Akelarre, formed in 1973 in Soraluze, Gipuzkoa, emerged as a pioneering force in the Basque rock scene. Transitioning from performing in Spanish and English to exclusively singing in Basque, they were among the first to make this bold move. Their debut album, "Asfaltu Kolorea" (1980), featured the hit "Maria Marikita," which gained significant popularity during the 1980 Bilbao festivities. Collaborations with artists like Anje Duhalde led to acclaimed albums such as "Gau Pasa" (1982) and "Ari Gara" (1984), with standout tracks like "Hotel California," a Basque rendition of The Eagles' classic. Akelarre's commitment to Basque language and culture, combined with their dynamic rock sound, solidified their legacy in the region's musical history. ([badok.eus](https://www.badok.eus/euskal-musika/akelarre?utm_source=openai))