Gustavo Adrián Cerati was a highly influential Argentine musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer, best known as the frontman of the rock band Soda Stereo. His work with the band and as a solo artist earned him widespread critical acclaim and solidified his place as a leading figure in Latin rock. Billboard even recognized him as one of the greatest rock singers of all time.
Gustavo Cerati was born in August 1959 in Barracas, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Gustavo Cerati was born in August 1959 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He developed an early passion for art and music.
In 1973, Cerati delved into progressive rock, influenced by a friend and his father, who brought him records from abroad.
Cerati completed his compulsory military service in 1979.
After meeting in college, Gustavo Cerati and Zeta Bosio formed Soda Stereo in 1982, recruiting Charly Alberti as their drummer.
Cerati, Bosio, and Alberti formed the band Soda Stereo in 1982.
Soda Stereo signed with Discos CBS and released their self-titled debut album in 1984.
Soda Stereo released their second album, "Nada Personal," in 1985, which included the hit song "Cuando pase el temblor."
Soda Stereo released "Signos" in 1986.
Soda Stereo released the album "Signos" in 1986, marking a period of artistic growth for Cerati.
Cerati married Argentine designer Belén Edwards in 1987.
Soda Stereo released "Doble Vida" in 1988, produced by Carlos Alomar, known for his work with David Bowie.
Cerati and Belén Edwards divorced in 1989.
Soda Stereo released "Canción Animal" in 1990, a critically acclaimed album that revisited classic Argentine rock.
Soda Stereo released "Canción Animal" in 1990.
Soda Stereo released the album "Dynamo" in 1992.
Cerati married Chilean model, actress, and singer Cecilia Amenábar in 1992.
Cerati and Daniel Melero released their collaborative album "Colores Santos" in 1992.
Cerati collaborated with electronic musician Daniel Melero on the album "Colores Santos" in 1992.
Cerati released his solo album "Amor Amarillo" in 1993, featuring his then-wife, Cecilia Amenábar.
Cerati formed the band Plan V with Chilean musicians in 1995.
Soda Stereo released "Sueño Stereo" in 1995.
Plan V released their self-titled debut album in 1996.
Soda Stereo released their final album, "Comfort y Música Para Volar," in 1997.
Plan V collaborated with The Black Dog on the album "Plan Black V Dog" in 1998.
Gustavo Cerati participated in an interview in May 1999.
Cerati and Flavio Etcheto formed the electronic duo Ocio, releasing the album "Medida Universal" in 1999.
Cerati released his debut solo album, "Bocanada," in 1999, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Cerati released "Bocanada" in 1999, which received critical acclaim and is considered a landmark album in Latin American rock.
In August 2001, Cerati performed a special concert at the Avenida Theatre in Buenos Aires, accompanied by a 42-piece orchestra. This concert, featuring orchestral arrangements of Soda Stereo and solo songs, was recorded and released as the album "11 Episodios Sinfónicos." The success of the album led to a tour across Latin America.
Cerati composed the score for the film "+Bien" in 2001 and also acted in it. The soundtrack received a Latin Grammy nomination.
November 2002 marked the release of Cerati's third studio album, "Siempre es Hoy." This album showcased a shift in Cerati's sound, incorporating more pop/rock and electronic elements. A tour followed the release, reaching cities in Latin America and even extending to New York and Chicago.
Cerati released his second solo album, "Siempre es hoy," in 2002, further exploring electronic music influences.
Cerati released "Siempre es Hoy: Reversiones" in 2003, featuring remixes of tracks from his previous album, "Siempre es Hoy." The remix album showcased interpretations by various Latin American musicians and German producer Wechsel Garland, offering a new perspective on his work.
Cerati met and formed a close acquaintance with Uruguayan artist Jill Mulleady in 2004, which continued until his final days.
In 2004, Cerati released "Canciones Elegidas 93-04," a double album compilation spanning his solo career. The release was followed by a tour across Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Spain, revisiting his musical journey.
Cerati dedicated much of 2005 to working on new material that would later become his album "Ahí Vamos." This period marked the beginning of a return to his guitar-driven rock roots.
Cerati's album "Ahí Vamos" was released in April 2006, marking a return to his guitar rock sound. Produced in collaboration with Tweety González and featuring a team of talented musicians, the album received critical acclaim, signaling a triumphant return for Cerati.
As part of the Ahí Vamos tour, Cerati achieved a career milestone in October 2006 by performing in London, England for the first time. This marked a significant step in his international career.
