Júnior (Filipino singer)

Antonio Morales Barretto (; 10 September 1943 – 15 April 2014), better known as Junior, was a popular Filipino singer and actor based in Spain.

Early life

Morales was born in Manila, Philippines, to a Spanish father and a Filipina mother, the eldest of five brothers. He was born during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, and at 15 years old his family emigrated to Barcelona, Spain, eventually settling in Madrid.

Career

In 1958, he became part of the group Jump, a pioneering Spanish electric guitar group. During the group's popularity, he was featured in the film ''Me Enveneno De Azules'' in 1969. Some of his first hits included ''Todo Porque Te Quiero'' ("''It's All Because I Love You''") in 1969 and ''Perdóname'' (''The Snake'') in 1973.

He went on to join Los Brincos with Juan Pardo, and his brothers Miguel and Ricky Morales would also later join the group. Morales and Juan Pardo eventually left the group to release music as Juan y Junior. One of their songs is a Spanish version of " Fool on the Hill" by John Lennon and Paul McCartney from the LP titled ''Junior'' in 1976.

Movie career

In the 1980s, he starred in the Filipino films ''Good Morning Sunshine'' with Vilma Santos, and ''Disco Madhouse'', and released three albums in Tagalog for the Philippines. One of his most popular songs that he wrote and produced was "Yakap" (1979). That song, which he sang in his movie with Santos, became his signature song in the Philippines. Another of his hit songs there are "Excuse Me" (1974) and "But If You Leave Me" (1976).

Personal life

Morales married his wife Rocío Dúrcal in 1970, and their first child, Spanish actress Carmen Morales de las Heras, was born in December of that year. After the birth of their second child, Antonio Morales de las Heras, in April 1974, Morales decided to give up his career to devote time to their children. Dúrcal meanwhile continued her film and singing career. In 1979 they had their third child, Shaila Morales de las Heras, who took up a singing career under the stage name of Shaila Dúrcal. Morales also managed Dúrcal for much of her career.

Morales remained married to Dúrcal until her death in 2006. Her children became involved in controversial court battles over her inheritance, eventually reconciled after Carmen's wedding.

On 22 November 2007, his father, Antonio Morales Majó, died of anemia, aged 91. His mother, Carmen Barretto Valdés, died in 2012, aged 97.

He is the uncle of Philippine actresses Gretchen Barretto, Claudine Barretto and Marjorie Barretto.

Death

Junior died on 15 April 2014 in Torrelodones, Spain. He was cremated and his ashes were buried at Basilica de Guadalupe in Mexico City.

Discography

Singles

*"Yakap"
*"But If You Leave Me"
*"Excuse Me"
*”It’s Only Love”

References

External links

*
Lafonoteca: Grupos de música española

{{DEFAULTSORT:Junior
1943 births
2014 deaths
20th-century Filipino male singers
Filipino people of Spanish descent
Filipino emigrants to Spain
Spanish people of Filipino descent
Manila sound musicians
Singers from Metro Manila
Male actors from Metro Manila
20th-century Filipino male actors