![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_e8a978b328614ea1b14ba7f2b57bffa3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1440,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/718de4_e8a978b328614ea1b14ba7f2b57bffa3~mv2.jpg)
![Are You Satisfied](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/r2lYsoomRkk/maxresdefault.jpg)
Are You Satisfied
Rah Band - Are You Satisfied
Are You Satisfied
Rah Band
Are you satisfied?
Are you sure you haven't thrown it all away
For the silly games you play
Does it hurt your pride
When you realize
You're not as wild and free
As you pretend to be
Dream on, little one
You learn
Sleep on, in the sun
One day you might burn
Are you satisfied?
Do you lie there in the silence of the night?
And wonder if you got it right
Have you really tried
Reaching out to see what's on the other side
You might be pleasantly surprised
Are you satisfied?
Are you satis
Truly satis
Are you satisfied?
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: R. Hewson
Are You Satisfied? lyrics © Bucks Music Group Limited
At the heart of High Street stands Stockton-on-Tees Town Hall, which dates from 1735 and the Georgian-style Shambles Market Hall. Around the town hall, the largest outdoor market in the north east of England, which has been in existence since the 1300s, is held every Wednesday and Saturday. From the town centre, Bishop Street, Silver Street, Calverts Lane and Thistle Green offer views of the river where it meanders around Teesdale Business Park. Durham University Queens Campus can be seen on the opposite side, as well as the skyline of Middlesbrough in the middle distance and Roseberry Topping in the Cleveland Hills, approximately fifteen miles south east in the far distance. The town centre has retained a number of the original yards such as Wasp Nest Yard, Hambletonian Yard and Ship Inn Yard that would have historically been a feature. Most interesting is Green Dragon Yard, a courtyard of restored historic warehouses within a series of alleyways. Considered the cultural quarter of the town, it houses the Green Dragon pub, the Green Dragon Studios (recording studios) and the Georgian Theatre - Britain's oldest surviving Georgian theatre.
![DSCN7074.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_c30a8d1372a3467eb9432c81efbf34e8~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_972,h_729,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/DSCN7074_JPG.jpg)
A war memorial located next to St Thomas Church on Stockton High Street.
![The Rah Band - "Sorry Doesn't Make it Anymore"](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/A3b5isfLT3U/hqdefault.jpg)
The Rah Band - "Sorry Doesn't Make it Anymore"
The Rah Band - "Sorry Doesn't Make it Anymore"
I felt we had a good thing going
I thought at last I found the key
I felt my fantasy was growing
Into a new reality
I should have seen the whole thing coming (yes, I should've)
You were just too good to be true
Soon as you set my motor running
You simply vanished in the blue
Well darling sorry
Sorry doesn't make it anymore
I've heard it all before
Same old excuses as you walk in my door
It's all become just a bore
Sorry doesn't make it anymore
So you can think again my dear
I've got much better things to do
Than sitting waiting here for you
I hear you say you're really changing now
Your wondering days are finally through (Finally through)
Well I believe it when you show me how
The messages are getting through to you
'Cause Darling, Sorry
Sorry doesn't make it anymore
I've heard it all before
Same old excuses as you walk in my door
You know it's all become just a bore
And sorry doesn't make it anymore
So you can think again my dear
Coz I've got much better things to do
Than sitting waiting here for you
Sorry (Sorry)
Sorry doesn't make it anymore
I've heard it all before
Same old excuses as you walk in my door
You know it's all become such a bore
And sorry doesn't make it anymore
So think again my dear
I've got much better things to do
Than sitting waiting here for you
Sorry doesn't make it anymore
Sorry doesn't make it anymore
Sorry doesn't make it anymore
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: R. Hewson
Sorry Doesn't Make It Anymore lyrics © Bucks Music Group Ltd
![What'll Become of the Children?](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/uumOj2-OSac/maxresdefault.jpg)
What'll Become of the Children?
Rah Band - What'll Become Of The Children? (12 inch) (1985)
![Rah Band The Crunch (HQ Audio)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2E8pDwMcvO4/sddefault.jpg)
Rah Band The Crunch (HQ Audio)
Rah Band The Crunch (HQ Audio)
![Webp.net-compress-image-9-1024x640.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_247afb8f66024b71912cbb701cf3e884~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_600,h_375,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Webp_net-compress-image-9-1024x640.jpg)
Known to be one of the leading pioneers of dance music across the decades, the RAH Band, has chiselled a path in dance music, that many have followed, since the band’s formation in the late 70s, with chart toppers such as ‘The Crunch’ and ‘Clouds Across The Moon’; both reaching No 6 in the UK charts. Now for 2019, the band’s founding member, Richard Hewson, has re-recorded one of his 1983 classics, featuring UK singer/songwriter, Nina Schofield, on vocals – the stunning new single, ‘Silly Questions’ is out now, and it sounds as if it was written yesterday!
![DSCN7128.JPG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_ab070331d33f41129a743aae21b16fb5~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_973,h_730,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/DSCN7128_JPG.jpg)
Dynamic, lush and deliciously fresh, ‘Silly Questions’ is an irresistible hot-biscuit that’s sure to drop like an atomic bomb the moment it lands on dance-floors globally. Layer-upon-layer of lush sparkling vocals from Nina Schofield, skip and flick their way around a musical tapestry of divine beats melodic, creating a sound that comfortably jigsaws into radio airplay and dancefloors in equal measure. Originally entitled, ‘Questions (What’cha Gonna Do?)’, the track was first written and recorded by the RAH Band in the early ‘80s, with Richard’s wife (of the time), Liz, or Dizzy Lizzie as she was known, igniting the song with her incredible vocals. Unlike anything else on the music scene at the time, the track was seen as cutting-edge across global dance floors.
![Nina-1.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_133b916f4d464d49801e3012e5c3f307~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_600,h_600,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Nina-1.jpg)
![niona-s-1.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_3f2318db123848c59309138ea07714c0~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_363,h_450,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/niona-s-1.jpg)
Over three decades on, and the music of the RAH Band mirrors the sound being created by DJs of today. So, in a vocal collaboration with stunningly talented, Nina Schofield, the RAH band have re-recorded the track, re-named it ‘Silly Questions’, and the result is an epic creation that sounds as if it’s freshly penned for 2019. Young and fresh she maybe, but Nina Schofield is no newcomer to the scene….with a No.4 iTunes chart hit, nominations for Best Female Artist on both sides of the Atlantic (2014’s Best of British Music Awards and Best Female Vocal Artist in the Hollywood Music in Media Awards 2014), vocals alongside Emma Bunton on the national ad campaign for the Channel 5 show ‘Don’t Stop Believing’, live appearances at the Montreux Jazz Festival (sharing the bill with the likes of The Black Eyed Peas, Jeff Beck, Gnarls Barkley and Lily Allen), an enviable dance-floor following with her featured vocals on Aurosonic & Frainbreeze’s ‘Lift You Up’ track and being head-hunted by Dutch pop/RnB super band, Romeo, to join them on their sell out come-back show – Nina Schofield is one sharp cookie. Added to which, she co-wrote and co-worked with Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe winners and nominees with a striking list of names such as Morrisey’s Richard Niles, Gabrielle Aplin’s Tom Wilding, Usher’s Angelo Valentino and Orbital’s Lloyd Perrin. Top that off with a highly acclaimed debut album and being chosen as the voice and anthem for World Voice ay 2016, it’s clear to see why the RAH Band hand-picked Nina for this track.
