Juan Gabriel’s “Amor Eterno” Added to Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry

One of the late Juan Gabriel’s most iconic songs is being preserved…

The Library of Congress has added the late Mexican singer/songwriter’s “Amor Eterno” to its National Recording Registry, which designates recordings worthy of preservation “based on their cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.”

Juan GabrielGabriel’s heartrending ballad, which he wrote the in memory of his deceased mother, has long been a staple in the singer’s native Mexico and across Latin America.

Gabriel died in 2016 at the age of 66, but his son, Ivan Gabriel Aguilera, said his father would have been thrilled to see one of his most famous songs be enshrined in the registry. Aguilera talked with the Library about the song’s induction into the registry in Spanish.

“I believe that future generations – that’s what he always wanted – that they see his music and make it relatable to their lives as well. He would always say that ‘as long as the public, people, keep singing my music, Juan Gabriel will never die,’ and it’s nice to see that happening here,” Aguilera said. “It’s something wonderful for us. It’s such a great honor. It’s a great honor for my dad. I think that for his legacy it is something great. As you say, he’s going to be immortalized there in the Library of Congress.”

But Juan Gabriel isn’t the only Latinx artist to have a song added to this year’s registry.

The late Héctor Lavoe’s 1978 single “El Cantante” was also among the 25 songs selected.

El Cantante” is the signature song of the late Puerto Rican salsa singer and first single of the album Comedia. The song was written by Rubén Blades and produced by Willie Colón. 

The 2006 movie about Lavoe’s life starring Marc Anthony and Jennifer LopezEl Cantante, takes its title from the song.

Among the 25 selected this year are ABBA’s “Dancing Queen,” Blondie’s “Parallel Lines,” The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Ready to Die,” Green Day’s “Dookie” and The Chicks’ “Wide Open Spaces.”

Members of the public can submit nominations for the registry on the Library’s website. Almost 2,900 were submitted this year.

The latest entrants to the registry bring its total number of titles to 650.

This year’s list, with includes singles and albums:

  • “Clarinet Marmalade,” Lt. James Reese Europe’s 369th U.S. Infantry Band (1919)
  • “Kauhavan Polkka,” Viola Turpeinen and John Rosendahl (1928)
  • Wisconsin Folksong Collection (1937-1946)
  • “Rose Room,” Benny Goodman Sextet with Charlie Christian (1939)
  • “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” Gene Autry (1949)
  • “Tennessee Waltz,” Patti Page (1950)
  • “Rocket ‘88,’” Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats (1951)
  • “Catch a Falling Star” / ”Magic Moments,” Perry Como (1957)
  • “Chances Are,” Johnny Mathis (1957)
  • “The Sidewinder,” Lee Morgan (1964)
  • “Surrealistic Pillow,” Jefferson Airplane (1967)
  • “Ain’t No Sunshine,” Bill Withers (1971)
  • “This is a Recording,” Lily Tomlin (1971)
  • “J.D. Crowe & the New South,” J.D. Crowe & the New South (1975)
  • “Arrival,” ABBA (1976)
  • “El Cantante,” Héctor Lavoe (1978)
  • “The Cars,” The Cars (1978)
  • “Parallel Lines,” Blondie (1978)
  • “La-Di-Da-Di,” Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick (MC Ricky D) (1985)
  • “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” Bobby McFerrin (1988)
  • “Amor Eterno,” Juan Gabriel (1990)
  • “Pieces of Africa,” Kronos Quartet (1992)
  • “Dookie,” Green Day (1994)
  • “Ready to Die,” The Notorious B.I.G. (1994)
  • “Wide Open Spaces,” The Chicks (1998)

Omar Apollo to Perform at This Year’s Austin City Limits Music Festival

Omar Apollo is reaching his (Austin City) Limits

The 24-year-old Mexican American bilingual singer/songwriter will perform at this year’s Austin City Limits Music Festival.

Omar ApolloApollo, a two-time Latin Grammy nominee, will perform on both weekends of the festival, which take places over the course of two weekends at the city’s downtown Zilker Park, with bands playing across nine stages on October 7-9 and October 14-16.

But Apollo isn’t the only Latinx artist set to perform…

BIA, born Bianca Miquela Landrau, will also form part of the eclectic lineup at this year’s fest. The 30-year-old half-Puerto Rican singer rose to acclaim with the hit single “Whole Lotta Money.”

Other Latinx performers include The Marias, Sabrina Claudio and Lido Pimienta.

ParamoreLil Nas XP!nkRed Hot Chili PeppersThe ChicksSZAKacey Musgraves and Flume the event.

Three-day Tickets are currently on sale here, with layaway plans starting at $25 down and 3-day general admission tickets for both weekends on sale here.

The lineup for the Austin Kiddie Limits will be announced soon, with music fans ages 8 and under admitted free of charge when accompanied by a ticketed adult.

Eva Longoria to Speak on Opening Night of the Democratic National Convention

Eva Longoria is taking the national stage once again…

The 45-year-old Mexican American actress, former Desperate Housewives star and activist has been added to the lineup of speakers for this week’s Democratic National Convention.

Eva Longoria

Longoria, who gave a spirited speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, joins a lineup of new additions to the roster that includes three other Hollywood figures who’ve long been active in party politics: Tracee Ellis Ross, Kerry Washington and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Longoria, who also appeared at the 2012 DNC and later served on the Presidential Inaugural Committee, will appear on Monday. Ross will speak on Tuesday, Washington on Wednesday and Louis-Dreyfus on Thursday.

Monday’s lineup includes Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), former Ohio Gov. John Kasich and former First Lady Michelle Obama. The convention will run from 9:00 – 11:00 pm ET each night.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will speak on Tuesday.

The convention also will feature performances from Leon Bridges, The Chicks, Common, Billie Eilish, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Billy Porter, Maggie Rogers, Prince Royce and Stephen Stills.

In addition to the lineup of speakers, Democrats plan to feature testimonials from everyday Americans who will appear from locations across the country.

Convention organizers also announced that the keynote address, traditionally delivered by one up-and-coming party figure, will instead feature 17 different speakers.