Tierra - named "Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Group" by Billboard, Cashbox, and Record World
- is the first Hispanic act to have four songs on the national charts and two songs
simultaneously in the Top 100. Tierra's invigorating blend of Latin R&B, Salsa and Pop
is the precursor to artists such as Miami Sound Machine, Sheila E. and Los Lobos.
They have performed in such prestigious shows such as Carnegie Hall, The American Music
Awards, American Bandstand, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and concert venues world-wide.
They are a musical constant for over three decades through talent and perseverance.
Tierra is widely known to have played a role in opening doors for other Latino and
non-Latino superstars of today.
Tierra was born in 1971 when Rudy Salas and his brother Steve (back then known as the
Salas Brothers), decided to do their own project after honing their skills with various
East Los Angeles groups. Tierra's break came after signing with Twentieth Century Records,
who released "Tierra", an album described by Rudy as a mixture of "social and cultural
commentary". The next album, "Stranded" wasn't well distributed, and by 1980 the band
decided to independently release "City Nights", a more commercially-based album with a
different sound. Tierra started getting radio airplay and showing up on the charts,
and the labels started bidding for the group. Tierra signed with Boardwalk Records,
run by Neil Bogart, who Salas describes as "the only record president who really knew
the Hispanic market at that time."
Tierra's Boardwalk-released "City Nights" charter Top 20 and yielded three hit singles:
"Together," "Memories," and "Gonna Find Her." By 1982 the band was recognized world-wide
and received accolades, including a sold-out performance at New York City's famous Carnegie
Hall. "Bad City Boys" was the next album, which produced the hit "Are We In Love?" In
1982 Tierra released "Together Again", along with the single "Sonia." In 1985, Tierra
scored with the TV theme for Norman Lear's "A.K.A. Pablo," starring Paul Rodriguez.
In 1988, Tierra released the Jackson's "I Want You Back." The Spanish version, "Te Quiero A
Ti," hit #9 on the Billboard Latin chart. A new Tierra sound emerged with their next album
., "A New Beginning." The first single, "Margarita," received both English and Spanish
airplay.
The Los Angeles Times called Tierra "irresistible." Their unique blend of Pop, R&B, Funk
and Salsa is both refreshing and meaningful. Internationally recognized, Tierra proudly
represented L.A. at Osaka's Japan Expo 90, and joined their hometown in 1992 as they
celebrated "Tierra Day" to commemorate their 20th anniversary. In the early 90s, the
band performed with artists such as Boy George, Luis Enrique and James Brown.
In 1993, Tierra signed with Thump Records. The partnership gave birth to "Tonight" and
retrospective "Street Corner Gold," their seventh album. A year later, Thump released
"Latin Legends Live," a two-disc collection from three of the most influential Latin bands
in musical history - Tierra, Malo and El Chicano. The album is a testament to their talent,
which symbolizes decades of dedication to a Latin Crossover sound.
Today, Rudy Salas holds the foundation of the band strong as he leads the band into the
new millennium. With a recently released Greatest Hits album and an inspiring bilingual
album in the works, the energy has never ceased.
Tierra's basic lineup is Rudy Salas (vocals, guitar, producer/chief songwriter);
Steve Falomir (bass, choreographer); Aaron Ballesteros (drums); Victor Cisneros
(sax, flute); Rudy Villa (Soprano Sax); Isaac Avila (lead vocals & guitar); Roger
Rivas (keyboards); Dale Villavicencio (percussion), Jeff Lewis (Trumpet) and Bill
Mondragon (lead vocals).
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