![Mel & Kim - That's The Way It Is (12'' Version)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/M3lir2l3QJ8/sddefault.jpg)
Mel & Kim - That's The Way It Is (12'' Version)
Mel & Kim - That's The Way It Is (12'' Version)
I'm (do-do) the one (do-do) who really lo-o-o-o-oves you
I'm (do-do) the one (do-do) who really lo-oves you, yeah-eah
You know that I would wait fore-ever
And I would never tie you down
At night, a date you feel like ca-a-alling, I'd come arou-ound
Down in the street, look in the hou-ouses
People everywhere are havin' fun
When it comes to you I'm only wai-aiting
To say that you're the o-one
I'm the one who said she really lo-oved you
And I would never fool around
I'm the one who said she really lo-oved you
And I'd never let you dow-ow-own, oh...
I'm the one who really loves you-ou
I'm not the beast and I'm not hur-urting
I ain't the kind to lose control
Anytime or place you feel the wa-anting, I'll come home
I'm the one who said she really lo-oved you
And I would never fool around
I'm the one who said she really lo-oved you
And I'd never let you dow-ow-own, oh...
I'm the one who really loves you-ou, yes I am, you-ou-ou
I'm (do-do) the one (do-do) who really lo-o-o-o-oves you
I'm (do-do) the one (do-do) who really lo-o-o-o-oves you
I'm (do-do) the one (do-do) who really lo-oves you, yeah-eah
Down in the street, look in the hou-ouses
People everywhere are havin' fun
When it comes to you I'm only wai-aiting
To say that you're the o-one
I'd never let you dow-ow-own, oh...
I'm the one who really loves you-ou, yes I am, you-ou-ou
I'm the one who said she really lo-oved you
And I would never fool around
I'm the one who said she really lo-oved you
And I'd never let you dow-ow-own, oh...
I'm the one who really loves you-ou
I'm the one who said she really lo-oved you
And I would never fool around
I'm the one who said she really lo-oved you
And I'd never let you dow-ow-own, oh...
[Fade]
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Pete Waterman / Matthew James Aitken / Michael Stock
That's the Way It Is lyrics © Mike Stock Publishing Limited
![melkim.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_5632157095624fb3b7ec7a5ae45d8acb~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_600,h_398,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/melkim.jpg)
Mel and Kim were a British pop duo, consisting of sisters Melanie and Kim Appleby. Originally managed by Alan Whitehead, they achieved success between 1986 and 1988, before Melanie, who had been diagnosed with cancer, died in January 1990 at the age of 23. The duo reached number one in the UK Singles Chart with their 1987 single "Respectable", which also topped the US dance chart. They had three other UK Top 10 hits with "Showing Out (Get Fresh at the Weekend)" (1996), "F.L.M." (1987) and "That's the Way It Is" (1988). In 1988, they were nominated for a Brit Award for Best British Breakthrough Act. After Mel's death, Kim embarked on a solo career and had two UK Top 10 hits with "Don't Worry" (1990) and "G.L.A.D." (1991),
![A-31961-1595690618-5661.jpeg.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_667c151156414abd9772f7d9c325ae7e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_466,h_465,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/A-31961-1595690618-5661_jpeg.jpg)
"System" was intended as their first single, but they and the producers were unhappy with it, and it became the "B-side" of their first release "Showing Out )Get Fresh at the Weekend)", which reached number three on the British charts in 1986. It was a minor hit in America peaking at #78, but did peak at #1 on the Dance Chart there. Their next single "Respectable" reached number one in Britain. They became well-known celebrities in Europe, particularly in Britain, and were known for their visual style which combined urban street wear with high fashion (prior to their music career Mel had worked as a glamour model). Their third single "F.L.M." reached number seven in the UK, while their final single "That's the Way It Is" reached number ten, giving them an unbroken run of top ten hits in the UK.[1] In February 1988, they were nominated for Best British Breakthrough Act at the Brit Awards, losing out to Wet Wet Wet.
![Mel & Kim - Showing Out (Get Fresh At the Weekend)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/14b-BASNVdI/sddefault.jpg)
Mel & Kim - Showing Out (Get Fresh At the Weekend)
Mel & Kim - Showing Out (Get Fresh At the Weekend)
Show show show show, show show show show
Show show show show, show show show
Showin' out, showin' out
Showin' out, showin' out
Showin' out, showin' out
Get fresh at the weekend
Showin' out, showin' out
Get fresh at the weekend
Showin' out, showin' out
You'd better live in love than luxury, it's alright
And don't be dining out on foolish dreams every night
O-o-only takes a moment to feel alright
Get fresh at the weekend, showin' out
Get fresh at the weekend, showin' out
Showin' out, showin' out
Can't afford to wear diamond and pearl, that's okay
Wouldn't want to be that kind of girl anyway
O-o-only takes a moment to feel alright
Get fresh at the weekend, showin' out
Get fresh at the weekend, showin' out
Showin' out, showin' out
I can supply you things
I can provide everything
If it's the man's hand that pays the price
Then you belong to me
Only only only o' (show show show show)
Only only only o' (show show show show)
Only only only o' (show show show show)
Only only only o' (show show show show)
Can't afford to buy finer things, that's alright
We won't just lose our heads for anything anytime
O-o-only takes a moment to feel alright
Get fresh at the weekend, showin' out, showin' out
Get fresh at the weekend, showin' out
Get fresh at the weekend, showin' out, showin' out, showin' out
Get fresh at the weekend, showin' out
Showin' out, I'm showin' out
Showin' out, I'm showin' out
![in-the-80s-mel-and-kim.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_8c973ff6504e49dd978a934f3222f94f~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_179,y_0,w_1562,h_1077/fill/w_488,h_336,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/in-the-80s-mel-and-kim.jpg)
In 1985, prior to the duo's recording career, Mel was treated for malignant paraganglioma, a form of cancer, on her liver. By January 1987, Mel was experiencing back problems, delaying the filming of the "Respectable" music video. During a promotional visit to Japan in June 1987, Mel's back pain worsened, rendering her unable to perform, and she returned to the UK in a wheelchair. A recurrence of the cancer was detected in Mel's spine after undergoing tests at St Bartholomew's Hospital. The sisters withdrew from publicity while Mel underwent treatment, and footage from their Montreux Festival performance was used to compile the "F.L.M." music video. While the media speculated that Mel was being treated for cancer, both sisters categorically denied this, stating that Mel had suffered a debilitating back injury.
![118616902_1671673992998545_2839722622289](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_962082bd75e94ec4a02c5df03a62e787~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_516,h_411,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/118616902_1671673992998545_2839722622289.jpg)
Mel and Kim released a new single in February 1988, "That's the Way It Is", becoming their fourth consecutive UK top 10 hit. Mel discharged herself from hospital to record the vocals for the track. Work on a second album produced by Stock Aitken Waterman was not continued, due to Mel's illness. Both sisters appeared on the Wogan show in April 1988 while Mel was still undergoing treatment, as part of European Cancer Week. Later in 1988, after Mel had finished chemotherapy, the duo appeared on Good Morning Britain to promote the need for teenage cancer wards in British hospitals.
