Raphael (singer) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal family name is Martos and the second or maternal family name is Sánchez.

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
Origin	Linares, Spain
Genres	Pop music, Latin ballad
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	1959–present
Labels	Hispavox, EMI, Sony
Associated acts	Bunbury

Miguel Rafael Martos Sánchez (born May 5, 1943), known simply as Raphael, is a famous Spanish singer and actor. He is one of the most successful Spanish singers in the world. Raphael has sold over 70 million records in seven different languages!

He is still very active, touring across America and Europe. For over 60 years, he has shared his music. He even re-records his old songs with modern sounds. This helps new generations enjoy his classic hits.

Early Life
Music Career
Personal Life
Awards and Achievements
Discography
Filmography
Tours
Raphael Museum
See also

Early Life

Raphael was born Miguel Rafael Martos Sánchez in Linares, Spain. Because of this, people call him "El Ruiseñor de Linares" (the "Nightingale of Linares"). He is also known as "El Divo de Linares" or "El Niño" (The Boy).

His family moved to Madrid when he was just nine months old. Raphael started singing when he was only three years old. By age four, he joined a children's choir. When he was nine, he won an award in Salzburg, Austria. He was named the best child voice in Europe!

Music Career

First Steps in Music

Raphael began his professional singing career with Philips, a Dutch record company. He changed his name to '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 very start, Raphael had a special way of performing. He acts out each song on stage, using big, dramatic movements. He might change lyrics to fit the place he is singing. Sometimes, he even does flamenco or bullfighter moves! He also has a wide vocal range. He used this to make some early songs sound like a choirboy.

From Spain to International Fame

When Raphael was 19, he won three awards at the Benidorm International Song Festival in Spain. This was in 1962 and 1963. His winning songs were "Llevan", "Inmensidad", and "Tu Conciencia". After a short time with Barclay, he signed with Hispavox. Here, he worked with talented people like Waldo de los Ríos and Manuel Alejandro.

Raphael represented Spain in the Eurovision Song Contest twice. He sang "Yo soy aquél" in 1966 and "Hablemos del amor" in 1967. He placed seventh and sixth, which was Spain's best result at that time. This helped Spain win the contest the next year! These performances made Raphael an international star. He toured all over 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 film career. He appeared in movies like Cuando tú no estás (1966) and Digan lo que digan (1968).

Popularity in Latin America

As Raphael became very popular in Latin America, he started recording local folk songs. Songs like "Huapango torero" and "Llorona" became big hits in Mexico. In 1967, he began a large tour across America.

TV Appearances

Raphael appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in the United States in 1970. He sang songs in Spanish, English, and Italian. He was very successful!

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

The Golden 1980s

In the early 1980s, Raphael had more hits. These included "¿Qué tal te va sin mí?", "Como yo te amo", and "En carne viva".

In 1980, Raphael received a special "Uranium disc" award. This was to celebrate selling 50 million records!

He recorded two albums in 1984 and 1985 with songs written by José Luis Perales. These included "Ámame" and "Y... Cómo es él".

In 1987, he joined Columbia (now Sony Music). Here, he recorded new songs like "Toco madera". In 1991, his song "Escándalo" was a huge hit. It reached number one in Spain, Latin America, and Japan! Later, he signed with EMI. In 1998, he wrote the first part of his life story, called ¿Y mañana qué?. It covered his life from childhood until his marriage in 1972.

Raphael also starred in the Spanish version of the musical Jekyll & Hyde for seven months in 2000. It was a big success!

Personal Life

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

In 2003, Raphael faced a serious health challenge. His liver became very sick. He successfully recovered after receiving a liver transplant. Since then, he actively promotes organ donation to help others.

Awards and Achievements

Raphael has won many awards throughout his career.

The "Uranium disc" award given to Raphael by Hispavox in 1980.

In 2003, he was added to the International Latin Music Hall of Fame.

Raphael also received the Billboard Latin Music Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022. This award honors his amazing career.

Discography

Raphael (1965)
Raphael Canta (1966)
Al Ponerse el Sol (1967)
Digan Lo Que Digan (1967)
El Golfo (1968)
Huapango Torero + 3 (EP – México) (1969)
El Ángel (1969) – Ecuador Only
Raphael – El Idolo (Philips EP's Compilation) (1969)
Aqui! (1969)
Corazón, Corazón (1970) México
Live at the Talk of the Town (1970) (recorded at the London Talk of the Town)
Aleluya... (1970)
Algo Más (1971)
Háblame de Amor (From 'Top Star Festival' LP) (1971)
Volveré a Nacer (1972)
Le Llaman Jesús! (1973)
From Here On... (1973) – English Album
Raphael (A la Huella...) (1974)
Raphael (De... para...) (1974)
Qué Dirán de Mí (1974)
Sombras + 3 (1974) (EP. – Ecuador)
No Eches la Culpa al Gitano (From "Juntos para Ayudarte" LP) (1974)
Recital Hispanoamericano (1975) – With Los Gemelos
Con el Sol de la Mañana (1976)
Raphael Canta... (1976)
El Cantor (1977) (México)
Una Forma Muy Mía de Amar (1978)
Y... Sigo Mi Camino (1980)
Vivo Live Direct – 20th Anniversary (Live Double Album) (1980)
En Carne Viva (1981)
Raphael: Ayer, Hoy y Siempre (1982)
Enamorado de la Vida (1983)
Eternamente Tuyo (1984)
Yo Sigo Siendo Aquel – 25th Anniversary (1985)
Todo una Vida (1986)
Las Apariencias Engañan (1988)
Maravilloso Corazón, Maravilloso (1989)
Andaluz (1990)
Ave Fénix (1992)
Fantasía (1994)
Desde el Fondo de Mi Alma (1995)
Punto y Seguido (1997)
Vete (1997) – Duet with Nino Bravo
Jekyll & Hyde (2001)
Maldito Raphael (2001)
De Vuelta (2003)
Vuelve por Navidad (2004)
A Que No Te Vas (2006) – Duet with Rocio Jurado
Cerca de Ti (2006)
Maravilloso Raphael (2007)
Raphael: 50 Años Después (CD + DVD) (2008)
Viva Raphael! (2009)
50 Años Después – En Directo y al Completo (3 CD + DVD) (2009)
Te Llevo en el Corazón (3 CD + DVD) (2010)
Te Llevo en el Corazón. Essential (2011)
El Reencuentro (2012)
El Reencuentro en Directo (CD + DVD) (2012)
Mi Gran Noche (2013)
50 Éxitos de Mi Vida (3 CD + DVD) (2013)
De Amor & Desamor (LP + CD) (2014)
Raphael Sinfónico (CD + DVD) (2015)
Ven a Mi Casa Esta Navidad (CD) (2015)
Infinitos Bailes(LP + CD) (2016)
6.0 en Concierto (2021)
Victoria (2022)
Ayer...aún (2024)

Filmography

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, through use of Sin Un Adiós footage
Mi Gran Noche (2015) – As Alphonso

Tours

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-)

Raphael Museum

The Raphael Museum is located in El Pósito, a building in the center of Linares. It displays over 400 items and original documents from the artist.