Luis Miguel Biography

Summary

"Luis Miguel Gallego Basteri" (born on April 19, 1970 in San Juan, Puerto Rico) is a Puerto Rican-Mexican pop singer of Italian and Spanish descent that was raised in Mexico. He is best known for his crooning vocals and romantic ballads. He has been one of the most popular singers in Latin America since the early 1980s. He has set world records that go unrivaled in Latin Music.

He is commonly referred to as "El Sol de Mexico" ('The Sun of Mexico') and is also nicknamed, "Luismi".

Luis Miguel has won four Latin Grammys and five Grammys, and received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at the age of 26. He holds the record as the best-selling living performing Latin artist. Luis Miguel has sold more than 55 million records worldwide.

Personality

The details of his personal life are somewhat unclear. Luis Miguel was originally thought to have been born in Mexico, as he grew up in the state of Veracruz. However, in the early 1980s it was reported in the press that he had actually been born in Puerto Rico during a brief stay in the island by his parents. After it became public knowledge that he was born in Puerto Rico, the Mexican government granted him citizenship. It is unclear whether he has also maintained his American citizenship, although court records related to an (incident) in Aspen, Colorado on January 3, 2006 tend to point that he is, also, a U.S. citizen.

He is the son of the late Spanish singer Luis Gallego Sanchez, known as Luisito Rey, who geared him, since a very early age, to follow the footsteps, and career pattern of american superstar Elvis Presley, and Italian-born actress Marcella Basteri. Luis Miguel's mother disappeared some time in 1987 and her whereabouts are unknown. He has two younger brothers, Sergio and Alejandro, whom he supports financially.

Career

Luis Miguel started his career at the tender age of eleven and, backed by his parents, he was able to achieve much in a short time. Having parents who already knew the basics of the business may have aided his development, and also ability to cope with success.

In the period between 1982 and 1984 he recorded four albums, they were: "1+1 = 2 Enamorados", "Directo Al Corazon", "Decidete" and "Palabra de Honor". It was also at this time that he was to embark upon the first of many international tours, and he made his first movie 'Ya Nunca Mas', which was critically panned, and he would later deny his film career, never mentioning it again. He gained his first gold record for his interpretations of the songs in this film, the first of many.

There also began a pattern to his career starting that was to be continued: his albums were not in English; indeed, none of his albums that have followed have been in English. Acclaim and industry-recognized success was to follow in the next year. In 1985 he won a Grammy Award for a duet that he had recorded with the British star Sheena Easton called `Me Gustas Tal Como Eres`. In the same year he was also awarded the Antorcha de Plata(the Silver Torch) at the Chilean festival of the Viña del Mar.

1986 saw the release of "Soy Como Quiero Ser", his fifth album. This was also the first album that he made with composer/producer Juan Carlos Calderón. This was the beginning of a collaborative relationship that would last well into the future. The success of this relationship was amazing-a total of eight gold records and five platinum records. It was also this year that he made his second movie 'Fiebre De Amor' with the actress/singer Lucero.

After this, there was a period of change. In 1987 he parted from the professional relationship with his father, who had been his manager, and signed a deal with Warner Music, the company with which he records to this day.

By the time he released his sixth album in 1988, "Un Hombre Busca Una Mujer", the beginnings of a change in style were evident that would become complete when he reached the age of twenty-one. The style change was a gradual maturation at this stage, and the first single that was released from the album "La Incondicional" stayed at the top of the charts on Latin Radio for a total of seven consecutive months. Of the seven singles that were released from the album every one of them reached number one on the Hot Latin Tracks charts.

His next album came in 1990, and this was very successful as well. Called "20 Años", the album sold more than 600,000 in the week of its release. Luis Miguel also toured both Mexico and the USA very successfully that year. Tracks in this album included `Entrégate`, `Oro de Ley`, `Tengo Todo Excepto a Ti`, `Será Que No Me Amas`, `Amante del Amor`, `Hoy el Aire Huele a Ti`, `Cuestión de Piel`, `Mas Allá de Todo`, `Alguien Como Tú`, and `Mas`.

International fame was also to follow, with the increasing number of sales and his fame spreading to Europe, specially Spain, his work was being noticed on a wider stage. He won the European Excellence in Spain and also the Best Selling Artist Category at the World Music Awards in Monaco, which was a double first - it was his first award from this organization, and it was also the first time ever a Latin artist had won this award. Awards were coming in fast this year, with another two awards from the Viña del Mar Festival.

By now his career was firmly established as one of the most successful Latin American artists ever. It was with this level of success that he took a risk. He released a new album called Romance. This was a very different style; the album was not as pop orientated, but moved towards a slower more romantic style, with tracks being boleros including: No Me Platiques Más Inolvidable, La Puerta, La Barca, Te Extraño, Usted, Contigo en la Distancia, Mucho Corazón La Mentira, Cuando Vuelva a Tu Lado, No Se Tú and Como. This was to be the first of three album knows as the Boleros.

