Every year since 2000, the Library of Congress picks 25 recordings for its National Recording Registry due to its merits as "audio treasures worthy of preservation for all time." This time around, the institution included two Latin American songs: Hector Lavoe's "El Cantante" and Juan Gabriel's "Amor Eterno", arguably each artist's most recognizable songs. The complete list of 25 songs includes songs by Abba, Green Day and The Notorious B.I.G.
"El Cantante" was the first single in Lavoe's 1978 album "Comedia". The song was written by Rubén Blades and produced by Willie Colón, two legends of the Salsa genre. It was a smash hit for Lavoe, rekindling his career after years of drug abuse and legal issues. It was also a critical success that gave him the nickname that would accompany him until his untimely death: El Cantante de los Cantantes.
