Gabriele Susanne Kerner (born 24 March 1960), better known by her stage name Nena is a German singer and actress. She rose to international fame in 1983 with the New German Wave song "99 Luftballons", re-recorded in English as "99 Red Balloons". Nena was also the name of the band with whom she released the song. With the re-recording and subsequent release of some of her old songs, her career re-emerged in 2002. In 2007, she co-founded the school "Neue Schule Hamburg".

Biography

Early life

Musical beginnings

In 1981 Nena and her then-boyfriend Rolf Brendel moved to West Berlin, where they met future band members, guitarist Carlo Karges, keyboard player Uwe Fahrenkrog-Petersen, and bass player Jürgen Dehmel. Together they formed the band "Nena". In 1982 "Nena" released their first single, "Nur geträumt" ("Only dreamt"), which became an instant hit in Germany after the band appeared on the German television show ''Musikladen''. The single reportedly sold 40,000 copies the day after the song appeared on the show and reached number two in the German charts.

International success and band breakup

Personal life

Throughout the 1990s, Nena released a wide range of solo albums, a number of them consisting of songs for children. Simultaneously, she hosted several TV shows, including ''Metro'' and ''Countdown Grand Prix'', the German preselection for the ''Eurovision Song Contest'', in 1998.

Return to prominence

Nena released a new single on 4 September 2009, called "Wir sind wahr", and a new album on the 23rd ''Made in Germany''. She has developed an interest in the teachings of Indian mystic Osho (Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh) in recent years, and practises his meditation methods, an impression of which is featured in the "Wir sind wahr" video. Most recently, she collaborated with the popular techno-rap artists Die Atzen to produce a new single, "Strobo Pop".

Other work

In 2007, jointly with Philipp Palm, Thomas Simmerl, and Silke Steinfadt, she founded the Neue Schule Hamburg, a school following the Sudbury model.

Nena wrote an autobiographical book, ''Willst du mit mir gehn'' (Do you want to go with me?), jointly with Claudia Thesenfitz, a journalist. Nena's contributions are her disparate accounts of various episodes in her life. Most of Thesenfitz's contributions are excerpts from interviews of many of Nena's friends, co-workers, and relatives.

Discography

Filmography (for the lead singer)

See also

References

External links

Category:1960 births Category:Living people Category:People from Hagen Category:Female New Wave singers Category:German female singers Category:German-language singers Category:German pop singers Category:Neue Deutsche Welle groups Category:German New Wave musical groups Category:Hamburg musicians

Biography and career

At 21, Ricardo Arjona got the opportunity to record his first album “Dejame decir que te amo”. The recording turned out to be a bad experience for him and he decided to leave the music business. He spent some time as a teacher at a rural primary school (Santa Elena III), where he reputedly said he spent six hours giving lessons and the rest of the day playing soccer. This earned him a visit from a Ministry of Education representative, who was sent to evaluate the level of education amongst Ricardo Arjona's pupils. The representative found that the students' level of education was actually above average.

Ricardo Arjona was a talented basketball player, and he played for the team ''Leones de Marte'' and TRIAS. He also toured Central America as a member of the Guatemalan national basketball team; until recently he held the record for the most points scored (78) in a single game by a Guatemalan player.

Music was always in him and decided to try again with the launch of his second album, His musical stamp “Jesus verbo, no sustantivo” a definite consolidation as composer and singer. The album was the most sold in history on the Latin market for some Central American countries; but is still not known internationally.

Although he initially enrolled in architecture and engineering subjects, he eventually graduated with a degree from the School of Communication Sciences at the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC).

At USAC there is a library hall that bears his name. There is also a street named for him in his birthplace, Jocotenango, Guatemala.

In the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, he met Puerto Rican Leslie Torres and had two children with her: Adria and Ricardo. Later in 2005 they separated.

