Roberto Carlos was deeply moved by the tribute to his career by the Latin Recording Academy, a prelude to the Latin Grammys.
Nervous, surrounded by an impossibly large entourage, even frightened by the crowd, and wearing a pale blue Cantinflas-like tie and a white suit, as the circumstances dictated. Clearly showing his 74 years, but with his candor intact, smiling, humble, patiently answering the same questions without stopping; how does it feel, is this the best thing that has ever happened to him, how is he able to control his emotions.
Thus stepped Roberto Carlos into the spotlight in what he considered to be, one of the most important nights of his career. Arriving at the Al Borde spot on the red carpet at the Mandalay Hotel in Las Vegas, he reiterated what he had shared with other colleagues. “I am thrilled, very happy, but also nervous. It’s a very special moment that will never be forgotten. That’s for sure.”
When it comes to the shows that the Latin Recording Academy puts on every year before the Latin Grammys, there are no holds barred, a tribute to a star by an A-list of the music industry’s best, extoling his finest moments. What the Brazilian says is true, “these are the kinds of things that make me nervous”.
Roberto Carlos was one of the last to leave the red carpet, which is expected, served also as a pre-tribute, a way for his colleagues to show their respect, to talk about how far the Latin Grammys have come, despite the detractors, despite those who view them as inferior, ordinary.
“The truth is there is nothing like this at all in Spain,” remarked Miguel Bosé, who on this occasion was not being honored (2013) nor would he be singing. “I’ve come to eat and enjoy myself,” to support what he feels has been a fabulous job by the Latin Academy “during these past 16 years, everyone’s academy” no matter what some say.
While Bosé was dinning, a handful of friends fulfilled their obligation to extol the successes of one of the most representative voices of Brazil during the 60s, a guy who through perseverance managed to sell 120 million records worldwide, singing in Portuguese and Spanish, one of Latin America’s most beloved. The King, as he is still called. “Until I had the notes down right, I wouldn’t stop,” said the singer himself in a biography-styled documentary, a glimpse of his unique talent.
The parade of voices began with the king of the bachata, Romeo Santos, with the classic “Un gato en la oscuridad,” followed by Leslie Grace and Maluna singing “Jesús Cristo.”
Following these performances came of course the Brazilian voices, who provided one of the most emotional moments of the gala, with the two talents of Ana Carolina and Seu Jorge singing “La distancia,” music felt especially by the large number of Brazilians in the room of the 1,300 people in attendance, a new record for this type of event.
The show could not be complete without Spain’s musical contribution, which gets bigger and bigger every year at the Latin Grammys. Alejandro Sanz met the challenge of stepping into the shoes of the Holy Spirit, in an ill-fitting suit that he managed to play off with dignity singing “Lady Laura.”
Not all was in Hispanic key, however. Dionne Warwick honored her colleague, one 70 something to another, singing in that still powerful signature voice of hers “Falando serio.” Her performance caused Roberto Carlos to be up on his feet again.
At the end, the night’s star had to make the obligatory speech in the one place most suitable for him, the stage. From memory and showing off his perfect mental state, he gave the names of all of the singers who came up on stage to express their gratitude. “I will never forget this day. This evening.”
Afterward he sang two songs. The last, the one that has marked his life, “ese millón de amigos para poder más fuerte poder cantar” (those millions of friends to be able to sing stronger). Many of these friends made it clear to him during this evening in Las Vegas just how much he has meant to millions more. A necessary and deserving gala.
