The 80s: Past, Present & Future

INTERVIEW: GLORIA ESTEFAN

1. How old were you when you joined Miami Sound Machine? Was music new to you?

GLORIA: I joined MSM at the ripe old age of 17 but it was called Miami Latin Boys at the time. It was Emilio's band and I had met him in May at the home of a mutual acquaintance where he had come to give us some pointers on how to get a band together. That summer my mother practically dragged me to a friend's wedding where Emilio and his band were playing. he asked me to sit in with the band since he remembered me from before then he asked me to join the band at the end of the night.

Singing professionally was new to me but I sang since I began to talk. It was very natural for me although I was very shy and didn't like being the center of attention.

2. What made you become a solo artist, leaving MSM?

GLORIA: I never "left" MSM. Rather, Emilio first added my name to the bill when I became the lead singer and focus of the band. At the time I had gotten many propositions for collaborations like the one I did with Placido Domingo and Emilio felt it was important that his lead singer be known by her name and not just the band's name. It was also his decision to eliminate the MSM name later on. It's important for you to know that Miami Sound Machine was, in essence, Emilio. Although the guys that were in the band when we made it big in 1985 are still on the road with me today as Miami Sound Machine.

I never imagined that life would bless me with the beautiful career I've had but, being a bit psychic, I told Emilio that i felt we would become very famous somehow. I just wasn't sure when and how it would happen.

3. What is your most personal album and why?

GLORIA: Every album has something very personal about it when you write your own music because it comes from "you". but if I had to choose only ONE (very difficult) I would have to say "Mi Tierra" because it was in my native language and conceptually epitomized the style of music that I first heard, first sang (for my family) and evetually became part of the fusion that was Miami Sound Machine. I think culturally is it our richest album. And the fact that it was successful worldwide to many different audiences makes it our contribution to the sharing of our Cuban musical roots.

4. How did the duet with N'SYNC come about?

GLORIA: I was acting in "Music of the Heart" and they had wanted me to sing the title song which my friend, Diane Warren, had written for the movie. But I wanted to focus more on the acting so as not to confuse the audience. We decided to invite N'Sync to duet with me because they were a young, very hot musical group and the movie was about young musicians and the power of music. It was a beautiful collaboration that I very much enjoyed, especially because the musical legend, David Foster produced the amazing song.

5. Which do you enjoy more, singing in Elish or Spanish?

GLORIA: I feel fortunate to be able to do both because I am truly bilingual. I can approach each language with my heart, mind and soul. But romance songs work very well in Spanish where it's impossible to be too dramatic, too sweet or too romantic. English is more celebral and it's best to be more economical with the emotional part. Songs like "Conga" work great because of all the hard consonants which allow me to sing it as if I were a percussive instrument. That's why I never translated that song into Spanish. I honestly don't think it would work as well. i'm happy to be able to express myself in both my languages and that people have accepted me that way.

6. Do you plan on writing any more childrens books?

GLORIA: I'm working on book three of the Noelle series right now.

7. Do you miss the 80's? Why?

GLORIA: I like to live in the moment. I have enjoyed every decade and every step of the way. There were fantastic things to be lived in the 80's but I think we have all moved on. What I think is beautiful is that our music became part of the "Soundtrack to people's lives", as my good friend, Dick Clark, would say and that it still sounds like it could have been written today. I still hear my hits from the eighties played all over the world.

8. What artists from today do you admire and listen to?

GLORIA: I have a very eclectic taste in music and listen to a lot of different genres and musicians. Some artists from today that I really enjoy are: Corinne Bailey Rae, Norah Jones, Black-Eyed Peas, Pink, Daughtry, Alanis Morrissette and too many others to mention.

9. if you were known for just one song what would it be and why?

GLORIA: That question is impossible to answer but I think if you asked most people it would probably be "Conga", I'll bet....

Thanks for doing this interview with us.
We appreciate it. ~Bylli Crayone.

Tags: 2009, estefan, gloria, interview