Lorenzo Antonio

Lorenzo Antonio
Birth name Lorenzo Antonio Sánchez Pohl
Born (1969-10-03) October 3, 1969
Origin Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Genres Latin pop, Mexican pop, Mariachi, Ranchera
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, musician
Instruments Vocals, guitar, violin, cello, piano
Years active 1982–present
Labels Discos Musart, Warner Music Group, Fonovisa Records, Striking Music
Associated acts Sparx
Website lorenzoantonio.com

Lorenzo Antonio (born Lorenzo Antonio Sánchez Pohl October 3, 1969, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States), is a singer and songwriter of Latin (Mexican) origin, who is known and recognized in Mexico and Latin America. He was raised in both Mexico and in the United States, and is fluent in both Spanish, and in English. Most of his songs are in Spanish, but he has released songs in English as well.

Biography

Early life

Having come from a musical family, Lorenzo Antonio was exposed to music as soon as he was born. By the age of 5, Antonio's interest in music was very apparent, and his father taught him how to sing "La Bamba", while accompanying himself on the guitar. He learned this very quickly, and Lorenzo's parents decided to place him in private classical guitar lessons, which he studied from his childhood through his teen years.[1]

Throughout his childhood, Antonio briefly studied the violin, banjo, and piano, as well as the cello, which he played throughout elementary school, middle school, and high school. During these early years, Lorenzo also displayed great vocal and performing abilities and on occasion, his father, Amador Sánchez, also known as the very successful singer / songwriter / producer, Tiny Morrie, would present Lorenzo onstage at his performances.

Career

Lorenzo Antonio's career began in June 1982 when at age 12, he and his 4 sisters (Verónica, Rosamaria, Kristyna, and Carolina) won 1st place in one of the most important talent festivals in all of Latin America, "1er Festival Juguemos A Cantar," which was held in Mexico City and transmitted by Televisa on the immensely popular television show, "Siempre en domingo." They appeared in the competition as "Lorenzo Antonio Y Su Grupo" (Lorenzo Antonio and His Group), and performed Antonio's composition, "Vamos A Jugar."

For winning this competition, Antonio was awarded 3 appearances on "Siempre En Domingo," as well as a record contract with Discos Musart. This exposure launched Antonio's career, and by the end of 1982, he had become one of the most successful and famous Latin artists of that time, recognized immensely for playing the violin, the uniforms that he and his sisters wore (sailor caps and bellbottom pants), as well as for the choreography that he and his 4 sisters performed to his song, "Vamos A Jugar," which was a song about a dance move, "la mano izquierda va adelante y la derecha para atras" (the left hand goes to the front and the right hand goes to the back).

As Antonio entered his teen years, he separated from his sisters and continued his career as a soloist. At that time, this was a controversial change due to the group's popularity, and many of their fans did not like this. Ultimately, the change proved to be a great success for Antonio and his sisters. Antonio's popularity continued to grow, and he became one of the most successful and popular singer / songwriters of the 1980s and 1990s. His 4 sisters continued for a few years as the children's group, "Chikis," and some years later, became the internationally successful and famous girl group, "Sparx."

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Antonio toured Mexico, Central America, South America, and the United States extensively. Most of his international hits came during this time period. Among the most popular are, "Vamos A Jugar," "Muchachita," "Como Me Gustas," "Busco Un Amor," "Dile," "No Llorare," "Buscare" (peaked at #7 on Billboard's Top Latin Song chart, May 14, 1988),[2] "El No Te Quiere" (peaked at #9 on Billboard's Top Latin Song chart, April 12, 1997),[3] "No Quieren Que Te Quiera" (peaked at #16 on Billboard's Top Latin Song chart, August 16, 1997),[4] and "Como Cuando Y Porque" (peaked at #12 on Billboard's Top Latin Song chart, July 16, 1994),[5] which was an original song written and given to him by Mexican singer / songwriter, Juan Gabriel. In 1987, Antonio scored what is considered to be his greatest hit, and one of the most successful Latin ballads of the '80's, the now classic ballad, "Doce Rosas."[6] On May 23, 1987, Doce Rosas reached #3 on Billboard Magazine's Top Latin Songs chart.[7]

In the early '90's and after a 2-year college stint at the University of New Mexico, Lorenzo Antonio signed with a new record company, Warner Music Group. At this time, he also met Juan Gabriel and had a successful comeback with the albums, "Mi Tributo A Juan Gabriel," and "Tributo 2."

In the mid '90's, Antonio focused his attention on his sisters, Sparx. They were starting to gain notoriety in the Latin market in the United States, and Antonio spent his time writing songs for them.

In the late '90's, Antonio signed a record deal with Fonovisa Records. The albums that Antonio released at this time were geared more to the Regional Mexican market, and Antonio's record sales were among the highest of his career.

