Marta began her musical career with the band "Cristal Oskuro," but shortly after she was discovered by Tino Azores, a sound technician for the popular pop/rock group Olé Olé. In 1985, Marta became the lead singer of Olé Olé, which catapulted her to fame and made her one of the biggest sex symbols of the 1980s in Spain, during a time when the country was easing the traditional rigid moral values of Catholicism. Her nude photographs in the Interviu glossy magazine marked a whole generation of teenagers.
Marta in concert.
Her first hit with Olé-Olé was Lilli Marlen, a Spanish adaptation of the popular World War II German love song. Other hits like Bailando Sin Salir de Casa and Con Sólo Una Mirada followed with the group. She remained with the band until 1991. She then decided to pursue a solo career.
In 1993, Marta released her debut solo album, Mujer. Her first single, Desesperada, was released both in Spain and Latin America. Mujer 's 2nd single, Tal Vez was provided by Thomas Anders (of Modern Talking fame) but it was the 3rd single, De Mujer a Mujer which would establish her as a household name all over Latin America and also as a Gay Icon. Following this successful debut album, Marta released Mujer 's English version titled Woman, being one of the first Latin artists to do the English "Crossover". Marta's second album as a solo artist, Mí Mundo, was released in 1995 with worldwide hits like Dime La Verdad followed by Arena Y Sol, & La Belleza. Also for her huge success with Mi Mundo Marta once again released her second album in English titled "My World". In 1996, Marta recorded Obsession, a song for the movie Curdled produced by Quentin Tarantino. Her third solo album, Azabache, was released in 1997 with the collaboration of Slash from Guns N' Roses and Nile Rodgers. The first single, Moja Mi Corazon reached # 1 in Spains's pop airplay in 1997.
Marta in her tour 2007.
In 1997 she recorded the successful duet song Vivo Por Ella with Andrea Bocelli which brought her again another hit in all Latin America. Marta released her 4th album, Desconocida in 1998 which includes the hits Desconocida, Quiero Mas De Ti and Los Mejores Anos de Nuesta Vida. In 2000 she lead the musical La Magia de Broadway. Her fifth album, Soy Yo, was released in 2002 and was certified Double Platinum in Spain as it sold more than 200,000 units. In 2004, she released "Lo Mejor de Marta Sánchez" a greatest hits compilation with 3 new songs, "Profundo Valor", "Caradura". The compilation also included updated versions (with new recorded vocals) of Desesperada & Soldados del Amor (from her Olé Olé days) produced by Carlos Jean. In 2005, she launched her first live album titled "Gira 2005: La Coruna En Directo" which was released on CD and DVD.
April 2007 saw the release of Superstar, the lead single from Miss Sanchez, her first studio album since Soy Yo, the song became an instant hit reaching the top positions on airplay and digital sales charts in Spain. The album, produced by Carlos Jean, debuted at #3 on physical cd sales and at #1 on digital sales, is Marta's most successful album in Spain in terms of charting and was certified with Gold status. Instead of releasing the fan-favorite Si me cambias los recuerdos (a powerful duet with Alaska) or the more radio friendly Reina de la radio as the second single, Marta choose the disco-influenced Levantate, which became a minor hit in Spain, overshadowed with Superstar enduring popularity. Due to Miss Sanchez's success, Marta was choosen as Europride 2007's godmother and the album was awarded as the Spanish album of the year at the 2007 Shangay Awards. The duet with Alaska was planed as the third single but the ballad Desafinados was released instead. September 25 2007 is the US release of her new cd titled "Miss Sanchez" and a promotional tour is rumored to support the sales.