Mexico’s Aida Cuevas relishes her role as keeper of a cultural legacy

Ranchera, the signature sound of Mexico, has had its royalty, notably Vicente Fernández (1940-2021), "El Rey (The King) de la Música Ranchera.” And there has been a succession of queens, including Lucha Reyes (1906-1944), Amalia Mendoza (1923–2001) and Lola Beltrán (1932-1996). But the crown now belongs to Aida Cuevas, universally regarded in Latin music as “La Reina de la Canción Ranchera.” And even, ”La Útima Gran Reina del Género Ranchero” (“The Last Great Queen of the Ranchera Genre”).

With more than 40 albums to her credit over a 50-plus-year career, Cuevas has succeeded in a field traditionally dominated by men. In April, she became just the fifth woman to be inducted into the South Texas Mariachi Hall of Fame, following Reyes, Mendoza, Beltrán and Lucha Viila. She’s also the only woman to have won a Grammy and Latin Grammy for ranchera recordings.

Acclaimed for her powerful voice that encapsulates "the essence of her nation’s spirit,” Cuevas has spent most of her life on stage or on screen. Born in Mexico City on Sept. 24, 1963, she made her professional debut in 1975 on a radio broadcast and went on to star in several films.

Cuevas achieved a career milestone in 1982, when legendary Mexican artist and producer Juan Gabriel (1950-2016) sought her out to record and produce a full album of his previously unreleased songs, “Aida Cuevas Sings the Best of Juan Gabriel” (1983). That disc established her as “The Voice of Mexico.”

For her current tour, titled “50 Years of Singing to Mexico,” Cuevas will perform in an SCP Featured Concert on May 15 at Symphony Center. Ahead of the engagement, Cuevas took some questions via email:

One of the all-time greatest Latin music artists, Juan Gabriel, was your mentor early in your career. What has his influence meant to you?

Without a doubt, Juan Gabriel represents a very important part of my life, not only artistically, but personally as well. I had the privilege of learning from one of the greatest composers and performers Mexico has ever produced. He believed in me during very important moments in my career, and that is something I will always carry in my heart.

Working closely with Juan Gabriel was like learning from the very best: his discipline, his sensitivity, his complete devotion to the audience, and his unique way of expressing the Mexican spirit through music. He perfectly understood how to touch people’s souls through a song, and sharing stages, conversations and experiences with him became a true school for me.

Beyond the extraordinary artist who everyone knew, I also discovered a generous, sensitive and deeply caring human being. His support and advice helped strengthen my artistic identity and inspired me to always defend Mexican music with dignity and respect. Without a doubt, a part of who I am today as an artist carries the mark of Juan Gabriel.

As you reflect on your five-decade career, what do you consider the most important milestones?

Thank God, when I look back, I can say that I have experienced many deeply meaningful and important moments throughout these 50 years of my career. They have been decades of hard work, sacrifice, discipline and absolute love for Mexican music.

One of the greatest gifts this career has given me has been the opportunity to perform on stages I once thought were impossible to reach. I’ve had the honor of sharing the stage with world-renowned artists and representing our culture internationally, where mariachi and ranchera music have received standing ovations.

Without a doubt, one of the most historic and emotional moments of my career was becoming the first woman in ranchera music history in Mexico to win a Grammy Award. That recognition was not only a personal achievement, but also an opening of doors for many women in a genre that for many years had been dominated mainly by men.

It was also deeply moving to be immortalized in a painting at such an iconic and sacred place for Mexican music as the Salón Tenampa [in Mexico City, a famous cantina, regarded as a wellspring for ranchera music]. For those of us who love mariachi music, Tenampa represents history, tradition and the soul of our popular culture.

Another unforgettable moment was becoming the first woman in ranchera music to perform at New York’s Carnegie Hall, one of the world’s most prestigious and respected venues. Standing there, carrying the name of Mexico and our music, was truly indescribable. And now, being inducted into the Texas Mariachi Hall of Fame as only the fifth female ranchera singer to receive that honor represents another very special chapter in my life.

These recognitions make me feel grateful, but they also strengthen my commitment to continue defending our roots and our music with pride.

In addition, I’ve had the privilege of representing Mexico in many countries, singing for kings, presidents and world leaders. But beyond any recognition or stage, the most valuable thing has always been the love of the audience, because thanks to them, I have remained active for five decades.

Is there a song you feel obliged to perform at every concert? If so, why?

The song that absolutely cannot be missing from my concerts is “El Pastor.” It is a song I always perform with great joy, but also with deep gratitude toward the audience, because it was the song that introduced me internationally and marked a turning point in my career.

It also has a very special story for me because the great Miguel Aceves Mejía [who composed the song] encouraged me to record it. He told me it was a powerful, deeply Mexican song with tremendous potential, but he also mentioned that until then, no woman had dared to record it. That represented a major challenge for me, because at that time there were many barriers for women within ranchera music.

