Armando Manzanero

From Ticul, Yucatán, a voice emerged that knew how to weave melodies that resonated in the hearts of millions. Armando Manzanero, a name synonymous with romanticism in Spanish-speaking music, not only composed but lived music from a very young age. His first steps in musical learning began at the age of eight at the Fine Arts school in his hometown, a training he would later complete in Mexico City. By 1950, he had already shaped his first creation, "Nunca en el mundo," marking the beginning of a prolific career that would lead him to become a professional pianist the following year and, six years later, musical director at CBS International. His talent was soon recognized at festivals; in 1962, he secured a place in the First Song Festival in Mexico, and in 1965, he won first place at the Miami Song Festival with "Cuando estoy contigo." The romanticism that would define his style became evident from his first album, Mi primera grabación, released in 1967, where he showcased his own compositions.

Manzanero's ability to create songs that transcended borders was demonstrated when, in 1970, his song "Somos novios" was adapted into English by Sid Wayne, a composer for Elvis Presley, under the title "It's impossible." This version, performed by Perry Como, was nominated for a Grammy, although the story behind its creation and the legal dispute Manzanero faced years later, as recounted by Wilbert Alonzo Cabrera, underscores the originality of his work. His talent for composition continued to reap successes at festivals, such as first place at the Mallorca Festival in 1978 with "Señor amor" and recognition for "Corazón amigo" at the Yamaha Festival in 1982. Beyond his role as a performer and composer, his work as a producer also left its mark, notably his work on Luis Miguel's album Romance in 1991, which included his own pieces like "Te extraño" and "No sé tú."