Julio Iglesias’ story began at the age of 20 as a good soccer player, but he had a tragic car accident that left him semi-paralyzed for a year and a half. I had no hope of being able to walk again. The nurse who cared for him gave him a guitar and Julio spent hours listening to the radio and writing poetry. This is how he learned to play this instrument.
After his recovery, he traveled to London to continue his English studies. There he sang popular songs of the time in the Air Port Pub. It was then that he met Gwendolyne, his girlfriend, and later he gave this name to one of the musical hits that made him famous.
One day he brought his first song to a record company for a famous artist to sing, but when the manager of the place heard it, he invited him to perform it. In 1968 he performed at the Benidor music festival and won with the song “Life continue the same”.
Julio Iglesias has currently sold almost 300 million records and the Guinness Book of Records gave him the world record as the Latin American artist who has sold the most records worldwide.
His fame goes beyond borders and international media have highlighted that he will soon be 80 years old and have also remembered his most famous songs such as “Hey, Me va, me va” or “Soy un truhán, soy un Señor”. .
The exact date of his birthday party will be next Saturday, September 23rd. Only a few days before, on the 17th, he learned of the death of his friend, the singer and also an announcer Pepe Domingo Castano.
J.Ulio Iglesias and he met In 1968 in a radio booth, the friendship grew ever since. Castaño also helped him improve some of his songs. Recently, whenever rumors arose about the artist’s health, it was Castaño who clarified the situation.
After learning of the death, Julio Iglesias shared a message on his social networks: “My dearest Pepe, You left without a goodbye that left my soul in suspense. You know that I can never forget you. “My dearest friend, we will meet again in eternity.”
My dearest Pepe,
You left without a goodbye that left my soul in suspense. You know that I can never forget you.
My dearest friend, we will meet again in eternity. pic.twitter.com/B61IC8DIll– JULIO IGLESIAS (@JulioIglesias) September 17, 2023
More from the artist
In 2016, he canceled a tour that began in Punta del Este, Uruguay and ended in New Zealand, due to the aftermath of the traffic accident in his youth. The famous cardiologist Valentín Fuster then prescribed him some pills that he always carries with him and that he assures are “his salvation.”
However, alarms were raised in August 2020 when shocking images of him emerged showing him having significant difficulty walking while being supported by two nurses.
The singer then had to explain that he had suffered a stupid fall in his Punta Cana villa where he was staying during the pandemic, but never performed again.
Memories
Admired, sometimes criticized, his legend on the five continents was built on the basis of endless speculation, which will be further explained in the memoirs that he writes from his home in the Bahamas.
The aforementioned rivalry with his son Enrique will be one of the most anticipated chapters. Few understand that as the two Spanish singers who have sold the most albums in the United States, they did not work together at some point in their careers.
Familial intimacies aside, the anecdotes of the man who can boast of having appeared before the world’s most powerful leaders are also promising.
A special for Guatemala
The artist occasionally visited Guatemala. One of the last concerts he gave in Guatemala was in 2013.
The singer Julio Iglesias in Cayalá, 2013. (Photo Prensa Libre: Hemeroteca PL)
In 1976 it was a different arrival, the country was devastated by the earthquake, so he recorded a documentary here. Musical video clips by the Spanish singer alternate with performances by Alicia Juárez, Tanya Zea and the National Folkloric Ballet of Guatemala.
This nearly hour-long special is available online at this link. We also share some minutes published by Relatos GT.
Stand out in your life
- 1970
He broke records in Spain, where he gave 41 concerts in 41 cities over 30 days. - 1976
He performed for the first time at New York’s legendary Madison Square Garden, where he set a box office record by selling out tickets. - 1977
He broke the attendance record in Chile, gathering more than 100,000 people at his concert organized in the nation-state of Santiago. - 1982
Her album “From Girl to Woman” broke a record in Japan, selling more than a million copies. - 1983
It became part of the Guinness Book of Records because it sold more records in more languages. - 1988
He was the first international artist to host a live television broadcast on Chinese state television in front of thousands of viewers. - 1995
He was the only foreign artist to officially sell more albums in China. This year, with his album La Carretera, he became the first Spanish artist to receive a platinum record in a single day of sales. - 2009
In June he returned to Las Vegas after two years. He sang at the Las Vegas Hilton and the venue was sold out two months earlier, with organizers allowing standing room only tickets. - 2016
He receives an award in South Africa for selling 500,000 records, making him one of only three artists in the world to receive this award.