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1980s in Latin music
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1970s . 1980s in Latin music . 1990s
For Latin music from a year between 1982 and 1989, go to 82 |83 |84 |85 | 85 | 86 | 87 | 88 | 89
This article includes an overview of the major events and trends in Latin music in the 1980s, namely in Ibero-America (including Spain and Portugal). This includes recordings, festivals, award ceremonies, births and deaths of Latin music artists, and the rise and fall of various subgenres in Latin music from 1980 to 1989.
Charts
List of number-one Billboard Top Latin Songs from the 1980s
List of number-one Billboard Latin Pop Albums from the 1980s
List of number-one Billboard Regional Mexican Albums from the 1980s
List of number-one Billboard Tropical Albums from the 1980s
Overview
thumb|Gloria Estefan, lead singer of the Miami Sound Machine, had a major hit with "Conga".
The 1980s saw the major record labels such as RCA/Ariola, CBS, and EMI form their own Latin music divisions.Manuel Peter Essays on Cuban Music: North American and Cuban perspectives 1991 University Press of America 9780819184306 175 https://archive.org/details/essaysoncubanmus00manu/page/175 By 1985, Billboard noted that the Latin music industry saw increase in awareness from major corporations such as Coca-Cola promoting Julio Iglesias and Pepsi advertising Menudo.Zhito Lee ¡Viva Latino! Billboard 26 January 1985 97 4 VL-5 https://books.google.com/books?id=7CQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT52 5 August 2019 Nielsen Business Media 0006-2510
Latin pop
right 320 José José en 1970.webp Mexican singer José José was named "Top Latin Pop Artist" by Billboard for three consecutive years (1986–1988) for having sold the most Latin pop albums in the United States.The 80s - Latin Billboard 23 December 1989 101 51 D-49, D-50 Nielsen Business Media 0006-2510 Ana Gabriel.jpg "Ay Amor" by Mexican singer Ana Gabriel (right) was the best-performing Latin song of 1988. It also spent 14 weeks on top of the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart.
The romantic balada, which gained popularity in the 1970s, continued to dominate the Latin music charts in the 1980s. Veteran balladeers who continued to be popular in this decade include Julio Iglesias, José José, Roberto Carlos, and Juan Gabriel.https://books.google.com/books?id=Rg8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA30 The Prince's 40-Year Reign: A Billboard Q&A Cobo Leila 115 48 28 November 29, 2003 Billboard The Latin balada is characterized by its bolero origin by fusing music from the United States with pop, R&B, and rock.Stavans llan Ilan Stavans Latin music: musicians, genres, and themes https://books.google.com/books?id=qE-LBAAAQBAJ&pg=PR18 2014 ABC-CLIO Santa Barbara, California 978-0-313-34396-4 547 October 30, 2014 The 1980s was a golden era for the Venezuelan entertainment industry as popular telenovelas from the country also led to several actors to become successful singers such as Carlos Mata and Guillermo Dávila. Theme songs from telenovelas also became popular on radio airwaves in Venezuela.González Yarlis Canciones de novelas https://www.saladeespera.com.ve/canciones-de-novelas/ Revista Sala de Espera Venezuela 6 August 2019 es 30 July 2010 Female balada singers that became topped the Latin music charts includes Ana Gabriel, Daniela Romo, Rocío Dúrcal, Gloria Estefan, and Marisela. Notably, several baladas were Spanish-language covers of songs originally performed in Italian. Notable Spanish-language covers of Italian songs include "La maldita primavera" by Yuri, "Toda la Vida" by Emmanuel and Franco, "Yo No Te Pido la Luna" by Daniela Romo, and "Tan Enamorados" by Ricardo Montaner.Ardilla Uriel 8 canciones que no sabías que son italianas https://www.vibra.fm/curiosidades/8-canciones-que-no-sabias-que-son-italianas/ Vibra 7 August 2019 es 24 May 2016
Aside from the baladas, several Latin pop artists and bands performed variety of Spanish-language pop and dance music targeted to the younger audience. These include Yuri, Marisela, Mecano, Miguel Bosé, Timbiriche, Menudo, and Flans.Clásicos de los años ochenta https://peopleenespanol.com/gallery/clasicos-de-los-anos-ochenta/?slide=162930#162930 People en Español 6 August 2019 es 13 November 2009 "Que Te Pasa" became the longest-running chart of the 1980s, spending 16 weeks on top of the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart.Mendizabal Amaya Enrique Iglesias' 'Bailando' & More of the Longest-Leading No. 1s in 30 Years of the Hot Latin Songs Chart https://www.billboard.com/pro/hot-latin-songs-chart-30th-anniversary-longest-number-1-enrique-iglesias/ Billboard Prometheus Global Media 6 August 2019 4 October 2016 Juan Gabriel and Rocío Dúrcal collaborated with Chuck