![69509478_1338187233013891_49696059068587](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_2e01f2521ec34fc6b42e3c5e08b37653~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_600,h_411,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/69509478_1338187233013891_49696059068587.jpg)
The sisters then again withdrew from publicity while writing songs for a second album; several of these songs later appeared on Kim's debut solo album. In a TV interview with Trisha Goddard in 2005, Kim revealed that she knew Mel's illness was terminal in mid-1989. On 18th January 1990, Mel died suddenly of pneumonia after contracting a cold; her immune system weakened by chemotherapy. In January 2018, the release of a previously unreleased unfinished demo track, "Where Is Love", was announced on the official Mel & Kim website. It was released in February 2018.
![Mel & Kim - Respectable](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ykDsmAqExH8/sddefault.jpg)
Mel & Kim - Respectable
Mel & Kim - Respectable
Respectable
Respectable
Respectable
Respectable
Take, take, take, take, take-take, t-t-take, take
Take or leave us, only please believe us
We ain't never gonna be respectable
It's a occupation, we're a dancing nation
We keep the pressure on every night
Explanations are complications
We don't need to know the "Where?" or "Why?"
Take, take, take, take, take-take, t-t-take, take
Taking chances, bold advances
Don't care if you think we're out of line
Conversation is interrogation
Get out of here, we just don't have the time
Take, take, take, take, take-take, t-t-take, take
Take or leave us, only please believe us
We ain't never gonna be respectable (respectable)
Like us, hate us, but you'll never change us
We ain't never gonna be respectable (respectable)
Respectable
Respectable
Respectable
Hesitation is just frustration
Give us the music and we're alright
On each occasion, for your information
We can look after ourselves alright
Take, take, take, take, take-take, t-t-take, take
Take or leave us, only please believe us
We ain't never gonna be respectable (respectable)
Like us, hate us, but you'll never change us
We ain't never gonna be respectable (respectable)
Respectable
Respectable (ahahaha)
Respectable
Fascination is our sensation
We like to put ourselves on the line
Recreation is our destination
So, don't wait up for us tonight
Take, take, take, take, take-take, t-t-take, take
Take or leave us, only please believe us
We ain't never gonna be respectable (respectable)
Like us, hate us but you'll never change us
We ain't never gonna be respectable (respectable)
Take or leave us, only please believe us
We ain't never gonna be respectable (respectable)
Like us, hate us but you'll never change us
We ain't never gonna be respectable (respectable)
Take or leave us, only please believe us
We ain't never gonna be respectable
![caf.gif](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_fb4b80ef53fc460c8d548d06785d461a~mv2.gif)
With the aid of her then boyfriend, ex-Bros bassist Craig Logan, Kim launched a solo career with much of her debut solo album composed of songs co-written with Mel, for what was intended to be the next "Mel and Kim" album. The album, Kim Appleby, contained her debut solo single "Don't Worry", which reached number two on the British charts in November 1990. A follow-up single "G.L.A.D" was also a UK Top 10 hit. Subsequent singles from her debut album were "Mama" [#19] and "If You Cared" [#44]. Kim's second album Breakaway was not a commercial success and had a limited release. She released three further singles, "Light of the World" [#41, 1993], "Breakaway" [#56, 1993], and "Free Spirit" [#51, 1994]. A download-only single called "High" was released in 2007. In 2010 a 2 CD Deluxe Edition of F.L.M. was released which included extended bonus tracks as well as the single That's The Way It Is and various remixes of the original hits. In October 2019, Cherry Red Records released a seven-disc Mel & Kim CD singles box set.
Compilation albums
The Best of Mel & Kim (1996)
That's the Way It Is – The Best of Mel & Kim/Kim Appleby (2001)
F.L.M. – The Best of Mel & Kim/Kim Appleby (2002)
Remix albums
Something Special (1989)
Box sets
The Singles Box Set (2019)
![10271561_288659831299975_607604793908201](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_4d9f531516c54f50be73bf2e07c30113~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_515,h_515,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/10271561_288659831299975_607604793908201.png)
![19574944_823592587806694_174199497771416](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_bc9b40603c1843e990a9842c2d3f6b64~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_507,h_528,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/19574944_823592587806694_174199497771416.jpg)
![Gloria Estefan - Falling In Love (Uh-Oh)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LkN_k0jl2Wk/maxresdefault.jpg)
Gloria Estefan - Falling In Love (Uh-Oh)
Gloria Estefan - Falling In Love (Uh-Oh)
Released October 1986
Recorded 1985
[Verse 1:]
Two of hearts
Lace and satin
Something in the air
Feel like another crook
That's been captured by your stare
[Chorus:]
Uh-oh, uh-oh
Falling in love
Falling in love again
Uh-oh, uh-oh
And I don't wanna, no, no, no
Uh-oh, uh-oh
Falling in love
Falling in love again
Uh-oh, uh-oh
Falling, falling
[Verse 2:]
Jealous feelings
Reappearing
Such a wicked dare
I'm just so damned confused
And I wonder
Do you care?
[Repeat Chorus:]
[Bridge:]
Like walking in the park
Or dancing in the dark
Just wanna hold you through out the night
Prince of fire
Sweet desire
With devil may you care
Release me from your spell
I don't want this
Love ain't fair
[Repeat Chorus:]
![487055809.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_4c5c51c99f2e4b7da31f45ef27fe152f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_475,h_670,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/487055809.jpg)
Miami Sound Machine is an American band of Latin-influenced music that had featured the vocals of Cuban-born recording artist Gloria Estevan (née Fajardo). Established in 1975 by Emilio Estefan Jr, the band was originally known as the Miami Latin Boys before becoming the Miami Sound Machine in 1977. The band had a number of albums and a string of hit singles until 1989. The band's 1985 album "Primitive Love" credited the band whereas their follow-up album "Let It Loose" in 1987 placed Gloria Estefan at the forefront. From 1988-1989, the latter album was also repackaged as Anything For You with new cover art with the international release in Europe, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. In 1989, the group's name ceased being included on the CD or album products—as Estefan continued as a solo artist. The Miami Sound Machine continues to perform with Estefan on all her tours and live performances, and has appeared on many of Estefan's recordings.
