We have another centenary to celebrate today!
From the Guardian:
[Celia] Cruz was perhaps the greatest Latin American icon of her era, dominating the Latin music charts, decorating her walls with gold records, three US Grammys and four Latin Grammys – alongside prizes from Billboard, the Smithsonian Institution and more – and receiving the keys to New York, Los Angeles, Miami and many other US cities. “I have lots of keys,” she later lamented, “but they don’t open any doors.”
They didn't need to - the great lady opened them herself!
As music producer Bruce McIntosh, whose label is releasing a series of reissues of music from her vast back catalogue says:
“Celia had been a star since the 50s, and she brought a bit of professionalism to [The Fania All Stars, the pioneers of the "salsa" sound].She also brought a whole new demographic, broadening the scope. When she arrived, there were basically no other women singing salsa. After Celia, women were more drawn to it.”
Not one of them could even come close to the sublime talent of Celia Cruz, however! She was peerless:
All hail!
Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso (21st October 1925 – 16th July 2003)
PS
We're off to the centenary Celebration of Celia Cruz at the wonderful Cadogan Hall tonight...
