Agustín Lara

by John BushOne of Mexicos seminal songwriters during the pre-war era, Agustin Lara wrote favorites including Granada, Solamente una Vez, Maria Bonita, Farolito, and Palabras de Mujer. Lara excelled in a variety of song styles — ranchera, bolero, tropical songs, even the occasional tango — and brought a cosmopolitan flair to the Old West while vivifying many early Mexican films with his rich music. Born in 1897 in Mexico City (though he would often name Veracruz as his birthplace), Lara took piano lessons and ended up playing in a bordello until his father sent him to military school. He was soon back in the music world however, playing piano around Mexico City and, by 1928, having his compositions recorded. (Imposible was the first, by Adelaido Castelledas orchestra.) He wrote most of his legendary songs between 1930 and 1939, while touring around South America and performing often on national radio. He also began composing for film, and contributed much to a golden era of Mexican film (basically from the mid-30s to the late 40s) that roughly paralleled Americas. During the 50s and early 60s, Lara cemented his international star status by touring Europe to wide acclaim. Though his popularity diminished in the 60s, he stepped back into the limelight several times before his death from a heart attack in 1970. Dozens of artists have performed Laras songs, including Xavier Cugat, Desi Arnaz, Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Lola Beltran, and Celia Cruz. On the centenary of his birth, Placido Domingo recorded a full album of Lara compositions, Por Amor.