The 2005 exile anthem is being recorded anew as the original track draws renewed interest from Cuban activists and a younger generation of online listeners.
Rudy and Robert Sarzo, rock musicians born in Cuba, are set to collaborate with Jizzy Pearl (frontman of Love/Hate and vocalist for Quiet Riot), original vocalist Ruben Martinez, drummer Robin Diaz, and backing vocalist Claudette Lyons on a fresh take of Gianluca Zanna’s “Cuba Libre / Exilio.” Danny Saber will produce the session at Clear Lake Studios in Burbank, California, during the last week of July 2026. The song, originally penned and recorded by Zanna in 2005, has recently seen a resurgence in popularity on TikTok and other social media platforms, where Cuban activists and content creators have been sharing it, linking it to themes of exile, freedom, and hope for Cuba. This new version unites artists whose own backgrounds and family stories are deeply tied to the song’s subject.
Rudy and Robert Sarzo were born in Havana and departed Cuba with their family in 1961 as Fidel Castro’s regime solidified its grip on the nation. After arriving in the United States as children, both brothers built notable careers in rock music. Rudy Sarzo gained global recognition for his work with Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot, Whitesnake, and Dio, and was inducted into the Hall of Heavy Metal History in 2017. Robert Sarzo, also known as “The VuDu Man,” is the founding lead guitarist of Hurricane and has spent over four decades recording and touring as a professional musician. Their involvement in “Cuba Libre / Exilio” represents an uncommon collaboration that directly reflects their own experience as Cuban exiles. Rudy Sarzo will play bass on the track, while Robert Sarzo will contribute guitar. Rudy Sarzo’s fee for his performance will be entirely donated to a nonprofit organization. Jizzy Pearl will handle lead vocals on this new version. Pearl is widely recognized as the frontman of Love/Hate and currently serves as a vocalist for Quiet Riot. Ruben Martinez, who originally sang on the 2005 recording and is the son of Cuban refugees, will also rejoin the project. His participation reunites him with Zanna more than two decades after the song was first
recorded.
The original arrangement was crafted during Zanna’s early partnerships with producer and musician Simone Sello and Martinez. Zanna started collaborating with the two artists soon after relocating from Rome to the United States in 1998. Robin Diaz will play drums and percussion. Diaz has worked with acts such as Hole, P.O.D., LIVE, and Candlebox. Claudette Lyons, Zanna’s musical collaborator in the duo Luca and Claudette, will supply backing vocals. Danny Saber will serve as producer. His career encompasses production, performance, and remix credits with artists such as The Rolling Stones, U2, David Bowie, Madonna, Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper, Marilyn Manson, and Public Enemy
