Sandro de América facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sandro
Sandro in 1968
Background information
Birth name	Roberto Sánchez-Ocampo
Also known as	Sandro Sandro de América Gitano El Paolo
Born	(1945-08-19)August 19, 1945 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Died	January 4, 2010(2010-01-04) (aged 64) Mendoza, Argentina
Genres	Rock and roll, Latin pop, canción melódica
Occupation(s)	Singer, musician, actor
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, piano
Years active	1959–2010
Associated acts	Los de Fuego

Roberto Sánchez-Ocampo (born August 19, 1945 – died January 4, 2010) was a famous Argentine singer and actor. He was best known by his stage names Sandro or Sandro de América. Many people see him as a pioneer of Argentine rock. This is because he was one of the first rock artists to sing in Spanish in Latin America.

Sandro released 52 official music albums. He sold millions of copies of his music. Some reports say he sold over 22 million records! His most popular songs include "Rosa, Rosa", "Dame fuego", and "Tengo". "Rosa, Rosa" sold two million copies and is his most famous song. His hit "Tengo" was even named one of the top 100 Argentine rock songs by MTV and Rolling Stone magazine.

Sandro was also the first Latin American artist to perform at the Felt Forum in Madison Square Garden in New York City. In 2005, he received a special Latin Grammy for his amazing career.

The Life and Music of Sandro

Sandro was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1945. His parents were Irma Nydia Ocampo and Vicente Sánchez. He grew up in a place called Valentín Alsina. As a child, he learned to play the guitar. He felt a connection to Romani culture. His grandfather was from the Romani people, who are sometimes called Gitanos in Argentina.

How Sandro Started His Music Career

When he was in school, Sandro first copied Elvis Presley. But soon, he developed his own unique style. This style made him famous and helped him become a pioneer in Spanish rock music. In 1961, he started a music group called Sandro & los de Fuego. They became very popular on a TV show called Sábados Circulares.

Sandro's Rise to Fame

Throughout the 1960s, Sandro and his band became widely known. They had many hit songs like "Ave de Paso", "Quiero Llenarme de Ti", and "Rosa, Rosa". His career kept growing with each new song.

Sandro on the cover of Sandro de América, 1969

Sandro also starred in 11 movies. Some of his films include Quiero llenarme de ti (1969) and Subí que te llevo (1980). He even directed one movie himself, called Tú me enloqueces, in 1976. He also acted in two TV soap operas.

Sandro's International Success

Sandro was the first Latino singer to sell out the Felt Forum at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He performed there five times in the 1970s! He also appeared on famous TV shows like The Ed Sullivan Show. He performed alongside other big names like Domenico Modugno and The Doors.

Many international artists have recorded Sandro's songs. These include famous singers like Shirley Bassey, Liza Minnelli, and Julio Iglesias.

In 1990, other Latin American artists released an album to honor him. They called it Padre del rock en castellano ("Father of Spanish Rock"). Sandro continued to release new music in the early 1990s. In 1993, he returned to the stage with a new show. He performed 18 concerts in a row at the Teatro Gran Rex in Buenos Aires. These concerts broke attendance records!

Sandro's Later Years and Passing

In 1998, it became known that Sandro had a lung condition called emphysema. This news worried his fans around the world.

On November 20, 2009, Sandro received a heart–lung transplant in Mendoza, Argentina. The operation was successful at first. Doctors reported that he was recovering slowly. However, on January 4, 2010, Sandro passed away. He died 45 days after his transplant due to complications.

Sandro's Music Albums

Sandro's Movies

Images for kids

• 

  Sandro performing with Los de Fuego in 1963

See also

In Spanish: Sandro para niños