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| Spanish Flamenco Music | Camarón de la Isla
Camarón
de la Isla, born José Monje Cruz, came by his stage
name "Camarón" due to his blonde hair and
"de la isla" (from the Island) due to his
birth place (San Fernando, Cádiz). Cameron began singing
at the early age of eight and 11 years later, he recorded
his first album together with guitarist Paco
de Lucía, who was at that time 21 years of age.
Soon
afterwards, Camarón was known as Principe de la
Isla (Prince of the Island), the Mick Jagger from Cádiz.
In 1979 he changed his style and delighted fans with a totally
different musical concept. In 1980 he released a new album
"La leyenda del tiempo" which had considerable
impact with its innovations on the traditional Flamenco styles
existent until that time. Influences from rock, jazz and also
oriental music are evident in this record, a style termed
'new flamenco' or 'flamenco fusion'. Together with two other
renowned musicians, Kiki Veneno and Raimundo Amador, Camarón
created the famous song "La Tarara".
Camarón
de la Isla incorporated totally new musical instruments into
his music, which had never before been used in Flamenco music,
such as the double bass, percussion, keyboards, electric guitar,
flute and the zither. His album "La leyenda del tiempo"
sold a total of 5842 copies. Camarón also began working
with guitarist, Tomatito,
and both continued their partnership until Camarón’s
death.
On
January 25, 1992, Camarón performed at what turned
out to be his last concert in Madrid, Spain. The artist died
on July 2 of the same year, at the young age of 41, from lung
cancer. All of San Fernando took to the streets that day,
in honor of this musical great.
