Mexican-style love, with cumbia, huapango and son (sorts of music)
horse, boot and sombrero, tequila, tobacco and rum,
Mexican-style love, hot and to the Sun’s rhythm
slowly and then he kills me, my macho at heart
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It’s week 3 of the Doña series. I’ve been on a beautiful journey every week this month, researching the Doña’s that have been influential in my life in one way or another. Starting with, What Even is a Doña? Followed by The Top 8 Doña Influencers of 2023. Next up we have the top 10 Doñas of Music. But … there’s just so much about these Doñas that I just had to break it up into 2 posts. Starting with The Doñas of Music from 1900 – 1971.
Chavela Vargas –
Costa Rican/Mexican
(1919-2012)
Singer. Actress. Bad Ass.
She earned the respect of men and women alike of her time. From Politicians and their spouses to the stars of Mexico and Hollywood.
Chavela was known for her masculine style, a gun on her hip, and a poncho over her shoulders.
She had love affairs with alcohol and well-known women of the time.
Doña Chavela had a love affair with Frida and Diego.
Chavela didn’t come out as a lesbian until her 2002 autobiography, “Y si quieres saber de mi pasado” at age 81.
She sang with a fierceness about solitude and abandonment, known as “la voz áspera de la ternura/the rough voice of tenderness”.
@musica..maestro Paloma Negra- Chavela Vargas. From Frida (2002) one of my favorite scenes. #Frida #fridakahlo #movie #soundtrack #mexico #chavelavargas #fyp ♬ original sound – Música Maestro!
I was introduced to Doña Chavela with her song Paloma Negra in the movie Frida. The way she sings that song, just hits. Little did I know, as I’d read more about her, I’d become enamored by the strength of her story.
“When you’re true to yourself, you win in the end … It costs a lot. You suffer a lot. But you prevail.” Chavela Vargas
Celia Cruz – Cuban/American
(1925 – 2003)
Singer & Actress
Queen of Salsa.
Celia began her performing career as singer in several groups, performing in cabarets and musical programs.
She was known for her vibrant style with colorful dresses and wigs.
During the Cuban Revolution in 1960, Celia was exiled for performing out of the country, never permitted to return.
She’s received numerous awards during her singing career and memorials for her contribution to the Afro-Cuban and Latin communities.
Celia suffered from breast and brain cancer.
San Francisco declared October 25th, Celia Cruz Day.
@lalito281 LA VIDA ES UN CARNAVAL #celiacruz #lavidaesuncarnaval #lalito #hits #recuerdos #musicadelrecuerdo #retro #rolitas #bolivia🇧🇴 #musica #music #tiktokmusic #2022tiktok #tiktok #🎶 #xyzbca #foryou #parati #viral #fypシ ♬ sonido original – 🎵🎶LALITO🎶🎵
The Queen of Salsa will be the first Afro-Latina on the U.S. quarter.
I grew up seeing and hearing Doña Celia on TV and the radio. How could you miss her? With such a strong colorful voice and appearance. To this day, La Vida es un Carnival is a pick me up when I need a little reminder about life.
Linda Ronstadt – Mexican/German/ American
(1946 – )
Folk, Rock, Mariachi, Pop, and Country singer.
Record producer, songwriter, musician, actress, political activist.
First Lady of Rock/Queen of Rock
Linda has successfully collaborated with many artists across all genres.
She’s the recipient of numerous awards and accolades.
The Queen of Rock is rumored to have relationships with Jim Carrey, George Lucas, Mick Jaggar, Steve Martin, and Bill Murray.
Linda announced her retirement in 2011 and has since been diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy.
@kelseylikesthings Reply to @mobilavenue thank you for the kind words! #lindaronstadt #music #fyp #foryou #xyzcba ♬ original sound – kelseylikesthings
@lindaronstadt I think I’m gonna love you for a long long time ❤️ #LindaRonstadt #LongLongTime ♬ Long Long Time – Remastered – Linda Ronstadt
A Documentary titled “Linda and the Mockingbirds” was released in 2020, where her long-time support and involvement with Los Cenzontles Cultural Arts Academy highlighted the education of young Mexican Americans through cultural experiences.
Doña Linda was an artist frequently played in my childhood home. She too encountered many disparities when it came to her Mexican culture. I love to absorb as much knowledge as I can when it comes to how long this has been going on and how our predecessors challenged the ever-present feeling of invisibility.
I’m amazed at how many music genres she successfully crossed over with her beautiful voice.
Gloria Estefan – Cuban/American
(1957 – )
Singer, Songwriter, Actress
Lead singer of Miami Sound Machine
Multi award winner and top female Latin artist in history, worldwide.
Gloria was involved in a life-threatening tour bus accident in 1990 and made a full recovery.
In 1997 the Gloria Estefan Foundation was created, promoting education, health, and cultural development.
I totally have memories of little Doña playing with her Barbies to Rythm is Gonna Get you, Conga, and Get on Your Feet. I mean, Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine really put on an action-packed show. And so did my Barbies 😏
@musicrewindita #miamisoundmachine #trending #neiperte #80smusic #gloriaestefan #conga #fyp #throwbacksongs ♬ Conga – Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine
Thalia – Mexican
(1971 – )
Singer, Actress
Queen of Latin Pop
Thalia has multiple songs in several languages.
She is known as one of the best-selling Latin music artists of all time.
Queen of Telenovelas with hits such as Marimar and Maria la del Bario (classics! I still watch them to this day). IYKYK
@cesarchaires0 La cinturita, la belleza y el carisma de esta mujer en verdad que es otro nivel. No hay cantante latina más hermosa que ella. ¡Que cuerpazo!
♬ Amor A La Mexicana – Thalia
Okay, so back in my day, with all of Thalia’s success, you know there were haters. There was a rumor going around that she removed both her bottom ribs so her waist would be more snatched. This was back in the 90s ya’ll. Sooo I looked it up, y balgame, I guess she confirmed it in 2014 😲.
Thalia has a docuseries on Paramount titled, Thalia’s Mixtape: El Soundtrack de mi Vida.
Doñas, our culture is filled with some of the most beautiful singers and Latina activists. Stay tuned for Part 2 next week. There’s a big star missing on this list … I know you know who she is 😉.