Enanitos Verdes: A New Era of Latin American Rock Legends

Enanitos Verdes, the legendary Argentine rock band, revealed their bold aspirations for the future, marking a poignant turn following the passing of their beloved vocalist, Horacio “Marciano” Cantero, last year.

“It’s a new era, we could say. We are in this rearming after Marciano’s departure. And the truth is that we continue playing and doing what we have been doing for more than 40 years. We are a blood-driven band. What we like most is playing live, and we continue on that path,” shared Felipe Staiti, the band’s guitarist, during a visit to Miami (USA).

The absence of Marciano Cantero, whose unmistakable voice resonated across Latin American rock, still reverberates within the band. Staiti expressed, “Marciano’s absence is something that still hurts. But as long as the music plays, he is still alive among us.”

Cantero passed away on September 8, 2022, due to a kidney condition in Mendoza, Argentina. Despite the profound loss, Enanitos Verdes persevered, undergoing a restructuring and embarking on successful tours throughout Latin America this year.

“We are soon going to Mexico, ending the year in the United States. Furthermore, next year, we will release a documentary about the band, a new album, and, of course, we will continue touring,” Staiti revealed.

While remaining tight-lipped about specifics regarding the new album, Staiti hinted at possible guest vocalists, reminiscent of the “Bésame Mucho” festival, where renowned artists like Rubén Albarrán, David Summers, and Noel Schajris assumed vocal duties.

The upcoming documentary, a labor of love initiated in 2022 to commemorate Enanitos Verdes’ 40th anniversary, promises an intimate journey through the band’s storied history. Staiti reminisced, “We went through the trunks and took out all the souvenirs.”

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Enanitos Verdes, whose anthems like “La muralla verde” and “Lamento boliviano” have left an indelible mark on the Latin American music landscape, traces its roots back to 1979, amidst the tumultuous Argentine military dictatorship. With Cantero, Staiti, and Daniel Piccolo on drums, the band soared to fame with their breakout hit, “I Still Can’t,” in the mid-1980s.

Once hailed as rock icons, Enanitos Verdes now boasts over eight million subscribers on Spotify, a testament to their enduring legacy. Despite their prominence, Staiti lamented the absence of rock’s spirit in contemporary Latin music, asserting, “Rock is an attitude towards life. It’s the electricity, the distortion, the sound of a drum. That’s rock.”

As Enanitos Verdes embarks on this new chapter, they carry the spirit of their fallen comrade, determined to forge ahead and keep the flame of Latin American rock burning bright.