National rock is in mourning: Javier Martínez, drummer and founder of Manal, died this Saturday at the age of 78. The news was confirmed by his sister, Dora Alicia Martínez, on the musician’s Facebook page. His remains will be laid to rest on Sunday, May 5, between 4 and 7 p.m. at Casa Guerrieri, located at 900 Forrest Avenue.
“We will accompany him on his journey to Eternity forever and ever. ‘When one has nothing more to say, the journey of silence begins’ Javier said, 5/1/2024,” wrote the sister of the founder of Manal that the Friday he had announced his state of health.
Martínez had been admitted to intensive care at IMAC, after having suffered a fall at home and was “very serious.”
In the early 70s, Martínez joined the Manal trio along with Alejandro Medina and Claudio Gabis. The band is considered one of the pioneers of rock in Argentina along with Almendra and Los Gatos.
Born in Berazategui in 1946, Martínez founded Manal in 1968. The trio barely lasted three years, until 1971, but their influence was decisive. In 1970 they released their debut album, named after the band, but popularized as La Bomba. Martinez was the author of all the songs on the album, which includes classics like “Avellaneda Blues” and “Jugo de tomato.” In 1971, before separating, they released the album El León.
A decade later, Gabis, Medina and Martínez met again for a series of concerts. From that experience, in 1981, the album Reunión was born. In between, after the separation in 1971, Martínez had settled in Barcelona, where he formed the group Esqueixada Sniff. After his return to Argentina and his reunion with Medina and Gabis, he dedicated himself to his solo career.
Living in France in the 80s, he was the protagonist of a true tour de force by achieving the world record for uninterrupted time playing the drums. He was in Toulon, in 1985. He was in a charity tournament and his mark was 41 and a half hours, with a five-minute interval for eating.
Back in Argentina, in 1987 he formed Manal-Javi, which lasted until 1990. He then put together a trio with that name, which he followed in 1993, the Javier Martínez Blues Band. Closer in time he formed Manal Javier Martínez, with a lot of jazz influence and he returned to play with Gabis and Medina. In 2010 he was designated an illustrious citizen of Berazategui.
