Juan Gabriel

Juan Gabriel

Photo: WireImage.com

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The Juan Gabriel Songbook Lives On: For The Record

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The iconic Mexican singer/songwriter wrote in a range of styles from Latin ballads to traditional ranchera — but how many total songs did he write?
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
Oct 9, 2017 - 12:04 pm

The numbers attached to Juan Gabriel's career are truly astounding.

For The Record: Juan Gabriel

He recorded more than 35 albums and sold more than 100 million albums. But at the heart of his success was songwriting. Though he wrote in a range of styles, from traditional ranchera and banda sinaloense to contemporary Latin ballads and dance-friendly pop, Juan Gabriel's songs were marked by the same qualities: hummable melodies, soulful lyrics and poetic tenderness.

Born in Parácuaro, Michoacán, in Mexico in 1950, Juan Gabriel composed his first song at age 13. In 1971 he released his first studio album, El Alma Joven..., which included his first hit, "No Tengo Dinero." Over his 40-plus-year career, he would populate his catalog with such classics as "Abrázame Muy Fuerte," "Hasta Que te Conocí," "Amor Eterno," "Se Me Olvido Otra Vez," and "Siempre En Mi Mente," among others.

It is estimated that Juan Gabriel wrote more than 1,500 songs in his lifetime. Along the way, countless artists interpreted his songs, including Rocío Dúrcal, Marc Anthony, Ana Gabriel, Jenni Rivera, Maná, and Vicente Fernández — providing further testament to his lasting impact.

"Music has been my best friend — thanks to it, I've never been unhappy," Juan Gabriel said in his interview for the Latin GRAMMY Awards program book in 2009. "There is nothing in this world that allows me to express myself like a good melody."

In 2009 Juan Gabriel was honored as the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year for his music achievements and philanthropic efforts. During the 10th Latin GRAMMY Awards telecast that year, he turned in the longest performance in the show's history.

Following his passing on Aug. 28, 2016, he won his first two Latin GRAMMYs at the 17th Latin GRAMMY Awards: Album Of The Year and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for Los Dúo 2.

Calle 13

Calle 13

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Calle 13's Journey To The Top: For The Record

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Find out what impressive Latin GRAMMY records the Puerto Rican duo have to their credit
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
Oct 14, 2017 - 8:24 am

It's been an amazing journey for Calle 13 — René Pérez Joglar (Residente) and Eduardo José Cabra Martínez (Visitante). In 2004 the Puerto Rican duo recorded a pair of indie demos with the hopes of landing a record deal. More than a decade later, Calle 13 have blazed a historic trail.

For The Record: Calle 13

With an eclectic style incorporating elements of alt-rock, hip-hop and reggaeton, Calle 13 emerged with their eponymous debut album in 2005. Powered by the breakout track, "¡AtréveTe-Te-Te!," the duo earned a trio of honors at the 7th Latin GRAMMY Awards in 2006: Best New Artist, Best Urban Music Album and Best Short Form Music Video for the video for "¡AtréveTe-Te-Te!"

But it was five years later when Residente and Vistante would write a big chapter in the Latin GRAMMY history book.

At the 12th Latin GRAMMY Awards in 2011, Calle 13 earned nine awards in one night. The record haul included Album Of The Year for their fourth LP, Entre Los Que Quieran, and Record and Song Of The Year for the impactful "Latinoamerica," as well as Best Urban Music Album, Best Tropical Song ("Vamo' A Portarnos Mal"), Best Short Form Music Video and Best Alternative Song ("Calma Pueblo"), Best Urban Song ("Baile De Los Pobres"), and Producer Of The Year.

To date, Calle 13 have won 22 awards through 2016, the most in Latin GRAMMY history. Residente is looking to add to his total with nine nominations for the upcoming 18th Latin GRAMMY Awards.

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony

Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com

Feature

Jennifer Lopez And Marc Anthony's Harmony: For The Record

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Take a look back at the New York natives' duet history
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Oct 11, 2017 - 5:26 pm

Though they may no longer be husband and wife, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony still have undeniable  chemistry.

For The Record: Jennifer Lopez And Marc Anthony

The dynamic duo, who were married from 2004–2014,  has recorded a total of four duets in their career: "No Me Ames" (1999), "Escapémonos" (2004), "Por Arriesgarnos" (2007), and "Olvídame Y Pega La Vuelta" (2016).

