When did it change from a cover and wedding band to a band with original music?
The first time I sang with the group was October 25, 1975. That was a very special night for me. It was in Dupont Plaza at a Santiaguero party that Emilio had organized because he is from Santiago. Was Gloria Estefan part of the band already? Yes, I was part of the band. It was my first night with them, and it was funny because I was hiding behind the congas playing maracas. I only sang two songs, including “What a Difference a Day Makes”, the disco version, because they usually sang only Latin music. I knew a lot of pop songs in English, and they learned those songs from me. So, suddenly, we could sing all kinds of music in both languages. Ok. And then, Emilio told me, “I want to record an album. Have you written any songs?” I told him, “I haven’t ever written songs, but I have written poetry all my life. I have written short stories and things like that. I can try.” So, I wrote the first song called “Tu Amor Conmigo”, and it was included on side B of “Renacer”. I had written that son
