Memo Morales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Memo Morales
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Memo Morales in 2010
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Guillermo Enrique Morales Portillo |
| Also known as | Memo Morales |
| Born | 6 April 1937 Maracaibo, Venezuela |
| Died | 1 January 2017 (aged 79) Caracas, Venezuela |
| Genres | Tropical bailable, Música Española, Gaita Pasadobles, Rumba Flamenca, Boleros Morunos |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Associated acts | Luis Alfonzo Larrain, Billo Frometa, Cheo García |
Guillermo Enrique Morales Portillo (born April 6, 1937 – died January 1, 2017) was a famous Venezuelan singer. Most people knew him as Memo Morales. He was also called El Gitano Maracucho, which means "The Gypsy from Maracaibo".
Memo Morales was the main singer for many important music groups in Venezuela. These included the Luis Alfonzo Larrain and Billo's Caracas Boys dance bands. He helped make their songs very popular.
Contents
A Singer's Journey: Memo Morales' Career
Early Life and First Steps in Music
Memo Morales came from a family that loved music. He started singing at a very young age. In 1945, when he was just eight years old, he went to Caracas. There, he joined a children's talent show called "Proarte infantil." He sang a tango song called "Princesita rubia" and won his first award.
Starting a Professional Singing Career
Memo Morales began his professional music career in 1953. He joined a band called Garrido y sus Solistas as a "crooner." A crooner is a singer who performs popular songs in a smooth, gentle style. In 1954, he moved to Caracas and worked with Juanito Arteta and his Orchestra until 1958.
Joining Famous Orchestras
In 1958, Memo Morales joined the Carlos Torres band. From 1959 to 1960, he was the lead singer for the Larraín orchestra. After that, he sang with the Pedroza y sus Caciques and Hermanos Salani orchestras from 1961 to 1964.
During the mid-1950s, Memo Morales sang at special events. He performed when the Hotel Humboldt opened. He sang for thirty days straight for the first guests at this new hotel.
Becoming a Star with Billo's Caracas Boys
In 1964, Memo Morales joined the famous Billo's Caracas Boys orchestra. He sang alongside other big names like Cheo García and José Luis Rodríguez. With this group, he helped make many songs popular. These included "Ni Se Compra, Ni Se Vende" and "Viva España," which are pasodobles. A pasodoble is a lively Spanish dance and music style.
He also had huge hits with songs like "Se Necesitan Dos," "Rumores," "Parece Mentira," and "Juanita Bonita."
Tours and New Music Groups
In 1976, Memo Morales went on a successful concert tour in the United States. He performed in big cities like New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami.
Later, in 1981, he started a group called La Nuestra with Luisín Landáez. In 1984, he teamed up again with Cheo García to create La Gran Orquesta de Cheo y Memo. They performed together until Cheo García passed away in 1994. After that, Memo Morales and his children formed the Organización Musical Memo Morales. His son William (Memito) Morales led this new group.
On April 1, 2016, Memo Morales was honored by the mayor of Houston, Sylvester Turner. He was named an honorary citizen and ambassador of good will. This was to recognize his great musical contributions.
The Final Performance: Memo Morales' Passing
On January 1, 2017, Memo Morales was performing at a New Year's Eve concert in Caracas. At about 2:30 AM, while on stage, he had a heart attack. Even though he had vital signs in the ambulance, he stopped breathing on the way to the hospital and was declared dead. Just hours before, he had given a full concert at the Military Circle hall in Caracas.
See also
In Spanish: Memo Morales para niños