![df36d00cf19f0d5e38e7bf8a43c64793.gif](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_ad0de74a4e1f41038e74e340c8d95ac7~mv2.gif)
![Gloria Estefan - Can't Stay Away From You (Official Video)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DYweHGwASKU/maxresdefault.jpg)
Gloria Estefan - Can't Stay Away From You (Official Video)
Gloria Estefan - Can't Stay Away From You (Official Video)
Time flies when you're having fun
I heard somebody say
But if all I've been is fun then baby let me go
Don't wanna be in your way
And I don't wanna be your second choice
Don't wanna be just your friend
You keep telling me that you're not in love
You wanna throw it all away
But I can't stay away from you
I don't wanna let you go
And though it's killing me, that's true
There's just some things I can't control
Your love is slipping through my hands
And though I've heard it all before
I know you're telling me the truth
I know it's just no use
But I can't stay away from you
Hold on to every bit of hope that's all I ever do
Hoping you might change
Your mind and call me up
To say how much you need me too
And though you're leaving me no other choice
Than to turn and walk away
Look over your shoulder, I'll be there
You can count on me to stay
'Cause I can't stay away from you
I don't wanna let you go
And though it's killing me, that's true
There's just some things I can't control
Your love slipping through my hands
And though I've heard it all before
I know you're telling me the truth
I know it's just no use
But I can't stay away from you
I know you're telling me the truth
I know it's just no use
But I can't stay away from you
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Gloria Estefan
Can’t Stay Away From You lyrics © Foreign Imported Prod. And Publishing, Universal Musica Unica, In Obo Foreign Imported Prod. & Publ
![gloria-estefan-2019-uxh-billboard-1548-c](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_89c5e196a2404e0e88bbb01facfb30cd~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_600,h_397,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/gloria-estefan-2019-uxh-billboard-1548-c.jpg)
In 1975, Gloria and her cousin Mercedes "Merci" Navarro (1957–2007) met Emilio Estefan Jr. while performing at a church ensemble rehearsal. Estefan, who had formed the band the Miami Latin Boys earlier that year, learned about Gloria through a mutual acquaintance. While the Miami Latin Boys were performing at a Cuban wedding at Hotel Dupont, Gloria and Merci (who were wedding guests) performed two Cuban standards impromptu. They impressed the Miami Latin Boys so much that they were invited to join the band permanently; thereby, the band's name was changed to Miami Sound Machine. Gloria, who was attending the University of Miami at the time, only agreed to perform during the weekends so that her studies would not be interrupted.
![gloria-estefan-rc-2019-billboard-1548-co](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_ec6b3f492f7a4e2486a99e41a10fe730~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_600,h_397,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/gloria-estefan-rc-2019-billboard-1548-co.jpg)
![gloria-estefan-rgb-photo-credit-sami-dra](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_aa4ea6ca8d0c4915824b456583a806cf~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_396,h_528,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/gloria-estefan-rgb-photo-credit-sami-dra.jpg)
Beginning in 1977, Miami Sound Machine began recording and releasing various albums and 45s on Audiofon Records in Miami, Florida. The group's primary lineup consisted of six Cuban-born Americans:
Emilio Estefan, Jr. (percussion and accordion)
Gloria Fajardo (lead vocals and hand percussion)
Merci Navarro (lead vocals) and her husband Raul Murciano (keyboards)
Enrique "Kiki" Garcia (drums)
Juan Marcos Avila (bass)
![You're All I Have (Audio)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/n2S6HxmQVMM/maxresdefault.jpg)
You're All I Have (Audio)
Miami Sound Machine - You're All I Have.
![_methode_times_prod_web_bin_e3b75372-8ea](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_2247350a7e7f4a469347e21c374c5bf6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_972,h_546,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/_methode_times_prod_web_bin_e3b75372-8ea.jpg)
Live Again/Renacer
In 1977, Miami Sound Machine's first album Live Again/Renacer was released with two different covers. The group had several more releases on the Audiofon label, the RCA Victor label, and subsequently Miami Sound Machine's own label Miami Sound Machine Records. In 1978, Gloria married Emilio Estefan, Jr. after two years of dating. In 1979, Miami Sound Machine added American guitarist and native Miamian, Wesley B. Wright, and Cuban-born Fernando Garcia on trumpet (unrelated to "Kiki" Garcia).
Miami Sound Machine
By the end of 1979, the band was signed to Discos CBS International. Miami Sound Machine then released several albums, 45s, and twelve-inch singles beginning with the 1980 self-titled Miami Sound Machine. The combination of traditional Latin rhythms and American R&B grooves (along with the songwriting talents of Gloria Estefan, "Kiki" Garcia, and Wesley B. Wright) set a crossover musical standard for the next two decades to come.
![090122_DanMarino.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_5b09eede5bd24e1f9aa1e0980aed471d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_599,h_453,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/090122_DanMarino.jpg)
![9e6f6e7c-e7ee-4d55-b556-6324e17e08f5-AP_](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_ff811a7b206849b99cef3e49d27b4d85~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_473,h_364,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/9e6f6e7c-e7ee-4d55-b556-6324e17e08f5-AP_.jpg)
NFL Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino
During the 1980s, with the popularity of Miami-based films and television series such as Scarface, Invasion USA, and Miami Vice, the city was gaining a reputation as an exciting and notorious destination. South Beach and the remainder of Dade County was also attracting attention. NFL Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino was breaking football records and adding to the Miami mystique.
![Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine - Prisoner Of Love • TopPop](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iLqFnC5J4S8/maxresdefault.jpg)
Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine - Prisoner Of Love • TopPop
Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine - Prisoner Of Love • TopPop
I've gotta run away from you
If I wanna save myself
And there's nothing I can do
To break your magic spell
Oh, you are evil
And you show it with your eyes
Oh, and the way your body moves
Just keeps me hypnotized
'Cause I'm a prisoner of love
Someone rescue me
Release me from this state of mind
I was born to be free
Just a prisoner of love
Come on let me be
'Cause if loving you is my crime
Go on and close the door on me
Oh, I've been convicted
For the crime that has been done
But if losing you is my sentence
Id rather lose my life
Can someone help me?
Help me keep my sanity
'Cause I love this evil force
That's taking over me
'Cause I'm a prisoner of love
Someone rescue me
Release me from this state of mind
I was born to be free
Just a prisoner of love
Come on let me be
'Cause if loving you is my crime
Go on and close the door on me
'Cause I'm a prisoner of love
Someone rescue me
Release me from this state of mind
I was born to be free
Just a prisoner of love
Come on let me be
'Cause if loving you is my crime
Go on and close the door on me
![tumblr_nmxq6eVNjz1qz732no1_1280.gif](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_f759cc7fee804e67942574a9a9b7e032~mv2.gif)
Otra Vez
In 1980, Miami Sound Machine added a more complete horn section primarily consisting of trumpeters Fernando Garcia and Victor "Papito" Lopez and trombonist Louis Perez. The permanent addition of a full horn section added a new dimension and would become a future Miami Sound Machine musical trademark. MSM using this lineup flew to San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1981 to record their second LP on the C.B.S. International label. The album was entitled Otra Vez and was recorded at Ochoa Studios in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This would be the last LP to feature the early signature sound of two female vocalists (Gloria and her cousin Mercy) singing both in harmony and unison.
Rio
By early 1982, Roger Fisher was added as a second keyboardist, as well as the virtuoso harmonica player Gustavo Lezcano. Merci and Raul left the band in late 1982, just prior to the recording of the third CBS International LP Rio. The painfully shy Gloria was now the sole lead vocalist on stage and in the studio. As a result, she began to evolve both systematically and stylistically in her performances. Fisher filled Raul's piano duties. At the same time, Betty Cortés was brought in as replacement for Fisher's second keyboardist role and to sing background vocals live and occasionally in the studio. During the same time period, Elena Stracuzzi was brought in to sing background vocals for live performances. In 1983, Leo Villar was added as second trumpeter to replace Fernando Garcia who had left the prior year.
