By Juan Montoya
Every time that I passed by Rancho Vejo and saw the big clock next to Robe
rto Cantoral's home, it reminded me that he composed "El Reloj," unquestionably one of the greatest Mexican boleros ever written.
But it wasn't until I learned of the composer's passing away last Saturday in Mexico City from a heart attack that I found out that he was the composer of "El Preso Numero Nueve," a song I first heard sung by Joan Baez.
For those of us who didn't grow up with his music, it may seem surprising that the Mexican networks are making such a fuss over his passing. But the man who lived a scant miles north of Brownsville in Rancho Viejo was truly a major talent on the Mexican musical scene. Just about anybody who was anybody sang his songs. Not only Joan Baez, but Jose Jose (La Nave del Olvido, El Triste), and countless other stars sang his songs.
Every time that I passed by Rancho Vejo and saw the big clock next to Robe
rto Cantoral's home, it reminded me that he composed "El Reloj," unquestionably one of the greatest Mexican boleros ever written.But it wasn't until I learned of the composer's passing away last Saturday in Mexico City from a heart attack that I found out that he was the composer of "El Preso Numero Nueve," a song I first heard sung by Joan Baez.
For those of us who didn't grow up with his music, it may seem surprising that the Mexican networks are making such a fuss over his passing. But the man who lived a scant miles north of Brownsville in Rancho Viejo was truly a major talent on the Mexican musical scene. Just about anybody who was anybody sang his songs. Not only Joan Baez, but Jose Jose (La Nave del Olvido, El Triste), and countless other stars sang his songs.
Mexican music fans will undoubtedly recognize among those songs " La Barca, Al final, El Triste, Noche no te vayas, Regálame esta noche, Chamaca, Quijote, Te perdono, Se solicita una aventura, Vete con ella, Un poquito de pecado, Tu condena, Jamás te vi tan linda, Me quedé sin nada, Que lo decida el cielo, and Está llorando la tierra.
He was born in Ciudad Madero, in neighboring Tamaulipas 80 years ago.
He and his brother Antonio formed the duet Los Hermanos Cantoral in 1950. They co-authored El Preso Número Nueve and El Crucifijo de Piedra.
Later, as a member of the trío Los Tres Caballeros, he toured in the United States, Japan, and Argentina, among others.
Among those singing stars that have interpreted his songs are, Plácido Domingo, Joan Báez, Vikki Carr, Maisa Matarazo, José José, Emmanuel, José Feliciano, Gualberto Castro, Lila Deneken, Neil Sedaka, Alejandro Algara, Dalida, Mina, Charo, Sara Montiel, Lucho Gatica, Paul Muriatt, Antonio Prieto, Aníbal Troilo, Pocho Pérez, Chucho Ferrer, Carabelli, Frank Pourcell, El trío Los Calavera, André Kostelanetz, Richard Clayderman, Los Diamantes, Los Panchos, Raúl Di Blasio, Nina Pissi, Linda Ronstadt, Luciano Taggiolli, Pedro Vargas, Gloria Lasso, Gregorio Barrios, Marco Antonio Muñiz, Luis Miguel, René Cabel, Lucía Méndez, Olga Guillot, to name a few.
Among some f the recognitions he received were the title of Mr. Amigo, in Brownsville, Honorary citizen of the State of Texas in 1982; and the first composer inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.
The list of recognition across the world were numerous, including recognition from the United Nations and prestigious artistic academies across the world.
Among some f the recognitions he received were the title of Mr. Amigo, in Brownsville, Honorary citizen of the State of Texas in 1982; and the first composer inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.
The list of recognition across the world were numerous, including recognition from the United Nations and prestigious artistic academies across the world.
Cantoral lived among us for years before his death. It's too bad that some of us only learned of this amazing talent until he was gone.
5 comments:
I encountered him many times at the VERMILLION and at SUNRISE MALL and always surrounded with two Lovely joung Sexy and voluptuos Mucho Bueno caliente Latina Chicks....
May DON ROBERTO CANTORAL rest in Peace, My condolences to one of his daugthers The Actress and telenovela Diva ITATI CANTORAL.
This puto is a nobody, juan. You're american, right?
I grew up listening to Mr. Cantoral music mainly because my parents listened to his music. I love his music and play it at school for my students. I did see Mr. Cantoral at the Resaca Club on numerous occassions and he often surrounded by beautiful ladies. I remember how one time I was at Tony Roma eating alone and he took the time to come up to me and shake my hand. Imagine that he didn't even know me, he was such a gentleman!
Everytime I passed his house I always wanted to go inside and meet Mr. Cantoral. I admire his talent and when I heard he passed away I cried.
Rest in peace Don Roberto Cantoral and my condolences to his family.
Thank you EL RUN RUN for this article.
Thanks for the remembrance, I was aware a great impresario lived in the house with the clock in Rancho Viejo. I often wondered about him every time I passed on the highway. We have so many accomplished folks in Brownsville but hear mostly about those that fall short of exceptional.
Thanks for the contribution.
(Mucho Bueno caliente Latina Chicks...)
I agree, Dago. Mr. Cantoral was something else. And we are not the only ones who thought so. So Dago, decided to come away from your favorite place at the overpass on Price rd.? Say, would you have the name of that black dude who actually sleeps at that same spot?
Ren.
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