Medina Azahara

by Drago Bonacich Spanish group Medina Azahara was formed in 1979 by singer Manuel Martinez, guitarist Miguel Galan, drummer José Antonio Molina, bassist Manuel Molina, and keyboardist Pablo Rabadan. That same year, the band signed with CBS, issuing a self-titled album produced by Gonzalo Garcia Pelayo that featured their first hit, a song called "Paseando Por la Mezquita." That album was followed by 1980's La Esquina Del Viento and 1982's Andalucia. Around that time, the band started being mentioned as one of the major parts of a local movement known as Rock Andaluz. Before issuing 1995's Caravana Espanola, Pablo Rabadan left the act, replaced by keyboardist Antonio Fernandez. When the group moved from CBS-Sony Records Limited to the independent Avispa S.L., En Al-Hakim was made. On June 30, 1990, a Medina Azahara live performance was recorded and released in 1992 as Sin Tiempo. That live album became the band's breakthrough.