Agustín Lara was one of the most influential and beloved composers of Mexican music. His songs and boleros captivated audiences not only in his native country, but also in Latin America, Spain, and beyond. He was a prolific and versatile artist, who wrote over 700 songs in different genres and styles. He was also a charismatic and romantic figure, who had several marriages and affairs with famous women, such as actress María Félix. However, his life was not without tragedy and hardship. He suffered from a disfiguring scar on his face, a result of a violent attack by a jealous lover. He also struggled with health problems, especially in his later years. He died of a heart attack at the age of 73, leaving behind a legacy of timeless and moving compositions. This article will explore the life and death of Agustín Lara, the musical legend.
Contents
Early Years and Musical Beginnings
Agustín Lara was born on October 30, 1897, in Mexico City, although he claimed to be from Veracruz, the port city that inspired many of his songs. His father was a doctor and a piano player, who introduced him to music at an early age. However, his father was also strict and authoritarian, and sent him to a military school when he discovered that he was playing piano in a brothel. Agustín rebelled against his father and ran away from home, returning to Mexico City to pursue his musical career. He befriended other musicians and learned to play different styles, such as fox trot, tango, waltz, blues, jazz, ranchera, and bolero. He also developed a passion for poetry, influenced by the Mexican romantic poets of the 19th century. He started writing his own songs, mostly melancholic love songs, which became his trademark. His first recorded composition was “Impossible”, in 1928.
Fame and Success
In 1930, Agustín Lara began his successful radio career, which made him a household name in Mexico. He also composed songs for films, such as “Santa”, which was the first Mexican sound film. He toured extensively in Latin America and the United States, where he performed at the California Theatre in Los Angeles. He also visited Spain, where he was warmly received by the public and the press. He wrote some of his most famous songs during this period, such as “Solamente Una Vez” (You Belong to My Heart), “Veracruz”, “Tropicana”, and “Pecadora”. He collaborated with renowned singers, such as Pedro Vargas, Juan Arvizu, and Nestor Mesta Chayres, who interpreted his songs with great emotion and skill. He also played the piano and sang himself, although he had a weak and nasal voice. He compensated for his vocal limitations with his charisma and expressiveness.
Love and Marriage
Agustín Lara was a notorious womanizer, who had many relationships with actresses, singers, and socialites. He was married five times, and had three children. His most famous marriage was with María Félix, the iconic star of the Mexican cinema. They met in 1943, when he composed a song for her film “Doña Bárbara”. They fell in love and eloped to Brazil, where they got married in 1945. Their marriage was turbulent and short-lived, as they divorced in 1947. However, they remained friends and admirers of each other’s work. Lara wrote some of his most beautiful songs for Félix, such as “María Bonita”, “Noche de Ronda”, and “Amor de Mis Amores”. He also dedicated his masterpiece, “Granada”, to her.
Illness and Death
Agustín Lara’s health deteriorated in the 1960s, as he suffered from diabetes, hypertension, and heart problems. He continued to work and travel, but with less frequency and intensity. He received several honors and awards, such as the National Prize of Arts and Sciences in Mexico, and the Order of Isabella the Catholic in Spain. He also recorded his last album, “Lara Canta Lara”, in 1969. In October 1970, he was hospitalized in Mexico City, under the false name of Carlos Flores, after experiencing chest pain. He had a cardiac arrest in the elevator while being transferred to the intensive care unit. He never regained consciousness, and died on November 6, 1970. He was buried in Mexico City, with a large and emotional funeral. His songs were played and sung by his fans and friends, who mourned the loss of a musical legend.
Conclusion
Agustín Lara was a remarkable composer and performer, who left an indelible mark on the history of Mexican music. His songs and boleros are still widely appreciated and recorded by many artists, both in Spanish and in other languages. He was a master of melody and harmony, who expressed the feelings and aspirations of his people. He was also a fascinating and complex personality, who lived a life full of passion and adventure. He was a legend in his time, and remains so today.
