by Paloma Mena
It’s the 1980s and rock music is reaching new heights, especially in Latin America. Rock had been popular here since the 60’s, but with the political turmoil between the left and the right, rock had been cast as “American” by both sides. Whether it was cultural imperialism or degeneration, Latin America needed a new face of rock.
Born in Argentina in 1959, Gustavo Adrián Cerati became a devoted rock and roll fan at the age of nine when his parents bestowed upon him a Gibson guitar. In an interview with Rolling Stone in 1999, Cerati said, “The ones who struck me at the time were Hendrix with ‘Purple Haze’ and The Who with ‘Pictures of Lily.’ For weeks, I listened non-stop. The desire to play, to start a band, was awakened.”
In the summer of 1981, Cerati connected with Héctor Bosio, known by his stage name Zeta Bosio, over a love for bands like The Police, Talking Heads, and The Beatles. Bosio was a talented bassist, dedicated to rock since the age of 11 after hearing The Beatles for the very first time. The two eventually met Charly Alberti, the son of famous Argentine jazz drummer Tito Alberti, through Cerati’s sister. Cerati and Bosio were interested in his drumming skills and asked him to join the band. Thus, Soda Stereo was born.
Originally called los Estereotipos (the Stereotypes), Cerati’s overconsumption of carbonated drinks during band rehearsals inspired the name by which the trio is known today. Following a gig at a club in Buenos Aires, the band slowly gained recognition in the underground rock scene of the city for their distinct sound, a mixture of British Rock, ska, and new wave, with powerful vocals from Cerati. They released their debut album, Soda Stereo, on August 27th, 1984, after being picked up by a CBS producer.
Soda Stereo was so remarkable because their music became the anthem for the youth in Argentina after an agonizing seven years under a military dictatorship. This period from 1976 to 1983, known as the National Reorganization (PRN), was part of Operation Condor, a campaign supported by the United States of political repression by right-wing dictatorships during the Cold War. During this time, state terrorism hunted down any rumors of political dissidents and anything that related to socialism.
It was in 1984 that Argentina transitioned back to a democracy, and the country was tired of the somber, truculent music from the past decade. Soda Stereo was energetic, self-aware, and ready to look toward a brighter future. They became the band that not only united the youth of their home country, but all Latin America. In 2007, bassist Zeta Bosio reflected on this time saying, “The democracy produced the adrenaline of something new, something was occurring. I knew I was going to make changes without knowing how. There was more air for us to make things and to wander, and we were a band of kids that wanted to make trouble.”
As their albums continued to roll out hits like “De Música Ligera” and “Cuando Pase el Temblor,” young Latinos across the continent identified with their sound. By the time the ‘80s were over, Soda Stereo was a household name. It was previously unheard of for a band to tour Latin America; it was rare for them to even leave their home country. Soda Stereo was the first to do it, and with great success. Repeatedly. Their fame had made its way to the Caribbean, Mexico, and eventually the US, where they became the first Spanish-language band to headline in our country’s history.
By the time the band broke up in 1997, they’d reportedly done so with 17 million albums sold under their belt. Before they disbanded, they released seven studio albums to critics’ and fans’ acclaim. It was Soda Stereo that solidified Rock en Español as an art globally, with the members’ distinct look, lyrics, and sound. Many fans are hoping that the band will be rightfully inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which would make them the first Spanish-language band to do so. Their music has stood the test of time, as it’s been able to reach across generational and language barriers. With over 10 million listeners on Spotify, it is safe to say that Soda Stereo has solidified their place in pop culture.
