The bolero, their eternal romance

Singing in the land of Armando Manzanero has always been a privilege for Guadalupe Pineda. Tomorrow she will be back after a couple of years of not “feeling that closeness” with one of the most “knowledgeable and romantic audiences…”

The singer is celebrating 50 years of her career, one of the most recognized abroad; her voice has been heard by all kinds of personalities.

Time flies by so quickly. It seems like it was just yesterday that the singer was searching for a place in music, and today, five decades after starting her dream, she assures us—in an interview with El Diario—that it's all been worth it.

It took many years of knocking on doors—“ten, to be exact,” the singer recalls when asked about her beginnings and the difficulties she encountered along the way.

But she never gave up; on the contrary, everything served to forge the singer she is today, owner of a versatile voice that performs folklore, bolero, ranchero, ballads, and opera alike.

In this wide range of genres, he has chosen the bolero to commemorate his 50-year career and embark on a world tour.

She has materialized this with a recently released EP featuring nine tracks. "Boleros Hoy y Siempre" is the title of this album, which includes songs such as "Historia de un amor," "Tres palabras," "El andariego," and a medley by Yucatecan composer Alvaro Carrillo, which will be a staple in her repertoire tomorrow.

Guadalupe Pineda shares that her relationship with bolero began when she was a child, hearing her mother, Josefina Aguilar, sing this genre while doing housework.

Because of her love for bolero and the echo her voice finds every time she performs in Mérida, this presentation has her very excited, like a "child."

“It’s a privilege to sing for my Yucatecan people, because they are knowledgeable, sentimental, and sensitive to good music,” he says.

Her friendship with Manzanero brought her closer to these lands. She remembers him with great affection and respect, and she will never forget the wonderful moments she shared on stage with the author of "Somos novios."

And in tribute to the composer, he has selected songs that he assures will delight the public.

“I've proven that good music knows no age, goes by no means, and has no limits,” he replies, citing the experience gained from traveling the world and performing for diverse audiences.

Guadalupe Pineda was born in Guadalajara and grew up in a musical environment listening to ranchero, bolero, and "a Cri Cri." As time passed, her admiration for Mercedes Sosa, Lola Beltrán, and other figures grew.

When Guadalupe Pineda looks back, she remembers the “stubborn and dreamy” young woman who never gave up and fought for what she loved most: singing.

There's one song that definitely changed the singer's professional direction: "Yolanda" (I Love You), written by Pablo Milanés, a deeply meaningful song that opened doors for her abroad.

The album of the same name was released in 1984 and quickly achieved huge sales and awards.

The rest has been a great story of satisfaction for Guadalupe Pineda, because her voice has taken her to almost every continent and even to sing before kings.

But the awards, recognition, and praise haven't changed the singer's simplicity; she remains "with her feet firmly on the ground," with the wisdom that this career is one of ups and downs and endurance.

Mexican music is deeply rooted in her soul, and it's a genre she can't miss in her performances, especially when traveling abroad. "Your skin crawls when you hear our Mexican music being sung in Turkey, Spain, Ireland, or any other country."

That love for Mexico makes her concerned about everything that happens and develops; she's not indifferent; as a woman, she feels that the female gender has gained ground, but there's still much to do and much to fight for.

Family ties

Guadalupe Pineda doesn't feel like she's off stage; it's her life, just like enjoying her daughter Mariana Gurrola Pineda, her husband, and her two grandsons, Bruno and Alonso, aged eight and eleven, respectively.

Mariana is following in her mother's footsteps in singing—in a different genre—and tomorrow Guadalupe Pineda will present her to the Yucatecan public.

Few artists have had the opportunity to perform in iconic venues like Notre Dame Cathedral or a castle in Ireland, and Guadalupe Pineda is one of them. With 50 years of experience, the singer and songwriter only asks for one thing: to continue performing.— Santiago Cortés Pérez

At a glance

Concert

Guadalupe Pineda will perform tomorrow at 9 p.m. at the Coca-Cola La Isla Auditorium. The concert is part of the celebration of her 50 years in music. The singer will be accompanied by her band and mariachi. Tickets can be purchased online at Tusboletos.mx and at the auditorium box office.

Records and awards

"Boleros Hoy y Siempre" is available on various music platforms, as is much of the singer's discography. Before the end of the year, Guadalupe Pineda will perform in venues across the country. The singer has received important recognitions, one of the most recent being the Latin Grammy for Lifetime Achievement.