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Revision as of 21:05, 16 September 2003 by JeanetteMartin (talk | contribs) (singer's bio)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Juan Luis Guerra (born approx. 1957) is a Dominican singer and songwriter. He is the uncle-in-law of Miss Universe 2003, Amelia Vega.
Guerra went to the Berkely College of Music to study, and in 1984, he released his first album, Soplando. Prior to going to Massachusetts, he had won a contest and attented the Dominican Republic's National Conservatory.
Soplando was created after his return to the Dominican Republic, and it was the result of a collaboration between him and other musicians. This group became known as Juan Luis Guerra y el 440.
Soon, their next three albums were released, Mudanza y Acarreo, Mientras mas lo Pienso and Tu. Although the albums saw little acclaim internationally, the band garnered some fame in their country, resulting in them being nominated to represent the Dominican Republic at the prestigious Festival OTI.
Their next album, in 1988, brought them international fame. Ojala que Llueva Cafe became a number one hit in many Latin American countries, with the hit song of the same name. Subsequently, a video of the hit song was filmed and Juan Luis Guerra and his 440 band began touring. In 1991, they released their next album, Bachata Rosa, which also became a major hit.
Guerra became a controversial figure in the Dominican Republic after he released his next album, Areito. He protested against the poor conditions many Dominicans live in, and some of his countrymen felt that he wasn't the most appropiate person to protest, alleging that Guerra, in their opinion, had never faced poverty. That situation might have done something to do with his next album, 1995's Fogarate, where he stayed away from singing any protests.
His last album, 1998's Ni es lo Mismi ni es Igual, proved to be a critically accalimed work, when it garnered three Grammy's, which were given to him at the 2000 Latin Grammy awards.