Gualberto Castro facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gualberto Castro
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Gualberto Castro in Las Vegas, c. 1981
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| Born |
Gualberto Antonio Castro Levario
12 July 1934 |
| Died | 27 June 2019 (aged 84) Mexico City, Mexico
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| Other names | Guales |
| Spouse(s) |
Altia Michel
(m. 1954–1959)Suzanna J. Edwards
(m. 1962; div. 1968)Suzanna J. Edwards
(m. 1970–1973)Mariana Castro
(m. 1979–1984)Maria Alejandra Walliser
(m. 1986–2003)Alexis Cordova
(m. 2004–2006)
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| Children | Altia Castro Michel |
| Musical career | |
| Associated acts | Los Hermanos Castro |
Gualberto Antonio Castro Levario (born July 12, 1934 – died June 27, 2019) was a famous Mexican singer, actor, and TV host. He was best known for his amazing voice with the group Los Hermanos Castro, also known as "The Castro Brothers." He also played the role of Tony in the 1977 Mexican version of the musical West Side Story. Many people also remember him for hosting the popular TV show La Carabina de Ambrosio.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Gualberto Castro was born in Mexico City, Mexico. He started singing when he was very young. His family lived in a part of Mexico City called Colonia Guerrero. A singing teacher, Alejandro Algara, lived in the same building. Gualberto's father also studied singing with Algara.
Gualberto said his father had a wonderful tenor voice. "Opera was what people studied back then," Gualberto explained. "But I chose romantic ballads because my father sang them." Even though Gualberto wanted to sing, it was hard to find a job as a singer at first.
Starting as a Dancer
When he was 14, Gualberto began his artistic career as a backup dancer. He worked at the Teatro Blanquita in downtown Mexico City. This was his first step into the entertainment world.
Joining The Castro Brothers
Gualberto's first cousins, Arturo, Javier, and Jorge Castro, had a singing group. They called themselves Los Hermanos Castro, or "The Castro Brothers." They invited Gualberto to join them. He added a countertenor voice, which is a high male voice. This helped create beautiful harmonies with Jorge's strong tenor voice.
The group started by singing in nightclubs and bars in Mexico City. Soon, an agent from New York heard them. He offered them a contract to sing in New York City. Gualberto remembered thinking they would become rich. However, they soon found out that living in New York was very expensive. "We were so poor," Gualberto said, "that the four of us slept in one bed!"
Success in the United States
Over time, The Castro Brothers became famous in the United States. They began to tour across the country. They found great success in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gualberto said they worked in a lounge that had exciting shows. The group became very popular and enjoyed their time there.
Music Career and Achievements
The Castro Brothers were known for their amazing four-part harmony. Gualberto often sang the main melody with his high countertenor or tenor voice. Later, their cousin, Benito Castro, joined the group. He started as a musician and singer. But he slowly became a comedian, just like his father, Arturo "Bigotón" Castro.
The group recorded many albums. One of their most famous songs was "Yo sin ti." Arturo Castro wrote and arranged this song. It became very popular across Mexico and South America. Later, a company called CBS released a CD and DVD. It showed Los Hermanos Castro singing and performing live from the 1960s.
Gualberto's Solo Career
When The Castro Brothers returned to Mexico, they decided to go their separate ways. Each member successfully started their own music career. Gualberto began singing on his own. He recorded one album every year. He also appeared in many nightclubs, theaters, movies, and on television.
He was the long-time host, or emcee, for La Carabina de Ambrosio. This was a very popular weekly TV show in the early 1980s. He worked with the magician Beto "El Boticario" and dancer Gina Montes. Gualberto performed with many famous entertainers. These included Judy Garland, Paul Anka, Verónica Castro (no relation), and Laura Zapata.
Awards and Honors
Gualberto Castro won the OTI Festival award twice. The OTI Festival was a big music competition for Spanish-speaking countries. He won in 1975 for the song "La felicidad," written by Felipe Gill. He received many awards and honors from Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, and the United States. This included a lifetime achievement award for his singing and entertaining from the Accociacion Nacional de Actores (ANDA). On August 22, 2007, Gualberto celebrated 60 years as a singer and entertainer.
Personal Life and Health
Gualberto Castro was a vegetarian for a long time. He also followed a macrobiotic diet. This is a special way of eating that focuses on natural foods. He lived a very disciplined life. He practiced meditation, exercise, and yoga.
In a TV interview, Mario Pintor asked Gualberto how he kept his singing voice so strong. Gualberto explained that it wasn't magic, but discipline. He mentioned singers like Tito Guízar and Pedro Vargas. They both sang well into their old age because they were disciplined.
Family Connections
Arturo Castro, known as "El Bigotón," was Gualberto's uncle. He was an actor, comedian, and nightclub entertainer. Daniela Castro, a popular Mexican TV actress, was Gualberto's second cousin.
Gualberto Castro was married several times during his life. He passed away in Zona Rosa, Mexico City on June 27, 2019. He had been receiving treatment for bladder cancer, and his health worsened due to a lung infection.
See also
In Spanish: Gualberto Castro para niños