Eyes of Innocence
Miami Sound Machine was now a large ensemble. Despite an eclectic lineup, Miami Sound Machine was focused primarily on the founding members:
Gloria and Emilio Estefan
Enrique "Kiki" Garcia
Juan Marcos Avila
Wesley B. Wright
![Miami Sound Machine feat Gloria Estefan - Bad Boy (Extended Version VIDEO EDITION VJ ROBSON)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bX9ZPOkGK30/maxresdefault.jpg)
Miami Sound Machine feat Gloria Estefan - Bad Boy (Extended Version VIDEO EDITION VJ ROBSON)
Miami Sound Machine feat Gloria Estefan - Bad Boy (Extended Version VIDEO EDITION VJ ROBSON)
![200.gif](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_801f862461f94c4dbc657fd066d841a9~mv2.gif)
![200 (1).gif](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_e80207cac5c7487ebf75427be015f502~mv2.gif)
By the early 1980s, Miami Sound Machine had established themselves as major musical artists in Latin America with a strong presence in both the media and on the radio. The next major hurdle was conquered in early 1984 when a Dutch DJ began playing "Dr. Beat" in Amsterdam. Garcia's catchy lyrics, Gloria's sassy vocals, Wright's funky guitar, and Emilio's infectious conga drums took Europe by storm with the tune eventually reaching #1 in the UK and most of Continental Europe, finally causing record labels in the US Market to take notice of the group's strong musical prowess. In late 1984, the group released their first Epic/Columbia album, "Eyes of Innocence", which contained the Garcia-penned classic, previously released, single and dance hit "Dr. Beat" as well as the ballad "I Need Your Love".
![Miami Sound Machine (Gloria Estefan) - Me Enamoré](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/1E6QH-iqkjM/hqdefault.jpg)
Miami Sound Machine (Gloria Estefan) - Me Enamoré
Miami Sound Machine (Gloria Estefan) - Me Enamoré
I start again dreaming
awake Lately
I am so uncertain
I can barely
converse, stumbling when
walking It is difficult to
continue living like
this Stop in
front of you I
feel your look My face I feel blushing, embarrassed Without your love I do not want to be But in your eyes I can not watch I can only sigh when you are I fell in love again, look what silly I was
I can no longer do, I fell in love again
I have lost my mind, I
have given the heart It has no solution,
I fell in love I will not go to think that it is my first time
But I can assure you, it does not happen
again I play, but of you I fell
in love I swear I will always be close to you
I fell in love again, look that silly I was Nothing
I can do , I fell
in love again I've
lost my mind, I've given my heart It has no solution, I fell in love
I fell in love again,
look what silly I was
I can no longer do, I fell in love again I have lost my mind, I have given the heart
It has no solution, I fell in love
I fell in love
![BIZ5RVGRIEI6PKD3I7YUW4YWFI.webp](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_0ed1e9e6a7f144498b7af47d6c23044f~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_479,h_319,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/BIZ5RVGRIEI6PKD3I7YUW4YWFI.png)
Miami Sound Machine's follow-up album "Primitive Love" was released in 1985. While the horn section were featured on prominent cuts, guitarist Wesley B. Wright was the only member of the core rhythm section to actually record on the LP. On all of the previous LPs, the band members almost exclusively recorded the original studio tracks. In 1985, there would be personnel changes:
Phenom session percussionist Rafael Padílla, who performed on some of the LP's tracks, was now a permanent member.
Chicago native Jim "Sport" Trompeter replaced Betty Wright (née Cortés) on second keyboards.
Venezuelan jazz saxophonist Ed Callé performed on the LP and was added to the horn section.
The successful LP launched three top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: the Garcia-penned "Conga" reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100; "Bad Boy" reached No. 8 and "Words Get in the Way" (written by Gloria Estefan) reaching No. 5 on the Hot 100 and No. 1 on the US Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart, establishing that the group could perform pop ballads as successfully as dance tunes. At the end of 1985, the stalwart horn section was now in flux, with session player Dana Teboe filling the trombone position in place of the original trombonist, Louis Perez. By early 1986, Victor "Papito" Lopez (visually known for his iconic jet black Cuban mustache) was subsequently replaced by Randy Barlow. By the end of 1986, Teddy Mulet became the band's official trombonist.
![Atiéndeme (Audio)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Qujbs_UufIc/maxresdefault.jpg)
Atiéndeme (Audio)
Miami Sound Machine - Atiéndeme
Take care
of me
If you want
to forget me
And don't talk to
me again
Attend me
Take care
of me If you
want to take
me root of your life
Never kiss me
Atiénde me
Atiénde Me
Maybe you
thought it was a game
And you have burned yourself with fire
You never play with the things of love
Attend me
Don't think it's so easy to forget us If life united us,
it was to love us
Mind that wrong there is in giving us a few kisses
We are not going you or I to die that
Atiéndeme Atiénde me
Mind Don't try to challenge the divine
Because to this day no one has commanded in your destiny
Take care of me
Take care
of me
Maybe you
thought it was
a game
And you
burned yourself
with fire You never
play with the things of
love
Atiénde me
Don't think it's so easy to forget us If life brought us together, it was to love us Take
care of me...
![Gloria%20Estefan_16_9_1604496767.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_c56b19704d504412bd00c918fea8153e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_600,h_332,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Gloria%2520Estefan_16_9_1604496767.jpg)
Appearances and soundtracks
In 1985, Miami Sound Machine appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Solid Gold, American Bandstand, CBS Morning News, Walt Disney specials, and frequent spots on MTV. The band twice performed on the television presentation of the Miss Universe Pageant (1984; 1986). The song "Hot Summer Nights" was also released that year and was part of the soundtrack for the film Top Gun starring Tom Cruise. The song "Suavé" was also recorded as part of the soundtrack for the Sylvester Stallone film Cobra. Miami Sound Machine also made a cameo appearance in the ABC Sunday Night Movie Club Med. 1987 and Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine After a massive world tour that ran from 1985–1986, the following members left the group: guitarist Wesley B. Wright; founding bassist Juan Marcos Avila; and keyboardist Roger Fisher. Emilio assumed the role of producer and no longer performed live.
![PRI_161112161.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_4a63b4bbce8c4207bd946db25a101e9e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_600,h_397,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/PRI_161112161.jpg)
Let It Loose / Anything for You
Miami Sound Machine returned to the studio in early 1987, and bassist Jorgé "George" Casas on bass, keyboardist Clay Ostwald, and guitarist John DeFaria joined the remaining members. With "Kiki" Garcia being the remaining core member, Gloria Estefan was given top billing and the band's name was changed to Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine to capitalize on the lead singer's mass appeal.