Anderson to incorporate mariachi arrangements on their ballads. Child pop singers such as Pablito Ruiz, Luis Miguel, Pedrito Fernández, and Lucerito had a prepubescent following.Canelo Pedro El último llanto de Roxanita Varga https://elcomercio.pe/blog/eljovennostalgico/2009/05/el-ultimo-llanto-de-roxanita-v El Comercio 6 August 2019 es 14 May 2009 The Miami Sound Machine, whose vocals were led by Gloria Estefan, gained international fame in 1985 with their crossover hit song "Conga". The song blends both pop music and Latin music from the Caribbean.Doeden Matt American Latin Music: Rumba Rhythms, Bossa Nova, and the Salsa Sound 2017 Twenty-First Century Books 9781512452761 33 https://books.google.com/books?id=o_elDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA33 6 August 2019
Regional Mexican
right 500 Los Bukis — American Family Insurance Amphitheater, Milwaukee (2023).jpg Los Bukis had the best-selling Regional Mexican albums in the United States for consecutive years (1986–1988).The 80s - Latin Billboard 23 December 1989 101 51 D-49, D-50 Nielsen Business Media 0006-2510 LaMafiaGritoFest.jpg La Mafia (lead singer Oscar De La Rosa pictured) was one of the leading Tejano bands that helped pushed the genre's popularity beyond Texas in the 1980s.
In the 1980s, the regional music scene in both Mexico and the Mexican American community in the United States was dominated by grupera. This style of Mexican music combines cumbia, norteño, and rock music. The lyrics are rooted with romantic themes including heartbroken songs. Several notable grupera ensembles include Los Caminantes, Los Yonic's, Los Bukis, and Los Temerarios.Pineda Ricardo Melodía para dos: baladas, gruperos, corazones rotos y cubas 'pintaditas' https://www.vice.com/es/article/meloda-para-dos-baladas-gruperos-corazones-rotos-y-cubas-pintaditas/ Vice 8 August 2019 es 12 February 2014 Norteño band Los Tigres del Norte continued their success from the 1970s with their corridos involving social commentary such as "Jaula de oro" ("The Golden Cage") which tells of a Mexican man who crosses the Mexico-United States border illegally and raises a family in the United States who denies their Mexican heritage while the man longs to return to his country.Curry Richard K. The First Few Minutes of Spanish Language Films: Early Cues Reveal the Essence 2017 McFarland 9781476627236 9 https://books.google.com/books?id=K4f4DQAAQBAJ&pg=PT17 8 August 2019 Its parent album reached number one on the Regional Mexican charts in the United States. Similarly, Mexican singer-songwriter Joan Sebastian incorporated sounds of rancheras and ballads on his songs and was dubbed "El Rey del Jaripeo" ("The King of Mexican Rodeo").Moyer Justin Wm. Balladeer Joan Sebastian is dead at 64 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/07/14/balladeer-joan-sebastian-is-dead-at-64/ 8 August 2019 Washington Post 14 July 2015
Tejano music was also popular to the Mexican Americans living in the United States mainly in Texas. Its style is characterized by its influences from polka, cumbia, bolero, and ranchera as well as pop, rap, country music and reggae.Miguel Guadalupe San Tejano Proud: Tex-Mex Music in the Twentieth Century 2002 Texas A&M University Press 9781585441884 3 - Read online, registration required Tejano bands such as Mazz, La Mafia, and Little Joe and La Familia pushed Tejano's popularity beyond the United States.Peña Manuel H. Música Tejana: The Cultural Economy of Artistic Transformation 1999 Texas A&M University Press 9780890968888 3 https://books.google.com/books?id=BvEjHfta4OYC&pg=PA200 en Ranchera Vicente Fernández still remain relevant in the 1980s. His album, Por Tu Maldito Amor (1989), became the longest running number one Regional Mexican album of the decade in the United States with 21 weeks consecutive weeks at this position. American singer Linda Ronstadt, who is of Mexican descent, released Canciones de Mi Padre, a collection of songs that her father would sing.García Alma M. The Mexican Americans 2002 Greenwood Publishing Group 9780313314995 198 https://archive.org/details/mexicanamericans00garc_0 registration 8 August 2019 The album was certified double platinum by the RIAA for shipping over two million copies in the United States.
Tropical/salsa
right 350 Eddie Santiago.jpg Puerto Rican singer Eddie Santiago, considered to be one of the salsa romántica pioneers had the bestselling Tropical Albums in the United States for three consecutive years (1987–1989). His cover of "Lluvia" was also the highest-peaking salsa song in the 1980s on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart. Wilfrido Vargas.jpg Dominican Republic bandleader Wilfrido Vargas was credited for bringing merengue music to a younger audience and helped expand the genre's popularity outside of its native country.
