 in the Netherlands and #10 in the U.K. and sold over one million copies.

 

In 1989, Estefan released the album Cuts Both Ways.  The single "Don't Wanna' Lose You" rocketed to #1 in the United States, #3 in Canada, #5 in Ireland and #6 in the U.K.

 

Gloria earned a nomination at the Grammy Awards for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.  "Get On Your Feet" reached #5 on the AC chart and an underrated #11 overall in the U.S. and #6 in the Netherlands.

 

The single "Here We Are" also hit #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart and peaked at #6 overall and reached #7 in Canada and Ireland.

 

The title song was another #1 AC smash.

The album topped charts in the U.K., Australia, Ireland and the Netherlands and has now sold over three million copies.

But tragedy struck next.  And Gloria's recovery and tremendous comeback are next in Part Two!