Miami Sound Machine Artistfacts

1977-1988
Gloria EstefanLead vocals
Emilio EstefanPercussion, manager
Enrique "Kiki" GarciaDrums
Juan Marcos AvilaBass1977–1986
Merci MurcianoVocals1977-1982
Raul MurcianoKeyboards1976-1982
Wesley B. WrightGuitar1979-1986
Fernando GarciaTrumpet1979-1981
Roger FisherKeyboards1982-1986
Led by Emilio Estefan, Miami Sound Machine started in 1975 as a wedding band in Miami called the Miami Latin Boys. When singer Gloria Fajardo joined in 1977, she became the focal point and they changed their name to Miami Sound Machine. Gloria and Emilio got married in 1978 and are still together.
After building a huge following in south Florida, they signed to the Latin division of CBS Records in 1979. Most of their early songs were in Spanish, but in 1984 they put out an English-language album called Eyes of Innocence and had a European hit with "Dr. Beat." The next year they broke through to the English-speaking audience in America with their album Primitive Love, which includes the hits "Conga," "Bad Boys" and "Words Get In The Way."
Emilio and Gloria Estefan were both born in Cuba; Emilio moved to Miami as a teenager, Gloria when she was 2. Cuban rhythms formed the basis of their sound, which added elements of contemporary dance and pop music.
Starting in 1985, they split off their recording from their touring, with separate bands for each. At this point, the guys writing their songs (known as "The Three Jerks") worked behind the scenes. Dozens of members were part of their recordings and their live shows.
Emilio was the leader, doing most of the production work and handling the business affairs. In 1986 he stopped performing with the group to focus on work behind the scenes.
They rebranded as "Gloria Estefan And Miami Sound Machine" in 1987 for the album Let It Loose, and in 1989 Gloria Estefan was billed as a solo artist for her album Cuts Both Ways. Members of the group played on the album, and when they toured it was as Gloria Estefan And Miami Sound Machine, but the group had been dissolved. That tour was cut short when their tour bus got in an accident, leaving Gloria badly injured.
Merci Murciano, Gloria's cousin, auditioned with her and they joined the group together in 1977. Merci left in 1982.

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