"No Me Ames" earned the New York natives two Latin GRAMMY nominations at the inaugural Latin GRAMMY Awards for Best Pop Duo/Group With Vocal and Best Music Video. They also performed "Escapémonos" at  the 47th GRAMMY Awards in 2005.

Arguably their most famous duet, Lopez and Anthony staged a dramatic performance of "Olvídame Y Pega La Vuelta" at  the 17th Latin GRAMMY Awards in 2016, during whuch the two shared a romantic kiss during the duet that had fans' heads spinning.

 Music isn't the only work Lopez and Anthony still do together — they also partner for philanthropic efforts. Most recently they created an initiative called Somos Una Voz (We Are One Voice) to support victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.

 

Shakira at the 7th Latin GRAMMY Awards

Shakira

Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

Feature

Shakira Fixates On Latin GRAMMY History: For The Record

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Learn how the Colombian icon broke new ground with 2005's Fijación Oral Vol. 1
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
Oct 2, 2017 - 3:30 pm

After the mega-crossover success of her 2001 English-speaking album, Laundry Service, it seemed logical to assume Shakira would attempt a similar effort for her follow-up. Instead, the Colombian singer/songwriter wanted to go back to her roots with a Spanish-language Latin pop project.

For The Record: Shakira

That instinct to be the right call, while adding proof that her fans are willing to follow Shakira "Whenever, Wherever" her career takes her.

Released in June 2005, Fijación Oral Vol. 1 was a milestone for the Colombian singer/songwriter. Executive produced by GRAMMY winner Rick Rubin, the album spawned four Latin singles chart hits, including "La Tortura" featuring Alejandro Sanz, which also hit the Billboard Hot 100.

With sales in excess of 157,000 in its first week, Fijación Oral Vol. 1 landed at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, constituting the highest debut for a full-length Spanish-language album in the chart's history — a record that still stands. The album has been certified 11-times platinum (Latin) by the RIAA.

At the 7th Latin GRAMMY Awards in 2006, "La Tortura" earned Record and Song Of The Year and Best Short Form Video honors. And the LP won Best Female Pop Vocal Album and Album Of The Year, topping Gustavo Cerati (a contributor on Fijación Oral Vol. 1), Chayanne, Leon Gieco, and Julieta Venegas.

Making her victory even sweeter, Shakira became the first female artist — and lone to date — to capture the coveted Latin GRAMMY for Album Of The Year.

Rob Thomas, Carlos Santana at the 42nd GRAMMY Awards

Rob Thomas and Carlos Santana

Photo: J Vespa/WireImage.com

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Santana's "Smooth" GRAMMY Feat: For The Record

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The Mexican-American guitarist's 1999 masterwork, 'Supernatural,' spawned two tracks that put him in the GRAMMY record book
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
Sep 28, 2017 - 4:43 pm

Few guitarists are instantly recognizable within hearing a couple of notes. There's Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, B.B. King, and Eddie Van Halen. Surely, you can add Carlos Santana to that mix.

For The Record: Carlos Santana

Through his 50-year-plus career, Santana has sprinkled his patented minor-key runs all over Latin-flavored rock classics such as "Black Magic Woman," "Oye Come Va" and "Jingo," influencing generations of guitarists in the process.

And indeed, few musicians have been able to make such an indelible mark 30 years after their debut release. But that's exactly what the Mexican-born guitarist did with 1999's Supernatural.

Released three decades after Santana's eponymous 1969 album, Supernatural went super nuclear. On the strength of the hits "Smooth" featuring Rob Thomas, "Put Your Lights On" featuring Everlast, "Corazón Espinado" featuring Mana, and "Maria Maria" featuring the Product G&B, the all-star-packed album became Santana's most successful work by far, selling more than 15 million copies and netting eight GRAMMYs and three Latin GRAMMYs.

Adding to Supernatural's monstrous footprint, two tracks put Santana in the GRAMMY record books.

The ubiquitous No. 1 hit "Smooth" earned the GRAMMY for Record Of The Year at the 42nd GRAMMY Awards in 2000. Later that year, at the inaugural Latin GRAMMY Awards, "Corazón Espinado" earned the Record Of The Year Latin GRAMMY.

As a result, and for the record, Santana became the first and only artist to date to win both a Record Of The Year GRAMMY and Record Of The Year Latin GRAMMY.