María de los Ángeles de las Heras Ortiz (4 October 1944 – 25 March 2006), better known as Rocío Dúrcal (), was a Spanish singer and actress with a career spanning more than four decades. She performed pop music,

bolero Bolero is a genre of song which originated in eastern Cuba in the late 19th century as part of the trova tradition. Unrelated to the older Spanish dance of the same name, bolero is characterized by sophisticated lyrics dealing with love. It h ...

, mariachi and romantic ballads and is widely regarded as one of the greatest Spanish singers of all time. Popular across Mexico and Latin America, she earned the

sobriquet A sobriquet ( ) is a descriptive nickname, sometimes assumed, but often given by another. A sobriquet is distinct from a pseudonym in that it is typically a familiar name used in place of a real name without the need for explanation; it may beco ...

of ''Reina de las Rancheras'' ("Queen of Rancheras"). In 1999, Rocío Dúrcal was inducted into the Hall of Fame for her versatility and anthemic song

In 2005, Dúrcal received a

Latin Grammy Award The Latin Grammy Awards (stylized as Latin GRAMMYs) are awards presented by the Latin Recording Academy to recognize outstanding achievement in the Latin music industry. The Latin Grammy honors works recorded in Spanish or Portuguese from any ...

for musical excellence, a prize that is awarded by the Governing Board of the Recording Latin Academy to artists who have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance during their careers. Also in 2005 Rocío received the Life Achievement Award at the Spain's Music Awards, organized by The Spanish Society of Authors and Publishers (''Sociedad General de Autores y Editores, SGAE''

In 2023, ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. The magazine was first known fo ...

'' ranked Dúrcal at number 139 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.

Career

Dúrcal began her artistic career by participating in various radio song festivals and competitions, secretly supported by her paternal grandfather, who always believed in her talent and became her first fan. In 1959, with the approval of her parents, she participated in the television program ''Primer Aplauso'', broadcast by

Televisión Española (acronym TVE, branded tve, "Spanish Television") is Spain's national state-owned public television broadcaster and the oldest regular television service in the country. It was also the first regular television service in Equatorial Guinea. T ...

. The theme that she chose for the contest was the traditional song "La sombra vendo". Luis Sanz, a Madrid manager who watched the show, was impressed by her talent and personality. Sanz contacted the program for the name and the address of the young contestant. Her stage name Rocío came from what Dúrcal said was a nickname her grandfather gave her because she reminded him of morning dew ('' rocío matutino''). For her stage surname, she and Sanz looked at a map of Spain on which she randomly pointed out the town of Dúrcal, in the province of

Granada Granada ( ; ) is the capital city of the province of Granada, in the autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada (Spain), Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence ...

Acting

Her first film was '' Canción de Juventud'' (1962) directed by Luis Lucia. The plot of the film portrayed a teenager with her own personality. The movie scored huge box office and critics success. This success was repeated in other Spanish-speaking countries where the movie was shown. Immediately Dúrcal became the star of '' Rocío de La Mancha''. Following this, she got her first record deal with transnational Phonogram (now

Universal Music Universal Music Group N.V. (often abbreviated as UMG and referred to as Universal Music Group or Universal Music) is a Dutch– American multinational music corporation under Dutch law. UMG's corporate headquarters are located in Hilversum ...

). The songs the artist played in both films served to make her first album, ''Las películas de Rocío Dúrcal'' (1962). In Dúrcal's third film, ''Tengo 17 años'' (1964), she put aside her role of "child star". That same year, she appeared in her first theater play, ''Un domingo en Nueva York'', in which she was revealed as a great theatrical actress. In 1965 she filmed ''Más bonita que ninguna''; the band Los Brincos wrote some songs for the movie. In 1966, she shared the spotlight with Enrique Guzmán in the film ''Acompáñame''. She began to perform duets with such singers as Jaime Morey and Amalia de Isaura. Then she co-starred in the film '' Amor en el Aire'' (1967) with the then young Argentine singer-songwriter Palito Ortega. In 1968 she filmed ''Cristina Guzmán'', the first of her films that was aimed at an audience over 18. Her last film was with Bárbara Rey in ''Me Siento Extraña'' in 1977.

Singing

In 1970, Dúrcal married Filipino-born musician Antonio Morales (known professionally as Júnior), who would manage her singing career. In 1970, Antonio Morales began a series of television shows in Spain and

Latin America Latin America is the cultural region of the Americas where Romance languages are predominantly spoken, primarily Spanish language, Spanish and Portuguese language, Portuguese. Latin America is defined according to cultural identity, not geogr ...

singing with his wife as a duet. Their first child, Spanish actress Carmen Morales de las Heras, was born in December 1970. 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 she had her third child, Shaila Morales de las Heras, who took up a singing career under the stage name of Shaila Dúrcal and is also a successful singer. In 1977, Dúrcal signed a contract with Ariola Eurodisc (with singer-songwriter

Camilo Sesto Camilo Blanes Cortés (16 September 1946 – 8 September 2019), known professionally as Camilo Sesto, was a Spanish singer, songwriter and music producer. There are various sales figures for him, ranging from 70 to 200 million records sold, and ...

supporting her in her projects) dedicating herself to the musical career. That year, while in Mexico, she met the Mexican singer-songwriter Alberto Aguilera Valadez, better known as

Juan Gabriel Alberto Aguilera Valadez (; 7 January 1950 – 28 August 2016), known professionally as Juan Gabriel (), was a Mexican singer-songwriter and actor. Colloquially Honorific nicknames in popular music, nicknamed Juanga () and El Divo de Juárez, ...

