La Abuela roquera

This bust devoted to Ángeles Rodríguez Hidalgo (1900-1993), an Argentinean woman living in Spain who was famous in the popular culture of Vallecas because of her love of hard rock or heavy metal, is located on one side of the boulevard in Calle Peña Gorbea, at the Vallecas Bridge.

The realistic, life-size sculpture was made in 1994 by Carmen Jorba. Built out of granite and bronze, the figure is represented with the heavy greeting gesture: a clenched fist with the thumb, forefinger and little finger extended, which have now been mutilated as it was considered to be obscene by some neighbours. She is dressed in rock clothes: leather jacket, cap, scarf, wristband with metal spikes and studs.

The monument was promoted by several Spanish musical groups and was paid for from the money raised in a concert in the Sala Canciller, as well as contributions from the artist, Mario Scasso, a personal friend of the old lady, and the former record shop, Madrid Rock.