Armando Manzanero Canché, Mexican singer and songwriter, died Monday morning at the age of 85 in Mexico City, according to several Mexican media outlets, such as Milenio.
Manzanero died of cardiac arrest at 3:18 a.m. in Mexico time this Monday. According to the singer’s instructions, there will be no funeral and his body will be cremated.
The artist was recently hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19, the Society of Authors and Composers of Mexico reported Thursday. The novelty of the composer’s death was further 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 numerous composers.
Manzanero has loved music since birth. As the son of one of the founders of the Typica Yucalpetén orchestra, he started studying at the age of 8 at the School of Fine Arts in Mérida.
In 1957 he became a professional musician, initially as a pianist. He has supervised renowned interpreters such as Lucho Gatica, Pedro Vargas, Luis Demetrio, Daniel Riolobos, José José, Carmela and Rafael.
At the age of 86, he lost the battle against the virus.
It was in the same year that he started as a music producer as a promoter of the music publisher EMMI and music director of CBS International, today SONY.
Manzaner wrote more than 600 songs, many of which gained international fame and are still loved by all generations. “I don’t know about you” and “Nothing personal”, for example, prove the quality of a master of harmonies. “We Are Boyfriends” was translated into English by renowned Elvis Presley composer.
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” can be felt in each of his compositions, which no doubt at least one of them is always part of the most romantic of serenades.
Considered one of the greatest exponents of Latin music and modern bolero, Manzanero always stayed out of scandal except in 2005 when his fourth wife, Olga Leticia Aradillas Lara, accused him of physical and emotional abuse. The singer-songwriter obtained a divorce verdict in his favor after the allegations were proven false.
Manzanero, he 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 authentic and responsible personality led him to hold positions as Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Association of Authors and Composers of Mexico and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Association 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.