Cerati released his fourth solo album, "Ahí vamos," in 2006, which was met with critical and commercial success.
Cerati's album "Ahí Vamos" garnered significant recognition in 2006. It received eight Gardel nominations (Argentina's equivalent of the Grammys), winning seven. The album also earned top honors at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival, multiple Latin Grammy and MTV Latino awards, and even an award from the City of Buenos Aires for Cerati's cultural contributions.
In July 2007, Cerati participated in the Live Earth Festival in Hamburg, Germany, sharing the stage with Shakira. He also contributed vocals to "El Mareo," a track on Gustavo Santaolalla's album "Mar Dulce," recorded at the iconic Electric Lady Studios in New York City.
Soda Stereo reunited in 2007 for a highly successful tour, a decade after their separation.
Soda Stereo reunited in 2007 for the highly anticipated "Me Verás Volver" tour. Spanning nine countries across Latin America and the United States, the tour drew over a million fans, setting attendance records and reaffirming the band's legendary status.
In late 2008, Cerati began working with some of the musicians from "Ahí Vamos" on his next studio album, "Fuerza Natural." This marked the start of a new creative cycle.
Cerati released a DVD version of "Ahí Vamos" in 2008, further extending the reach of his successful album. He continued to perform at various music festivals across Latin America, sharing the stage with renowned artists like Shakira, Fito Páez, and Gustavo Santaolalla.
Cerati began dating Argentine actress Leonora Balcarce in 2008.
Cerati and his band traveled to Stratosphere Sound and Looking Glass studios in New York City to record "Fuerza Natural" in March 2009. The sessions included collaborations with notable musicians like Héctor Castillo, drummer Sterling Campbell, Didi Gutman, Byron Isaacs, and Glenn Patscha, adding diverse influences to the album's sound.
Cerati and Leonora Balcarce ended their relationship in late 2009.
Cerati met Argentine model Chloe Bello in the summer of 2009, and they became romantically involved. Bello accompanied Cerati to the launch of "Fuerza Natural" and joined him on tour.
Cerati released his final album, "Fuerza Natural," in 2009 before suffering a stroke.
In May 2010, Gustavo Cerati performed his last show in Caracas, Venezuela. Tragically, he suffered a stroke after the performance and was hospitalized.
The "Fuerza Natural" tour commenced in November 2009, spanning across Latin America. Tragically, Cerati's performance in Caracas, Venezuela on May 15, 2010, became his last. He suffered a stroke after the show, marking a turning point in his life and career.
Colombian singer Shakira dedicated her song "Sale el Sol" to Gustavo Cerati during her performance at Rock in Rio Madrid in June 2010. It was the song's debut performance, and it later became the title track of her album.
In June 2010, Gustavo Cerati was transferred to a specialized neurological institute in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for further treatment following his stroke.
Cerati suffered a stroke in 2010 after a concert promoting "Fuerza Natural."
Despite receiving mixed reviews, "Fuerza Natural" achieved commercial success, topping charts in Argentina, Mexico, and Chile. The album's release marked Cerati's entry into digital music distribution in Argentina. It sold remarkably well and earned Cerati a Latin Grammy for "Best Rock Song."
During a concert in Argentina in March 2011, Irish rock band U2 paid a heartfelt tribute to Gustavo Cerati, who was in a coma at the time.
Swedish band Roxette incorporated the intro of "De Música Ligera," a hit song by Gustavo Cerati's band Soda Stereo, into one of their concert performances in May 2012.
Rolling Stone magazine ranked Cerati seventh on their list of the 100 best Argentine rock guitarists in 2012.
On the fourth anniversary of Gustavo Cerati's stroke in May 2014, his family released a statement about his condition.
After spending over four years in a coma, Gustavo Cerati passed away in September 2014.
Gustavo Cerati passed away in September 2014 after being in a coma for four years.
Gustavo Cerati passed away in September 2014 at the age of 55.
Google honored Gustavo Cerati with a commemorative Google Doodle on his 56th birthday in August 2015.
In 2015, Argentina paid homage to Gustavo Cerati by featuring him on postage stamps. Additionally, a street in Entre Rios was renamed in his memory.
British band Coldplay performed "De Música Ligera" during their concerts in Argentina in November 2017, paying tribute to the late Gustavo Cerati.
The legacy of Gustavo Cerati was further celebrated in 2018. National Geographic Latin America created a documentary series about his life, and several murals dedicated to him were painted in Buenos Aires.