Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame

Some of the biggest names in music made history on stage at the New World Center in Miami Beach during the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame’s first induction gala.

Superstars Draco Rosa, Natalie Cole, Prince Royce, Rubén Blades, Buika, Jon Secada, María Martha Serra Lima, Mauricio Zeilic, Horacio Palencia, Arthur Hanlon, Raúl Esparza, Edgar Ramírez, Michael Bolton, Andy Garcia, Paulina Rubio, Juan Luis Guerra, Joaquin Cortes, Yul Vázquez, Milton Ruben Laufer and Lucie Arnaz were a part of the evening’s historic ceremony, hosted by Carlos Ponce & Eglantina Zingg.

Manuel Alejandro (España), Jose Angel Espinosa “Ferrusquilla” (Mexico), Jose Feliciano (Puerto Rico), Julio Iglesias (España), Armando Manzanero (Mexico), and Concha Valdez Miranda (Cuba) were the first Latin songwriter legends to be inducted. A posthumous recognition award was made to Roberto Cantoral (Mexico) . All these iconic songwriters will receive the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame’s La Musa Award.

Additionally, Olga Guillot, Draco Rosa, Nat King Cole, Desi Arnaz, Ralph S. Peer and the young and talented songwriters Prince Royce and Natalia Jimenez received the recognition they deserve for their contribution to the music industry.

The first LA MUSA award was presented to the legendary song, BESAME MUCHO, written by Consuelo Velásquez (Mexico) and performed by Buika and a huge orchestra of some of the industry’s most talented musicians.

Founded by Desmond Child and Rudy Perez, the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization which seeks to honor the world’s greatest Latin songwriters and their music in every genre.

Photos by Manny Hernandez