María Socorro García de la Noceda (born June 30, 1955) is also known as Lunna. She is a Puerto Rican singer who performs popular music and jazz. Lunna was the director of the television show Objetivo Fama, which is the Latin version of the American television show American Idol.

Early years

Lunna was born and raised by both of her parents in Ponce, Puerto Rico. She learned to play the guitar while in elementary school. In 1972, her mother enrolled her in private singing lessons. In the 1960s, while in high school, she began singing under the name "Soqui," which was short for her middle name, Socorro.

In 1978, Lunna tried out for and was chosen to join a group called Allegro 72, a popular group in their area that included singer Tito Lara and Luis Antonio Cosme. In addition to singing with Allegro 72, she also worked on radio and television commercials. Lunna later left the group to sing on her own. Her agent suggested she change her stage name, which became "Lunna."

She met and began a romantic relationship with Charlie Robles, a Puerto Rican rock and roll teen idol. Their relationship was widely covered in Puerto Rico, and they soon married. Sockey and Charlie had a daughter named Lisa Marie. However, their marriage faced difficulties, and they eventually divorced.

Singing career

Lunna represented Puerto Rico at the OTI Festival in 1982 with the song "Sin tu música." Her fame increased in Puerto Rico, but her career paused due to personal reasons. After four years away from music, Glenn Monroig, another singer, encouraged her to return. Together, they recorded the album A Todo Dar (Everything Gives), the first album in Puerto Rico made using digital technology. The album was later renamed Motivos (Motives) and produced by Ángel "Cucco" Peña. It became a popular hit in Puerto Rico. One of the songs on the album was "Yo Perdí" (I Lost), which was made into a music video filmed in 35 mm.

In 1987, Lunna signed with A&M Records and recorded successful songs, including "No Digas Nada" (Don't Say Anything), "Ni Princesa, Ni Esclava" (Nor Princess, Nor Slave), and "Fugitivo Amante" (Fugitive Lover). That same year, she was nominated for a Grammy Award. In 1988 and 1989, Lunna had more popular songs, such as "Soledad" (Loneliness), "Quien No Ha Sentido…" (Who Hasn't Felt…), and "Cómo Ser Amantes" (How to Be Lovers), which was written by Michael Bolton.

In 1992, Lunna reunited with Glenn Monroig to record the album Yo Que Te Adoré (I, Who Have Adored You). In 2003, Lunna recorded Lunna de Bohemia, which included many classical boleros. That same year, she faced a personal tragedy when her son passed away. Lunna, who enjoys jazz music, participated in events such as the "Heineken Jazz Jam Session" and the "Tropical Night at the Seaport."

Personal life

Lunna was married to Puerto Rican singer Charlie Robles. Together, they had a daughter named Lisa Marie Robles. In 1983, Lunna married Ángel "Cucco" Peña. They had three children together: Gabriel, Juan, and Ángel. The couple later divorced. Her son, Juan Sebastián Peña, died in a traffic accident. Lunna almost died during the birth of her youngest child, Ángel Agustín Peña. The baby was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck.

Recognitions and awards

Lunna has received many awards and recognitions, including the following:

• Represented Puerto Rico in the OTI Festival (1981)
• Received the Paoli Best New Artist Award (1986) and (1993)
• Won the Diplo Female Sensation of the Year Award (1986)
• Received the El Vocero Performer of the Year Award (1986)
• Won the Paoli Performer of the Year Award (1987)
• Received the Collage Night Club Best Show of the Year Award (1987)
• Won the Bravo Awards Miami Performer of the Year Award (1987)
• Received a GRAMMY Nomination for Best Latin Performance (1988)
• Won the Dominican Republic Performer of the Year Award (1988)
• Received the Agüeybaná de Oro – Performer of the Year Award (1988)
• Won the Super Q Miami Performer of the Year and Best Song of the Year Awards (1989)
• Received a special recognition from the Massachusetts House of Representatives (1990)
• Won the El Encanto de la Isla Award (1993)
• Received the Radio WNNW Boston Performer of the Year Award (1993)
• Named the Official Godmother of the Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York (1994)
• Received a special recognition from the Puerto Rican Camara of Representatives (1994)
• Won the J.C. Penney Beauty Luminary Award (1994)
• Served as a special guest for "Banda de Puerto Rico" in Spain (2000)
• Participated as a special guest in the "Concierto Paz por la Paz" (Peace Concert) (2002)
• Received a special recognition from the Senate of Puerto Rico (2004)

Civic participation

Luna is involved in several organizations as a member of the public. These include the American Cancer Society, Puerto Rico Easter Seals, the Say "No" to Drugs campaign, the Pediatric AIDS Center, and the National Hispanic Scholarship Fund. She is also a member of "La Damas Cívica de Puerto Rico" (The Civic Ladies of Puerto Rico). Luna was the director of the television show Objetivo Fama, which was the Latin version of American Idol. She studied classical singing and musical composition at the Music Conservatory of Puerto Rico, where she earned a B.A. in Business Administration.

Discography

• Reflejos (1982)
• A Todo Dar (1985)
• Motivos (1986)
• Lunna (1987)
• Seré Tuya Esta Noche (1989)
• Ventanas (1990)
• Yo Que Te Adoré (1992)
• Formas De Amarte (1997)
• Lunna Bohemia (2003)
• Interpreta las canciones de Yolanda Fernández Sanz (2010)
• Caminas Conmigo (2023)

Alternate Music Collection:

• Allegro – 1978
• Te Canto Navidad – Triste Navidad – 1991
• 14 Súper Estrellas – 14 hits – 1991
• Viva Puerto Rico – 1993
• Si Me Miras a Los Ojos – Tony Vega – 1994
• Ricardo Montaner y Amigos – 1994
• Voces de Puerto Rico – "Barrunto" – 1994
• Un Pueblo que Canta (Banco Popular de Puerto Rico) – 1993
• El Espíritu de un Pueblo (Banco Popular de Puerto Rico) – 1994
• Déjame Intentarlo – Johnny Rivera – 1996
• Free to Be, Vol. 6 "Un Amor como el mío", "The Right Stuff" – 1997
• Temptation – Brenda K. Starr – 2002
• Ocho Puertas *(Banco Popular de Puerto Rico) – 2003

• "No Juegues mas" with Glenn Monroig – 1981
• "Tiempo de vivir" with Fernando Allente 1985
• "Amor de que" 1988
• "Mi Hombre" 1988
• "Que nos paso" (version Telenovela Karina Montaner, 1989)
• "El Tambolirero" BPP, El Espiritu de un pueblo, 1994
• "La tierruca" (BPP, El Espiritu de un pueblo, 1994)
• "Funny Valentine", CD, Humberto Ramirez, 1996
• "El Ciclo de la vida", CD Silverio Perez Frist Bank, 2003)
• "Fuerza Interior", version Objetivo Fama, 2004
• "Cuando Regreses" CD Sandy Silva, 2015
• "Tu Voluntad" (Christian song, 2020)
• "El Alfarero" (Christian song, 2020)