
Armando Manzanero accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014
Photo: Michael Buckner/WireImage
Remembering Armando Manzanero, GRAMMY-Nominated Singer And Composer And Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
The Latin music world is in mourning today with the passing of legendary Mexican composer and singer Armando Manzanero, who died Monday (Dec. 28) after a weeks-long battle with COVID-19, CNN reports. He was 85.
The Recording Academy and the Latin Recording Academy have released a joint statement on Manzanero's passing.
"One of the world's most prominent and acclaimed Latin music composers, Armando Manzanero needs no introduction. He began his career at the age of 15 with the first of what would be more than 400 original works composed over a span of more than seven decades. Transcending languages, genres and generations, Manzanero's songs have been performed by many artists, from Perry Como, Elis Regina and Elvis Presley to Tania Libertad, Gal Costa and Eugenia León.
"Manzanero was a Latin GRAMMY winner and the recipient of Lifetime Achievement Awards from both The Latin Recording Academy and the Recording Academy. Most importantly, he was a great friend and supporter of the Latin Academy. He will be greatly missed, but his melodies and larger-than-life personality will live on forever.
"His passing is a great loss for the world of music. Our hearts go out to the Manzanero family, to the Mexican Society of Songwriters, to his fans and to all of Mexico during this difficult
Harvey Mason jr. Chair & Interim President/CEO Recording Academy |
Gabriel Abaroa Jr. |
Born in Mexico in 1935, Manzanero was one of the most successful and prolific composers of Latin America. As CNN reports, he counted more than 600 songs to his name, according to Mexico's Society For Authors And Composers, where he served as president.
A celebrated artist and songwriter, Manzanero earned several top honors across the American and Latin music industries. At the 14th GRAMMY Awards, held in 1972, he earned his first and only GRAMMY nomination for Song Of The Year for "It's Impossible," performed by Perry Como; the song was the English version of Manzanero's song, "Somos Novios."
In 2014, Manzanero made history when he became the first Mexican to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the Recording Academy's highest honors, according to CNN.
"Talking about him and his songs is like talking with family at our kitchen tables," Mexican singer and Emmy-winning actress Lucero wrote about Manzanero for his Lifetime Achievement Award honor. "He has taken over our hearts with such ease. He has entered our lives to fill them with wonderful sounds, accompanied by his piano, his voice and the vast amount of talented singers who have interpreted his songs with pride for decades. We've heard his songs in many languages and many countries, delivering the flavor of his native Yucatán to unexpected places. He makes me proud to be Mexican like him."
In 2001, Manzanero won a Latin GRAMMY for Pop Duo/Group w/Vocal for his 2001 duets album, Duetos ("Duets"). In 2010, he received the Latin Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award.