Miguel Ríos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Miguel Ríos
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Miguel Ríos, 2014
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Miguel Ríos Campaña |
| Also known as | Mike Ríos |
| Born | 7 June 1944 Granada, Spain |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, composer |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1961–present |
| Labels | A&M Records |
Miguel Ríos Campaña (born June 7, 1944) is a famous Spanish singer and songwriter. Many people see him as one of the first true rock and roll stars in Spain. He helped bring rock music to a wide audience in Spain.
Contents
The Early Years of Miguel Ríos
Growing Up in Granada
Miguel Ríos was born in Granada, Spain, in a neighborhood called La Cartuja. He was the youngest of seven children. He started working at a local bar when he was just fifteen years old. Even though he didn't have much formal schooling, he loved rock and roll music.
First Steps in Music
His passion for music led him to a song contest at a radio station called Cenicienta 60. Miguel and his friends won a prize for singing "You Are My Destiny" by Paul Anka. This was his first taste of performing.
Moving to Madrid and Becoming Mike Ríos
In 1961, when he was sixteen, Miguel moved to Madrid. His father had passed away, so he got permission from his mother to go. In Madrid, he recorded his first four songs. People started to know him as Mike Ríos, the King of Twist. He became quite popular on television in the early 1960s.
Changing His Name Back
In 1964, Miguel decided to use his real name again. This meant he lost the support of his band, Los Relámpagos (The Lightning). He also appeared in his first film, called Dos chicas locas, locas (Two Crazy Girls).
Miguel Ríos Becomes a Superstar
The "Hymn of Joy" Sensation
In 1970, Miguel Ríos became a huge star in Spain. His song "Himno de la alegría" (Hymn of Joy) was a special version of Beethoven's famous Ninth Symphony. This song came out during a time when symphonic rock was popular.
Global Success of "A Song of Joy"
The song was released in North America and the United Kingdom as "A Song of Joy". It sold over a million copies in the U.S. and Canada. It also reached number 16 on the UK singles charts. The song was a massive hit worldwide, selling three million copies. It even reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1970.
Exploring New Sounds
In the mid-1970s, Miguel Ríos recorded three progressive rock albums. These albums were not as successful as his earlier work. However, he kept exploring different musical styles.
"Santa Lucía" and "Rock and Rios"
In 1980, one of his most beloved songs, "Santa Lucía," appeared on his Rocanrol bumerang album. This song was a ballad written by Argentinian artist Roque Narvaja.
Two years later, in 1982, Miguel released a live double album called Rock and Rios. This album was recorded during two concerts in Madrid. Many music experts and fans consider it one of the most important Spanish rock albums ever.
A Turning Point for Spanish Music
Rock and Rios sold over 450,000 copies in less than a year. This was a huge achievement for Miguel. What was unique was that he released the album at the same time he started his concert tour. Both the album and the tour were incredibly successful.
The album also marked a cultural shift in Spain. It showed how Spanish society was embracing the new freedoms of democracy. It's also seen as a start to "La Movida Madrileña," a term for the youth culture of the 1980s in Spain.
Massive Tours and Later Albums
In 1983, Miguel Ríos released his tenth studio album, The rock of a summer night. He went on his biggest tour ever with this album. He was joined by artists like Luz Casal and Leño. Miguel Ríos performed in 32 soccer fields and bullrings across Spain. More than 700,000 people attended these concerts.
A year later, he released La encrucijada. In 1985, he put out Rock en el ruedo, which was a collection of his greatest hits. This album also included a new song. His next tour, however, was not as successful. He then released The Year of the Comet in 1986.
Discography and Certifications
- Mira hacia ti 1969
- Despierta 1970
- Unidos 1971
- Miguel Ríos en directo: Conciertos de Rock y amor.1972
- Miguel Ríos: Éxitos 1973
- Memorias de un ser humano 1974
- La huerta atómica 1976
- Al-Andalus 1977
- Los viejos rokeros nunca mueren 1979
- Rocanrol bumerang 1980 - Spain: Gold (1980, page 913)
- Extraños en el escaparate 1981 - Spain: Gold (1981 page 914)
- Rock and Rios 1982 - Spain 3× Platinum (1982, page 916)
- El Rock de una noche de verano 1983
- La encrucijada 1984 - Spain: Gold (1984, page 918)
- Lo más de rock en el ruedo 1985
- El año del cometa 1986
- Que noche la de aquel año 1987
- Miguel Ríos 1989
- Directo al corazón 1991
- Así que pasen treinta años 1992
- Por siempre 1995
- Canciones de amor para tiempos difíciles 1995
- Como si fuera la primera vez 1996
- Miguel Ríos en concierto: Big Band Ríos 1998
- Ana Belén, Miguel Ríos cantan a Kurt Weill 1999
- Miguel Ríos y las estrellas del rock latino 2001
- 60mp3 2004
- Solo o en compañía de otros 2008
- Bye Bye Ríos 2010
- Symphonic Ríos (1CD + DVD) 2018
- Un largo tiempo (2021)
See also
In Spanish: Miguel Ríos para niños
