Gilda (singer)
| Gilda | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Miriam Alejandra Bianchi |
| Born |
October 11, 1961 Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Died | September 7, 1996 (aged 34) Villa Paranacito, Argentina |
| Genres | Cumbia |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 1991–1996 |
Miriam Alejandra Bianchi (11 October 1961 - 7 September 1996), known by her stage name as Gilda, was an Argentine cumbia singer and songwriter.
Her stage name was chosen in honour of the femme fatale character played by Rita Hayworth in Gilda, the eponymous film. Gilda started getting involved in music while organizing festivals at a Catholic school. After meeting musician and agent Juan Carlos "Toti" Giménez, Gilda became a backup singer, joining a band called La Barra and soon participated in a second band called Crema Americana. In 1993, Giménez convinced her to start a solo career, recording De corazón a corazón ("From heart to heart") after signing up to local label Magenta. The following year, La única ("The one and only") featuring the hit Corazón herido ("Heart broken") and La puerta ("The door") was released.
In 1995, Pasito a pasito ("Step by step") was released, including the hit (and one of her most popular songs) No me arrepiento de este amor ("I don't regret this love").
On September 7, 1996 Gilda died in a tragic accident while touring the country to promote her last and most successful album, Corazón valiente ("Brave heart"). Gilda, along with her mother, her daughter, three of her musicians and the bus driver died when a truck crossed the highway median and struck her touring bus head-on on km 129 of National Route 12 (Argentina) in the Province of Entre Ríos, Argentina.
Shortly after her death, Gilda was credited by her fans with achieving miracles and some even called her a saint. On her birthday, fans go to her shrine at the accident site and leave blue candles, flowers, gifts and other offerings.
At the time of her death, Gilda was working on a new album, but only recorded five songs, which were included on the 1997 posthumous album called No es mi despedida ("Not my farewell"). The album included one of her most successful songs: "Se me ha perdido un corazón", two live songs and some songs of other tropical singers. Another album of unreleased material and demos called "Las alas del alma" was released in 1999. Among her best-known songs are Fuiste ("You were"), No me Arrepiento de este amor and No es mi despedida.
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