![Gloria Stefan & Miami Sound Machine - Baila conmigo](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ak4M7Tv7q3s/sddefault.jpg)
Gloria Stefan & Miami Sound Machine - Baila conmigo
Gloria Stefan & Miami Sound Machine - Baila conmigo
I saw you spend
just a moment ago
The palpitita in my heart I already feel
I want to dance and feel
your body next to
mine
I saw you
pass,
I called
you with my gaze
When I did not
answer,
I was disenchanted
I want to dance even if it is a song with you They forget the sorrows dancing
Do not think that I am conquering You No matter that you do not fall in love with me, of me
I saw you pass just a moment ago
The palpita in my heart I already feel I
want to dance and feel your body next to mine
I saw you pass, I looked for you with my smile
And suddenly all your hurry
Come to dance even if it is this song with me
They forget the sorrows dancing
Do not think I am conquering
You No matter that you do
not fall in love with me , from me
Dance, dance with
me Dance, dance with me
Dance, dance, dance
with me
I want you to dance with me
I saw you pass,
I looked for you
with my smile
And suddenly all your haste
Come dance even if it is this song with me They forget the sorrows dancing
Do not think that I am conquering You No matter that you do not fall in love With me,
of me Dance,
dance with me Dance, dance with me Dance, dance with me
I want you to
dance with me Dance,
dance with me
![Gloria-Estefan-Superbowl-Thumb-Nov-6-19.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_a5231e9378474fe7904c2e94afe16538~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_599,h_337,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Gloria-Estefan-Superbowl-Thumb-Nov-6-19_.jpg)
In late 1987, Miami Sound Machine released "Let it Loose", and it went multi-platinum, with three million copies sold in the US alone. It featured the hits "Anything for You" reaching number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, "1-2-3" making it to No. 3, "Betcha Say That" to number 36, "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You" to No. 5, and "Can't Stay Away from You" to No. 6. "Can't Stay Away from You", "Anything for You" and "1-2-3" were all top charting singles on the Adult Contemporary hits as well. Another world tour began and the group traveled for the first time to Europe, South America and an even more extensive tour in the United States, culminating in a finale with massive sold-out concert in their hometown of Miami, Florida, which was recorded and later sold on VHS. By 1988, founding member "Kiki" Garcia quit. With no other core members remaining other than Gloria herself, the "Miami Sound Machine" moniker was to be used from that point on for concerts and live performances only.
![3.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_f5ac88c13050427094ec37a350f373ec~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_527,h_351,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/3.jpg)
![Miami Sound Machine - Quedemos Como Amigos](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/B6z-fOQpYu8/maxresdefault.jpg)
Miami Sound Machine - Quedemos Como Amigos
Miami Sound Machine - Quedemos Como Amigos
It is time
to accept
Let us face reality
We do not
invest more
efforts In
something that has
no remedy
Sometimes it hurts the
truth It is impossible to avoid
You and I do not understand
The best thing
is that we separate already
But let us remain as friends
Now that we are in time to preserve the little that we have left of this love destined to fail
We don't want to be your lover
Let's just stay friends
We have to settle for a simple friendship
Even though we live in love
The experience has proven us
There is no affinity
in our ways of thinking
We are two different worlds
And yet I will not be able to take you away from my mind ever
But let's stay as friends
Now that we are in time
to preserve
How little we have left of
this love destined to fail
Let us remain as
friends
Neither together nor separated
we can be I do not want to
be your lover
We will be as friends
Nothing more But let us remain as friends Now that we are in time to preserve
How little we have left of this love destined to fail
Let us remain as friends Neither together nor separated we can be I do not want to be your lover But let's stay as friends Now that we are in time to
preserve How little we have left of this love destined to fail Let us remain
as friends Neither together nor separated
we can be I Do not want to be your lover
But let us remain as friends
Now that we are in time to
preserve How little we have left of this love destined to fail Let
us remain as friends
Neither together nor separated we
can be I do not want to be your lover
![444.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_ab71b5918d844c7aa60dbd80e5dd3b20~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_600,h_349,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/444.png)
In 1988, after the worldwide chart success of single "Anything for You", her Let it Loose album was repackaged overseas as Anything for You. It became the band's first UK number 1 album, selling over a million copies. It was the biggest selling album of the year in The Netherlands, staying at number 1 for 22 weeks. The album also took top honors in Australia and Canada, launching Gloria Estefan to superstar status. By the end of 1988, none of the originating members of the group that once was Miami Sound Machine were performing with Estefan. A new rhythm section was put in place, and the horn section was expanded.
![atvcfbzdxdlzxi4yxmgn.jfif](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_4a68fa57fc504f1192ee43e443990cee~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_600,h_333,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/atvcfbzdxdlzxi4yxmgn_jfif.jpg)
Although there have been changes in personnel, three members (Jorge Casas, Clay Ostwald and Teddy Mulet) have performed with Estefan since 1986. The current rhythm section has been in place since 1992 (with the subsequent addition of drummer Olbin Burgos and percussionist Edwin Bonilla). Seven members of the Miami Sound Machine lineage appeared in New York City's staging of the Broadway show On Your Feet!: Jorge Casas, Clay Ostwald, Teddy Mulet, Olbin Burgos, Edwin Bonilla, Tom Timko and David Fernandez. In 2002, an attempt was made to create a shoot-off "Miami Sound Machine" with a new eponymous album (produced by Emilio Estefan) and a completely different lineup consisting of Lorena Pinot, Sohanny Gross and Carla Ramirez. Without Gloria Estefan's signature vocals or any real connection to the preexisting Miami Sound Machine musicians, however, the new project was only met with moderate success in a few select European countries and failed to chart significantly in the United States.
![Gloria Estefan - Rhythm Is Gonna Get You (Official Video)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/CZkjeJKBI0M/maxresdefault.jpg)
Gloria Estefan - Rhythm Is Gonna Get You (Official Video)
Gloria Estefan - Rhythm Is Gonna Get You (Official Video)
"Rhythm Is Gonna Get You"
O eh, o eh, o eh, oo aah
O eh, o eh, o eh, oo aah
Yah yeh goh
At night when you turn off all the lights
There's no place that you can hide
Oh no, the rhythm is gonna get'cha
In bed, throw the covers on your head
You pretend like you are dead
But I know it
The rhythm is gonna get'cha
Rhythm is gonna get 'cha
Rhythm is gonna get 'cha
Rhythm is gonna get you
The rhythm is gonna get you tonight
No way, you can fight it every day
But no matter what you say
You know it
The rhythm is gonna get'cha
No clue, of what's happening to you
And before this night is throug
Ooh baby
The rhythm is gonna get'cha
O eh, o eh, o eh, oo aah
O eh, o eh, o eh, oo aah
Yah yeh goh
Rhythm is gonna get 'cha
Rhythm is gonna get 'cha
Rhythm is gonna get you
The rhythm is gonna get you tonight
Na na na na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na na na na na
O eh, o eh, o eh, oo aah
O eh, o eh, o eh, oo aah
Yah yeh goh
Na na na na na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na na na na na
![gloria-estefan-1529053900.39.2560x1440.j](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_c4dad99c2d7d4c0a9cd30fb755adb48f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_599,h_337,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/gloria-estefan-1529053900_39_2560x1440_j.jpg)
Miami Sound Machine (1977–1986) MEMBERS
Gloria Estevan (1977–1988) – vocals, hand percussion, and songwriter
Emilio Estevan, Jr. (1975–1986) – percussion and accordion
Enrique "Kiki" Garcia (1975–1988) – drums and songwriter
Juan Avíla (1977–1986) – bass
Frank Mercado (1986-1991) - bass and background vocals
Wesley B. Wright (1979–1986) – guitar and songwriter
Mercí (Navarro) Murcíano (1977–1982) – Murciano died on February 8, 2007
Raul Murcíano (1976–1982) – piano and keyboards
Luis Serrano (1975–1977) – bass
Fernando Garcia (1979–1981)
Mike Scaglione (1988-present) - saxophone
Louis Pérez (1980–1985) – trombone
Victor Lopez (1980–1986) – trumpet
Roger Fisher (1982–1986) – piano and keyboards
Gustavo Lézcano (1982–1984) – harmonica – Havana-born Lézcano died on May 28, 2014[27]
Betty (Cortés) Wright (1982–1985) – synthesizer and background vocals
Elena Stracuzzi (1982–1983) – background vocals
Leo Víllar (1983) – trumpet
Jim "Sport" Trompeter (1985–1988)
Rafael Pedílla (1985–1988) – percussion
Ed Callé (1985–1987) – saxophone
Dana Teboe (1985–1986) – trombone
Randy Barlow (1986–1988) – trumpet
Teddy Mullet (1986–present) – trombone
Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine (1987–1988)
Jorgé "George" Casas (1987–2019) – Casas died on January 31, 2019 – bass
Clay Ostwald (1987–present) – keyboards
John Defaria (1987–1988) – guitar
Miami Sound Machine II (2002)
Lorena Pinot – vocals
Sohanny Gross – vocals
Carla Ramirez – vocals
1977: Live Again/Renacer
1978: Miami Sound Machine
1979: Imported
1980: Miami Sound Machine
1981: Otra Vez
1982: Rio
1984: A Toda Maquina
1984: Eyes of Innocence
1985: Primitive Love
1987: Let It Loose (Gloria Estevan and Miami Sound Machine)
1989: Cuts Both Ways (Estefan's debut solo album)
2002: Miami Sound Machine: Miami Sound Machine (without Estefan or any original members)
![0dd7ba2fa21026037fc8f433619cc5c6-malecon](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_0323d7d31dc44a8d935992c78aff37a3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_978,h_652,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/0dd7ba2fa21026037fc8f433619cc5c6-malecon.jpg)
The Malecón, Havana's evocative 7km-long sea drive, is one of the city's most soulful and quintessentially Cuban thoroughfares, and long a favored meeting place for assorted lovers, philosophers, poets, traveling minstrels, fishers and wistful Florida-gazers. The Malecón's atmosphere is most potent at sunset, when the weak yellow light from creamy Vedado filters like a dim torch onto the buildings of Centro Habana, lending their dilapidated facades a distinctly romantic quality.
