Armando Manzanero Canché, a Mexican singer and songwriter, died Monday morning at the age of 85 in Mexico City, according to several Mexican media, such as Milenio.
Manzanero died Monday at 3:18 a.m. Mexico time from a cardiopulmonary arrest. According to the instructions left by the singer, there will be no burial and his body will be cremated.
The artist had recently been hospitalized after giving positive results at COVID-19, the Society of Authors and Composers of Mexico reported on Thursday. The news of the composer’s death was also confirmed by a tribute offered by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador during his regular meeting with the press.
The famous Mexican artist was born on December 7, 1935 in the city of Mérida, in the state of Yucatán, the birthplace of many composers.
Manzanero was in music from birth. The son of one of the founding musicians of the Typica Yucalpetén orchestra, he began studying at the School of Fine Arts in Mérida at the age of eight.
He became a professional musician in 1957, initially as a pianist. He accompanied famous performers such as Lucho Gatica, Pedro Vargas, Luis Demetrio, Daniel Riolobos, José José, Carmela and Rafael, among others.
At age 86, he lost the battle against the virus.
In the same year, as a promoter of music publisher EMMI and music director of CBS International, today SONY began as a music producer.
Manzaner has written over 600 songs, many of which have reached international fame and continue to be enjoyed by all generations. “I don’t know you” and “Nothing personal”, for example, demonstrate the quality of a master of harmonies. “We Are Boyfriends” was translated into English by the famous composer Elvis Presley.
His songs have been performed by international artists such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennet, Elvis Presley, Frank Pourcel, Paul Muriat, Ray Conniff and Andrea Bocelli.
The singer has just turned 86 years old.
His motto “The best language for love is songs” is felt in each of his compositions, which, no doubt, at least one of them is always part of the most romantic serenades.
Considered one of the greatest exponents of Latin music and modern bolero, Manzanero has always been out of scandals, except in 2005 when his fourth wife, Olga Leticia Aradillas Lara, accused him of physical and emotional abuse. The singer-songwriter obtained the divorce decree in his favor, after it was proved that the accusations were false.
Manzanero, was married four times, his wives were María Elena Arjona, María Teresa Papiol, Olga Aradillas and his current wife Laura Elena Villa. He had seven children, Martha, Marinca, María Elena, Armando, Diego, Juan Pablo and Rodrigo.
His genuine and responsible personality led him to serve as vice president of the board of directors of the Society of Authors and Composers of Mexico and chairman of the board of directors of the Society of Authors and Composers of Mexico.
An earlier version of the story said he died at the age of 86, but according to government sources, he was 85 at the time of his death.