Maná is the first Spanish-language rock band nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Maná made history Wednesday as the first Spanish-language rock band nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
“Being nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is something almost impossible to imagine. We are very grateful for this honor,” the Mexican rock band said in a statement posted on its Instagram story.
Since its formation in 1986, Maná has established itself as a bedrock of rock en español, selling more albums and concert tickets than any other Latin rock act. Maná is “the most popular and influential Latin rock band of all time,” according to the Hall of Fame.
“We want to share this recognition with all Latinos around the world, and especially with all immigrants who are suffering right now,” the band’s statement reads in Spanish. “Don’t lose faith and hope. Our people always find a way out. Maná loves you. We will always be by your side.”
The world-famous, Grammy-winning band has been critical of President Donald Trump since 2015, following his infamous comments saying Mexicans are “bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, they’re rapists.”
After that, Maná advocated for Latinos to vote against someone who “offended” the community, and the band launched a “Latino Power Tour” in 2016 to mobilize Hispanic voters. More recently, the band removed a song it had recorded with reggaeton singer Nicky Jam from all streaming platforms after Jam endorsed Trump last year.
“For the last 30 years Maná has supported and defended the rights of Latinos in the world. There is no business or promotion that is worth more than the dignity of our people,” the band wrote in an Instagram post at the time. Jam eventually walked back his Trump endorsement.
Maná is nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside fellow first-time nominees Bad Company, The Black Crowes, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Billy Idol, OutKast and Phish, according to John Sykes, the chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. Other nominees include Mariah Carey, Cyndi Lauper, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Soundgarden and The White Stripes.
“These remarkable Nominees have each created their own musical style and attitude impacting generations of music lovers and contributing to the ever evolving sounds and continued growth of rock & roll,” Sykes said in a statement.
In the Rock Hall’s history, only three Hispanic artists have been inducted: Santana, Ritchie Valens and Linda Ronstadt. The Chicano rock band Los Lobos was nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame a decade ago. They all record primarily in English.
Hailing from the city of Guadalajara, Maná’s core lineup includes vocalist José Fernando “Fher” Olvera, bassist Juan Calleros, drummer Alex González and guitarist Sergio Vallín.
“We are 4 guys who grew up in Mexico listening to rock & roll — The Beatles, The Stones, Queen, Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, Santana, etc etc. We dreamed of sharing our own music with the world,” the band said in its statement Wednesday. “We wanted to share the sounds and spirit of Mexico and Latin America.”
This year’s inductees will be revealed in late April.