, who decided to record a whole album of rancheras performed by Rocío Dúrcal entitled ''Rocío Dúrcal canta a Juan Gabriel''. Without further advertising, the LP received high levels of sales, so Dúrcal and Juan Gabriel considered the possibility of a new recording together. They ended up doing 5 LPs, marking the revival of Rocío Dúrcal as a singer. The final collaboration between Dúrcal and Juan Gabriel emerged in 10 albums. Dúrcal's album named '' Canta A Juan Gabriel Volumen 6'' (1984) is among the top ten best-selling albums in the history of

Mexico Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast; while having maritime boundar ...

. For this album Rocío Dúrcal received her first

Grammy Award The Grammy Awards, stylized as GRAMMY, and often referred to as The Grammys, are awards presented by The Recording Academy of the United States to recognize outstanding achievements in music. They are regarded by many as the most prestigious ...

nomination. The collaboration of Dúrcal with Juan Gabriel was interrupted by disagreements between the artists and because of problems of Juan Gabriel with his record label, so Dúrcal continued to record albums with other songwriters such as

Marco Antonio Solís Marco Antonio Solís Sosa (born 29 December 1959) is a Mexican musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer. Born and raised in Ario de Rosales, Michoacán, Solís began his musical career at the age of six, performing with his cousin Joel ...

and Rafael Pérez Botija (who produced for her, and wrote most of the songs for, the ballads album, '' Confidencias)''. In 1988 she recorded the album '' Como Tu Mujer'' with producer Marco Antonio Solis. In 1990, she recorded her first album on CD format entitled '' Si te pudiera mentir''. In 1991, Durcal offered a concert at the National Auditorium in Mexico City, recorded in a double disc '' El Concierto... En Vivo''. Between 1992 and 1993 she recorded the album '' Desaires'', produced by the Mexican singer and songwriter Joan Sebastián. In this album she reprises ranchera. In 1995, she launched her production '' Hay Amores Y Amores'', with songs written and produced by the Argentine Roberto Livi. For this album she was nominated again to the Grammy Awards in the category "Best Latin Pop Album". In 1997 the double album '' Juntos Otra Vez'' brought Rocío Dúrcal and Juan Gabriel together again for the last time. That album was made by an engagement with the record company and not by the desire of both artists to continue to cooperate. In 1998, under the direction of her discoverer Luis Sanz, Dúrcal starred in the Spanish TV show ''Los negocios de mamá'', broadcast by Televisión Española. In 2000, she celebrated 40 years in the industry. In that year she returned to ranchera music with the album '' Caricias'', under the production of songwriter and producer

Bebu Silvetti Juan Fernando Silvetti Adorno (March 27, 1944 – July 5, 2003), professionally known as Bebu Silvetti or simply Silvetti, was an Argentine-Mexican pianist, composer, conductor, arranger, and record producer. In the 1970s he moved to Mexico a ...

. In 2001 Rocío Dúrcal recorded '' Entre Tangos Y Mariachi'', again produced by Bebu Silvetti, an album that includes 10 of the most famous Argentine tango arrangements interpreted with ranchero/bolero style like her previous album. In the summer of 2001 Dúrcal made a successful tour in Spain, 13 years after her last Spanish performance. After a year and a half absence, she returned to the stage on 19 September 2002 with a concert at the National Auditorium in Mexico, which was recorded in a double album that was released on CD and then on DVD on 22 October 2002, '' En Concierto... Inolvidable''. The album was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award. In 2003, the artist received another Latin Grammy Award nomination for her album '' Caramelito'', produced by

Kike Santander Flavio Enrique "Kike" Santander Lora is a Colombian-American composer, record producer, arranger and entrepreneur. He is considered to be one of the principal Latino composers of the day, having worked with artists such as David Bisbal, Cristi ...

. In May 2004 she returned to Spain to record what would be her last album, '' Alma Ranchera'', which was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award.

