La India, born Linda Viera Caballero, embodies the music that is known for its sexy dance moves and tropical flavor.
Salsa music lovers know La India for her powerhouse voice, while freestyle lovers will remember her early start with freestyle/hip-hop dance group TKA. The Latina salsa singer started out singing in English with TKA, but at 21 she recorded her first Salsa album, Llego La India via Eddi Palmieri ( The India has Arrived via Eddi Palmieri ) , forever changing the direction of her career. Since then, La India has been recognized by the music industry and peers as one of the great voices of her genre. Being named the Princess of Salsa by the late Celia Cruz only solidified her status.
Today, she is on her official Gay Tour, making stops in various LGBT clubs throughout the U.S. She's also finished filming El Cantante ( not to be confused with the Lopz/Anthony project of the same name ) , based on the life of the great salsa singer Hector Lavoe. Being named the Princess of Salsa, La India is already in line for music royalty. Still, she's humble and possesses a vivacious tone.
Windy City Times: Where did the name Princess of Salsa come from?
La India: Oh my goodness. The name was basically given to me by the public and by all of our legendary icons—artists such as Tito Puente and Celia Cruz … It was in 1993 that they gave me the title.
WCT: It must have been a great honor to be given that name by the legendary Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz.
LI: I'm a princess always but, then, I'm a queen bee, too. But it's like a boat. I've got one foot in the ocean and one in the river [ Laughs ] .
WCT: Your professional career started early.
LI: I had a lot of fun. I used to model at 14 and people wanted me to start singing and do a demo and do a little track here and there. I was developing. I got the opportunity to sing with TKA. Joey Garner is the person who actually discovered me at a very important time—the middle to late '80s, when dance music was really happening.
WCT: I read somewhere that Madonna copied one of your videos.
LI: We came out at around the same time. When Madonna came to New York City from Michigan, she liked everything that we were doing. She liked the music, the Latina style that was happening—it was really colorful and exciting and sexy. There was a lot of love, a whole lot of sex and a whole lot of music going on; it was just a wonderful era.
WCT: What is something you have in common with the community?
LI: The gay community have always been the ones showing others how to be creative. … They make things better and make them shine.
There are people who are ignorant and prejudiced. They are jealous and they have so many nasty things to say about gay people. That's dumb. Maybe it's because they are in the closet [ Laughs ] . That's why they have the hatred, the phobia. Gay men and I have a lot in common—and one important thing is that we love men.
WCT: What songs do you enjoy performing live?
LI: I love all of them. It's strange—at certain moments I feel certain songs and it's always different. I like to perform Seduceme. It's a powerful song because it showcases my range … I'm grateful for the gift God has given me and I don't dwell on it; I got things to do [ Laughs ] .
When I shut off the light, I'm a different person at home. [ When ] I turn on the other light, India is like a showgirl. I separate as soon as I sign the very last autograph and take the last picture. I walk away and I'm inside the limo driving back home from the show. I realize I've done my work; I've given 100 percent of myself.
WCT: How do you get over that high?
LI: It's speed! It's almost like making love. Just when you are about to reach that orgasm, that very moment that you are like, 'Oh my God! Oh my God!' and then it happens… [ Both laugh ] .
WCT: So your show is like an orgasm? You should charge more.
LI: We are going to have a good time. This is called the Let Your Hair Down Tour. I have a collection of oldies that I can choose from. I will try to play ones that people scream out. When you look at color I bring them all: I bring Africans, Indians, White, Black, Chinese, Asian, Latins. In the end we all just want to have a good time.
WCT: What is one of your personal memories of the legendary Celia Cruz?
LI: [ I remember ] her presence, smile and talent, but when you were alone with her [ you saw ] her wit. She always had sex appeal.
She was so humble and it would blow you away because you would be like 'Oh my god, does she realize who she is?' Does she realize she has a star in Hollywood, she's done this, this, this, she has an honorary award from president Clinton. Does she realize she's done all these things ... for all Latina women? One would think she would be the brown diva with the nails, 'Azucar! Please get out of the way; I'll run you over.' No—she walked like the only queen with a white beautiful rose down the beautiful red carpet and then she would say 'Everyone please, follow me.' And everyone would walk in with her. She was just elegant, fabulous and so caring with everyone. She loved everyone. … She dedicated her life—50 years with music.
Some people would say, 'Maybe she's tired; she should rest and retire.' Are you crazy? She wanted to die up there on stage. She got her wish, but above all [ she received ] the love and respect of her fans.
La India's fans can show some love on Thurs., March 22, at Circuit, 3641 N. Halsted. See myspace.com/latinsongbird.
