“La humildad es lo que hace a uno grande.” ["Humility is what makes a person great."] — Ramiro Saavedra quoting David Pirner, the lead singer of the American alternative rock band Soul Asylum.
My husband Roy got the chance to meet and take a photo with Ramiro Saavedra, the Peruvian Kurt Cobain!
With their bus stuck in snow in Ticlio (at a higher altitude than Huancayo at over 4,800 meters) on the way up, Ramiro was hit the worst with altitude sickness — he didn’t arrive in time for the press conference and spent the hours before the concert with his head in his hands. Nevertheless, Ramiro was the star of the show and when he was on stage, he didn’t show even a glimpse of being under the weather.
On one of the coldest nights out in Huancayo, Ramiro showed his fans in Huancayo his appreciation by providing a more intimate experience with just his voice and his guitar. He talked to his audience as if they were old friends, sharing anecdotes about his life and encouraging questions.
A large part of his draw is his humility and this couldn’t have been more apparent in his concert. In the video below, he shares advice he learned from Soul Asylum’s Dave Pirner. You’ll also find his rendition of Soul Asylum’s “Runaway Train” and Nirvana’s “Come As You Are.”
One singer and imitator, who shall remain unnamed, came as part of the “Yo Soy” Peru group; he was the first to sing at the concert and the first to be forgotten. He wore designer sunglasses all evening and was the only singer out of the group of 7 that had a marketing team following him around, handing out posters of him. Ramiro didn’t have all that; he exudes the opposite of flashiness and he is the one who will be remembered.
How has humility played a role in your life lately?
