Formed in Guadalajara, Mexico, the band came together in 1986, featuring the talents of Fher Olvero (vocals), Ulises Calleros (guitars), Juan Diego Calleros (bass) and Alex González (drums). Despite initially signing with Polygram Records, the band soon moved to Warner Music, citing creative differences prompting the move.
Their debut album, "Falta Amor," arrived in 1992, initially slow to find success until the single, "Rayando el Sol" became a hit the following year. After the release, lineup changes saw Ulises replaced by keyboardist Iván González and guitarist Cesar Lopez, before then embarking on their second effort. In 1994, "Donde Jugaran Los Niños" was unleashed, becoming a seminal record that brought Maná superstardom in the Latin-rock world. Spawning several hits, the album went on to sell over 3 million copies, prompting an international tour.
Their third effort, "En Vivo," captured the band's live energies in 1995, featuring their new guitarist, Sergio Vallin, replacing Lopez. Folowing the album "Sueños Liquidos" in 1997, Maná became global stars outside of the Spanish-speaking world, receiving airplay on MTV, as well as featuring in their "Unplugged" series in 1999.
Success could only continue for Maná, whose 2002 "Revolución de Amor" earned them a Grammy Award for 'Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album.' Their sixth studio effort, "Amar Es Combatir" went on to become the highest charting debut of a Spanish-language album on the Billboard 200 in 2007, as well as earning them another Grammy Award. It was five years before new Maná releases arrived, in the form of "Drama y Luz" in 2011, which again stormed the Billboard 200, reaching number five. Two years later, "En Toda Libertad" was released, continuing to find commercial success.
Multicolored strobe lights flash, the band members walk onto the smoky stage, and as the opening chords to “Rayando El Sol” begin, the audience belt out the lyrics before Fher Olvera gets the chance. Mana brings a bright, manic, infectious positive energy to the stage, and the crowd is immediately affected. Everyone is smiling, singing, and having a good time when Mana comes in concert. Just when you think it can't get any better, Alex Gonzalez smashes out an epic drum solo and the night is made.
Mana are arguably the most successful Latin rock band in the world, having won seven Latin Grammy Awards, four Grammy Awards, fourteen Billboard Latin Music Awards and five MTV Video Music Awards. Their track record itself is a demonstration of their success. They have also set records in both concert attendance and record sales, and if you listen to their music, it's not hard to see why. They produce excellent music on every one of the albums they have recorded, from Falta Amor, released in 1990, to En Toda Libertad in 2013. Their music has roots in Latin pop, pop rock, ska, and reggae.
Whether you're in the front row high fiving the band members or in the farthest seats from the stage, Mana are a must see. They pick epic song sets, using a range from their classics to their new songs and everything in between. Not only do they have awesome songs, but they bring the audience in and make them a part of the show too. If you want to listen to hours of great music and have an incredible night, go see a Mana concert.