The New York salsa, which was popularized Fania Records in the 1970s, saw a major decline in the scene. Merengue music from the Dominican Republic became favored by Latinos living in New York City.Bush John Fania All-Stars: Biography & History https://www.allmusic.com/artist/fania-all-stars-mn0000795130/biography 15 August 2019 AllMusic Rovi en-us Wilfrido Vargas was credited for bringing merengue attention to the younger audience. Merengue music also became popular even in Puerto Rico.Rodriguez Nelson A look at contemporary Merengue. - Free Online Library https://www.thefreelibrary.com/A+look+at+contemporary+Merengue-a021139246 Latin Beat Magazine thefreelibrary.com 7 July 2019 1 September 1998 1 May 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210501063522/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/A+look+at+contemporary+Merengue-a021139246 dead Another factor to merengue's popularity in the dance clubs was that it was easier to dance to compared to salsa.Pacini Deborah Pacin Oye como va! : hybridity and identity in Latino popular music 2010 Temple University Press 9781439900918 88 Merengue was also easier to dance to than the choreographically intricate salsa and thus was more accessible to New York's increasingly heterogeneous Latinos from Central and South America, who were less attached to Puerto Rican and Cuban clave-based rhythms. Milly Quezada, lead vocals of the group Milly y los Vecinos, became the first notable female merengue singer. The group was formed by her husband Rafael Vasquez, who was also her manager.Boidi Carla Hear Her Roar https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/hear-her-roar-6351856 15 August 2019 Miami New Times 21 June 2001 Other notable merengue acts in the 1980s include Bonny Cepeda, Fernando Villalona, Juan Luis Guerra & 4.40 and Los Hijos del Rey. Vargas also formed the first all-female band Las Chicas del Can.Austerlitz Paul Merengue 1997 Temple University Press 9781566394840 97 https://books.google.com/books?id=WKISO-Ful6gC&pg=PA97 en Juan Luis Guerra performed not only love songs, but also social commentary about the poverty inBalderston Daniel Gonzalez Mike Lopez Ana M. Encyclopedia of Contemporary Latin American and Caribbean Cultures 2000 Routledge 9781134788521 690 https://books.google.com/books?id=kp6FAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA690 en the Dominican Republic and those living abroad such as "Visa Para un Sueño" ("Visa For a Dream") and "Ojala Que Llueva Café" ("I Hope It Rains Coffee").
Although New York salsa faded in popularity, another form of salsa music gained attention in its place. This form of salsa, which was slower-placed and more focused on its romantic lyrics, was known as salsa romántica.Pietrobruno Sheenagh Salsa and Its Transnational Moves 2006 Lexington Books 9780739114681 56 https://books.google.com/books?id=FTdPIPleKZgC&pg=PA56 15 August 2019 The salsa romántica movement helped salsa continued to be relevant in spite of the rise of merengue music as well as moving away from lyrics dealing with social class.Remeseira Claudio Iván Hispanic New York: A Sourcebook 2010 Columbia University Press 9780231148191 58 https://books.google.com/books?id=Wo4sOpOV68wC&pg=PA385 15 August 2019 Salsa romántica was characterized by its influence by the aforementioned romantic ballads and more pop-leaning sounds.Sturman Janet The SAGE International Encyclopedia of Music and Culture 2019 SAGE Publications 9781506353388 https://books.google.com/books?id=DUSKDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT4534 en In fact, several famous songs done by salsa romántica singers were covers of songs originally sung by balada musicians.Salsa sensual, ¿original? http://laestrella.com.pa/estilo/salsa-sensual-original/23503858 La Estrella de Panamá 15 August 2019 es 18 October 2013 "Lluvia", a song first composed by Luis Ángel, was covered by Eddie Santiago and became on the highest-peaking salsa romántica on the Hot Latin Tracks at number four. A sub-style of salsa romántica also included erotic lyrics and became known as salsa erotica. "Ven Devórame Otra Vez" by Lalo Rodríguez, a notable salsa erotica song, became a top ten hit on the Hot Latin Tracks chart.Sweeney Philip The Rough Guide to Cuban Music 2001 Rough Guides 9781858287614 189 https://archive.org/details/roughguidetocuba00swee registration 15 August 2019 Other famous salsa romantica singers include Frankie Ruiz, Luis Enrique, Willie Gonzalez, David Pabón, and José Alberto "El Canario".Waxer Lise Situating Salsa: Global Markets and Local Meanings in Latin Popular Music 2013 Routledge 9781135725419 103 https://books.google.com/books?id=3UUVAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA103 15 August 2019 In the early 1980s, Cuban musician and bandleader Roberto Torres had a major hit with his cover version of "Caballo Viejo". The song was performed as a charanga vallenata style, a combination of the Cuban charanga and the Colombian vallenato music.Mauleon Rebeca The Salsa Guidebook 2011 O'Reilly Media, Inc. 9781457101410 https://books.google.com/books?id=mjHxzTYwYL0C&pg=PT76 en It was later inducted into the Latin Grammy Hall of Fame in 2007.
