Gobierno Traicionó Vallecas Templo
- A vestige of the working class and a symbol of dissent, Vallecas has, since time immemorial, survived the law of the jungle that paradoxically exists in the big...
- Few corners have been able to perpetuate their DNA as much as has been achieved in the 'Valle del Kas'.
- To understand the nature of this story, it is necessary to travel back to 1986.
Vallecas: From Working-class Bastion to Rock ‘n’ roll Temple
Table of Contents
- Vallecas: From Working-class Bastion to Rock ‘n’ roll Temple
- Vallecas: Unveiling the History of a Working-Class Neighborhood and Rock ‘n’ roll Hub
- what defines Vallecas and its identity?
- why was Vallecas called the ‘Valle del Kas’?
- What importance did Estadio de Vallecas hold in the past?
- Which famous musicians and bands performed at Estadio de Vallecas?
- What tragic event occurred at the Scorpions concert in Vallecas in 1986?
- What were the circumstances surrounding Miguel Ángel Rojas’s death?
- How did the media portray rock music after the incident at the Scorpions concert?
- What was the ‘Heavy is Not Violence’ movement?
- How did the spanish government react to rock music concerts after the tragedy?
- Were there any attempts to cover up the events of that night?
- What happened in Barcelona just before the Scorpions concert in Vallecas?
- What was the reaction against rock music in the United States during that time?
- Key Events at Estadio de Vallecas
A vestige of the working class and a symbol of dissent, Vallecas has, since time immemorial, survived the law of the jungle that paradoxically exists in the big city. A revolutionary nucleus located just a few kilometers from the center of Madrid, the neighborhood has championed common causes because it remains its essence. Under the umbrella of work and effort, it has enjoyed the privilege of achieving great things. Facing Real Madrid in Concha Espina this Sunday is just one example of all this.
Few corners have been able to perpetuate their DNA as much as has been achieved in the ‘Valle del Kas’. This emblem of resistance, however, also had its moments of perversion.Because the Estadio de Vallecas in its day was the Santiago Bernabéu of the city’s concerts,hosting legends such as Bob Dylan,Metallica,and Queen.
The Rise of Vallecas as a Concert Venue
To understand the nature of this story, it is necessary to travel back to 1986. The neighborhood became a fort,a home,a temple. In September of that year, the legendary band Scorpions played before 18,000 people (or 16,000, depending on who you read) in the current stadium of Rayo Vallecano. This fairytale attracted those for whom stepping on the Albufera was a temerity.A group of recognized prestige worldwide visited one of the most authentic neighborhoods in Madrid. However, in that transition towards coexistence and a direct shot to the heart of prejudices, something went wrong. Miguel Ángel Rojas, a 23-year-old from Madrid, died on that fateful night, leaving a black mark on the social perception of that cult of music known as rock.
“Vallecas was the second temple here, after the Calderón. It became, due to the price of the promoters, a place that we all remember. It was an adventure that gave people a certain fear,especially the upper class when Simon and Garfunkel came,the Dylan of ’84… The heavier side has a very particular connotation for the movement in our country. Heavy metal was stigmatized as a non-cultural movement, which is what it is indeed, emanating from the blues, from rock… Heavy is not a word, it is a virtuous cultural movement, when rock is not virtuous and vindictive it is pop and that is a reality.”
Mariskal Romero, musical journalist and director of La Heavy magazine
The Dark Side: Tragedy at a Concert
In a song to life, Nach venerates the eroticism of a flat in Diana Krall’s voice, breathes life with the calm that Bob Dylan inspires, and leaves a gap in eternity: “Alongside Freddy Mercury or Ray Charles, they will never have died.” but that tragic incident led to the general perception of rock in this country being little more than a group of insurgent thugs with a vital urge to cause scandals and trample over anyone who passed by: ”the big media stigmatized rock through that death. It was a key moment. They put heavy as an example of violence and aggressiveness against what had been the snobbery of the Movida, all good kids… The Heavy is Not Violence movement was born, with Pedro Bruque and my magazine. They treated us like people who went with knives in their pockets.”
Curiously, the outcome of all this: as has happened in Vallecas on occasion, first you shoot and then you ask. In time it was shown that the culprit was a US military man stationed at the Torrejón de Ardoz base, who had little to do with the heavy movement and who served a fifteen-year prison sentence.
