Gustavo Cerati Biography
Childhood
Gustavo Adrián Cerati was born on August 11, 1959, in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Barracas, Argentina. He was the first-born son of Juan José Cerati, an engineer and accountant, and Lilian Clark. His paternal family had Italian ancestry, while his maternal side had Irish roots.
From a young age, Gustavo showed artistic inclinations, spending time drawing comic characters and expressing a love for nature and the sun. When he was nine years old, his parents bought him a guitar. This gift sparked his serious interest in music and made him a devoted fan of rock and roll. By age 13, he had formed a trio and started performing at house parties and his local Catholic school, where he also joined the choir.
His early musical influences included classic rock bands such as The Police, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, and progressive rock groups. His father, who traveled abroad for work, brought him imported records and guitars, which further deepened his passion for music. After completing compulsory military service in 1979, Cerati met Héctor "Zeta" Bosio at university, and together they would soon form the foundation for a legendary rock band.
Career
In 1982, Gustavo Cerati, Héctor "Zeta" Bosio, and drummer Charly Alberti came together to form Soda Stereo, which would become one of the most influential and popular Latin American rock bands. The band signed with a major label in 1984 and released their debut album the same year. Soda Stereo gained massive success with albums like Nada Personal (1985), Signos (1986), Doble Vida (1988), and Canción Animal (1990), blending rock with new wave and pop.
In addition to his work with Soda Stereo, Cerati pursued a solo career from the early 1990s, releasing solo albums that experimented with electronic and symphonic music. He also collaborated with other artists and explored different genres, establishing himself as a versatile and innovative artist. Soda Stereo reunited for a landmark tour in 2007, solidifying Cerati's status as a rock legend.
Tragically, in 2010, Cerati suffered a stroke following a concert in Venezuela, which left him in a coma until his death in 2014. Despite his premature passing, his influence on Ibero-American rock remains profound.
Current Family Life
Gustavo Cerati preferred to keep his private life out of the spotlight. He was married twice: first to Belén Edwards in the late 1980s, and then to Chilean model and singer Cecilia Amenábar from 1992 to 2002. From his marriage to Cecilia, he had two children, Benito and Lisa Cerati. Benito followed in his father's footsteps and became a musician as well.
In his later years, until his stroke in 2010, Cerati was in a relationship with Argentine actress and model Chloe Bello. Even after his health crisis, Bello remained close to him and his family, visiting him during his coma.
Gustavo Cerati Summary
Gustavo Cerati was a groundbreaking Argentine musician whose work as the lead singer and guitarist of Soda Stereo helped shape Latin American rock music. His early passion for music and art propelled him into a celebrated career marked by innovative albums and collaborations. Cerati's influence extended beyond Soda Stereo through his solo work, which explored diverse musical styles. He maintained a discreet personal life, leaving behind two children and a legacy that continues to inspire artists and fans worldwide. Cerati passed away in 2014 after years in a coma, but his artistic contributions remain timeless.