Laid out in the early 1900s as a salubrious oceanside boulevard for Havana's pleasure-seeking middle classes, the Malecón expanded rapidly eastward in the century's first decade, with a mishmash of architecture that mixed sturdy neoclassicism with whimsical art nouveau. By the 1920s the road had reached the outer limits of Vedado, and by the early 1950s it had metamorphosed into a busy six-lane highway that carried streams of wave-dodging Buicks and Chevrolets from the gray hulk of the Castillo de San Salvador de la Punta to the borders of Miramar. Today the Malecón remains Havana's most authentic open-air theater, sometimes dubbed 'the world's longest sofa,' where the whole city comes to meet, greet, date and debate.
Fighting an ongoing battle with the corrosive effects of the ocean, many of the thoroughfare's magnificent buildings now face decrepitude, demolition or irrevocable damage. To combat the problem, 14 blocks of the Malecón have been given special status by the Office of the City Historian in an attempt to stop the rot.
The Malecón is particularly evocative when a cold front blows in and massive waves crash over the sea wall. The road is often closed to cars at these times, meaning you can walk right down the middle of the empty thoroughfare (and get very wet).
![Havana.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_a255cd0ac3034fedb24b284b8dcacc9e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_976,h_641,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Havana.jpg)
Gloria Estefan (née Fajardo García) was born into a middle-class household in Havana, Cuba, to parents José Fajardo (1933–1980) and Gloria García (1930–2017). Estefan's maternal grandparents were Spanish immigrants. Her maternal grandfather, Leonardo García, emigrated to Cuba from Pola de Siero, Asturias, Spain, where he married Gloria's grandmother, Consuelo Perez, who was originally from Logroño, Spain. Spain. Consuelo's father Pantaleón Perez served as the head chef during the tenure of two Cuban presidents at the Cuban White House. Estefan's paternal side also had musical sensibilities, as the lineage had a famous flutist and a classical pianist. During her childhood, Estefan's mother Gloria Fajardo (nicknamed "Big Gloria") won an international contest and received a Hollywood offer to dub Shirley Temple's films in Spanish. However, Leonardo García did not permit his daughter to pursue the offer. Gloria Fajardo would earn a Ph.D. in education in Cuba. However, her degrees were destroyed upon fleeing to the United States during the Cuban Revolution.
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Havana Cathedral in Cuba.
Estefan's paternal grandparents were José Manuel Fajardo González (who ran one of the first Cuban restaurants in Miami, Florida) and Amelia Montano (who was a poet). Estefan also had uncles who were singer-songwriters. Her father José was a Cuban soldier and a motor escort for the wife of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. As a result of the Cuban Revolution, the Fajardo family fled to Miami in 1959 and settled there. Soon after they moved to the United States, José joined the United States military and fought in the Vietnam War and moved to Houston after his participation in the failed Bay of Pigs Invasion. During the Bay of Pigs Invasion, José had been captured by his cousin (who was a member of Fidel Castro's army) and imprisoned in Cuba for nearly two years.
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Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista visits Washington DC in November 1938. Harris & Ewing / Libary of Congress
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Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista
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Members of Fidel Castro's militia gather in Cuba's Escambry Mountains during the ill-fated 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion.
Three Lions/Getty Images
The Bay of Pigs invasion sometimes called invasión de playa Girón or batalla de Girón, after the Playa Girón was a failed landing operation on the southwestern coast of Cuba in 1961 by Cuban exiles who opposed Fidel Castro's Cuban Revolution. Covertly financed and directed by the U.S. government, the operation took place at the height of the Cold War, and its failure led to major shifts in international relations between Cuba, the United States, and the Soviet Union.
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Soon after returning from the Vietnam War in 1968, Estefan's father became ill with multiple sclerosis. His condition was attributed to the Agent Orange poisoning that he suffered in Vietnam. She helped her mother Gloria care for him until the age of sixteen, as her father's condition had grown so severe that he had to be hospitalized at a Veterans Administration medical facility. She also took care of her younger sister Rebecca (nicknamed "Becky"; b. 1963) due to her mother having to work diligently to support the family. Gloria Fajardo first had to regain her teaching credentials; a task made easier through assistance by the U.S. refugee support for Cubans. She then worked as a schoolteacher for the Dade County Public School system. Estefan became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1974, under the name Gloria Garcia Fajardo, reflecting the switch from Spanish naming customs (father's surname then mother's surname) to mother's maiden name as middle name and father's surname last.
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Image Above - U.S. wartime use of defoliant in Vietnam
U.S. helicopter spraying defoliant in dense jungle during the Vietnam War, 1969.
Brian K. Grigsby, Department of Defense/The National Archives
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An American aircraft sprays the potent chemical, known as Agent Orange, over the dense Vietnamese jungle.
Agent Orange was one of many herbicides used by the U.S. army between 1961 and 1971 during the invasion of Vietnam. While the military produced a whole range of “rainbow herbicides”, Agent Orange was the most widely used, and its lasting effects are still being felt to this day by millions. The chemical ingredient of the herbicide, dioxin, is linked to cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma as well as causing psychological and neurological problems. The chemical compound also affects genes and hormones, causing birth defects in the descendants of those affected by the chemical. In South Vietnam alone, US forces sprayed over 25 million acres (39,000 square miles) with over 20 million gallons of the substance in an effort to clear the dense jungle and make it easier for the US military to fight the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese armies by clearing the natural cover and destroying food crops and fertile soil. An estimated 12% of the entire nation of Vietnam was sprayed with chemicals in up to 13 times the recommended concentration. Some areas have toxified soil with concentrations of the chemical hundreds of times higher than the maximum safe limit by US EPA standards, leaving 20% of the forest contaminated all these years later.