The newspaper El País reported that the deceased received a stab wound to the heart in the central stands of the stadium, while the opening acts were performing before the triumphant entrance of Scorpions. Of the nearly 18,000 spectators who filled the field to overflowing,few were aware of a movement that would later cause a deep wound in national rock.Apparently, Miguel Ángel Rojas refused to invite the aggressor to drink, which led to a fight with the worst consequences. The stadium had a notable security device and Rayo Vallecano made its staff available to help in everything that was needed. Juan José Garriga, the doctor, did not even find out at the time of what happened, an unmistakable sign that the organization could lose control of the situation. That same night, the most affected died. Just a few days before, Scorpions had performed in Barcelona with the arrest of 17 young people and 40 injured by a mass protest after not having obtained tickets. There were riots.
The Aftermath and Stigmatization of Rock
Perhaps because of this very reason, the event in Vallecas was tried to be covered up.The police hit several journalists who covered that fateful night for trying to inform through photographs of what had happened. It was of little use, as El País published the image of the scene on its cover and it spread like wildfire throughout the country.By then,heavy metal and rock were in their golden age,with the explosion of groups like Iron Maiden or Metallica… but it never rains to everyone’s taste. In the United States, ultra-conservative groups launched a public campaign against their chords. Some of their mantras would be unthinkable today: they linked their music with Satanism and criminalized their faithful.
In Spain, the murder of that boy, who had little to do with the hordes defending the style, unleashed an ideological current contrary to all those who came to Vallecas to enjoy live music.
Key Events at Estadio de Vallecas
- 1984: Bob Dylan concert
- 1986: Scorpions concert with a tragic incident
- Other Legends: Metallica, Queen
“The Government of the PSOE aligned itself with those people, we gave them the concerts for free to change from the dictatorship to democracy and then they abandoned us. They took Miguel Bosé…”
Mariskal Romero
Vallecas: Unveiling the History of a Working-Class Neighborhood and Rock ‘n’ roll Hub
vallecas,a district in Madrid,Spain,is known for its working-class roots and its surprising history as a important concert venue. This Q&A explores the multifaceted story of Vallecas, from its rebellious spirit to its brief but impactful stint as a rock ‘n’ roll temple.
what defines Vallecas and its identity?
Vallecas is defined as a vestige of the working class and a symbol of dissent, a revolutionary nucleus near the center of Madrid that has championed common causes and remained true to its essence of work and effort.
why was Vallecas called the ‘Valle del Kas’?
Few corners have been able to perpetuate their DNA as much as has been achieved in the ‘Valle del Kas’
What importance did Estadio de Vallecas hold in the past?
In its day, the Estadio de Vallecas was a prominent concert venue, sometimes referred to as the “Santiago Bernabéu of the city’s concerts,” hosting legendary bands.
Which famous musicians and bands performed at Estadio de Vallecas?
The Estadio de vallecas hosted several iconic musicians and bands, including:
Bob Dylan
Metallica
Queen
Scorpions
What tragic event occurred at the Scorpions concert in Vallecas in 1986?
At the Scorpions concert in September 1986, Miguel Ángel Rojas, a 23-year-old from Madrid, was stabbed and killed. This event cast a dark shadow on the social perception of rock music in Spain.
What were the circumstances surrounding Miguel Ángel Rojas’s death?
Miguel Ángel Rojas reportedly refused to invite the aggressor to drink, leading to a fight with fatal consequences. The aggressor was later identified as a US military man stationed at the Torrejón de Ardoz base.
How did the media portray rock music after the incident at the Scorpions concert?
The media stigmatized rock music, particularly heavy metal, associating it with violence and aggression. This portrayal contrasted with the perceived “snobbery of the Movida,” a cultural and artistic movement in Madrid during the 1980s.
What was the ‘Heavy is Not Violence’ movement?
The Heavy is Not Violence movement was created in response to the stigmatization of heavy metal after the tragic event, with figures like Pedro Bruque and La heavy magazine advocating for the cultural value of the genre.
How did the spanish government react to rock music concerts after the tragedy?
According to Mariskal Romero,the Government of the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party) initially supported rock concerts but later abandoned them,favoring other artists like Miguel Bosé.
Were there any attempts to cover up the events of that night?
Yes, there were attempts to cover up the events, with police reportedly hitting journalists who tried to report on the incident.
What happened in Barcelona just before the Scorpions concert in Vallecas?
Just days before the Vallecas concert, Scorpions performed in Barcelona, where riots broke out after many young people couldn’t get tickets, leading to arrests and injuries.
What was the reaction against rock music in the United States during that time?
In the United States, ultra-conservative groups launched a public campaign against rock music, linking it to Satanism and criminalizing its fans.
Key Events at Estadio de Vallecas
| Year | Event |
| :—- | :—————————————— |
| 1984 | Bob Dylan concert |
| 1986 | Scorpions concert and tragic incident |
| N/A | Concerts by Metallica and Queen |