Camilo Sesto
Camilo Blanes Cortés (16 September 1946 – 8 September 2019)[1] known professionally as Camilo Sesto, was a Spanish singer, songwriter and music producer.[2] There are various sales figures for him, ranging from 70 to 200 million records sold, and the singer himself claimed to have sold more than 175 million records.[3][4][5] However, his official sales would represent more than 2.8 million copies worldwide, including nearly 900,000 certified.[6]
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Blanes and the second or maternal family name is Cortés.Biographical summary[edit]
Sesto sang in two pop bands during the 1960s and won a contest in a Madrid television 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.
As a composer, Sesto wrote songs for artists such as Ángela Carrasco, Miguel Bosé, Lucía Méndez, Charytín Goyco and José José, among others.[7][8] He also produced and translated to Spanish the lyrics of an album by the popular Australian rock band Air Supply. Throughout his career, he remained one of the most influential pioneer artists of pop and rock in Spanish, that would inspire many newer acts in the Latin music world as well as across Europe, the Americas and Asia.[9]
Controversies[edit]
In 2011, there were rumours of another Sesto "farewell tour", that some news media called "La Gira del Adiós" ("The Farewell Tour"). 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, Sesto 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. Many radio stations and music media threatened to take legal action against the singer if he would not "meet with the responsibility", and Sesto was forced to once again come back into the media to try to clear his name. The courts ruled in favour of some institutions that eventually did sue.[37][38]
Death[edit]
Sesto died on 8 September 2019 at a Madrid hospital from kidney failure, eight days shy of his 73rd birthday.[39] He was due to release a new album on 13 September, as well as embark in a tour in the United States the following month. Spain's acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wrote on Twitter: "Spain and all of Latin America mourn the loss of Camilo Sesto. His melodies will always be part of our memory."[40]
Legacy[edit]
From the 1970s to 2000s Sesto created many hit songs, with almost everyone coming from his own inspiration, being the author, performer, composer, and producer of all his works.[41] Camilo Sesto has the record of two presentations daily for 20 consecutive days at Madison Square Garden in the 1980s.
And thousands of awards and recognitions among the most prominent:
Fitur.- The Commonwealth of Alto Guadalquivir Spain appoints Camilo Sesto cultural ambassador 2007
València (EP). The Council of Ministers, at the proposal of the Minister of Culture and Sports, José Guirao, has approved this September 13 by Royal Decree the posthumous award of the "Medal of Merit in Fine Arts", in its category of Gold, to the singer, composer and performer Camilo Blanes Cortés, 'Camilo Sesto'.
Dove of Peace Award, Camilo sesto 2016
For his part, Father Ángel, who has welcomed this act in his Church, has described it as "privilege" to be able to count on Camilo Sesto, whom at other times they were going to see in Jesus Christ Superstar. He has also highlighted the importance of the prayer of the Our Father and has called for "bread, justice, and forgiveness for all." In addition, during the presentation, the priest has delivered the singer of the Dove of Peace.
Alameda Camilo Sesto inaugurates an avenue with his name in Alcoy 2018
This inauguration will take place two years after Camilo Blanes Cortés (the real name of the artist) received the Alcoyana Gold Medal and also be proclaimed a Favorite Son of this city.
Alameda Camilo Sesto inaugurates an avenue with his name in Alcoy 2018
Most of Sesto's works are in Spanish, but he has also recorded songs in English, Valencian, Italian, German, Japanese and Portuguese. Camilo has released at least one album in English.[42] With a frenetic level of activity in the 1970s and 1980s, he remains one of the artists with the most number 1 hits (totaling 52).[43] His albums had sold over 180 million copies by 2019.[44] In 2017, Sesto was inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame.[45]