Celia Cruz
Cuban singer who performed at the 1988 Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
via Wikipedia: Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife · see source
Celia Cruz performed at the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 1988. The concert was attended by 250,000 people.
- died
- 16 July 2003
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Lore & Background
In 1988, Celia Cruz performed at the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, known as the Carnival Chicharrero. The concert drew a crowd of 250,000 people. That year marked the first time the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife entered the Guinness Book of World Records.
Reader's Guide
Celia Cruz's 1987 performance at the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a key moment in the carnival's history. The concert, held with Billo's Caracas Boys, achieved a Guinness World Record for the largest outdoor plaza concert attendance, with 250,000 people. This event is part of the carnival's tradition of hosting major musical acts; in 2019, Juan Luis Guerra surpassed that attendance with over 400,000 dancers, though without official notarization. The carnival itself is held each February–March in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital of the largest island of the Canary Islands, Spain, and is considered the second most important carnival internationally after Rio de Janeiro. The city is twinned with Rio de Janeiro partly for this reason.
Did You Know?
- Celia Cruz performed at the 1988 Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
- Her 1988 concert drew 250,000 people.
- The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is considered the second most important carnival internationally, after Rio de Janeiro.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Celia Cruz?
Celia Cruz was a Cuban-born singer widely celebrated as the Queen of Salsa. She became one of the most recognizable voices in Latin music through decades of vibrant, high-energy performances.
What is Celia Cruz's role in Latin music?
She is regarded as a defining figure in salsa and Latin popular music, known for her powerful voice and electrifying stage presence. Her career spanned multiple decades and genres, from son cubano to salsa.
What happened at the 1988 Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife?
Celia Cruz headlined the carnival that year in front of a crowd of roughly 250,000 spectators. It remains one of the most cited live performances of her career.
When did Celia Cruz die?
Celia Cruz passed away on 16 July 2003. She continued performing up until her final years, maintaining her signature energy on stage.
Why is Celia Cruz important to Latin music history?
Her decades-long career helped elevate salsa to a global phenomenon and inspired generations of Latin artists. She broke barriers as a Cuban woman in the music industry and remains a cultural icon across the Spanish-speaking world.
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