The eighties defined a generation of Spanish pop. Nacha Pop, Invisible Dance, Tequila, Modesty Apart, La Guardia, Mondragón Orchestra and their members are set to share a stage in a show that travels to A Coruña on March 25. Colosseum curated a spectacle that brought back to life a time many still carry in their hearts. In this context Vicky Larraz, born in Madrid in 1962, who began as the lead vocalist and later expanded into composing and television presenting, stepped away from live performance after this appearance. Shortly after her farewell, she revisited her journey and looked back on the Spanish music industry with a sense of disappointment about how veteran musicians are treated, while expressing a hope that the respect due to established artists endures.
How does one reflect on the EGB era and the musicians who will perform in A Coruña under this banner?
There is a certain beauty in the memory. Nostalgia is real, but the eighties live inside her more than she lives in them. The burst of creativity that flooded music and art at that moment left an indelible mark. In a time when much of today’s musical landscape feels transient, she feels honored that this farewell tour can honor that golden period and that the performers from Nacha Pop, La Guardia, and Mondragón can take the stage together again.
Yet the music of that era seems distant now.
Time does not fade the essence. It simply reminds us how things could be done better and how music can keep that memory alive. The best tribute is to keep the spirit of that era present in the performances themselves, not to let it vanish with the passing years.
Olé After Olé split, the triumph came in different forms. How is victory defined for an artist?
Victory is expressing exactly what one desires, first. Personal glory sits beside the recognition that fame brings, but true victory is the creative achievement itself. That opened doors during Olé Olé and continued when she pursued solo work. A pivotal factor was the support of a major composer who believed in the songs enough to bring them to life. Having a record label, a producer, and the necessary resources meant something then that is less common today. Since 1983, that signature song has endured as a hymn—passed from generation to generation. That, to her, is victory.
Is control over success ever easy?
Not easy at all. There are no guaranteed rewards. The truth is that a band must stay faithful to its core while listening to the audience. When a group speaks from the heart and truly believes in its path, that sincerity becomes the strongest form of control. Music is energy, and when performance reaches the crowd, the artist achieves a kind of mastery that goes beyond every contract or checklist. The artist is the medium through which music becomes tangible for others, and that is the real control they can have.
How did the public respond when the era passed, and life moved on?
The people welcomed her back with warmth after she spent two decades abroad in the United States. Olé Olé continued with the original lineup, and the audience greeted the return with open arms. The media, in contrast, did not always offer fair coverage, and that friction contributed to the sense that the eighties had an enduring, precious essence worth preserving through a farewell tour designed to honor it.
Did the media ever truly recognize the artists who built the scene?
Public trends shift quickly, and then fade. The landscape should be a home for all artists and movements, not a stage for transient fads. Veteran performers deserve respect, and those who have spent decades on stage in this country should be valued more highly. It helps to have professionals around who understand the music, even if luck isn’t always on everyone’s side.
Does leaving the stage reflect anger or a more nuanced emotion?
Anger has no place in the core. Nostalgia and sorrow accompany the ending, but it is a decision to redirect energy toward new ventures. Television work in America and producing projects later formed parts of a broader life. The goal now is to support younger talents and recognize that not every dream can be sustained by the same force. The older generations continue to create, even if the spotlight shifts.
Does music still give the same joy as it did in youth?
The relationship with music remains evolving. As a composer, the process of crafting lyrics and melodies continues to be a source of deep pleasure and discovery. The thrill comes from building something that endures, even if the industry shows signs of rust and wear. The craft remains a personal treasure that no market shift can take away.
Is the music industry treating artists as commodities rather than people?
There is a belief that artistry exists beyond commercial framing. Music is a living thing with a soul, and the people who dedicate their lives to it deserve respect. The best artists remain in motion because they care deeply about their work and about the audiences who respond to it. Respect for a long career matters, even when new faces rise quickly.
What is the lasting impact of Olé Olé on Spanish pop?
The melodies and lyrics of that era endure. When the group reconvened, younger listeners danced with the same energy as before, proving the songs still resonate. This enduring appeal is a testament to the music’s staying power, something the industry should recognize in every revival, every tribute, and every reimagining. The legacy is celebrated in moments that bring artists like Vicky Larraz together with peers such as La Guardia, turning a historic cycle into living memory that continues to inspire new generations.