Songwriter

Not only has Lorenzo Antonio written many of his hit records, ("Vamos A Jugar," "Como Me Gustas," "Busco Un Amor," "No Quieren Que Te Quiera," and others), but also hits for other artists as well. Some of the most outstanding are: "El Baile De La Gallina" performed by Tatiana, "Te Amo Te Amo Te Amo," "Los Hijos De Pantaleon," and "El De Los Ojos Negros," performed by his sisters, Sparx.

Other styles

While Lorenzo Antonio is most known internationally for interpreting romantic ballads, he has also been very successful interpreting Mariachi music. He participated with his sisters, Sparx, on the certified platinum albums, "Cantan Corridos" (peaked at #5 on Billboard's Top Regional Mexican Albums chart on February 8, 1997),[8] and "Cantan Corridos Vol. 2," which are two of the most successful albums of his career.

Antonio has also released several albums in the "Ranchera" genre that feature his guitar playing.

Charity work

Lorenzo Antonio and his sisters, Sparx, established a non-profit foundation in 2001. Known as "The Sparx and Lorenzo Antonio Foundation," its primary purpose is to provide scholarships to students, and to encourage higher education. Every year since its inception, Lorenzo Antonio and Sparx have held at least one concert where funds are raised for "The Sparx and Lorenzo Scholarship." This scholarship is also awarded yearly. Since 2001, Lorenzo Antonio and Sparx have awarded approximately $750,000 in scholarships to students.[9][10]

Cultural impact

Mexico

In Mexico, there was an explosion of child entertainers that began in the early 1980s with acts like the Spanish group, Parchís, Lucerito, Luis Miguel, Timbiriche, Pedrito Fernandez, and Menudo. This cultural phenomenon of child entertainers was boosted even further with the broadcast of the "1er Festival Juguemos A Cantar," on "Siempre En Domingo". Due to the fact that Lorenzo Antonio Y Su Grupo won 1st place, they were at the forefront of the explosion of young talent at that time.

Immediately after Lorenzo Antonio Y Su Grupo were announced the winners of the 1er Festival Juguemos A Cantar, an immediate controversy ensued: Another finalist, Juanito Farias, who was also very popular and also a favorite to win the contest, came in last place. This was a major surprise to everyone and before the show ended, Raul Velasco, named Juanito Farias, "El Mejor Interprete Del Festival" (The Best Interpreter of the Festival). All of this stirred up much controversy and almost everyone had an opinion on the matter. Many felt that Juanito was robbed of 1st place, while many others felt that Lorenzo Antonio Y Su Grupo won 1st place fair and square. That argument continues to this day, and it can be seen in various forums and comments on YouTube and other places on the Internet.

United States

The financial help that Lorenzo Antonio has provided, along with his sisters, Sparx, via their foundation to New Mexico students, has had a substantial impact on the lives of many young adults. Many of the recipients of the Sparx & Lorenzo Antonio Scholarship have stated that they would have never been able to afford a higher education had it not been for the scholarship they were awarded.[11][12]

Personal life

Family

Lorenzo Antonio's career has always been tightly intertwined with his family. His sisters, Sparx, and he perform regularly together, as well as collaborate with each other on their recordings, and in their musical business ventures.

Antonio also descends from a very musical family tree. On his paternal side, Antonio's father, Amador Sánchez, known artistically as Tiny Morrie, was a very successful singer, and continues to be a very successful songwriter and producer. Antonio also has two paternal uncles that are musicians. Antonio's paternal grandparents also had a great love for music, and both of them played instruments and sang. Antonio's granduncles also were musicians.

On Antonio's maternal side, his mother, Maria De Lourdes Gloria Pohl, known artistically as Gloria Pohl, had success in the southwestern part of the United States as a singer. Antonio also has 12 maternal uncles and almost all of them were or are musicians, as well as his maternal grandfather.

Relationships

Until recently, not much was known about Lorenzo Antonio's romantic life. There were rumors that he dated several artists, such as Lolita Cortez and Lucero in the 1980s, but none of these rumors were ever substantiated.

Antonio married in 2004, but divorced less than a year later. There were no children from that marriage.

In 2010, Antonio appeared on a television show called Duetos, which was televised by Estrella TV. There, he met singer, Graciela Beltran. They had a much-publicized romance, and they appeared on several Latin television shows together, such as Ventaneando,[13] and Escandalo tv.[14] But for unknown reasons, their relationship ended abruptly after only 6 months in 2011.[15]

Fitness

In 2005, Lorenzo Antonio started suffering from sciatica pain caused by a bulging disc in his lower back. The pain was so severe and debilitating that he even considered back surgery. In 2007, he began working with a personal trainer. At the advice of his trainer, Antonio changed his diet and exercise habits, and within 1 year, Antonio was almost 100% back to normal.[16]

Antonio's physique had changed considerably due to his healthy lifestyle, and he capitalized on this by releasing a 2009 calendar showcasing his new physique.[17]

Awards

Songwriting

Record sales

Other awards

Discography

Official albums

Other albums (compilations and greatest hits)

References

External links

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