Iglesias Releases “Fallaste Corazón,” His First Spanish Single in 12 Years

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Julio Iglesias is celebrating Mexico in a special way…

The 71-year-old Spanish singer-songwriter, the most successful Latin singer of all time, is planning to release a new album, Mexico – Julio Iglesias, in which he’ll interpret 12 standards from the country’s golden-era songbook.

For his first single, Iglesias offers up “Fallaste Corazón,” by the prolific Mexican songwriter Cuco Sánchez. It’s a song many icons like Rocio Durcal and Pedro Infante have interpreted.

Iglesias’ forthcoming album, due September 18, is his first Spanish-language recording in 12 years. The singer first performed in Mexico in the ‘70s, conquering the largest Spanish-speaking market and then going on to sell more than 300 million records worldwide by recording in as many as 12 languages. But, Mexico still holds a special place in his heart. In fact, this is his second tribute album to a country that was instrumental to his career, the first of which came in 1976.

“Mexico is a country that I love dearly,” said Iglesias in a statement. “The Mexican people have given me many indelible moments in my life. I know this country as if it was my homeland, and I always carry it in my soul. This record is dedicated to the outstanding composers who, generation after generation, filled our lives with love, nostalgia, memories and moments. After all these years, they remain alive in our souls.”

Carlos Named the Latin Recording Academy’s 2015 Person of the Year

Posted on June 18, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Roberto Carlos is a person of major interest this year…

The 74-year-old Brazilian singer and composer will be honored as the 2015 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year.

Carlos, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Billboard Latin Music Awards in April and is celebrating five decades of recording in Spanish, is the top-selling Brazilian and Latin American act of all time.

He’ll be honored the eve of the Latin Grammys at a star-studded tribute concert Wednesday, November18, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Proceeds from the gala will benefit the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation.

Born in in the Southern municipality of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim to a watchmaker and a seamstress, Carlos began singing and taking music lessons at an early age. At 17, he moved to Rio de Janeiro and began singing nightly in clubs, devoting himself to the rock n’ roll of the day. By the early 1960s, signed to Columbia and aided by the TV show and musical movement Jovem Guarda (Young Guard), Carlos became a teen idol and began writing with his childhood friend and former bandmate Erasmo Carlos, still his main writing partner to this day. Instead of opting for bossa nova, the sophisticated Brazilian export for which his smooth, entreating voice is particularly well-suited for, they went for romantic pop, penning some of the most enduring compositions in the Latin American songbook. Translated to Spanish and married to the subtle beauty of Carlos’ voice, they became anthems for generations of listeners to this day.

Calos recently recorded his latest album — Roberto Carlos – Primera Fila — at London’s Abbey Road Studios. The set will be released later this year.

Previous recipients of the Recording Academy Person of the Year honor include Miguel Bosé, Plácido Domingo, Gloria Estefan, Vicente Fernández, Juan Luis Guerra, Carlos Santana, Joan Manuel Serrat, Shakira, Julio Iglesias and Caetano Veloso, among others.

Iglesias to Receive Honorary Degree from Berklee College of Music

Posted on April 19, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

It’s one degree of appreciation for Julio Iglesias…

The 71-year-old Spanish singer-songwriter, one of the world’s best-selling artists of all time, will receive an honorary doctor of music degree from Berklee College of Music at the prestigious school’s commencement ceremony next month.

The recognition comes for Iglesias’ achievements and influences in music and for his enduring contributions to American and international culture, according to a press release.

Iglesias, a Grammy winner, has sold more than 300 million records worldwide in 14 languages and released more than 80 albums, with more than 2,600 gold and platinum records certified.

In April 2013, he was inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Other honorees this year include Sony Music Entertainment CEO Doug Morris, jazz drummer Harvey Mason and singer-songwriter Dee Dee Bridgewater.

Past honorary degree recipients include Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, Smokey Robinson, Steven Tyler, Loretta Lynn, David Bowie and Duke Ellington, who was the first to receive this honor in 1971.

The ceremony will be held May 9 at the campus’ Agganis Arena.

Per Berklee’s tradition, on the eve of the commencement ceremony on May 8, students will pay tribute to the honorees by performing music associated with their careers at Agganis Arena. The concert and ceremony are not open to the public.

Estefan to be Inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Gloria Estefan’s name is being added to the annals of Latin music history…

The 56-year-old Cuban singer-songwriter and seven-time Grammy Award winner has been named as a Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee.

Estefan, one of the top 100 best selling music artists with an estimated 100 million records sold worldwide, rose to acclaim as the lead singer of the Miami Sound Machine.

But the “Conga” singer, the female artist with most No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, earned critical acclaim for penning some of her biggest solo hits in English and Spanish, including “Cuts Both Ways,” “Always Tomorrow,” “Coming Out of the Dark,” “No Llores” and “Oye Mi Canto (Hear My Voice).”

