ArmandoManzanero still master of romantic music
MEXICO CITY— ArmandoManzanero still has music to give. At 84, theMexican master of romantic music, who has penned Spanish classics such as “SomosNovios” and “Contigo Aprendi” is stillworking the tunes on his piano.
When answering the phone for an interview about the Lifetime Achievement Award he received recently at the Latin Billboard Awards, 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 aman who has worked hard, who has fought every step of the way. I started fromthe 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 firstMexican to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award fromthe Recording Academy, which bestows the Grammy Awards. The Latin Grammy winnerwas also celebrated for his career in 2010 by the Latin Recording Academy.
In the interview, Manzanero looked back at times when he had to fight for his music, the great stars he has produced and some intimate details about his family life. The
answers have been translated fromSpanish and edited for clarity and brevity.
Q: What are some of your proudest moments in your career?
A: I amthe proudest about still having to sing “Adoro,” “SomosNovios,” “Por Debajo de laMesa” when I go out towork. And it turns out that, when a new artist comes out when I see young people recordingmy music or someone like Sebastian Yatrawanting 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.
Q: You have not only succeeded as a composer. As a producer, you haveworked with artists like Luis Miguel and AngelicaMaria. What do you like the most about that side?
A: When you talk about AngelicaMaria, you are talking about an eternal character. Whowould have imagined that an unknown 23-year-old man, a mere pianist and composer, was going to reach a lady like Angelica
Maria, whowas then a girl, and that shewould 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. With Luis Miguelwe can say that I closed that side as a producer. His (bolero albums) “Romances” are among theworks that left me the best feeling, and also the best benefit, as a composer. I feel very proud of having done all that.
Q: The romantic song is enormous inMexico. Howdo you feel as a champion of this musical genre that has had a global impact?
A: I carry the flag of the best music in theworld, the most beautiful music, and I amnot the one who created it. Someone like Juventino Rosas did with hiswaltz “Sobre las Olas,” someone like Lorenzo Barcelata with his song “Maria Elena,” someone like Mrs. Consuelo Velazquez with the most sung song in theworld, “BesameMucho.” I champion all that great music thatweMexicans have.