A controversial choice, given that the Barcelona-born Serrat is more of a folk singer than a rocker; a Catalan Leonard Cohen, perhaps. But when it comes to Spanish popular music, he is the godfather, and his influence on several generations of musicians and songwriters is hard to overstate. His career started in the sixties and he was lionised as much for his dissident political stance during the Franco years as for his finely crafted songs. Also, kudos to a man who managed to upset Catalans for not singing enough in Catalan and who also angered Spaniards for not singing enough in Spanish. … [Read more...] about Joan Manuel Serrat
spanish rock bands
The Sunday Drivers
Singing in English is a brave gambit when it’s not your native language, but Toledo’s folk rockers “los Sunday” pulled off the feat impressively. With a low-key stage act, much of their appeal rested on the shoulders of singer-guitarist Jero Romero, whose voice gave us such unforgettable lyrics as: “People talk to people / Go and make them shush / Can you stand them talking / Superficial guff?” They deserved an Oscar for modesty (or honesty), when, on opening for Wilco in Madrid in 2005, Romero told the audience: “This is the first time in my life I’ve been desperate to get off the stage just so I can listen to the next act”. Sadly, they broke up in 2010. … [Read more...] about The Sunday Drivers
Manu Chao
Chao was born of Galician parents but grew up in Paris, where he formed anarcho-rock outfit Mano Negra. A multi-lingual rabble who toured Europe and Latin America to great acclaim, Mano Negra’s energy made up for a lack of songcraft. Chao struck out on his own with success, releasing the unique and mesmerising Clandestino in 1998. Such inspiration seemed unrepeatable; until Chao himself released an album that sounded exactly the same as the first one, called Próxima Estación: Esperanza in 2001. A revolutionary maestro to some, a vertically challenged fool in a silly hat to others. … [Read more...] about Manu Chao
Manolo García
His band, El Último de la Fila, were easy to snigger at, perhaps because they looked so un-rock ‘n’ roll, but you can’t argue with their commercial and critical success, which led some critics to label them “the Spanish REM”. However, García’s solo career has been more interesting than that of his former band. His voice is that of a broody, backwoods troubadour and it can make the most ordinary pop song sound like a heartbreaking lament (just listen to Pájaros de barro if you’re still not convinced). … [Read more...] about Manolo García
Los Rodríguez
Strictly speaking, it could be argued they weren’t “Spanish”, given that two founder members were Argentinean, but Los Rodríguez were seen as a Spanish band, given their Madrid base and their sound, which mixed Latin music, such as flamenco, with guitar rock. Hits such as Palabras más palabras menos showed they could rock, but more melancholic numbers such as Para no olvidar consolidated their unique sound and put them in a generation’s hearts. Front man Andrés Calamaro and fellow Argentine Ariel Rot are still forging acclaimed solo careers. … [Read more...] about Los Rodríguez