Rock en español
thumb|right|upright|Soda Stereo's Signos was ranked on the list of "The 100 Greatest Albums of National Rock".Spanish April 2007 Los 100 mejores discos del rock nacional Rolling Stone Argentina Publirevistas S. A.
The Rock en Español movement began around the 1980s. Until the mid-80s the rock scene of most Spanish American countries was not connected, and it was rare for a rock band to gain acclaim and popularity outside its home country. Argentina, which had the largest national rock scene and music industry, became the birthplace of several influential rock acts. Soda Stereo from Buenos Aires is often acclaimed as the most influential rock band of the 1980s alongside the solo careers of Charly García, Luis Alberto Spinetta and the new star Fito Páez from Rosario. Soda Stereo was among the first bands to successfully tour across most of Latin America. Argentina developed also during the 80s a ska rock and punk rock scene. The punk movement, which was pioneered by Los Violadores, led to the rise of the Buenos Aires Hardcore around 1990.
Soda Stereo released Signos in 1986 which helped pop rock en español music reach to an audience beyond Argentina.Adaime Ivá Soda Stereo: Biography & History https://www.allmusic.com/artist/soda-stereo-mn0000753507/biography AllMusic Rovi 15 August 2019 In Chile, which was ruled by a military dictatorship all over the 80s, Nueva canción protest songs from the 60s and 70s maintained their popularity despite severe censorship. The progressive/folk-rock band Los Jaivas made a Latin American trademark album with Alturas de Macchu Picchu [sic] based on Pablo Neruda's homonymous poem. The rock band Los Prisioneros were successful in combining the protest song atmosphere of the 80s with newer trends in rock including punk, ska, new wave and techno. In the late 1980s, new bands such as Los Tres and La Ley would start to set the trends for the next decade. In Mexico, the Rock music scene at the time first saw a heavy lack of opportunity as musical acts could not make a solid living from playing alone. Other key factors were that of economic and political instability. Many consider this decade as the lost decade. The government would not allow racy-themed content on television and airwaves, music festivals were not allowed. The music that dominated Mexico and much of Latin America during this era was mostly teen-flavored acts like Menudo, Timbiriche, Flans and others. Rock acts could not land any recording deals because record label executives were much more interested in selling listeners a colourful, hip, and trendy image to the general public ranging from youngsters to middle-aged adults.
Folk/traditional
thumb|right|upright|The Gipsy Kings popularized the flamenco genre outside of its native Spain.
Flamenco saw a resurgence in popularity thanks to the Gipsy Kings as well as Ketama and Pata Negra.Piotrowska Anna G. Gypsy Music in European Culture: From the Late Eighteenth to the Early Twentieth Centuries 3 December 2013 Northeastern University Press 978-1-55553-838-5 78 https://books.google.com/books?id=PHQiAgAAQBAJ&dq=gipsy+kings+flamenco+1980s&pg=PA78 8 February 2024
Brazilian/Portuguese
The lambada dance craze took over the international market thanks to Kaoma's song of the same name.McGowan Chris Pessanha Ricardo The Brazilian Sound: Samba, Bossa Nova, and the Popular Music of Brazil 1998 Temple University Press 978-1-56639-545-8 155 https://books.google.com/books?id=7MFD-EoTR7MC&dq=lambada+1980s&pg=PA155
1980
Events
February 27: Irakere wins the Grammy Award for Best Latin Recording at the 22nd Annual Grammy Awards for their self-titled album.Lannert John Palmieri, Jiménez Lead All-Time Latin Grammy Winners With Five Apiece Billboard 5 February 2000 112 6 82 https://books.google.com/books?id=1A0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA82 15 August 2019 Nielsen Business Media 0006-2510