Discography

Studio Albums

Live Albums

Compilations

References

External links

Category:1964 births Category:Guatemalan people of Spanish descent Category:People from Sacatepéquez Department Category:Guatemalan musicians Category:Living people Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Latin Grammy Award winners Category:Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala alumni

Luis Miguel González Bosé (born April 3, 1956) is a Latin Grammy-winning Spanish/Italian musician and actor.

Biography

Early life

Career

In 1983, 1984 and 1985, he participated in the "Llena Tu Cabeza De Rock" television specials on Puerto Rico WAPA-TV. But it was in 1985 that he became an international superstar, when his song "Amante bandido" rose to the top of the charts all over Latin America and in Spain, while he started to decline in Italy (where he had a parallel career, singing in both Italian and English - he would go back to the top there in 1994, by winning Festivalbar (the second musical event after the Sanremo Music Festival) for the third time). The video to that song also became one of the most widely seen Spanish music videos, with Bose playing both a Superman style superhero and an Indiana Jones type of adventurer in it.

Bosé has been a force in Latin music, with a career that has spanned 21 albums, roles in more than 35 films, his own television show, and work as a theatre director. With Pablo Picasso and Ernest Hemingway among his family friends, Bosé grew up in the arts, constantly traveling around Spain and to Milan, New York, London and Paris. He made his film debut at the age of 15, and at age 21 he began his singing career, which eventually led to international pop stardom.

Defying the contemporary formula for pop success, his music has been described as a global fusion of many musical influences. At the center of his music is all the passion and expression of a Latin artist, yet Miguel Bosé has constantly incorporated more diverse musical elements than many of the genre's crossover pop stars.

In 2007, to celebrate his 30 years as a singer, he released ''Papito'', an album that contains remakes of his previous songs, re-interpreted in duets with Juanes, Alejandro Sanz, Fangoria (band), Ivete Sangalo, Laura Pausini, Shakira, Julieta Venegas, Ricky Martin, Amaia Montero (former member of the Spanish band La Oreja de Van Gogh), and Michael Stipe from R.E.M., along with many other singers. Three singles were released off ''Papito'': the first is a re-make of his hit "Nena", featuring Mexican superstar Paulina Rubio; the second was "Morenamía", with Julieta Venegas. The third single "Como un lobo" featured his niece Bimba Bosé. "Nena" was by far the most successful single off the album, since it was nominated for a Latin Grammy for best song, and became the best selling download of Spain in 2007.

In 2008, Colombian President Álvaro Uribe offered him Colombian citizenship because of his efforts towards peace in Colombia, including his participation in two concerts in 2008. On March 16 of 2010 he received Colombian citizenship during a ceremony in the presidential palace, Casa de Nariño.

Discography

Actor

References

External links

Category:1956 births Category:Living people Category:Italian actors Category:Spanish actors Category:Italian composers Category:Spanish composers Category:Italian singers Category:Spanish singers Category:Italian male singers Category:Spanish male singers Category:English-language singers Category:Italian-language singers Category:Spanish-language singers Category:Latin Grammy Award winners Category:Spanish people of Italian descent Category:World Music Awards winners Category:People from Panama City Category:LGBT people from Spain Category:Naturalized citizens of Colombia

Early life

Music career

The RAK years

The MCA years

On her fifth album, 1986's ''Another Step'', Wilde wrote or co-wrote most of the songs. The album's lead single "Schoolgirl" flopped in Europe and Australia, but Wilde's fortunes improved in spectacular fashion with the album's second single, a Hi-NRG remake of The Supremes classic "You Keep Me Hangin' On". After topping the charts in Australia and Canada and peaking at number two in the UK, it became a U.S. number one single in 1987. With that hit, she became the fifth U.K. female solo artist ever to top the U.S. Hot 100, following Petula Clark, Lulu, Sheena Easton, and Bonnie Tyler. Wilde later admitted to "not knowing the song terribly well" beforehand: "Basically we just went into the studio with a lot of energy and not a lot of reverence. We changed quite a lot of the song and I think that's why it was so successful. It was a very spontaneous idea." Her popularity, especially in her native UK, was revitalised and she scored further Top 10 hits in 1987 with "Another Step (Closer to You)" (recorded with Junior) and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" (a Comic Relief charity single, recorded with comedian Mel Smith).

