Raphael (singer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Raphael
Raphael in October 2023
Background information
Birth name	Miguel Rafael Martos Sánchez
Also known as	Raphaelito
Born	(1943-05-05) 5 May 1943 (age 82) Linares (Jaén), Spain
Genres	Latin ballad pop
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	1959–present
Labels	Hispavox EMI Sony
Associated acts	Bunbury

Miguel Rafael Martos Sánchez (born 5 May 1943), known as Raphael, is a famous Spanish singer and actor. People know him for his amazing singing voice and exciting performances on stage. His career has lasted over sixty years, making a big impact on Spanish-language popular music.

Raphael became very famous in the early 1960s. He won the Benidorm International Song Festival. He represented Spain in the Eurovision Song Contest twice, in 1966 and 1967. His songs were "Yo soy aquél" and "Hablemos del amor." He finished seventh and sixth in those contests. In 1967, he sang for 48,000 people at Madison Square Garden in New York City. By 1982, he had sold over 50 million records. This made him one of the best-selling Latin music artists ever.

Today, Raphael is still one of the most active singers of Latin ballads. He often tours in the Americas and Europe. He received the Billboard Latin Music Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022. He was also named Person of the Year by the Latin Recording Academy in 2025.

Early Life and Talent

Raphael was born Miguel Rafael Martos Sánchez in Linares, Spain. Because of this, people sometimes call him "El Ruiseñor de Linares" (the "Nightingale of Linares"). They also call him "El Divo de Linares" ("The Divo from Linares") or "El Niño" ("The Boy"). His family moved to Madrid when he was nine months old. He started singing when he was only three years old. At age four, he joined a children's choir. When he was nine, he won a contest in Salzburg, Austria. He was named the best child voice in Europe.

A Star's Journey

How Raphael Started Singing

Raphael began his professional singing career with Philips, a Dutch record company. He chose his stage name, 'Raphael', by using the "ph" from the company's name. His first songs included "Te voy a contar mi vida" and "A pesar de todo." From the start, Raphael had a special way of performing. He would act out each song on stage, using big, dramatic movements. He sometimes changed song lyrics to fit the place he was singing. He might also wear traditional costumes or dance like a flamenco dancer or a bullfighter. He has a wide vocal range, which he used early in his career to sound like a choirboy.

From Contests to Global Fame

When Raphael was nineteen, he won first, second, and third prizes at the famous Benidorm International Song Festival. This happened in Benidorm in 1962 and 1963. His winning songs were "Llevan," "Inmensidad," and "Tu Conciencia." After a short time with Barclay records, he signed with Hispavox. This started a long partnership with the talented Argentinian music director Waldo de los Ríos and Spanish songwriter Manuel Alejandro.

Raphael represented Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest 1966 and 1967. He sang "Yo soy aquél" in Luxembourg and "Hablemos del amor" in Vienna. He placed seventh and sixth, which was Spain's best result at the time. This helped Spain win the contest the next year with "La, la, la" by Massiel. These Eurovision appearances made Raphael an international star. He performed all over the world, including Europe, Latin America, the United States, Russia, and Japan. Songs like "Que Tal Te Va Sin Mi" and "Como Yo Te Amo" made him even more famous.

Raphael also started a successful acting career. He appeared in movies like Cuando tú no estás (1966) and Digan lo que digan (1968). He also starred in Sin Un Adiós (1970) and Volveré a nacer (1972).

Popularity in Latin America

As Raphael became very popular in Latin America, he often recorded traditional Latin American folk songs. These included "Huapango torero" and "Llorona." These songs became big hits in Mexico. In 1967, Raphael began a tour across America.

TV Appearances

Raphael appeared live on The Ed Sullivan Show in the United States. He sang "Hallelujah" and "Hava Nagila" in Spanish, English, and Italian. He was very successful on the show in October and December 1970.

In 1975, Raphael started his own popular TV show in Spain called El Mundo de Raphael. On this show, he sang with other international stars. He also had a radio show where he and his wife interviewed famous people. He also acted in TV shows, starting with the Mexican show Donde termina el camino in 1978.

Success in the 1980s

Raphael continued to be very successful in the early 1980s. He had hits with songs like "¿Qué tal te va sin mí?" and "Como yo te amo." In 1980, Raphael received a special "Uranium disc." This award recognized that he had sold fifty million records throughout his career.

