Maná facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maná
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Maná in Denver, Colorado, in 2023
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | Sombrero Verde (1981–1987) |
| Origin | Guadalajara, Mexico |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Labels | |
| Members |
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| Past members |
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Maná is a famous Mexican pop rock band that started in 1981. They were first called Sombrero Verde. The band's main members today are Fher Olvera (singer and guitarist), Alex González (drummer), Sergio Vallín (guitarist), and Juan Calleros (bassist).
Maná is one of the best-selling Latin music groups ever. They have sold over 25 million records around the world. They have also won many important awards, including four Grammy Awards and eight Latin Grammy Awards. Their music mixes pop rock, reggae, and ska. They became very popular in Latin America and Spain, and then all over the world.
Contents
The Story of Maná
How Maná Started (1986-1989)
Maná officially formed in 1986. Before that, Fher Olvera (vocals), Ulises Calleros (guitar), and Juan Calleros (bass) played together in a band called Sombrero Verde. They needed a drummer for their new band. A 15-year-old American drummer named Alex González joined them.
Maná's first album, also called Maná, came out in 1987. They later signed with Warner Music. Their second album, Falta Amor, was released in 1990. A year later, their song "Rayando el Sol" became a big hit. The band then toured a lot, playing over 250 shows in many Latin American countries.
Growing Success (1990-1996)
In 1991, Iván González (keyboards) and César "Vampiro" López (guitar) joined the band. Ulises Calleros stopped performing but became one of their managers. On October 27, 1992, Maná released ¿Dónde Jugarán Los Niños?. This album had many hit songs like "Oye Mi Amor" and "Vivir Sin Aire".
This album sold over 3 million copies worldwide. It became the best-selling Spanish-language rock album ever! The band then went on a huge international tour, playing 268 concerts in 17 countries.
In 1994, López and Iván González left the group. Fher Olvera and Alex González decided to find a new guitarist to change their sound. They searched in Mexico, Spain, and Argentina. Before finding a new member, they released a live album called Maná en Vivo. Soon after, they chose Mexican guitarist Sergio Vallín to join the band.
On April 25, 1995, Maná released Cuando los Ángeles Lloran. This album had a new sound, trying out funk and soul music. At first, people had mixed feelings about it. But the album soon became very popular, selling 500,000 copies in the United States in just five months.
More Albums and Awards (1997-2007)
In 1997, the band released Sueños Líquidos. This album was about love and included popular songs like "Clavado en un bar" and "En el muelle de San Blas". It was released in 36 countries at the same time. The album won a Grammy Award for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album.
Maná also performed for the MTV Unplugged show in Miami. They released this performance as an album called Maná MTV Unplugged in 1999.
In 2002, they released Revolución de Amor, which mixed their sound with rock and roll from the 60s and 70s. This album won their fourth Grammy Award. They even performed with famous artists like Zucchero and Bono at the Pavarotti & Friends concert.
After a break, Maná released their seventh studio album, Amar es Combatir, in 2006. It quickly reached #4 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. The first song from the album, "Labios Compartidos", became a number one hit. The tour for this album earned over $35 million. In 2008, they released a live album called Arde El Cielo, which showed their performances from the Amar es Combatir tour.
Recent Years (2008-Present)
On April 12, 2011, Maná released their eighth studio album, Drama y Luz. This album talks about themes like love, hope, and racism. The first song, "Lluvia al Corazón", became a number one hit on the Billboard Latin Songs chart.
Their most recent studio album, Cama Incendiada, came out in 2015. In 2016, Maná received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2018, they were honored with the Billboard Latin Music Lifetime Achievement Award. They were also named the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year in November 2018.
In 2019, Maná announced their "Rayando el Sol Tour" and released a new version of their classic song "Rayando el Sol" with Spanish singer Pablo Alborán. In 2021, they received the Icon Award at the Billboard Latin Music Awards.
Selva Negra Foundation
Maná started the Selva Negra Foundation ("Black Jungle Foundation") in 1995. This foundation helps protect the environment. They work to save sea turtles, for example, by raising and releasing many turtle eggs on Mexico's Pacific coast.
In 2008, Maná and the Selva Negra Foundation were named "Champions of Health" by the Pan American Health Organization. This was to recognize their efforts in promoting health and environmental protection.
Maná and Important Causes
Maná is known for caring about social and political issues. They have supported environmental causes and human rights. For example, they supported U.S. President Barack Obama's reelection in 2012. They have also spoken about their support for greater independence for Puerto Rico.
Some of their songs have messages about justice and freedom. Their song "Eres mi Religión" is known for its spiritual and caring message.
FAO Ambassadors
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) works to end hunger worldwide. In 2003, Maná was chosen to be FAO Ambassadors. They shared that their song "Justicia, Tierra y Libertad" (Justice, Land, and Liberty) from their Revolución de Amor album is about hoping for a world without hunger.
Band Members
Current Members
- Fher Olvera — lead vocals, guitar (1978–present)
- Alex González — drums, backup vocals (1984–present)
- Juan Calleros — bass guitar (1978–present)
- Sergio Vallín — lead guitar (1994–present)
Live Members
- Juan Carlos Toribio — keyboards, piano, flute (1994–present)
- Fernando "Psycho" Vallin — rhythm guitar, backup vocals (1997–present)
- Hector Quintana — percussion, backup vocals (2006–present)
Former Members
- Abraham Calleros — drums (1978–1985)
- Gustavo Orozco — electric guitar (1978–1985)
- Ulises Calleros — electric guitar (1978–1991)
- César "Vampiro" López — electric guitar (1991–1994)
- Ivan Gonzalez — keyboards (1991–1994)
- Sheila Rios — backup vocals (1992–2003)
Discography
As Sombrero Verde
- 1981: Sombrero Verde
- 1983: A Tiempo de Rock
As Maná
- 1987: Maná
- 1990: Falta Amor
- 1992: ¿Dónde Jugarán los Niños?
- 1995: Cuando los Ángeles Lloran
- 1997: Sueños Líquidos
- 1999: MTV Unplugged
- 2002: Revolución de Amor
- 2006: Amar es Combatir
- 2011: Drama y Luz
- 2015: Cama Incendiada
Tours
- 1993–1995: ¿Dónde Jugarán Los Niños? Tour
- 1998: Liquido Tour
- 1999: Unplugged U.S. Tour
- 2002–2003: Revolución de Amor Tour
- 2007–2008: Amar es Combatir Tour
- 2011–2014: Drama y Luz World Tour
- 2015: Cama Incendiada Tour
- 2016: Latino Power Tour
- 2019: Rayando el Sol Tour
- 2023: Mexico Lindo y Querido Tour
See also
- List of best-selling Latin music artists