In 1988, Wilde released her biggest selling album to date, ''Close'', which returned her to the UK top 10 and spent almost eight months on the UK album chart. It produced four major European hits: "Hey Mr.Heartache", "You Came", "Never Trust a Stranger" and "Four Letter Word", (the last 3 were Top 10 hits in the UK). The release of the album coincided with a tour of Europe, where she was the opening act for Michael Jackson's Bad World Tour. Wilde released her next album, ''Love Moves'', in 1990. The album barely made the UK Top 40, and, although it was a Top 10 success in Scandinavian countries, it failed to sell as well as its predecessor and only spawned two minor hits, "It's Here" a Top 20 success in Middle and Northern Europe as well as "Can't Get Enough (Of Your Love)", her last Top 20 hit in France. She toured Europe again, this time opening for fellow Briton David Bowie.

A collaboration with Rick Nowels, who had produced hits for Stevie Nicks and Belinda Carlisle, resulted in the guitar-driven pop of the single "Love Is Holy" and the album ''Love Is'' (1992). The album's success was again limited to a small number of countries, though the single became another Top 20 hit in the UK, and the second single ("Heart Over Mind") also made the top 40. In 1993, she released her first official compilation album ''The Singles Collection 1981–1993'', which was a success throughout Europe and Australia and the dancefloor-influenced single "If I Can't Have You" (a cover of the Yvonne Elliman song from the film ''Saturday Night Fever'' that was penned by The Bee Gees), became her last UK Top 20 Hit as well as a number 3 hit in Australia.

Wilde embarked on a huge "Greatest Hits" concert tour through Europe in 1994 and also toured Australia and Japan for the first time in six years. Her next album, ''Now & Forever'' (1995), was a commercial failure worldwide. Her single "Breakin' Away", however, was a minor hit, and the follow-up, "This I Swear", was also a minor hit in Europe. She released a single "Shame" in 1996. From February 1996 to February 1997, Wilde appeared in London's West End production of the musical, ''Tommy''. After this, Wilde started recording a new album. However, there were problems with her record company – MCA Records had by that time become part of Universal Music – and legal problems concerning the songs. Subsequently, Wilde abandoned the album which remains unreleased.

Return to Pop

In 2006, Wilde signed a new record deal with EMI Germany and released the first single from her tenth studio album in many countries across Europe, Scandinavia and Asia. "You Came 2006" charted Top 20 in most of these countries and became her biggest solo hit in Germany since 1988. The album ''Never Say Never'' included eight new tracks plus five re-worked previous hits and has charted in Belgium, France, Switzerland, Austria and Germany. The second single from the album, which was voted for by fans on her official website was "Perfect Girl", released in November 2006 and spent nine weeks on the German Top 100 singles chart. A third single, "Together We Belong", was released in March 2007 and a fourth single, "Baby Obey Me", was released in Germany as a remix featuring German rapper Ill Inspecta.

In 2001, Wilde appeared on the first Here and Now Tour around the UK and repeated this, as the only artist, four years in a row. Also on different summer festivals and summer Here and Now events, she became a regular guest, including the Australian leg of the Tour. Since summer 2003, Wilde has appeared on numerous festival bills and concerts all over Europe with her own show. In the spring of 2007, she toured (''The Perfect Girl'' tour) around Europe singing new material, and started a second leg of the tour the following autumn. Also in the spring and summer of 2009, she toured around Europe, playing a number of festivals and concerts. In early September 2009, a brand new single, "Run to You", recorded by Kim and Swedish rock band Fibes, Oh Fibes!, was released in Sweden under the name "Fibes, Oh Fibes! Duet with Kim Wilde". The song reached the Swedish Top 30.

In 2010, Kim signed a new record deal with Sony Music Germany. The label released her eleventh studio album, ''Come Out and Play'' on 17 August, with "Lights Down Low" preceding that as lead single. The album reached number 10 in Germany and was followed by a tour in Europe in February and March 2011.

