Arts Publications Music & Films: R.I.P GUSTAVO CERATI

9/5/14

R.I.P GUSTAVO CERATI

Argentine Pop Rock Icon

Dies at 55

(August 11, 1959 - September 4, 2014)

Article by Adriana Rubio

Argentine Pop / Rock Icon Gustavo Cerati, leader of the legendary band Soda Stereo, dies at the age of 55 after four long years in a coma due to a brain stroke (CVI) he suffered while touring in Caracas, Venezuela in 2010.

Gustavo Cerati, singer, musician guitarist, producer and winner of 7 Latin Grammys, 3 MTV Awards for best Music Videos and a big number of Carlos Gardel Awards amongst several other Awards and Nominations in different categories, sold millions of records worldwide consolidating an exceptional musical career since 1982.

Influenced by British Pop and the New Wave scenes with bands like The Police and The Cure at the top, Gustavo Cerati went onto form Soda Stereo with bass player Zeta Bosio and drummer Charly Alberti in 1982. However, Gustavo’s earliest inspirational muse and influences come from rock bands like The Cult, Queen and Deep Purple.

Soda Stereo has been the first Argentine pop / rock band that crossed the borders, becoming massively popular worldwide especially in Latin American countries during the 1980s and 1990s.

The band released 7 albums with the record label Sony Music until their official break-up in 1997. Soon after, Gustavo Cerati began a thriving solo career hitting the world with the albums “Amor Amarillo”, “Bocanada”, “Siempre es hoy”, “Ahi vamos” and “Fuerza Natural”.

In 2007 Soda Stereo returned back to stardom with the record-breaking tour “The Last Concert”, packing many stadiums in South America and in the United States including the memorable six consecutive sold out concerts in Buenos Aires at River Plate Stadium.

Cerati’s innate talent has also been recognized and appreciated by artists such as Roger Waters, Andy Summer, Shakira, Richard Coleman, Charly García and the deceased Luis “el flaco” Alberto Spinetta amongst many others.

A public wake for Gustavo was held at Buenos Aires Legislature where thousands of fans waited in line to pay their respects. The wake started on Thursday, Sep 4^th at 9:00 pm until Friday, Sep 5^th noon time.

Soda Stereo frontman Gustavo Cerati passed away four years after a brain stroke (CVI) put him in a permanent coma status ending the career of one of Latin America's most influential musicians for decades.

"GRACIAS TOTALES"

Writer Adriana Rubio

Adriana Rubio was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is an investigative journalist, but does not work for specific newspapers or magazines. Rubio is a member of the “Latin American Journalist Federation”-Felap- and also of “The Union Press Workers of Buenos Aires”-Utpba-. As a freelance writer, her specialties are arts and music. She has interviewed a big number of artists during her journalism career of about 25 years and has reviewed hundreds of rock concerts.