Manuel Álvarez-Beigbeder Pérez (born 21 February 1932),[1][2] better known as Manuel Alejandro, is a Spanish composer of Latin love songs, which are better known as ballads. He has written, composed, and arranged songs for the likes of Luis Miguel, Plácido Domingo, Nino Bravo, Julio Iglesias,[3] Raphael, Hernaldo Zúñiga, José José,[4] José Luis Rodríguez,[5] Emmanuel,[6] Enrique Guzmán, Isabel Pantoja, Rocío Jurado, Rudy Marquez, and Jeanette, among many others.

Manuel Alejandro
Background information
Birth nameManuel Álvarez-Beigbeder Pérez
Born (1932-02-21) 21 February 1932 (age 92)
Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz), Spain
Occupation(s)Songwriter, Producer

Biography

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Manuel Alejandro was born in 1932 in Jerez de la FronteraCádiz. He is the son of one of Spain's most renowned contemporary symphonists, Germán Álvarez Beigbeder. It was his father, an accomplished musician, professor, and composer, who inspired Manuel Alejandro to pursue music and become a composer.[1]

Musical career

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Hits of the 60s

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He started writing songs for Spanish singer Raphael during the 1960s. Many of those songs are now considered classics. The list includes such hits as:

  • "Yo Soy Aquél"
  • "Primavera en Otoño"
  • "Desde Aquel Día"
  • "Cuando Tu No Estas"
  • "Cierro Mis Ojos"
  • "Hablemos Del Amor"
  • "Amor Mio"
  • "Digan Lo Que Digan"
  • "Estar Enamorado"
  • "Como Yo Te Amo"

Hits of the 1970s and '80s

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He continued writing a few songs during the 1970s, but reached his peak in the early 1980s with the release of consecutive albums with songs performed by different international artists. A whole generation grew up listening to songs written by him, although not many knew he was the man behind those hits.

His repertoire of more than 500 songs includes:

Hits of the 00s

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Personal life

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He has seven children: Javier, Carlos and Patricia with his first wife and Sandra, Beatriz, Marian and Viviana with his second wife.

References

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  1. ^ a b del Amo, Carlos (20 April 1999). "Manuel Alejandro : Naci Con La Habilidad De Conectar Dos Palabras Con Una Melodia". Efe News Services (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  2. ^ de Miguel, Maurilio (1 April 2008). "Tres décadas poniendo la letra: Manuel Alejandro, galardonado por su trayectoria en los Premios de la Música". El Mundo, archived at LexisNexis (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  3. ^ Staff (22 May 1987). "International Superstar Pours 'Ancestral Energies' Into Latest Album". Associated Press, archived at LexisNexis. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  4. ^ Infusino, Divina (30 August 1991). "Jose Jose is the Sinatra of Mexico". The San Diego Union-Tribune, archived at LexisNexis. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  5. ^ Staff (30 November 1991). "Pro Audio". Billboard, archived at LexisNexis. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  6. ^ Staff (23 May 1995). "Emmanuel gains poetic rewards". Austin American-Statesman, archived at LexisNexis. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
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