Wilde's twelfth studio album, ''Snapshots'', will feature cover versions of songs hand-picked from the last five decades. The album is currently in the final stages and will be released on August 26, 2011.

Impact and recognition

A number of artists have performed covers of Kim Wilde songs, ranging from pop and rock to dance and death metal versions. In 1991, Lawnmower Deth released their version of "Kids in America" as a single. The same year, English punk rock band Toy Dolls recorded a parody of "Kids in America" called "The Kids in Tyne and Wear" on their seventh studio album, ''Fat Bob's Feet''. In 1995, indie rock band The Muffs recorded "Kids in America", which was featured in the hit film ''Clueless''. In 2000, Canadian band Len covered "Kids in America" for the Digimon soundtrack.

American pop star Tiffany recorded a version of "Kids in America" in 2007 for her album ''I Think We're Alone Now: '80s Hits and More''. German eurodance act Cascada, recorded a version of "Kids in America", on their ''Everytime We Touch'' album in 2007. Other famous artists to cover Kim Wilde songs are Apoptygma Berzerk, Atomic Kitten, Bloodhound Gang, James Last and Lasgo.

Wilde has provided inspiration for other artists, including Charlotte Hatherley, who wrote a song about her entitled "Kim Wilde", and included it on her debut album, ''Grey Will Fade''. East German punk rock band Feeling B also recorded a song called "Kim Wilde", which featured on their debut album. In 1985, French singer Laurent Voulzy paid tribute to Wilde in his song "Les Nuits Sans Kim Wilde" ("Nights Without Kim Wilde"). In her graphic novel ''Persepolis'', Iranian cartoonist Marjane Satrapi has a comic strip titled ''Kim Wilde''. In it the main character Marji, a young Iranian girl, sings "Kids in America" in the streets of the Iranian capital. Also, when her parents go on holiday in Turkey, they buy a poster of Kim Wilde and smuggle it into Tehran for Marji. Marji pins the poster on her bedroom's wall and practices emulating Wilde.

Awards

Gardening career

In 2001, she (along with fellow horticulturist David Fountain) created the "All about Alice" garden for the Tatton Flower Show and was awarded the 'Best Show Garden' award. In 2005, she won a Gold award for her courtyard garden at the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show. She has designed and created numerous gardens during her involvement in the ''Better Gardens'' and ''Garden Invaders'' TV programmes and commissioned by individuals and organisations. She has also created gardens for Flower Shows across the UK and received, with David Fountain, an entry in the ''Guinness Book of World Records'' for successfully moving (from Belgium) and replanting the world's largest tree in January 2001. After standing in its new location for six years, however, the tree was toppled by a storm in January 2007.

Publications

Television

Personal life

As of 2008, her brother Marty Wilde Jr. is a landscape gardener and her sister, Roxanne, is a backing singer for Kylie Minogue.

Discography

Studio albums

Compilations and other albums

Bibliography

References

External links

Category:English pop singers Category:English female singers Category:English New Wave musicians Category:English songwriters Category:English dance musicians Category:English garden writers Category:English television personalities Category:Female New Wave singers Category:Hi-NRG musicians Category:BRIT Award winners Category:People from Chiswick Category:1960 births Category:Living people

Heber Gonzalez Bartolome (born on November 4, 1948) is a Filipino folk and folk rock singer, songwriter, composer, poet, guitarist, bandurria player, bluesman, and painter. His music was influenced by the “stylistic tradition” of Philippine folk and religious melodies. He was the founder of Banyuhay, a "protest band" that carried the trademark sound of the ''kubing'', a native musical instrument in the Philippines. His compositions were described as a “unique synthesis of rock and blues, and Philippine ethnic rhythms”. Bartolome’s song ''“Nena”'' became a hit in 1977. His ''“Tayo’y Mga Pinoy”'' (We’re Filipinos) was a finalist during the 1978 first Metro Manila Popular Music Festival.

Biography

Career in music

References

External links