'Romance' sold very well, including a total of more than 7 million albums internationally resulting in 70 platinum awards. The album also won many other awards including: 'Best International Album' and 'Best International Artist Of The Year' at the Venezuelan Ronda Awards, 'Best Artist From A Non-English Speaking Country' at The Korean International Music Awards the and in Argentina, the 'Trofeo Ace'. This was a very successful year but this success was to continue into the following year.

Awards gained this year also included the best international video at the USA MTV awards. He was also the only Latin American artist that received an invitation to take part in the recording of the theme song for the 1992 Summer Olympics that were to take place in Barcelona, Spain, called 'Barcelona Gold'.

In 1992 the awards for the album Romance continued. There were the Billboard awards, including Best Album and Best Spanish-Singing Artist as well as awards from Latin America. At the end of the Seville Expo in 1992 there was also a very successful charitable concert where all of the funds were donated to the Children's Museum in Mexico.

1993 saw the album Aries. This album also achieved 40 platinum and four gold records. Tracks included Suave, Me Niego a Estar Solo, Luz Verde, Hasta el Fin, Ayer, Que Nivel de Mujer, Pensar en Ti, Dame Tu Amor, Hasta Que Me Olvides and Tu y Yo. And also earned his second grammy.

The same year was also one where another successful tour would take place, covering central and South America as well as the United States. There were concerts at many premiere sites, such as Madison Square Garden In New York and in Los Angeles, The Universal Amphitheater. In both of these venues he was the first Latin American artist to achieve a sell out, and received a special recognition in the middle of the show in Madison Square Garden.

Segundo Romance, the second of the Bolero albums, tracks included ; El Día Que Me Quieras, Sin Ti, Somos Novios, La Media Vuelta, Solamente Una Vez, Todo y Nada, Historia de un Amor, Como Yo Te Amé, Nosotros, Yo se Que Volverás and Delirio. He also gained recognition from the Recording Industry Artists of America (RIAA) for the two million copies of the Bolero albums he had sold in the US. Also earned him a Grammy award for best Latin pop album.

It was also this same year that he was to make the one recording of his career in English. It was a guest appearance on an album by Frank Sinatra, in the duet of Come Fly With Me. Part of his album called Duets II. This guest appearance also made it into the television show about Frank Sinarta's Duets as well as performing at his eightieth birthday concert with well known artists such as Bruce Springsteen.

The albums have kept coming with El Concierto in 1994, Nada Es Igual in 1996, which went platinum thirty time over and included the tracks he had recorded for Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame. It was also in this year his fame was recognized in Hollywood which he earned a Hollywood Walk Of Fame . In this year he also broke other records becoming the highest paid Latin American Artist to appear in Las Vegas, where he topped the bill at Ceasar's Palace.

The third Bolero album, Romances, was releases in 1997. Here we see a further development in his career, as this was self produced with tracks such as Voy a Apagar la Luz, Contigo aprendí, Sabor a Mí, Por Debajo de La Mesa, La Gloria Eres Tú, Amanecer, Encadenados, Bésame Mucho, Contigo (Estar contigo), Noche de Ronda, El Reloj, Júrame, De Quererte Así Uno and Mañana de Carnaval. This was also another touring year, with sell out dates all over the United States including in Radio City Music Hall in New York City in 5 concecutive nights, and South America. Fans were also now coming from many different countries to see him play.

1998 saw the achievement of his fourth Grammy award and many other successes and awards too numerous to mention. In one of his latest albums, Amarte Es Un Placer, he is again reunited with Juan Carlos Calderon, who wrote and produced the songs on the album including Tu Mirada, Soy Yo, Sol, Arena y Mar, O Tú o Ninguna, Quiero, Dormir contigo, Dímelo en un beso, No me fío Te propongo esta noche, Tu solo tu, Ese momento, and Amarte es un Placer. The meaning of the title fits in with many of the others, meaning, loving you is a pleasure. This was recorded in 1999. This album formed the basis of the tour. Amarte es un placer achieved 3 grammy's in the categories of 'Best Artist of the year', 'Best video of the year', and 'Best Album of the year'. This year Luis Miguel has also broken another record; most sold out concerts in a single venue, 28 consecutive sold out concerts at the Teatro Internacional de Mexico. Luis Miguel has also achieved Billboards 'Best preformer of the year' for 7 years (1998-2004) consecutively. At the same tour Luis Miguel recorded his second concert album "Vivo", which included two singles "Y" and "La Bikina".

In 2001, Luis Miguel released his fourth bolero album since 1997 of his previous album "Romances"titled Mis Romances . The album was another hit. Its single "Amor Amor Amor", and "Como Duele". The album earned a Latin Billboard award for Best Male Latin Pop Album. And launch a classic tour titled "Mis Romances Tour".

In 2003, Luis Miguel released his first pop album in over four years. Entitled 33 (part of his age) , it featured a collection of ballads and up-tempo songs. Its first single "Te Necesito" ascended instantly to #1 on Billboard's Hot Latin Tracks list. "33" was the best-selling Latin pop album of the year. On the "33 Tour", Luis Miguel performed at a sold-out "Auditorio Nacional", two sold-out nights at Asunción's Arena, and various sold-out shows at Buenos Aires', as well as other prestigious international venues such as Plaza de los Toros in Spain.

