Los Dallas, Tropitango, 1993.
The Super Pumas, Michelangelo, 1991.
La Cumbia Perdida
A fines de los 80 y principios de los 90, apareció en Argentina una variante de la cumbia que hoy casi no figura en ningún registro: la Cumbia Glam. Una vertiente más glamorosa que incorporaba muchos de los recursos visuales y musicales que le daban la impronta al glam metal que por aquellos años explotaba en Estados Unidos y Europa.
La base era cumbia, pero se destacaba por su ropa brillante, tachas, pelos batidos, maquillaje y una performance explosiva en el escenario. Impensado, pero fue la cumbia el género que se atrevió a importar el furor del glam metal que los argentinos nos estábamos perdiendo.
Hoy, a la distancia, parece una leyenda. Sin embargo, ocurrió, aunque nunca haya terminado de entrar en el relato.
The Lost Cumbia
In the late ’80s and early ’90s, a variation of cumbia emerged in Argentina that today barely shows up in any record: Cumbia Glam. A more flamboyant branch that incorporated many of the visual and musical elements that defined glam metal, which at the time was exploding across the United States and Europe. The foundation was still cumbia, but it stood out for its shiny outfits, studs, teased hair, smeared makeup, and an explosive stage performance.
Unlikely as it may sound, it was cumbia that ended up embracing and reinterpreting that glam metal phenomenon that Argentina was otherwise missing out on. Seen from a distance today, it feels almost like a legend. And yet, it happened — even if it never quite made it into the official story.
Beto Ledesma solo performance, Lokura.
Gaby Ferreyra, one of cumbia glam’s best drummers.
Photo by Carlos Rinaldi, cumbia scene photographer.
Diamante Negro lead singer Walter Subaco. Fantástico Bailable, Lanús.
A-Dorada promotional visit, Rafael Calzada, 1991.
Copywriting & Art Direction: Patricio Luna
Photography & Prompt Engineering: Patricio Luna