Amanda

Formed toward the close of the 1990s, the Argentine pop/rock group Amanda began with guitarist Juan José Cudmani, bassist Gabriela Cortez, drummer Simón Pérez, and singer-keyboardist Luis Gómez Salas. Its name derives from Víctor Jara’s “Te Recuerdo Amanda,” counted among the Chilean songwriter’s strongest compositions. Gabriela Cortez exited by the close of 1997; Ariel Fligman covered the bass chair on an interim basis until Leandro Díaz Romero assumed the role in 1998. That year the band made its concert debut by appearing in the stage work Un Trago Antes de Salir. Claudio Vallejo took over drums following Simón Pérez’s departure. Juan Pablo Apsatz produced Amanda’s debut album in 1999, and the record was introduced onstage before year’s end.