In 2004, Luis Miguel released Mexico en la Piel, a collection of traditional Mexican "mariachi" songs. This album was widely regarded by both critics and fans as one of Luis Miguel's best works; it also earned him two Grammy Awards. It sold over 100,000 units in its first week in Mexico alone.

In 2005, Luis Miguel released Grandes Exitos that featured his greatest songs he recorded including to singles "Misterios Del Amor" and "Si Te Perdiera".

In 2006, Luis Miguel's "Mexico en la Piel" 30-show engagement Jan. 18-Feb. 27 at in Mexico City. It is believed to be the biggest gross in the history of Mexico and one of the top global indoor grosses of all time. It also broke Miguel's 26-show run at the venue in 2004. The 101-date tour started last September (2005) in Mexico and then played Argentina, Chile and Uruguay through the end of the year before beginning the Mexican run in January. The tour's total gross was north of $95,000,000 which broke his own record ("Amarte es un Placer" in 1999) as the top-grossing tour ever by a Latin artist.

Most recently, Luis Miguel launched his own line of Chilean wine, called 'Unico', and won a gold medal.

That same year he released a Christmas album called Navidades. The album reached first place on the Billboard chards in its first week of release. His two singles were "Santa Claus Llego A la Ciudad" (Santa Claus Is Coming to Town), and "Mi Humilde Oracion" (My Grown-up Christmas List).

The career of Luis Miguel looks to be one that will continue to go from strength to strength. With over 65 million records sold world wide there is little that can get in the way of this super star, how continues to live up to his nick name of El Idolo, and is preparing an upcoming album by the end of the year.

Personal life

Luis Miguel is known for his reclusiveness. He has, however, been romantically linked to photographer Mariana Yazbek, actress Lucía Mendez, Colombian model, actress and television presenter Sofia Vergara, Cuban-born MTV VJ and model Daisy Fuentes, singer Mariah Carey, and Cuban-American journalist Myrka Dellanos. Luis Miguel also had a relationship with Stephanie Salas, who claims that he is the father of her daughter, model Michelle Salas.

He began dating actress Aracely Arámbula, although neither of them would comment on the romance until late 2006, when Aracely confirmed the pregnancy rumors that swirled in the media by appearing on Hola! magazine, where she appeared in several photographs and discussed their relationship. She also revealed that the baby would be a boy and would be named Miguel. In early 2007, Hola! reported that the child was born to the couple on January 1, 2007.

Discography

Selected Discografia WEA

(1987) Soy como quiero ser (4 Million)

(1988) Un Hombre Busca una Mujer (5 million)

(1990) 20 años (4 million)

(1991) Romance (13 million)

(1992) America y en Vivo (1 million)

(1993) Aries (5 million)

(1994) Segundo Romance (7 million)

(1995) El Concierto (2 million)

(1996) Nada es Igual (6 million)

(1997) Romances (9 million)

(1998) Todos los Romances (Compilation) (1 million)

(1999) Amarte es Un placer (5 million)

(2000) Vivo(Live) (2 million)

(2001) Mis Romances(5 million)

(2002) Mis Boleros Favoritos (1 million)

(2003) 33 (4 million)

(2004) Mexico en la Piel (5 million)

(2005) Mexico en la Piel (Edicion Diamante) (2 million)

(2005) Grandes Exitos (1 million)

(2006) Navidades Luis Miguel (4 million)

(2008) New Pop Album - Released: February 12, 2008

Billboard #1 Hot Latin Tracks

To date, Luis Miguel is the second artist with most number one hits on the "Billboard" Hot Latin Tracks charts (16) (Enrique Iglesias is only ahead with 17). (... more) .

'Ahora Te Puedes Marchar' (1987, 'Soy Como Quiero Ser')

'La Incondicional' (1989, Busca Una Mujer)

'Fría Como El Viento' - (1989, 'Busca Una Mujer')

Tengo Todo Excepto A Ti - (1990, '20 Años')

Entrégate - (1990, 20 Años)

No Sé Tú - (1992, 'Romance')

'Inolvidable' (1992, 'Romance')

'Ayer' (1993, 'Aries')

'Hasta Que Me Olvides' (1993, 'Aries')

'El Día Que Me Quieras' (1994, 'Segundo Romance')

'La Media Vuelta' (1994, 'Segundo Romance')

'Si Nos Dejan' - (1995, 'El Concierto')

'Por Debajo De La Mesa' - (1997, 'Romances')

'O Tú O Ningúna' (1999, 'Amarte Es Un Placer')

'Como Duele' (2001 'Mis Romances')

'Te necesito' (2003, '33')

(... more)

Trivia

Luis Miguel produced a music video with the song "Tengo todo excepto a ti" (I have everything except you) with a short appearance of Venezuelan actress Ruddy Rodriguez.

Luis Miguel also produced a music video with the song "Entregate" with a appearance of Argentinian actress Veronica Varano.