I decided to do it by following my intuition and trusting the advice of a legend like Aceves Mejía. Fortunately, the audience embraced the song from the very beginning. I think it connected because it has strength, identity and deep Mexican feeling. Every time I sing it live, I relive a very important stage of my artistic life. It is a way of honoring my roots, my story and also a means of thanking the audience who has supported me throughout the years.

Some songs become part of your destiny, and without a doubt, “El Pastor” is one of those songs for me.

Why is ranchera music so important to Mexico’s identity and culture?

Ranchera music is part of Mexico’s identity because it reflects the soul of our people through its lyrics, its melodies and its instruments. It speaks about love, heartbreak, our roots, and our way of life. Mariachi music is a fundamental part of our culture and a symbol of Mexican pride throughout the world.

With the deaths of icons such as Flor Silvestre (in 2020), Chavela Vargas (2012) and Rocío Dúrcal (2006), you are one of the last, great still-active ranchera singers. Do you feel an urgent responsibility to keep this tradition alive?

Absolutely. I feel a great responsibility and a deep commitment to keeping ranchera music alive and continuing to defend our Mexican traditions. After legendary figures like Flor Silvestre, Chavela Vargas and Rocío Dúrcal, I believe it is very important to continue creating spaces where new generations can discover, love and respect this genre.

That is why we created Las Grandes Voces de la Canción Ranchera, a project that seeks to promote love for Mexican music and support new talents who perform ranchera and mariachi music with passion and respect for our roots.

We also present a medal that carries my name as a recognition for individuals who have dedicated their careers to elevating Mexican music. For me, that is very important, because it is not only about singing, but about leaving a legacy, supporting those who come after us and ensuring that our culture continues to thrive for many years to come.

What are you most looking forward to about your performance in Chicago? Is there something special about the Chicago audience that excites you?

It is always a great emotion to return to Chicago. I hope to see a full venue and to share with the audience that little piece of Mexico that I bring through my music. The people of Chicago have always welcomed me with so much love, and it will be very special for me to once again feel their applause, their energy and the affection they have shown me throughout my career.

Is there a special childhood memory or experience that inspired your love for ranchera music?

Yes, definitely. There is a very special memory that marked my life from a very young age. I must have been around three years old when I first heard [ranchera icon] Antonio Aguilar [1919-2007] sing. I remember hearing the mariachi music and feeling something very deep inside me — an emotion that was difficult to explain for such a young child, but one that immediately awakened my love for ranchera music.

The sound of the trumpets, the violins and that uniquely Mexican style of singing touched my heart from that moment on. I believe that was when my true connection to this genre was born, along with the dream of dedicating my life to Mexican music.

Over time, I understood that ranchera music is not only heard — it is felt. And from that childhood moment, somehow I knew that music would become part of my destiny.

If you could collaborate with any current artist, Latin or otherwise, who would it be and why?

I’ve been fortunate enough to share the stage and sing with many of the greatest artists in Mexican music, something for which I am deeply grateful because every collaboration has left me with valuable experiences.

But speaking about current artists, I think it would be very interesting to collaborate with [Mexican singer-songwriter] Carín León because he is an artist, who, through his own style and generation, continues to keep the roots of Mexican music alive, and I admire that greatly.

I also deeply admire [Italian-born Latin pop artist] Laura Pausini. She has extraordinary sensitivity and interpretive strength, and I believe something very special could emerge from combining different cultures and musical styles.

Another artist whose music I truly enjoy is [alternative Latin artist] Julieta Venegas [from Mexico]. I think she is a very authentic artist with a unique artistic vision and a very honest way of expressing emotions through her songs. I believe music always finds beautiful ways to unite generations, styles and emotions.”

Do you follow any ritual before going on stage?

Yes, I do have very important rituals before every concert, and I always follow them because they help prepare me both physically and emotionally before going on stage.

First of all, I warm up my voice approximately an hour before singing. For me, taking care of my voice is essential because it has been my life’s instrument for so many years, so I prepare with discipline and respect.

And personally, I am a very devoted Catholic woman. Before going on stage, I always say a prayer and make the sign of the cross. It is a very intimate and special moment for me because I ask God to allow me to give my very best to the audience and for every performance to reach people’s hearts. That moment of faith and gratitude can never be missing before a concert.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I want to deeply thank the audience for so many years of love, support and loyalty toward my music. Thanks to all of you, I have been able to keep my career alive for five decades and continue proudly carrying ranchera music to different parts of the world.

I also want to invite the younger generations not to forget our roots, our culture and the greatness of Mexican music. Mariachi and ranchera music are part of our identity, and it is very important to continue defending and valuing them.

And of course, I look forward to seeing everyone at this concert at Chicagos’s Symphony Center, so we can share together an evening full of emotion, tradition and love for Mexico.