Grammy-award winning artist Gloria Estefan is known worldwide for her electrifying music, captivating stage presence. and pop star status during the 80’s and 90’s. Some 30 years later, this tenacious superstar continues to dazzle audiences with her showmanship, musicality, and incredible vocal talent.
Gloria’s roots trace back to her country of origin, Cuba, where she lived with her family prior to the uprising of Communist dictator, Fidel Castro. A tough transition to the United States followed by the deterioration of her father’s health due to multiple sclerosis led Gloria to find solace and comfort in music and singing.
Gloria’s fateful meeting with her future husband Emilio Estefan would prove fortuitous to her singing career. Emilio’s band, the Miami Latin Boys was in need of a lead singer. Later becoming the Miami Sound Machine, Gloria provided the voice and stage presence needed to elevate the band and allow them to gain national recognition.
Miami Sound Machine initially recorded their albums in Spanish and gained popularity internationally in countries such as Venezeula and Honduras. Gloria’s big break came after the band recorded in English; their single “Conga”, which topped the Billboard charts and served as the catalyst for several more hit records and singles.
Gloria Estefan was the breakout star from Miami Sound Machine, and soon received separate billing at concerts where she electrified audiences with her solo ballads such as “Rhythm is Gonna Get You,” and “Betcha Say That.” Gloria’s career hit a speed bump in 1990 when she and the band were on tour in Pennsylvania. Their bus was struck by a truck in an accident which left Gloria with a broken vertebra in her back. Her original prognosis was grim with very little hope for a full recovery. Gloria’s staunch determination and desire to go back on tour gave her the drive to recover. She made a miraculous recovery and eventually returned to the recording studio and concert stage with The Miami Sound Machine. Since her recovery from the accident, Gloria Estefan has continued her sensational career releasing four new albums, including platinum album Destiny and a wildly successful tour grossing $14 million in sales. Additionally, Estefan performed in the Super Bowl halftime show three times; once in 1992 for Super Bowl XXVI alongside Olympic Figure skaters Brian Boitano & Dorothy Hamill, again in 1995 with Miami Sound Machine and in 1999 as herself.
Gloria’s career has been celebrated with many accolades including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, multiple Billboard awards and an American Music Award for Lifetime Achievement. The Estefans have certainly overcome many odds; their story is nothing short of inspirational. Fans are eagerly awaiting the unveiling of Gloria and Emilio’s Broadway musical On Your Feet! – The Gloria and Emilio Estefan Story in October 2015.
The musical’s score features Gloria and the Miami Sound Machine’s various hits including, “Conga”, “Get on Your Feet”, and “Rhythm is Gonna Get You” and musically re-tells the inspirational story of the Estefans’ rise to fame: Gloria and Emilio’s marriage, the Miami Sound Machine international recognition, the accident that almost ended Gloria’s career, and Gloria’s rise to fame as an international Cuban-American icon. The impressive musical ensemble includes three-time Tony Award winning artist, Maria Torres, who will serve as the production’s Associate Choreographer.
The Estefans and Maria also worked together at a concert fundraising event that happened on September 14, 2015. The concert, at Manhattan’s Minskoff Theatre, benefits Viva Broadway, a national Broadway League audience building partnership with Hispanic communities designed to bridge the world of Broadway with Latino audiences throughout the United States. The concert was sold out!
To learn more about Gloria Estefan, read her full biography here. You can connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.
Visit Gloria Estefan’s official website for more information and schedules.
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[…] Feet!’ – the Gloria and Emilio Estefan Story. Maria is also working with Gloria Estefan & The Miami Sound Machine on a concert fundraising event scheduled for September 14, 2015. The concert, at […]
[…] 14, 2015 at Manhattan’s Minskoff Theatre. Broadway star and acclaimed recording artist, Gloria Estefan, will be performing at the concert. Gloria has a huge following with the Hispanic community and […]
She is a media staple for years. Good thing she is taking it out big right now. Really like you Gloria.