The vocalist of Sui Generis tells Gibson TV en Español the story of how a teenage friendship gave birth to a legendary band
Nito Mestre is the latest guest to chat with Gibson TV en Español. In this brand-new episode of “Mi Historia,” he discusses Sui Generis, the meaning of music during the years of dictatorship in Argentina, his valuable Gibson Hummingbird™, and the process he follows when composing new music.
Almost six decades have passed since Charly García and Nito Mestre decided to form a band called Sui Generis while they were still teenagers attending high school in Buenos Aires. Unknowingly, García and Mestre gave rise to a musical and cultural movement that we now know worldwide as “rock en español.”
In the latest episode of “Mi Historia”— a Gibson TV en Español original series—Nito Mestre recalls how his friendship with Charly began, why classical music and The Beatles’ songs were so important in shaping the group, as well as some of the difficulties and obstacles they had to face to dedicate themselves to music fully.
“Everyone used to tell us, ‘Your music is great, but what are you going to study?'” says Mestre, reflecting on how those around them believed that music was just a hobby. Nito also shares how the music of Sui Generis became a sort of secret code among young people who resisted the military dictatorship that ruled Argentina from 1976 to 1983. He treats us to snippets of “Canción Para Mi Muerte,” “El Tuerto y los Ciegos,” and “Rasguña Las Piedras,” accompanied by a Gibson J-45™ Studio Walnut.
Although his primary instrument is his voice, Nito Mestre has had an inseparable companion for decades: a 1966 Gibson Hummingbird that he bought from another Argentine musician, Raúl Porchetto. “That Hummingbird is so smooth it feels like an electric guitar,” he asserts.
Image: Nito with a Gibson J-45 Studio Walnut [©Federico Vélez]
With nearly six decades of experience in the music world, Nito Mestre remains active, writing new songs, producing albums, touring, and even hosting his own television show.
When asked about his songwriting process, Mestre states: “If something I’m writing keeps resonating in my head after two weeks, then it’s likely to be good. That’s something I learned from The Beatles as well.”
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