Ana Torroja launched her career as the lead singer of Mecano, one of Spain's most successful pop bands during the '80s and early '90s. Formed during the early years of the Spanish transition to democracy, Mecano sold over 25 million albums worldwide, with most of the band's popularity centered in Spain, Latin America, Italy, and France. When the band took a break in 1993, Torroja began laying the brickwork for a solo career, which took off toward the end of that decade. Mecano broke up for good in 1998, but Torroja kept releasing solo pop albums during the following decade and beyond. ~ Andrew Leahey