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Camarón de la Isla (born December 5,1950, Cádiz, Spain; Died July 2, 1992, Barcelona, Spain), stage name of flamenco singer José Monje Cruz.
His uncle José nicknamed him Camarón, because he was blond and fair-skinned. At the age of 8 he began to sing in inns and at bus stops with Rancapino to earn money. At 14, he appeared in the film "El Amor Brujo" with Antonio Gades. Two years later he won first prize in the Festival del Cante Jondo in Mairena de Alcor. He then went to Madrid with Miguel de los Reyes and in 1968 became a resident artist at the Torres Bermejas Tablao where he remained for 12 years.
It was there that he met Paco de Lucía with whom he would record 10 albums between 1968 and 1977. The two would tour extensively together during this period. As Lucía became occupied with solo concert commitments, Camarón worked with Tomatito for subsequent albums.
Camarón was the single most popular and influential flamenco Cantaor (singer) of the modern period. Although his work brought criticism from traditionalists, it also served to introduce a younger generation to the flamenco jondo.
He died of lung cancer in 1992. It was estimated that more than 100,000 attended his funeral.
Partial Discography
with Paco de Lucía
- "Al verte las flores lloran" (1969)
- "Cada vez que nos miramos" (1970)
- "Son tus ojos dos estrellas" (1971)
- "Canastera"* (1972)
- "Caminito de Totana" (1973)
- "Soy caminante" (1974)
- "Arte y Majestad" (1975)
- "Rosa María" (1976)
- "Castillo de arena" (1977)
- "La leyenda del tiempo" (1979)
- "Como el agua" (1981)
with Tomatito
- "Calle Real" (1983)
- "Viviré" (1984)
- "Te lo dice Camarón" (1986)
- "Flamenco vivo" (1987)
- "Soy Gitano" (1989)
- "Potro de rabia y miel" (1992)
- "Camarón nuestro" (1994)
The titles given for the first five albums with Lucía are those in popular usage, being the titles of the first tracks. Formally, all of them are excitingly titled "El Camarón de la Isla con la colaboración especial de Paco de Lucía"!da:Camarón de la Isla de:Camarón de la Isla es:Camarón de la Isla pt:Camarón de la Isla