In 1987, he joined Columbia Records (now Sony Music). There, he recorded songs written by Roberto Livi, such as "Toco madera." In 1991, his song "Escándalo" was a huge hit in Spain, Latin America, and Japan, reaching number one. Later, he signed with EMI. In 1998, he published the first part of his life story, called ¿Y mañana qué?. It covered his life from childhood until his marriage in 1972.

In 2000, Raphael starred in the Spanish version of the musical Jekyll & Hyde. He performed for seven months and was very successful.

Personal Life

Raphael married Natalia Figueroa, a journalist and writer, in Venice, Italy, on 14 July 1972. They have three children: Jacobo, Alejandra, and Manuel.

In 2003, Raphael had a serious health issue with his liver. He recovered well after receiving an organ transplant. Since then, he has actively promoted organ donation.

Awards and Achievements

Raphael has received many awards throughout his career.

"Uranium disc" given by his record label Hispavox in 1980

He was added to the International Latin Music Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2022, Raphael received the Billboard Latin Music Lifetime Achievement Award at the Billboard Latin Music Awards.

Music Albums

Raphael has released many albums over the years. Here are some of them:

• Raphael (1965)
• Raphael Canta (1966)
• Digan Lo Que Digan (1967)
• El Golfo (1968)
• Aqui! (1969)
• Corazón, Corazón (1970)
• Live at the Talk of the Town (1970)
• Aleluya... (1970)
• Algo Más (1971)
• Volveré a Nacer (1972)
• From Here On... (1973) – An English Album
• Una Forma Muy Mía de Amar (1978)
• En Carne Viva (1981)
• Enamorado de la Vida (1983)
• Yo Sigo Siendo Aquel – 25th Anniversary (1985)
• Las Apariencias Engañan (1988)
• Maravilloso Corazón, Maravilloso (1989)
• Ave Fénix (1992)
• Jekyll & Hyde (2001)
• De Vuelta (2003)
• Cerca de Ti (2006)
• Raphael: 50 Años Después (2008)
• Te Llevo en el Corazón (2010)
• El Reencuentro (2012)
• Mi Gran Noche (2013)
• De Amor & Desamor (2014)
• Raphael Sinfónico (2015)
• Infinitos Bailes(2016)
• 6.0 en Concierto (2021)
• Victoria (2022)
• Ayer...aún (2024)

Movies and Shows

Raphael has acted in several films and television productions:

• Las Gemelas (1963) – As Alberto
• Cuando Tú No Estás (1966) – As Rafael
• Al Ponerse el Sol (1967) – As David Alonso
• Digan lo que digan (1968) – As Rafael Gandía
• El Golfo (1968)- As Pancho
• El Ángel (1969)- As El Angel
• Sin un Adiós (1970) – As Mario Leiva
• Volveré a Nacer (1973) – As Alex
• Rafael en Raphael (Documentary) (1974) – As himself
• Donde Termina el Camino (TV) (1978)- As Manuel
• Ritmo, Amor y Primavera (1981) – As himself
• Jekyll & Hyde (Musical) (2000) – As Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
• Balada Triste de Trompeta" (The Last Circus) (2010) – As himself
• Mi Gran Noche (2015) – As Alphonso

Concert Tours

Raphael has performed in many tours around the world:

• De vuelta Tour (2003–2004)
• Raphael Para todos Tour (2005)
• Más cerca de ti Tour (2007–2008)
• 50 años después Tour (2009–2010)
• Te llevo en el corazón Tour (2010–2011)
• El reencuentro Tour (2012)
• Mi gran noche Tour (2013–2014)
• De Amor y Desamor Tour (2014–2015)
• Raphael Sinphonico World Tour (2015–2016)
• Loco por Cantar World Tour (2017–2018)
• Raphael RESinphónico World Tour (2018–2020)
• Raphael 6.0: 60 años sobre los escenarios (2020–2022)
• Raphael Tour 6.0 In America (2022)
• Tour Victoria (2022–present)

Raphael Museum

There is a museum dedicated to Raphael in El Pósito, a building in the center of Linares. It has over 400 items and original documents from the artist's career.

See also

In Spanish: Raphael (cantante) para niños

• List of best-selling Latin music artists