The damage was so great that the UN created new international laws prohibiting defoliation and environmental damage as a war tactic through the Convention of Environmental Modification resolution a few years after the war had ended.
However, while the actions of the US army have since been legislated against by the UN in an effort to prevent history repeating itself, the effects repeat themselves again and again in the steady stream of new victims being found and treated today. An estimated 3 million people, just over 3% of the country’s population, still suffer the effects of direct and indirect exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, with 1 million of those people being disabled in some way.
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Estefan was raised Catholic and attended St. Michael-Archangel School and Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Miami, where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She graduated from college in 1979 with a B.A. in psychology, with a minor in French, from the University of Miami. When Estefan was studying at the university, she worked as an English/Spanish/French translator at Miami International Airport Customs Department and, because of her language abilities, was once approached by the CIA as a possible employee.
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A Quick Introduction to Lourdes Academy
The mission of Our Lady of Lourdes Academy is to educate young women to face the future strengthened by their faith, prepared and confident in their abilities to achieve their goals and committed to their Catholic and American heritages.
Philosophy of Education
The philosophy of all Catholic education is based on and conditioned by the Catholic philosophy of life: each person, endowed with body and soul, has not only a purpose in this world but an eternal destiny. Vatican II states: ‘A true education aims at the formation of the human person with respect to this ultimate goal’. Because education is a preparation for life and not just for a livelihood, it must consider the ultimate purpose of human living and the means by which that purpose is to be realized. The Catholic school, therefore, is concerned with imparting knowledge in an atmosphere in which spiritual values are acknowledged. We recognize that a personal understanding of duties to country and neighbor is an essential part of education. We believe that these duties are effectively discharged only when each individual understands that the person, the community, and the environment are all part of an interlocking relationship with God.
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University of Miami Donna E. Shalala Student Center
Estefan has written two children's books: The Magically Mysterious Adventures of Noelle the Bulldog (2005) and Noelle's Treasure Tale (2006). The latter book spent a week at No. 3 on the New York Times Bestseller list for children's books. She also collaborated on a cookbook with her husband entitled Estefan Kitchen, which was published in 2008. It contains 60 traditional Cuban recipes.
While touring in support of Cuts Both Ways on March 20, 1990, near Scranton, Pennsylvania, Estefan was critically injured, suffering a fractured spine when a semi-truck crashed into the tour bus she was in during a snowstorm. Estefan was returning from a meeting with President George Bush to discuss participation in an anti-drugs campaign. She was taken to Community Medical Center's Intensive Care Unit and the next day was flown by helicopter to New York City, where surgeons at the Hospital for Joint Diseases at NYU Langone Medical Center permanently implanted two titanium rods to stabilize her vertebral column. Her rehabilitation required almost a year of intensive physical therapy and she noted that "there were times when the pain was so bad I prayed I'd pass out." However, she achieved a complete recovery and returned to an international tour 10 months after the collision.
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Singer Gloria Estefan returns to Miami International airport after a two-week hospital stay following a bus accident in Pennsylvania. About 200 fans and at least 50 members of the media welcomed Estefan, who said: “I’m so happy I got a sunshiny day. This is exactly what I need.” MIAMI HERALD HERALD FILE
In April 2020, Estefan released "Put on Your Mask", a parody of her 1989 song "Get on Your Feet" with the lyrics changed to reflect the importance of wearing face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2020 Gloria wrote and released "We Needed Time" as a musical piece to reflect the feelings and emotions the world was experiencing around the COVID-19 global pandemic. The genesis of the song came from a late night conversation Gloria had with her son Nayib who exclaimed to Gloria that although he wouldn't have asked for a pandemic, it had gifted him with precious time to spend with his wife and son. Taking this idea, Gloria penned the lyrics and composed the melody. The video for the song was shot in and around Gloria's property on Star Island, Miami by socially distanced cinematographers using drone cameras to capture the beautiful tranquility that the pandemic had created. The song was made available to download for free from Gloria's official website and on some streaming platforms. Gloria posted on Facebook. Beginning of November she was tested positive with Covid 19.
![Gloria Estefan - Put On Your Mask!](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YRnwfVXE4wA/maxresdefault.jpg)
Gloria Estefan - Put On Your Mask!
Gloria Estefan - Put On Your Mask!
"Put On Your Mask"
They say stay home
Please don't go outside
There's no use dying
Each time someone
Comes within six feet
We feel like crying
Not long ago
We could touch our friends
And our relations
They made it clear
We are all locked away
To our frustration
There in your house is the answer
Find it I know it will pull you through
Put on your mask
When you go out in public
Put on your mask
Help save the world from covid
I know it's true
We're all going through
This nasty virus
We understand
If we wash our hands
We can survive this
We gotta keep looking on to tomorrow
There is so much in life that is meant for you
Put on your mask
When you are buying groceries
Put on your mask
It might help our prognosis
Put on your mask
Don't stop before it's over
Put on your mask
This hell is far from over
Put on your mask
![masks-1.gif](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/718de4_c55c15429b894546a232bf8e24b82bbe~mv2.gif)
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Gloria and Emilio Estefan own several business establishments, including several Cuban-themed restaurants (Bongos Cuban Café; Larios on the Beach). The restaurants are located in Miami Beach, downtown Miami (part of the American Airlines Arena), at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Walt Disney World's Disney Springs in Orlando, Florida, and in Miami International Airport. They also own two hotels: Costa d'Este in Vero Beach (opened in 2008), The Cardozo in Miami Beach. Estefan has appeared in two films, Music of the Heart (1999) and For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story (2000). Estefan made a cameo appearance with her husband in Marley & Me (2008). On April 7, 2011, Estefan made an unannounced appearance at the auditions for The X Factor in Miami, and gave encouragement to the 7,500 participants gathered outside the Bank United Center for auditions. Estevan has won three Grammy Awards and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Las Vegas Walk of Fame.
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Bongos has an impressive presence in Downtown Disney’s West Side. A large white building surrounded by palm trees, there are elements all around the venue to take in including an actual set of bongos in the front, a water feature on the side, and a gigantic white pineapple in the back.
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Upstairs at Bongos Cuban Cafe.
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Inside bar at Bongos Cuban Cafe.
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Bongos Cuban Cafe gift shop.
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Gloria Estefan signed CD at Bongos Cuban Cafe.
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Havana Punch at Bongos Cuban Cafe.
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Live music at Bongos Cuban Cafe in the evening.
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Bongos Cuban Cafe gift shop.
![Bongos Cuban Cafe at Disney Springs - Fun Dancing and Music! | #DisneyMagicMoments](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-pisGgth840/maxresdefault.jpg)
Bongos Cuban Cafe at Disney Springs - Fun Dancing and Music! | #DisneyMagicMoments
Bongos Cuban Cafe at Disney Springs - Fun Dancing and Music! |