Latin Grammy Names Its First Hall of Famers

The Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences was recently embroiled in controversy over moving the second annual Latin Grammy Awards show from Miami to Los Angeles. But there’s not likely to be much protest over the authoritative selection of 17 songs and albums being inducted into the new Latin Grammy Hall of Fame. The honorees, announced Monday, form a classic collection of compositions and recordings, from Santana’s 1970 rendition of Tito Puente’s “Oye Como Va” to the original 1948 version of “Concierto de Aranjuez,” Rodrigo’s beloved guitar concerto.

The list encompasses various styles and countries, including Brazilian bossa nova, Argentine tango, Mexican bolero and Cuban mambo. The Latin Grammy Hall of Fame has been established to spotlight “musical masterpieces that have significantly impacted musical history for many generations,” said Michael Greene, head of the Latin recording academy. The Hall of Fame honors single tracks and full-length albums released more than 25 years ago. The other honorees:

Singles: “Besame Mucho” by Pedro Vargas (1941); “Desafinado” by Joao Gilberto (1958); “El Dia Que Me Quieras,” by Carlos Gardel (1935); “El Manisero,” or “The Peanut Vendor” by Don Azpiazu (1930); “El Reloj” (1959) and “La Barca” (1960), both by Lucho Gatica; “The Girl From Ipanema” by Antonio Carlos Jobim (1963); “Mambo #5” by Perez Prado (1950); “Sabor a Mi” by Javier Solis (1960); “Somos Novios” by Armando Manzanero (1970).

Albums: “Adios Nonino,” by Astor Piazzolla (1969); “Caetano Veloso,” Veloso (1967); “Chega de Saudade,” by Joao Gilberto (1959); “The Composer of Desafinado Plays,” by Antonio Carlos Jobim (1963); and “Getz/Gilberto” by Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto, featuring Antonio Carlos Jobim and Astrud Gilberto (1963).

Academics in Texas Will Study Buddy Holly

He died in 1959, but interest in the music of Buddy Holly continues. For three days next month, the acclaimed singer-songwriter will be the subject of a symposium at Texas Tech University.

The event, called “Not Fade Away: The Life and Times of Buddy Holly,” will feature panels such as “Standing at the Crossroads: Style in Buddy Holly’s Music,” “Buddy Holly Law” and “The Guitar as a Tool and Icon in the Era of Rock and Roll.”

But it’s not all serious stuff. There will also be a concert by the Flatlanders, and at halftime of the Texas Tech-University of New Mexico football game on Sept. 8, fans will be asked to join in singing Holly’s classic “Peggy Sue.”

“West Texans have long recognized the influence of our favorite son on the world of music,” said Texas Tech President David J. Schmidly.

MOVIES

Scott Will Participate in Film Retrospective

Director Ridley Scott will answer questions from the audience at screenings of “Alien” and “Blade Runner” during a six-night retrospective of 10 of his films at American Cinematheque next month. “Alien” kicks off the series at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood on Sept. 14, with “Blade Runner” scheduled Sept. 21.

Also on the bill: “The Duellists” and “Gladiator” on Sept. 15; “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “Black Rain” on Sept. 19; “Legend” and “Thelma and Louise” on Sept. 22; and “White Squall” and “G.I. Jane” on Sept. 23.

TELEVISION

Winner of Latino Showcase Gets $30,000

Writer-director Galo Recalde was announced Monday as the winner of the $30,000 first-place prize in the second annual Latino Filmmaker Showcase sponsored by Showtime and Si TV. His short film “Primer Dia,” about a boy’s first day at a new high school, can be seen on Showtime on Sept. 25 at 8:30 p.m. and will be repeated several times in the following weeks, along with the works of three other finalists.

QUICK TAKES

MTV will present a program about Aaliyah, the R&B; singer who was killed Saturday in a plane crash in the Bahamas, at 5 p.m. today .... Stuart Canin, former concertmaster for the San Francisco Symphony and the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, has been named concertmaster for the Los Angeles Opera, where he will work with principal conductor Kent Nagano