Estefan also co-wrote Shakira’s hit single “Whenever, Wherever” with the Colombian superstar and Tim Mitchell and co-wrote Jennifer Lopez’s signature song “Let’s Get Loud.”

In addition to Estefan, Ricardo Arjona, Juan Luis Guerra, Panamanian composer Omar Alfanno, Spanish pop songwriter Rafael Pérez Botija and Mexican singer/songwriter Lolita de la Colina will also be honored at this year’s induction ceremony — known as La Musa Awards — taking place on October 18 at Miami Beach’s Ritz Carlton hotel.

The Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame debuted in 2013 with a black tie gala honoring well-known Latin music figures including Jose Feliciano, Julio Iglesias and composer Armando Manzanero.

Founded by songwriters and producers Desmond Child and Rudy Perez, the goal of the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame is to “honor the world’s greatest Latin songwriters and their music in every genre.”

de la Renta to Receive the Carnegie Hall Medal of Excellence

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Oscar de la Renta is being heralded for his leadership in business and philanthropy…

The 81-year-old Dominican American fashion designer has been named as the recipient of the Carnegie Hall Medal of Excellence.

de la Renta will receive the award from Carnegie Hall‘s Board of Trustees Chairman Sanford Weill at a gala benefit on April 24, 2014.

“As a beloved and dedicated trustee, Oscar has lent his creative talent to furthering Carnegie Hall’s mission since 1987. He is a true visionary who has made incomparable contributions to society and has altered countless lives around the world,” Weill said in a statement.

The award ceremony will be followed by a performance by Julio Iglesias, his first at Carnegie Hall in 25 years.

“Julio is like a brother to me. I am unbelievably honored that he will be joining me at Carnegie Hall, a place with an extraordinary soul, that for me holds a very special meaning,” said de la Renta of the gala’s lineup.

de la Renta became internationally known in the 1960s as one of the couturiers to dress Jacqueline Kennedy. His eponymous fashion house continues to dress leading figures, from film stars to royalty. He’s particularly known for his red carpet gowns and evening wear.

Buika to Perform “Besame Mucho” at the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Buika will be helping honor one of the most recognizable Spanish-language ballads of all time…

The 40-year-old Afro-Spanish singer, who earned rave reviews after performing two songs in Pedro Almódovar’s 2011 film The Skin I Live In, will perform “Besame Mucho” at the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame’s first induction gala.

Buika and an orchestra of top musicians will perform the song – which was written by the Mexican composer Consuelo Velasquez in 1940 and performed by artists including the Beatles and Frank Sinatra, in addition to a number of Latin stars – before it receives the Hall of Fame’s La Musa award.

In addition, the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame will induct Manuel Alejandro, Jose Angel “Ferrusquilla” Espinosa, Jose Feliciano, Julio Iglesias, Armando Manzanero and Concha Valdez Miranda as the first-ever songwriters to be added to the recently created hall of fame.

Additionally, Olga Guillot, Draco Rosa, Nat King Cole, Desi Arnaz, Ralph S. Peer and emerging Spanish singer/songwriter Natalia Jimenez will receive recognition for their contribution to the music industry.

Rubén Blades, Cristian Castro, Natalie Cole and Rosa are among the artists set to perform at the black tie event, celebrating the rich past and current popularity of Latin song.

The event will take place on April 23rd at the New World Center in Miami Beach during the Billboard Latin Music Conference.

Iglesias to be Inducted into Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

He’s one of the Top 5 best-selling musicians in history, having sold more than 300 million records worldwide… And now Julio Iglesias is being recognized for crafting some of the most memorable songs.

The 69-year-old Spanish singer is one of the first artists to be inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Iglesias will be joined by fellow Spanish artist Manuel Alejandro, Mexicans Jose Angel Espinoza “Ferrusquilla” and Armando Manzanero, Puerto Rican Jose Feliciano and Cuba’s Concha Valdez Miranda.

The announcement was made by the directors of the Miami-based Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame, Desmond Child and Rudy Perez, both producers and composers.

In a gallery packed with journalists and people from the music industry, Perez noted the enormous effort that had been made over the years to win the support of the existing U.S. Songwriters Hall of Fame.

The six artists incorporated into the Songwriters Hall of Fame will be honored with the La Muse prize at the gala to be held April 23 at the New World Center de Miami Beach.

Iglesias Performs with Haitian President Michel Martelly

Posted on December 29, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Julio Iglesias has performed a presidential duet during a recent benefit concert..

The 69-year-old Spanish singer performed at the Altos de Chavon Amphitheater in the eastern Dominican city of La Romana, where he shared the stage with Haitian President Michel Martelly.

Iglesias kicked off the Friday night concert with several references to relations between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, the two countries that share the Caribbean island of Hispaniola.

