This article talks about how the rock group Mana is trying to break into the music scene and become the "Beatles" of Mexico. This band was the first Spanish-language rock band to have an album go gold in the United States. The article states that by the year 2005 Latinos will be the largest U.S. minority group.

The group starts to complain about how breaking into the music industry has been tough on them and that it is partly due to the generation gap of the listeners in contrast to the radio station owners which are generally older.

The mix in musical styles and lyrics for the band Mana stem from much political activism. Mana's lyrics have social issues tied to them. This band even founded an organization for the environment and helps to fund it. The band later expressed their concern for the human rights of the people in Latin America. They claim that people have been threatened and even made disappear for speaking their opinion. The bands moral: No-a rock band can't change the world.

My reaction to this article was mixed. I first thought that I would enjoy reading it because I'm a musician and like rock music. After reading the article which followed no real order I changed my mind.

As for the band Mana they should quit sulking about the fact that they are not the most popular band in the world and keep up the pursuit of environmental cleanliness. Maybe they could start by walking through the inner city of Tijuana. This would keep them busy for a long,long time and take their mind off the fact that most people have never even heard of their band before.

-- Anonymous, March 10, 1999

Answers

I read the article because I am also involved with music. I oftened wondered about people who proclaim themselves to be the next "Beatles". I don't think the band Mana, and others like them, has a clear idea of why the Beatles were so popular. One of the qualities of the Beatles was their diversity in musical styles and lyrics. If the emphasis of the lyrics for Mana's music is enviromental/ political, they will not develop the diverse fan base needed to be considered a top rock group.

-- Anonymous, March 21, 1999

Hi Tony: I like your observations on the article. If you were to write the article for publication, what three changes would you make and why would you make them? Please e-mail your thoughts and answers to me so we can continue this discussion. Thanks, John Hansen

-- Anonymous, April 10, 1999