Los Abuelos de la Nada

Led by the larger-than-life Miguel Abuelo (née Miguel Ángel Peralta), Los Abuelos de la Nada were one of the most iconic and beloved Argentine bands of all time. Originally formed in 1967, the group featured a revolving door of musicians that went on to become major figures in Argentina’s rock pantheon. With a sound deeply rooted in psychedelia and blues, its original formation featured legendary guitarist Norberto “Pappo” Napolitano and Claudio Gabis (of Manal fame). “Diana Divaga,” their debut single, came out in 1968 via CBS, after which Abuelo left the group citing creative differences with Napolitano. Increasingly frustrated by Argentina’s political climate, Abuelo went into exile in Europe for most of the 70s. During this time, he recorded and released the album Miguel Abuelo & Nada (1975), considered by many as one of the precursors of Latin American heavy metal. Upon his return to Argentina in 1981, he teamed up with bassist Gerardo “Cachorro” López to revamp Los Abuelos de la Nada, adding Daniel Melingo on sax, Polo Corbella on drums, Gustavo Bazterrica on guitar, and Andrés Calamaro on keyboards. Their eponymous debut was released in 1982 to great critical acclaim, propelled by the hit single “Sin Gamulán.” Produced by Charly García, the album ditched the group’s early psychedelic sound for a glossier, new wave-inspired aesthetic. Following a sold-out show at the legendary Obras Sanitarias stadium, they released Vasos y Besos (1983), which featured the Calamaro-penned hit “Mil Horas” and went on to sell more than 160,000 copies. In 1985, Calamaro and López left the band after releasing the live album Los Abuelos en el Ópera. Recorded with a brand new lineup, Cosas Mías (1986) was their last album before Abuelo’s untimely death in 1988. Almost thirty years after their demise, Los Abuelos de la Nada returned to the stage in 2020, led by Gato Azul Peralta, Abuelo’s son, and featuring some of the band’s former members. The kickoff of their Latin American tour was documented on the live album Vivo en Perú, released that same year.

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