Camilo Sesto

This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Blanes and the second or maternal family name is Cortés.
Camilo Sesto
Birth name Camilo Blanes Cortés
Born (1946-09-16) 16 September 1946
Alcoy, Alicante, Spain
Origin Alcoy
Genres Latin pop, Latin ballad
Occupation(s) Singer, producer, composer
Website Official site

Camilo Sesto is the stage name of Camilo Blanes Cortés (born 16 September 1946). He is one of the most famous singers from Spain. He is also a songwriter, a music producer and composer of romantic pop and rock ballads in the Latino genre.[1] Sesto sang in two pop bands during the 1960s and won a contest in a Madrid TV show. He played a part in the Spanish filming of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Later, he teamed up with singer and producer Juan Pardo, but success would come on its own accord, with his own music works.Camilo Sesto has sold over 175 million albums worldwide, excluding sales of all artists who helped and produced.

As a composer he has written songs for artists such as Miguel Bosé, Lucía Méndez, Charytín Goyco and José José, among others.[2][3] Camilo produced and translated the lyrics to Spanish, of an album from the popular Australian band Air Supply. Throughout his career he remained as one of the most influential pioneer artists of rock/ballad in Spanish, that would inspire many newer acts in the Latino music world.[4][5]

Career

The Mid sixties marked the beginning of Sesto's career. After editing his first record - with his band Los Dayson, in 1965 they traveled to Madrid to appear on TVE's Salto a la Fama. In 1966, Sesto joined another band, Los Botines. In 1967 the band appeared in the film El flautista de Hamelín. In 1970, Sesto recorded various singles like: "Llegará el Verano" y "Sin Dirección", with the artistic name "Camilo Sexto". He became his own producer and other artist's. His solo career started in 1970 and in the same year he won the "Revelación" price, at the "Olés de la Canción" festival.[6]

In 1971 and under his artistic name "Camilo Sesto" (with "s" not "x"), he appeared on Spanish TV's program "Buenas Noches" singing "Algo de Mí" (his first No.1 record). Algo de Mi reached the Number 1 slot in Spain and most of the Spanish speaking world, and it maintained that top position for a whole year in most of Latin-America. In 1972, Sesto received his first "Disco de Oro" ("Gold Record") award. That same year, he released the LP "Solo un Hombre" with songs like: Amor... Amar, Fresa Salvaje, Como Cada Noche, Con Razón o Sin Razón y To Be a Man (for which he was nominated for the best foreign song award). In 1974 his success as a pop singer continued with record sales escalating rapidly. His concerts took him round the world with such songs as "¿Quieres ser mi amante?", "Llueve sobre mojado", "Ayudadme", "Isabel", "Déjame participar en tu juego" and "Madre". He received further "Discos de Oro" for record sales.

On 6 November 1975, Sesto starred in the role of Jesus on the Spanish version/adaptation by Jaime Azpilicueta of the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar at the Alcalá-Palace Theatre in Madrid (Spain).[7] The production was very costly[8] as he financed it entirely.[9] His work was a success and received excellent criticism. The public filled the theatre and shows were extended to four months.[10] Both in terms of interpretation and musically speaking, Sesto's show was considered of great quality. Andrew Lloyd Webber admitted that this was the only production that could equal the original American version.[11]

After successfully starring in the Spanish version of "Jesus Christ Superstar", Sesto continued gaining fame as a singer and composer. Year after year, he had reached the top of the charts all over America, Latin America and in Spain, with songs like Algo De Mí (Something in me) (1971–72), Amor... Amar (Love.. to love) (1972), Melina (1975), a song about Melina Mercouri, ¿Quieres ser mi amante? (Do you want to be my lover?) (1974), Jamás (Never) (1975), El Amor de mi Vida (The Love of my Life ) (1978), Perdóname (song) (Forgive me) (1981), the latter being his most successful hit, among others being Donde estés, con quien estés, Amor de mujer (1984) and the classic "Amor Mío, ¿Qué Me Has Hecho?" (My love, what have you done to me?) (1991), number one in the Billboard magazine on November 1991,[12][13] plus several other hits around the world.

He survived a liver transplant, in 2003 and managed to make a successful comeback with his album Alma, surprising the audience with the song "Mola mazo" ("It rules") in an exercise of self-assertion. The Alma CD includes some songs in English: Selections from The Phantom of the Opera and a duet with Andrea Bronston. Sesto returned to the stage in 2004 at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival in Chile. Sesto won many awards at Viña del Mar in 2004.[14] His last musical work was the singing of Bujalance's football team's hymn.[15][16]

In 2008, Camilo announced his retirement from the studio, and in September 2009 he announced that he would go on a farewell tour. He would tour the Americas (U.S., Mexico, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, and other countries) for the next two years. In October 2010, he gave his last two concerts in Madrid, which were released as his first "live" (and also last) album. A live DVD called "Todo de Mí" recorded in Madrid, was released around the same time.[17]