November 15The 9th OTI Festival, held at the es Teatro General San Martín no in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is won by the song "es Contigo mujer no", written by Ednita Nazario and Laureano Brizuela, and performed by Rafael José representing Puerto Rico.Festival de la OTI https://www.infolaso.com/festival-de-la-oti.html www.infolaso.com 15 August 2019 es
Notable singles
Rita Lee: "Lança-perfume" (#1 in France,https://duyt0k3aayxim.cloudfront.net/PDFs_XMLs_paginas/o_globo/1981/11/07/01-primeiro_caderno/ge071181025CUL1-1234.pdf A 'saúde' perfeita de Rita Lee O Globo Editora Globo São Paulo 1981-11-07 2026-06-07 25 pt-br #2 in Argentina,https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Cash-Box-IDX/80s/1981/CB-1981-05-16-OCR-Page-0053.pdf#search=%22rita%20lee%22 International Best Sellers - May 16, 1981 Cashbox May 16, 1981 December 23, 2025 #3 in Brazil and Uruguay)Latin America Hit Parade https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/80s/81/RW-1981-04-11.pdf 45 Radio World April 11, 1981 December 23, 2025https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/80s/81/Record-World-1981-06-20.pdf#search=%22lanza%20perfume%22 International Best-sellers Cashbox 1981-05-16 2026-03-01
Iván: "Sin Amor" (#1 in Spain)
Pecos: "Háblame de Tí" (#1 in Spain)
Francis Cabrel: "La quiero a morir" (#1 in Spain)
Julio Iglesias: "Hey!" (#1 in Argentina,International Bestsellers Cashbox 12 April 1980 41 0008-7289 #1 in Spain)
Miguel Bosé: "Morir de amor" (#1 in Spain)
Miguel Bosé: "Don Diablo" (#1 in Spain)
Mario Milito: "Este es Mi Regalo" (#1 in Argentina)International Bestsellers Cashbox 1 November 1980 38 0008-7289
Toto Cutugno: "Sólo tú, sólo yo"International Bestsellers Cashbox 15 November 1980 40 0008-7289
Ángela Carrasco: "Quiereme" (#1 in Argentina)International Bestsellers Cashbox 5 April 1980 36 0008-7289
Album releases
30em
Cal Tjader: Gozame! Pero Ya...
Cal Tjader Sextet: La Onda Va Bien
Irakere: Irakere 2
Julio Iglesias: Hey!
Tito Puente: Dancemania 80's
Roberto Torres y su Charanga Vallenata: Vol. II
Peret: El Jilguero
Miguel Ríos: Rocanrol bumerang es
Parchís: Villancicos
Rodolfo Aicardi: El De Siempre
Roberto Carlos: Roberto Carlos (1980 album) pt Roberto Carlos (álbum de 1980) Roberto Carlos '80/Amante a la Antigua
Los Yonic's: En Su Punto
María Martha Serra Lima: Entre Nosotros
Lalo Rodríguez: Simplemente... Lalo
Cheo Feliciano: Sentimiento, Tú
Héctor Lavoe: El Sabio
Ray Barretto: Giant Force
Angélica María: Y el Sentir de Juan Gabriel
Emmanuel: Íntimamente es Íntimamente (álbum de Emmanuel) Íntimamente
Miguel Bosé: Miguel
José Luis Rodríguez: Me vas a echar de menos es
Dyango: La Radio
José José: Amor Amor
José José: Romántico
José Luis Rodríguez: Atrevete
Lupita D'Alessio: Lupita D'Alessio (1980)
José María Napoleón: Celos
Andy Montañez: Salsa Con Cache
El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico: Unity
Héctor Casanova es Casanova
Camilo Sesto: Amaneciendo
Lissette: Lissette
Alberto Cortez: Castillos en el Aire
Vikki Carr: Y El Amor: Canta en Español
Yuri: Esperanzas
Hernaldo Zúñiga: Hernaldo
Los Bravos del Norte de Ramón Ayala: Cuando Mas Necesite de Tu Cariño
La India de Oriente: La India de Oriente
Oscar D'León: Al Frente de Todos
Fania All Stars: California Jam
Ray Conniff: Exclusivamente Latino
Juan Gabriel: Recuerdos
Juan Gabriel: Juan Gabriel con Mariachi
Manoella Torres: Ahora No
Tania: Indiscutible
Miguel Gallardo: Sígueme es
Estela Núñez es: Demasiado Amor — Canta a Juan Gabriel
Los Humildes: Mas de Lo Que Merecias
Los Cadetes de Linares: El Chubasco