Illness and death

In 2001, after recording her album ''Entre Tangos y Mariachi'', Dúrcal was diagnosed with uterine cancer. Dúrcal canceled her tours while undergoing medical treatment, and resumed touring in 2002. In 2003, from Spain, she collaborated with the Mexican singer Julio Preciado for a duet in the song "Si nos dejan" included in his album ''Que me siga la tambora''. Rocío Dúrcal died on 25 March 2006 at the age of 61 from uterine cancer at her home in Torrelodones, Madrid. She was

cremated Cremation is a method of Disposal of human corpses, final disposition of a corpse through Combustion, burning. Cremation may serve as a funeral or post-funeral rite and as an alternative to burial. In some countries, including India, Nepal, and ...

and a portion of her ashes were scattered in

Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...

while the remainder of her ashes were deposited into a crypt at

Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe The Basilica of Santa María de Guadalupe, officially called Insigne y Nacional Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe (in English: Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe) is a basilica of the Catholic Church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary in her invoc ...

Mexico City Mexico City is the capital city, capital and List of cities in Mexico, largest city of Mexico, as well as the List of North American cities by population, most populous city in North America. It is one of the most important cultural and finan ...

, the same place where years later a portion of the ashes from her husband Antonio Morales who died in 2014, were also deposited next to her.

Discography

Albums

; Philips-Phonogram * 1962: '' Canción de Juventud'' * 1963: '' Rocío de la Mancha'' * 1963: ''Las Películas de Rocío Dúrcal'' * 1964: '' La Chica del Trébol / La Cenicienta Del Barrio'' * 1964: ''Rocío, Canta Flamenco'' (EP) * 1964: ''Tengo 17 Años'' * 1964: ''Villancicos de Rocío'' (EP) * 1964: ''Villancicos con Rocío Dúrcal'' (EP) * 1965: ''Más Bonita Que Ninguna'' * 1966: ''Acompáñame'' * 1967: ''Buenos Días, Condesita'' * 1967: ''Amor En El Aire'' * 1968: ''Cristina Guzmán'' * 1970: ''Las Leandras'' * 1972: ''La Novicia Rebelde / La Novicia Soñadora'' ; Ariola Eurodisc * 1977: ''Una Vez Más'' (Pronto) * 1977: ''Canta a Juan Gabriel Volumen I'' (Pronto) * 1978: ''Canta a Juan Gabriel Volumen II'' (Pronto) * 1979: ''Súper Éxitos De Juan Gabriel (Canta a Juan Gabriel Volumen III)'' (Pronto) * 1980: ''Canta con Mariachi Volumen IV (Producida por Juan Gabriel)'' (Pronto) * 1981: ''Canta a Juan Gabriel Volumen V (Cuando Decidas Volver)'' (Pronto) * 1981: '' Confidencias / La Gata'' (Pronto) * 1982: ''Canta Lo Romántico De Juan Gabriel (Boleros) '' (Pronto) * 1983: ''Entre Tú y Yo'' (Ariola) * 1984: '' Canta A Juan Gabriel Volumen 6 ( Jardin De Rosas) '' (Ariola) * 1986: '' Siempre'' (Ariola) * 1987: ''Canta 11 Grandes Éxitos De Juan Gabriel'' (Ariola) * 1988: '' Como Tu Mujer'' (Ariola) * 1990: '' Si Te Pudiera Mentir'' (Ariola) * 1992: '' El Concierto... En Vivo'' (Ariola) * 1992: ''Mis mejores canciones'' * 1993: '' Desaires'' (Ariola/BMG) * 1995: '' Hay Amores Y Amores'' (Ariola/BMG) ; BMG * 1997: '' Juntos Otra Vez (con Juan Gabriel)'' * 1999: '' Para Toda La Vida'' * 2000: '' Caricias'' * 2001: '' Entre Tangos Y Mariachi'' * 2002: '' En Concierto... Inolvidable'' * 2002: ''Todo Éxitos'' * 2003: '' Caramelito'' * 2004: '' Alma Ranchera'' * 2004: ''Su Historia y Exitos Musicales Volumen 1'' * 2004: ''Su Historia y Exitos Musicales Volumen 2'' * 2004: ''Su Historia y Exitos Musicales Volumen 3'' * 2005: ''Lo Esencial'' ; Sony BMG * 2005: ''Me Gustas Mucho'' * 2005: '' El Concierto... En Vivo'' * 2006: ''Amor Eterno'' * 2007: ''Rocío Dúrcal Canta a México'' * 2009: ''Duetos'' * 2010: ''Mis favoritas'' * 2012: ''Como dos gotas de agua'' * 2012: ''Canciones de amor'' * 2012: ''Eternamente''

Singles

Filmography

Television

Theatre

References

External links

*
Rocío Dúrcal
on

YouTube YouTube is an American social media and online video sharing platform owned by Google. YouTube was founded on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim who were three former employees of PayPal. Headquartered in ...

Rocío Dúrcal
on

s {{DEFAULTSORT:Durcal, Rocio 1945 births 2006 deaths 20th-century Spanish singers 20th-century Spanish women singers Actresses from Madrid Deaths from uterine cancer Deaths from cancer in Spain Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winners Ranchera singers Singers from Madrid Spanish film actresses Sony Music Latin artists Spanish expatriates in Mexico 20th-century Spanish actresses Women in Latin music