Vince de la Cruz

Vince de la Cruz is a Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer who has been in the music business since 1977. He is best known as a founding member of the band Katrina and the Waves, who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1997 with their hit single "Walking on Sunshine."

De la Cruz was born in New York City to a Filipino father and a Puerto Rican mother. He began playing guitar at the age of 12 and soon became proficient in other instruments as well, including bass, drums, and keyboards. In 1977, he met Kimberley Rew and John Edwards, who would later become his bandmates in Katrina and the Waves.

The band released their debut album, "Walking on Sunshine," in 1983. The album was a commercial success, spawning the hit singles "Walking on Sunshine" and "Do You Want Crying?" Katrina and the Waves continued to release albums and tour throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and they remained a popular live act until their breakup in 1999.

In addition to his work with Katrina and the Waves, De la Cruz has also pursued a solo career. He has released three solo albums, "Vince de la Cruz" (1995), "The Power of Groove" (1997), and "Vince de la Cruz Live" (2000). He has also written songs for other artists, including The Beach Boys, Don Henley, and Fleetwood Mac.