Armando Manzanero was “a madman in love with life,” says his son

(CNN Spanish) – To speak of maestro Armando Manzanero is to speak of one of the icons of Spanish music throughout the world.

Several generations grew up listening to his songs, and others got to know him thanks to the singer Luis Miguel and his albums “Romances” where the maestro’s songs were interpreted by “El Sol”.

CNN Pop Zone spoke with Juan Pablo Manzanero, son of the singer on a personal side of the composer and performer.

Armando Manzanero won the Latin Grammy for the album “Duetos” (Photo: Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

How to define the great teacher Armando Manzanero?

“I define my father as a great Mexican musician who had the opportunity in the southeast of our country where this wave of Cuban music comes from, this whole school of romanticism and bolero. My father learned to play classical music at the conservatory at He is 16 years old, and he goes to Mexico City to try his fortune with 600 pesos from that time and without knowing anyone, “says the son of the teacher Manzanero, Juan Pablo Manzanero.

He adds that his father crossed borders: “The greatness of my father as an artist is to have managed, not only with his enormous talent, to have managed to leave a very small city, from a faience house, barefoot and speaking Mayan and to be able to cross borders and be known all over the world. “

Pop Zone
Almost a year after his death, and looking back at his life, how can we not forget about him?

Juan Pablo Manzanero
“It is very difficult to forget a person who sowed so much love, regardless of the artist, he was a great character, very witty and funny. He was a madman in love with life, with a great passion for cooking. Above all, he loved to congregate the people he loved and the best teaching he gave us is that every day is worked and enjoyed as if it were the first day of your life. “

ZP
What was your favorite song and why?

Juan Pablo Manzanero
“My father’s favorite song was ‘The day you love me’ by the master composer Carlos Gardel. With that he fell in love for the first time and with that song he wanted to be a composer and he always had it very present in his life”.

“We are boyfriends”, “This afternoon I saw it rain”, “With you I learned” and “I adore”, are some of the best-known themes of maestro Manzanero.

Armando Manzanero: memories of his last concert

On Saturday, October 16, you will be able to enjoy the concert “Una vida: Armando Manzanero from Chichén Itzá”, the last great tribute paid to the respected Yucatecan composer in life.

Great artists such as Álex Lora, Carlos Rivera, Gaby Moreno, Juan Pablo Manzanero, Paquito D’Rivera, María Medina and Tania Libertad participated in the concert, with a great stage such as the archaeological zone of Chichén Itzá.

“This concert that took place in the Chichén Itzá area is very special in each of its areas. With the performances of all the invited artists and the love that was given to my father. And the most important thing is that a Mayan has stepped on such an important stage. My father was up to the task and very excited about this last concert he gave, “says Juan Pablo.

All the performers are accompanied by the Yukalpetén Typical Orchestra and among the songs that were performed that night, are “Somos Novios”, “Nada Personal”, “This afternoon I saw it rain”, “No” and “We needed time”. between many more

The appointment is Saturday, October 16 at 8 PM (Mexico City time), on the platform of Cinépolis Klic.