In 2011, he was awarded the "Highest Hispanic Pride" medal in Las Vegas,.U.S. That day was proclaimed Camilo Sesto's Day in Nevada.[18][19][20]

Controversies

Sometime around 2011 there were rumors of another Sesto "farewell tour", that some news mediums called "La Gira del Adiós".[21] Allegedly, tour dates were made, radio stations spoke about it, tickets were sold, etc. There were many convincing ads in local newspapers, and magazines. However, Camilo later communicated that this was nothing but a "hoax" to get people to buy fake tickets for a tour that he himself was not even aware of. Unfortunately, by this time it was already too late, irreparable damage had been done. Many radio stations and music mediums threatened to take legal action against the singer, if he would not "meet with the responsibility" for the already horrible situation. Camilo was once again forced to come back into the media, television, etc. but not to perform, but to try to clear his name. The courts went in favor of some institutions that eventually did sue.[22][23] Sesto eventually did perform on Television a handful of times after that.[24]

Legacy

During the 1970s and 1980s Sesto created many hit songs and a great fortune, and almost every song came from his sole inspiration, being the author, interpreter, composer, and producer of all of his works.[25]

Most of Camilo's works are in Castilian Spanish, but he has also recorded songs in English Catalan, Valencian, Italian and Portuguese as well. Camilo has released at least one album in English,[26] and some of his classic songs have been translated to languages such as Portuguese, German and Italian and covered respectively by many celebrities.[27] With a frenetic activity level in the 1970s and 1980s, he remains one of the artists with the most number 1 hits (totaling 52).[28] His number of "top 40" list-songs being 18 and Camilo Sesto has sold over 175 million albums worldwide, excluding sales of all artists who helped and produced.

Influences

Sesto stated to Jaime Baily that his largest influences among English-speaking acts were The Beatles, particularly Paul McCartney.[29]

Discography

He also has published several collections of hits, including some double CD, which have had record sales.[31][32][33]

References

  1. ↑ "Camilo Sesto: Life on top of the charts". Being Latino. 18 May 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  2. ↑ "Canciones Compuestas por Camilo Blanes". Hispanopolis. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  3. ↑ "CAMILO SESTO". camilosesto-sinuhe@blogspot. 31 March 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  4. ↑ Video on YouTube
  5. ↑ "Sergio Fachelli habla de Camilo Sesto". Carep Musica. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  6. ↑ "Camilo Sesto: Trabajo". Prezi. 2 December 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  7. ↑ Video on YouTube
  8. ↑ "Biografía de Camilo Sesto". Radio Pasion Ecuador: Grandes Biografias. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  9. ↑ "Jesucristo Superstar". lafonoteca. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  10. ↑ "Camilo Sesto: Biografia". CMTV. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  11. ↑ "Jesus Christ Superstar". El Portal del METAL. 28 November 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  12. ↑ "Hot Latin Songs". Billboard. 2 November 1991. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  13. ↑ "Hot Latin Songs". Billboard. 23 November 1991. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  14. ↑ "Acapara Camilo Sesto premios en Viña del mar". Orizaba En Red. 20 February 2004. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  15. ↑ Video on YouTube
  16. ↑ "Camilo Sesto canta a Bujalance". Camilo Sesto's Official Site. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  17. ↑ "Las razones de Camilo Sesto". Efe Eme. 30 September 2010. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  18. ↑ "Proclaman "Día de Camilo Sesto"". San Diego Red. 27 May 2011. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  19. ↑ "CAMILO SESTO". Formula-Romantica. 22 July 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  20. ↑ "Camilo Sesto, máximo orgullo hispano". Elimparcial.es. 18 June 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  21. ↑ Video on YouTube
  22. ↑ "Camilo Sesto advierte a sus fans "La gira del adiós" es una estafa". ABC.es. 8 November 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  23. ↑ "Camilo Sesto condenado a pagar 80.000 euros". LAVERDADTV.es. 8 November 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  24. ↑ Video on YouTube
  25. ↑ "Las razones de Camilo Sesto". Efe Eme. 30 September 2010. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  26. ↑ "Camilo Canta en Inglés". lafonoteca. February 2008. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  27. ↑ "YOUTUBE PLAYLIST: CAMILO SESTO - Mejores Covers de sus Canciones". Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  28. ↑ "Los artistas que más discos han vendido en la historia". CARAS. 16 December 2010. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  29. ↑ Video on YouTube
  30. ↑ "Camilo Sesto ofrecerá dos recitales". Mercuriovalpo.cl. 3 July 2003. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  31. ↑ "Camilo Sesto, máximo orgullo hispano". Elimparcial.es. 18 June 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  32. ↑ "CAMILO SESTO". Formula-romantica.com. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  33. ↑ "Camilo Sesto una superestrella". Camilosestonumbero1.galeon.com. Retrieved 27 September 2014.

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