Romance song master Armando Manzanero has more music to give
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Armando Manzanero still has music to give. At 84, the Mexican master of romantic music, who has penned Spanish classics such as “Somos Novios” and “Contigo Aprendí”, is still working the tunes on his piano.
When answering the phone for an interview about the Lifetime Achievement Award he’ll receive at the Latin Billboard Awards on Wednesday, he was in the middle of a recording session.
“Everything I say and I compose, or feel, I record so it doesn’t get lost,” he said. “The only thing I have to hope for, if God still gives me time, is for some artist to record a couple songs.”
“Until three or four years ago, I had that drive to pursue the singers at any cost,” he said. “But time has also taught me that that is not right, is not fair. I am a man who has worked hard, who has fought every step of the way. I started from the bottom up, not the other way around.” Manzanero has written over 400 songs, including also “Adoro,” “Voy a Apagar la Luz” and “Esta Tarde Vi llover”. Raphael, Tony Bennett, Diego “El Cigala” and Elis Regina are among the artists who have recorded his music.
In 2014 he became the first Mexican to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy, which bestows the Grammy Awards. The Latin Grammy-winner was also celebrated for his career in 2010 by the Latin Recording Academy.
In the interview with The Associated Press, Manzanero looked back at times when he had to fight for his music, the great stars he has produced and some inti
mate details about his family life. The answers have been translated from Spanish and edited for clarity and brevity.
AP: You are receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Latin Billboards. What does this represent to you?
MANZANERO: It’s an award for all the time I spent fighting and struggling, fighting and succeeding at all costs in such a beautiful and difficult business as is music.
AP: What are some of your proudest moments in your career?
MANZANERO: I am the proudest about still having to sing “Adoro,” “Somos Novios,” “Por Debajo de la Mesa” when I go out to work. And it turns out that, when a new artist comes out ... when I see young people recording my music or someone like Sebastián Yatra wanting to work with me, I feel very satisfied. The songs I made 50 or 60 years ago are still alive. Even flowers don’t last that long.
AP: You have not only succeeded as a composer. As a producer, you have worked with artists like Luis Miguel and Angélica María. What do you like the most about that side?
MANZANERO: When you talk about Angélica María, you are talking about an eternal character. Who would have imagined that an unknown 23-year-old man, a mere pianist and composer, was going to look reach for a lady like Angélica María, who was then a girl, and that she would listen to him and take him into account and recorded “Eddy Eddy” and “Paso a Pasito”? My friendship with her is eternal, full of gratitude and memories of my beautiful beginnings.