The main soloists of Buena Vista Social Club included singer Ibrahim Ferrer, singer and guitarist Compay Segundo, singer Omara Portuondo, pianist Ruben Gonzalez, singer and guitarist Eliades Ochoa and guitarist Ry Cooder, who was also responsible for the production of the album.

The success of the original album made the artists stars and showed the world Cuba's rich musical heritage. In Germany, it reached number one in the charts.