The Cuban-American singer-songwriter discusses a life in music with Nile on his Apple Music radio show
Gloria Estefan joins Nile Rodgers on this weekend’s episode of Deep Hidden Meaning on Apple Music 1.
In a fascinating conversation, the two iconic performers share stories of songwriting and Miami in the 90s, and reflect on how a shy girl from Cuba helped bring Latin music to English-speaking audiences worldwide – opening doors for today’s biggest stars.
Gloria also reveals why she’s still writing albums five decades on, and how she came back from the tour bus accident that nearly killed her in 1990.
Image credit: Deep Hidden Meaning on Apple Music 1
Rhythm Is Gonna Get You
Estefan, whose powerhouse voice brought Latin rhythms to the global stage, found fame with Miami Sound Machine and hits such as Dr Beat, Conga, Bad Boy, Rhythm Is Gonna Get You and 1-2-3. She went on to enjoy great success as a solo artist following 1989’s Cuts Both Ways album and its singles Oye Mi Canto (Hear My Voice), Get On Your Feet and Cuts Both Ways.
During their conversation Nile reveals that he first saw Gloria perform when he was with David Bowie, and Gloria talks about why she bought The Beatles’ first microphone and why British artists love Latin music.
“The first time I heard you sing live, I was with David Bowie,” he says. “I think he and I were working on either his Let’s Dance album or we were working on the Bakshi film called Cool World, and I think you guys were playing in New York at the Ritz. So David and I, we had known your first record, but we didn’t know that you were bringing that kind of fire. We both were looking at each other going, ‘This woman is the sh*t.’ Miami Sound Machine was killing. It was ridiculous.”
To which Estefan responds: “Oh, my God, that means a lot to me, because I’m a huge fan of yours, and David’s of course, but that means a lot to me. I’m kind of glad I probably didn’t know that you were there in the audience or I would have dropped dead right there. Oh my gosh, that’s incredible.”
Latin Love
“Those Brits, they know what’s up,” she continues when discussing Bowie, “because they love Latin music. We bought, at the Prince’s Trust, the first microphone that the Beatles recorded their first EMI demo on. And you know what that demo was? Besame Mucho… they loved Latin music.”
The easy-going conversation continues as Gloria openly describes the serious tour bus crash she was involved in, and how her first home in the USA inspired the hit, Conga. “ When we first came to the US my grandma talked this Italian lady into renting her house fully furnished without a deposit or security, because we had nothing. And there was this old stereo cabinet, and when I opened it, I was a kid. I would sit in front of it. It had 78s from Dinah Shore, from the Andrew Sisters, Dean Martin, Sinatra, all these things, so I would play the Andrew Sisters over and over. Conga is my little homage to the Andrew Sisters, the harmonies that I chose.”
Earlier this year Estefan released Raíces, her first Spanish-language album in 18 years and the 30th in her 50-year career. A vibrant musical journey that pays homage to the rich, rhythmic traditions of Cuban music, Raíces is available here
Tune in to hear the Deep Hidden Meaning interview on Saturday 8 November at 2pm GMT here or anytime on-demand with an Apple Music subscription on Apple Music and Apple Podcasts.
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