The Centro de la Cultura del Rioja (CCR) has hosted this afternoon the induction into the I Hall of Fame of Hispanic Music of artists as renowned in our country as Kiko Veneno, ‘Burning,’ or Manuel Alejandro. An event in which, as explained by its promoter, Ignacio Faulín, "aims to highlight the great names, those people who have created music and have endured over time."
Specifically, the inductees in this first edition – which aims to continue – have been seven great national figures, such as Kiko Veneno, one of the great personalities of national pop in recent decades; Manuel Alejandro, the historic composer who has shaped the history of our popular music since the sixties.
Also inducted are Joaquín Díaz, an eminent folklorist since the sixties who directs the foundation that bears his name, and the group ‘Burning,’ a Madrid-based rock group that defined Spain during the transition.
But also posthumously inducted are Maria Dolores Pradera, the singer and actress who united Spain and America with her songs, Cecilia, the great singer-songwriter of the seventies whose legacy remains very relevant, and Luis Eduardo Aute, a fundamental and influential singer-songwriter with a good number of classics.
RECOGNITION OF GLORIA ESTEFAN
Additionally, an important artist from Hispanic-American music will be annually inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame of Hispanic Music.’ In this first edition, this honor goes to Gloria Estefan. An icon of Latin music, the singer has expressed feeling "immensely honored to be the first Hispanic-American artist to be inducted."
Minutes before the event began, the promoter explained that this Hall "is intended for artists with at least 25 years of experience." In the case of Cecilia – he explains – "she died young, but her songs have been continuously reissued, and even new editions have been released, meaning new songs that have been recovered and published in books."
In this way, during this evening’s gala, at least one song from each of the eight honorees will be heard. "For those who are no longer with us, there will be some cover versions, and we have chosen excellent voices to perform them," Faulín explained.
With the intention of maintaining the Hall of Fame over time, the promoter assures that, although nerves are evident, "the first editions are always complicated. Once the first edition is done, we will see how we can improve to keep it going."
"What we want is to adapt what is known as the ‘Hall of Fame’ a bit to our idiosyncrasy, that is, to our language, to our country, and in a land that is also the birthplace of Castilian, from where the oldest testimonies we have in our language come. We wanted to combine several things and unite them within this event."
THE "FREEDOM" OF KIKO VENENO
On his part, one of the honorees, Kiko Veneno, said he is "very happy to have been called to the Hall of Hispanic Music, because I really like the idea."
The singer admitted that he dedicates himself "to my world; to the world of art, of creation, and that requires freedom." A freedom that Veneno acknowledged "requires certain conditions," so "fame is something that goes radically against freedom," although "I am at an age where I can allow myself small doses of fame without it affecting my person and my freedom."
"LONG JOURNEY TRAIN LIKE ‘BURNING’
Johnny Cifuentes, vocalist and keyboardist of ‘Burning,’ stated, "It is a first event, but I think it is a great idea, and I hope you have more or less the story that Burning has, which is a long journey train and that this is the beginning of a great story that will happen."
BROAD VISION OF GENRES
In addition to artists in a broad vision of genres (pop, rock, singer-songwriter, copla, folk…), there will also be a section dedicated to prestigious names in the media and representatives of the music industry. We are talking about two special awards. The journalist José Ramón Pardo will be honored for a lifetime dedicated to music communication, and Carlos Galán, director of the Subterfuge label, for his acclaimed and award-winning podcast ‘Sympathy for the music industry.’
The event will combine cultural significance with media projection, reflection with entertainment. A song will be performed for each inductee. Thus, the Castilian duo ‘Fetén Fetén’ will perform with Joaquín Díaz, Cristina Narea – who has worked with Luis Eduardo Aute for many years – will perform a piece by the creator, Lydia Martín will sing for Cecilia, and Elena Aranoa and Carlos Pérez Pascual will also participate.
Notable personalities invited to the event include the director of the Vargas Llosa Chair, Ramiro Villapadierna, Soco Collado – director of the Spanish Music Federation (Es Música), an organization that encompasses the major sector associations – and the specialized journalist Víctor Lenore.
SPANISH MUSIC FAIR
The ‘Hall of Fame of Hispanic Music’ will be complemented by the Spanish Music Fair, which will take place from April 25 to 27 in the Espolón Promenade in Logroño. A variety of cultural and recreational activities will be held starting at 5 pm on Friday the 25th. Processions, theater, a dozen musical performances, magic shows, a gastronomic area, proposals for children, and much more.
In addition, several books will be presented, such as on April 26, which will be the moment for ‘Fiesta and Rebellion – Oral History of Radical Basque Rock’ by Javier ‘Jerry’ Corral and ‘Los Brincos – All the Stories,’ signed by Manolo González. On the 27th, ‘Maria Dolores Pradera – Let me tell you’ by Santiago Aguilar and Felipe Cabrerizo will be presented alongside "Philosophy is awesome" by Tomás García Azkonobieta.
At the end of the festival, Juanjo Bona or one of the great revelations of Spanish pop in 2025 will perform. An excellent concert by this Zaragoza native, on his ‘So old and so young’ tour, which, at 21 years old, is filling theaters and auditoriums nationwide with a fusion of pop and folk roots – mainly jota – from his region.
