Billboard requires a JavaScript enabled browser to get the full experience

Rosie Vela

Live Dates

No events scheduled.

Upcoming Releases

No upcoming releases.

Reviews

No recent reviews available.
Best known for her work as a fashion model, Rosie Vela dabbled in music in the 1980s and showed much promise as a singer/songwriter, but she didn't get very far commercially. Vela was born in Galveston, TX, where she began playing the piano at the age of six and studied classical music for 11 years. Vela moved to Little Rock as a teenager, and she was a student at the University of Arkansas when she posed for some fashion shots. Those shots found their way to a New York agent; eventually, Vela ended up moving to the Big Apple and working as a professional full-time model. Although Vela's modeling kept her busy in the 1980s, she wrote and sang on the side and signed with A&M in 1986. That year, A&M released Vela's debut album, Zazu, which favored a jazzy style of pop/rock and was influenced by Joni Mitchell and Steely Dan. In fact, the album was produced by Gary Katz (who is best known for his work with Steely Dan) and employs former Steely Dan members Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. Subsequently, Vela recorded Sun Across the Alter for A&M, but commercial success as a singer/songwriter continued to elude her. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide

Previously on the Charts

View all Rosie Vela's Chart History

Adult Contemporary

29

  • 29
Rosie Vela

Magic Smile

Rosie Vela

Zazu

September 20, 1986
Getting Info

Connect with

More Features

All features

All of Billboard.com's Great Lists

Billboard chart app

Billboard archives

Thanks For Joining Billboard

Log in to create your profile, speak your mind and connect with listeners like you.

Why Join ?

Don't just hear it. Live it. Go deeper than a casual listen: Voice your feelings, build a profile around your favorite music, connect with people who share your passions and discover new ones. Sign up for free.

Complete Your Registration at Billboard.com!

Haven't Joined Yet ?

For the full Billboard experience, you need to be a member. Sign up. It's free.

Join Billboard

Forgot your password?

Enter the e-mail address you used to sign up and we will email you the password .

Email Sent !

Your password has been sent to the email address you provided. Please sign in below :

Log In

Forget your password ?

Action Successful

We'd love to hear your feedback on the new Billboard.com!

Whether it's a feature request or a bug

We want to hear from you. Please use this form to anonymously give us your input.