Lorenzo De Monteclaro: Abrazado de un Poste
Beatriz Adriana: México y Su Música
Celia Cruz, Johnny Pacheco and Pete "El Conde" Rodríguez: Celia, Johnny, Pete
Willie Rosario: El De a 20 de Willie
Wilfrido Vargas: El Jeque
Johanna Rosaly: Sencillamente
Roberto Roena: Looking Out For Numero Uno
Roberto Roena: Que Suerte He Tenido de Nacer
Paquito Guzmán es: Dedicado a...Esa Mujer
Johnny Pacheco, José Fajardo, Pupi Legarreta, and Javier Vazquez: Las Tres Flautas
Adalberto Santiago: Feliz Me Siento
Mazz: Class
Rocío Dúrcal: Canta con Mariachi Volumen 4 es
Milly y Los Vecinos: En Su Momento
Johnny Ventura: Yo Soy el Merengue
Santiago Cerón es: Tumbando Puertas
Tito Rojas: Tito Rojas & El Conjunto Borincano
Betty Missiego: Mi Tierra
Rubén Blades: Maestra Vida es
Rigo Tovar & su Costa Azul: Rigo Tovar En Vivo
Basilio: Basilio (1980)
Rafael José: Contigo Mujer
Yolandita Monge: Fantasía
Los Muecas es: Los Muecas
Lupita D'Alessio: En Concierto
Little Joe: King Of The Brown Sound
Gualberto Castro: Que Mal Amada Estas
Aniceto Molina: Cabaretera
ABBA: Gracias Por La Música
Louie Ramirez: Salsero
Raphael: Y... Sigo Mi Camino
Los Bravos del Norte de Ramón Ayala: Pistoleros Famosos
Los Bravos del Norte de Ramón Ayala: Más Música Brava
Los Solitarios es Los Solitarios (banda mexicana) Los Solitario: Mi Amor
Henry Fiol: Fe, Esperanza y Caridad
Raffaella Carrà: Latino
Bonny Cepeda: El Maestro
Joan Sebastian: Joan Sebastian (1980)
Tony Croatto: Tradición
Los Tigres Del Norte: En La Plaza Garibaldi
Willie Colón and Ismael Miranda: Doble Energía
Oscar D'León: Presenta La Critica Con Wladimir Y Teo
Fania All Stars: Commitment
Agustín Ramírez: Necesito Tu Amor
Pedrito Fernández: La Mugrosita
Beatriz Adriana: Adios y Bienvenida
La India de Oriente: ¡Desde El Cobre Con Amor!
Johnny Pacheco: Champ
Verónica Castro: Norteño
Los Cadetes de Linares: Pelicula Pistoleros
Los Pasteles Verdes: Solitario
Marvin Santiago: Caliente y Explosivo!
Orchestra Harlow: El Dulce Aroma del Exito
Rafael Cortijo: El Sueño del Maestro
Daniel Santos: 50
Vicente Fernández: El Tapatio
Los Huracanes del Norte: El Hijo de la Musiquera
Ismael Rivera: Maelo
Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros: Monsieur Chocolate Prefiero El Son
Willy Chirino: Diferente
La Pequeña Compañía es: Boleros y Cha Cha Chas
Roberto Pulido & Los Clasicos: Mi Pequeñito
Rigo Tovar: Con Mariachi Vol. 2
La Sonora Ponceña: New Heights
La Lupe: En Algo Nuevo
Claudia de Colombia es: Yo creo en ti
Arrigo Barnabé: Clara Crocodilo
Itamar Assumpção and Banda Isca de Polícia: Beleléu, Leléu, Eu
Egberto Gismonti: Circense
Joan Manuel Serrat: En tránsito
La Sonora Ponceña: Unchained Force
Rodolfo Aicardi: Qué chévere Volumen 2
Orquesta Filarmónica de México: 4 compositores mexicanos
Leo Maslíah: Cansiones barias
Rita Lee: Rita Lee
Joyce: Feminina
Toninho Horta e Orquestra Fantasma: Terra dos Pássaros
Cauby Peixoto: Cauby! Cauby!
Djavan: Alumbramento
Gonzaguinha: De Volta ao Começo
Fundo de Quintal: Samba É no Fundo de Quintal
Vinicius de Moraes: A Arca de Noé
Clara Nunes: Brasil Mestiço
Elis Regina: Saudade do Brasil
Rigo Tovar: Rock Rigo
Deaths
May 27 Belmácio Pousa Godinho, Brazilian football player and musician
Births
May 12Silvestre Dangond, Colombian vallenato singer
August 29Flex, Panamanian reggaeton singer
November 14Pedro Capó, Puerto Rican pop singer
1981
Events
February 25: Cal Tjader wins the Grammy Award for Best Latin Recording at the 23rd Annual Grammy Awards for La Onda Va Bien.
December 5The 10th OTI Festival, held at the National Auditorium in Mexico City, Mexico, is won by the song "es Latino no", written by Pablo Herrero and José Luis Armenteros, and performed by Francisco (singer) es Francisco (cantante) Francisco representing Spain.