Iglesias’ concert was a benefit to raise money for a children’s institution presided by Haiti’s first lady, Sophia Martelly, who was there with her husband, as were the country’s Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe and Tourism Minister Stephanie Balmir Villedrouin.

Iglesias spoke French to greet Martelly, who was seated in the front row, and thanked him for joining him at the show, to which Martelly thanked Iglesias for his concert on behalf of Haitian children.

Haiti’s president connected immediately with the audience when he said he has been a singer all his life, but never imagined he would be performing once day alongside “a singer called Julio Iglesias.”

At that point Iglesias invited his illustrious companion to come onstage to do a duet of “Corazon, Corazon,” which they sang in Spanish.

Martelly displayed a clear, strong voice and several times earned applause from the audience, above all for the second song he sang with Iglesias, “To All the Girls I Loved Before,” which Iglesias made famous with Willie Nelson.

With that, the Madrid artist hugged Martelly, who left the stage waving at the audience to another resounding ovation.

The concert continued with Iglesias singing “Hey,” highlighting the admirable qualities of his friend, famous Dominican designer Oscar de la Renta, who was in the audience, as was Barbara Walters.

Iglesias Recognized as Spain’s Best-Selling Musician…

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

He’s one of Latin music’s brightest stars and one of the first to cross over into the English-language market… And, now Julio Iglesias is getting his due recognition.

During a special ceremony in his native homeland, the 68-year-old crooner was honored as the best-selling Spanish recording artist of all time in his home country, as well as the best-selling Spanish artist throughout the world.

To date, Iglesias has sold 23 million albums in Spain and more than 300 million albums worldwide, according to Sony Music.

Iglesias received his award from another of Spain’s biggest celebrities, tennis superstar Rafael Nadal. Fresh off his come-from-behind match to give Spain another Davis Cup triumph, Nadal praised his friend—the “great person” behind the famous artist—whose support he has always been able to count on “in difficult moments.”

“Julio can win the hearts of everyone in the world,” said the former World No. 1. “I believe it because, wherever I go, whether it’s Japan or the United States, sooner or later they’ll be playing one of his songs.”

Meanwhile, the Grammy-winning singer—who gave thanks to everyone who purchased his music, attended his concerts and game him their time—called the ceremony “the most important moment” of his 44-year career.

“Tomorrow I’ll think it was all a dream,” said Iglesias, who is probably best known for his hit single “To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before,” a
duet with Willie Nelson.

In a recent interview with Efe, Iglesias said he plans to continue singing, but will lead a much more secluded life by not appearing at awards
ceremonies, particularly after experiencing, he said, “such a magic moment.”

Shakira’s Person of the Year Celebration a Star-Studded Event…

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

International superstar Shakira is officially this year’s Person of the Year, an award she received from the Latin Recording Academy during a star-studded tribute event last night that included a special performance by the Colombian singer’s father.

Latin music’s brightest stars paid homage to the 34-year-old singer during the event at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay. They performed some of biggest hits, including “La Tortura” and “Estoy Aqui” during the two-hour salute to a career that has spanned decades and crossed international borders.

Shakira delightedly watched artists like Cristian Castro, Franco de Vita, Alejandra Guzman and Gilberto Santa Rosa sing her music and went on stage to hug each one after their performance.

But it was a surprise performance by Shakira’s father William Mebarak that served as the highlight of the night. Mebarak took to the stage mid-way through the event and sang “Mi Niña Bonita” to his daughter.

As Mebarak sang the father-daughter tune often heard at Latino weddings and birthday parties, pictures of him with Shakira, flashed on a screen behind him.

“Thank you, daddy, for that song,” Shakira later told her father in Spanish.

Marc Anthony later presented Shakira with her Person of the Year plaque.

“We are in the presence of one of the most special human beings, one of the most talented human beings you will ever meet,” Anthony said.

Shakira—who has sold more than 60 million albums in Spanish and English—is the youngest person to receive the prestigious award. Previous honorees include Carlos Santana, Gloria Estefan and Julio Iglesias.

“I’ll carry this night with me always,” she declared in Spanish after receiving the award. “It’s an honor that I am not sure I deserve, but you’ve made me very happy.”

She ended the night with a performance of “En Barranquilla me quedo,” a tribute to her hometown originally performed by the late Colombian salsa star Joe Arroyo. During the performance, Shakira lifted up the skirt of her sea foam-colored evening gown as she salsa danced across the stage.

It’s the second event to celebrate Shakira this week. On Tuesday, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

And she could get more recognition before the week is over. Shakira’s up for three awards, including album of the year, at this year’s Latin Grammy Awards, taking place tonight in Las Vegas.

It’s no wonder Shakira—who recently ended an international tour to promote her “Sale el Sol” album—has said that 2011 has been a “year of passion.”

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