Notable singles
Camilo Sesto: "Perdóname" (#1 in Spain)
Ana Belén: "Que será" (#1 in Spain)
Iván: "Te Quiero Tanto" (#1 in Spain)
José Luis Perales: "Te Quiero" (#1 in Spain)
Víctor Manuel: "Ay Amor" (#1 in Spain)
Julio Iglesias: "De niña a mujer" (#1 in Spain)
Lucrecia: "Papucho Mío" (#1 in Argentina)International Bestsellers Cashbox 4 July 1981 31 0008-7289
Franco Simone: "Tu Para Mi" (#1 in Argentina)International Bestsellers Cashbox 18 July 1981 31 0008-7289
Pimpinela: "Tú Me Promiste Volver"International Bestsellers Cashbox 22 August 1981 35 0008-7289
Jeanette: "Frente a Frente" (#1 in Argentina)International Bestsellers Cashbox 17 October 1981 29 0008-7289
Menudo: "Súbete a mi Moto"https://elcomercio.pe/tvmas/series/subete-a-mi-moto-de-menudo-historia-y-algunos-datos-sobre-la-cancion-que-define-al-grupo-series-de-amazon-prime-video-nnda-nnlt-noticia/ Súbete a mi moto de Menudo: Historia y algunos datos sobre la canción que define al grupo | Series de Amazon Prime Video nnda NNLT | TVMAS El Comercio 6 October 2020
Album releases
30em
Ray Barretto: Soy Dichoso
Willie Colón and Rubén Blades: Canciones Del Solar De Los Aburridos
Clare Fischer and Salsa Picante: 2+2
Dizzy Gillespie with Mongo Santamaría and Toots Thielemans: Summertime Digital at Montreaux, 1980
Eddie Palmieri: Eddie Palmieri
Laurindo Almeida and Charlie Byrd: Brazilian Soul
Raphael: En Carne Viva
Miami Sound Machine: Otra Vez
Little Joe: Mano a Mano
Sabú: Sabú
Los Bukis: Presiento Que Voy a Llorar
Jeanette: Corazón de poetaCorazón de poeta Compact Cassette Jeanette Jeanette (Spanish singer) 1981 Spain RCA Victor PK-35348
José José: Gracias
Yuri: Llena de dulzura
Rocío Jurado: Como una ola
Rocío Jurado: Canciones de España
Camilo Sesto: Más y más
Beatriz Adriana: La Reina es el Rey
Roberto Carlos: Roberto Carlos '81/Emociones
Menudo: Fuego
Menudo: Quiero Ser
Andy Montañez: Trovador del Amor
Andy Montañez: Para Ustedes...Con Sabor!
Bacchelli Prohibido
Luis Ángel: Yo Mismo
Vicente Fernández: El Número Uno
Vicente Fernández: Valses del Recuerdo
Johnny Ventura: Lo Que Te Gusta
Santiago Cerón: Bueno de Vicio
Danny Rivera: Gitano
Vikki Carr: El Retrato de Amor
Lisandro Meza: Canción para una Muerte Anunciada
Raphy Leavitt: 10 Aňos Sembrando Semillas en el Alma del Pueblo
Julio Iglesias: De niña a mujer
Glenn Monroig: En Concierto
Joseíto Mateo: Joseito Mateo y Su Pericombo
Los Bravos del Norte de Ramón Ayala: Amor Vaquero
Los Bravos del Norte de Ramón Ayala: Dos Monedas
Manolo Muñoz: Ando Que Me Lleva
Los Panchos María Martha Serra Lima: Esencia Romantica
Henry Fiol: El Secreto
Rocío Dúrcal: Confidencias
Rocío Dúrcal: Canta a Juan Gabriel Volumen 5
Milly y los Vecinos: Fiesta Con Los Vecinos
Los Freddy's: El Primer Tonto
Plácido Domingo: Plácido Domingo Sings Tangos
Manolo Galván: Me Llaman el Calavera
José Mangual Jr: Que lo Diga el Tiempo
Roberto Angleró: La Trulla Moderna
Dyango: Entre una espada y la pared
Denisse de Kalafe: Amar Es
Iva Zanicchi: Nostalgias
Paloma San Basilio: Ahora
Amanda Miguel: El Sonido Vol. 1
Pecos Kanvas: Tan Adentro de Mi Alma
Verónica Castro: Cosas de Amigos
Tito Puente: Ce' Magnifique
Néstor Torres: No Me Provoques
Wilfrido Vargas: Cosas de Mi Amigo Miguelito
Lupita D'Alessio: Lupita D'Alessio (1981)
Lupita D'Alessio: Sentimiento Ranchero
Juan Gabriel: Con Tu Amor
El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico: Happy Days
Oscar D'León: A Mi Si Me Gusta Asi!
Bobby Valentin: Siempre En Forma
La Sonora Ponceña: Night Rider
La Sonora Ponceña: Unchained Force
Rubén Blades and Willie Colón: Canciones Del Solar De Los Aburridos
Grupo Pegasso: Vol. 2
Roberto Pulido y Los Clasicos: Aquí
Héctor Lavoe: Que Sentimiento!
Celia Cruz and Willie Colón:– Celia y Willie
La Sonora Matancera and Justo Betancourt: La Sonora Matancera con Justo Betancourt
Wilfrido Vargas and Sandy Reyes: Abusadora
Johnny Pacheco and Celio González: El Zorro De Plata Presenta Al Flaco De Oro
Fania All-Stars: Latin Connection
Galy Galiano: Frío de Ausencia
Ismael Miranda: La Clave del Sabor
Luis "Perico" Ortiz: El Astro
Típica 73: Into The 80's
Francisco: Latino
Miguel Bosé: Más Alla
Orlando Contreras and Daniel Santos: Los Jefes
Felipe Rodríguez: La Voz
Willie Rosario: The Portrait of a Salsa Man
Beatriz Adriana: El Cofrecito
Ángela Carrasco: Con Amor
La Pequeña Compañía: Tangos a media luz
Fania All Stars: The Perfect Blend
Tony Croatto: Arrímese Mi Compáy
Los Bravos del Norte de Ramón Ayala: Con Las Puertas en la Cara
La Mafia: Only in Texas
Los Tigres Del Norte: Un Día a la Vez
Lorenzo De Monteclaro: Ese Señor de las Canas
Pellín Rodríguez: Reflexiones Pasadas
Juan Pardo: Juan Mucho Más
Karina: Ahora que estuviste lejos
Los Humildes: A Mis Amigos del Norte
Joan Sebastian: Joan Sebastian (1981)
Rigo Tovar: Rigo 81
Las Jilguerillas: El Bracero Fracasado
Santiago Cerón: Canta Si Va' Cantar
Andy Montañez: La Última Copa
Willie Colón: Fantasmas
Marvin Santiago: Adentro
Johnny Ventura: Johnny Mucho... Mucho Johnny!
Los Cadetes de Linares: Cazador de Asesinos
Mocedades: Desde que tú te has ido
Nelson Ned: Perdidamente Enamorado/Perdidamente Apaixonado
Bacchelli: Y sólo tú
Richard Clayderman: Balada para Adelina
Milly Quezada: No Te Puedo Tener
Diego Verdaguer: Estoy Vivo
José María Napoleón: Tú y nadie más
Cuco Valoy & Los Virtuosos: Sin Comentarios
Lolita Flores: Seguir Soñando
Gilberto Monroig: Mi Jaragual
Roberto Torres: Recuerda al Trio Matamoros
Yolanda del Río: Yolanda del Río
Sunny & The Sunliners: El Amante
Chucho Avellanet: 20 Años en la Canción
Anthony Ríos: Estás Dónde No Estás
Little Joe & La Familia: Prieta Linda
Chico Alvarez: Montuneando
Leonardo Paniagua: Con Mariachi
Tony Croatto: Creo en Dios
Roberto Pulido: Llorando en Mi Tumba
Salvatore Adamo: Aquellas manos en tu cintura
José Luis Perales: Nido de águilas
Los Kjarkas: Canto a la mujer de mi pueblo
Emma Junaro: Resolana
Luzmila Carpio: Sumaj llajta
Los Jaivas: Alturas de Machu Picchu
Ney Matogrosso: Ney Matogrosso
Rita Lee & Roberto de Carvalho: Saúde
Gilberto Gil: Luar (A Gente Precisa Ver o Luar)
Kleiton & Kledir: Kleiton & Kledir
Edu Lobo and Antônio Carlos Jobim: Edu & Tom, Tom & Edu
Dona Ivone Lara: Sorriso Negro
João Gilberto, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Maria Bethânia: Brasil
Chico Buarque: Almanaque
Angela Ro Ro: Escândalo!
Deaths
Births
January 15Pitbull American rapper
January 21Michel Teló, Brazilian sertanejo singer
January 29Álex Ubago, Spanish pop singer
March 17Nicky Jam, Puerto Rican reggaeton singer
July 21Romeo Santos, American bachata singer-songwriter, member of Aventura
October 5Tito El Bambino, Puerto Rican reggaeton singer
December 16Gaby Moreno, Guatemalan pop singer
December 29Natalia Jiménez, Spanish pop singer
1982
1982 in Latin music
1983
1983 in Latin music
1984
1984 in Latin music
1985
1985 in Latin music
1986
1986 in Latin music
1987
1987 in Latin music
1988
1988 in Latin music
1989
1989 in Latin music
References
General
Print editions of the Notitas Musicales magazine for the #1 songs in Mexico.
Salaverri Fernando Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 1st September 2005 Fundación Autor-SGAE Spain 84-8048-639-2 (#1 songs in Spain)
30em
Further reading
Latin music 1980s
Zhito Lee ¡Viva Latino! Billboard 26 January 1985 97 4 VL-5 https://books.google.com/books?id=7CQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT52 5 August 2019 Nielsen Business Media 0006-2510
Category:1980s in music