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/ Wednesday, June 29, 2022
87 years later, Gardel sings better than ever Carlos Gardel arriving at the San Juan pier for his presentations throughout the island. April 1935.
From bars and private parties, the Argentinian became one of the most influential interpreters of the world
C
Juan A. Hernandez, The Weekly Journal
Madrid. In the first three months of his 1928 visit to Paris, the rising star sold 70,000 records. As his popularity grew, Gardel was hired by Paramount Pictures, both in France and the U.S. to film several movies, among them “La casa es seria” (The House is Serious), “Luces de Buenos Aires” (The Lights of Buenos Aires) “Cuesta abajo” (Downhill) and “El día que me quieras” (The Day You Love Me).
arlos Gardel, the most prominent Gardel And Puerto Rico figure in the history of tango, During his last international tour in 1935, Gardel died 87 years ago, and, like many visited the island –two months before the tragic Argentinians plane accident that killed him– say, “with every for a series of presentations passing day he in San Juan, Cataño, Manatí, sings better.” Arecibo, Mayagüez, Yauco, Ponce, Born Charles Romuald Guayama and Cayey. Gardès, on December 11, 1890 in Several myths came to be Toulouse, France, Gardel started during his almost monthIn the first three his career in show business long visit, including several months of his 1928 singing in bars and private parties, romances with local belles, visit to Paris, Gardel but quickly became one of the with at least one becoming the sold 70,000 records. most influential singers in the first source of inspiration for a novel. half of the 20th century, a time Nevertheless, the most enduring when there was no television, the “myth” is the one that tells how internet was non-existent and Gardel’s entourage got lost on movies and radio were in their its way to a presentation in infancy. Mayagüez. As an international star, Gardel went on tour Legend has it, that after realizing they had to Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Brazil, Puerto Rico, lost their way, Gardel’s driver stopped to ask for Venezuela, and Colombia, as well as making directions somewhere in the town of Isabela. He appearances in Paris, New York, Barcelona and asked a man walking on the side of the road –a
In fact,
I’ve seen you in the movies. A plumber giving directions to Carlos Gardel (1935)
plumber– who leaned over the car’s window and instructed them how to get on their way. While giving directions, the man had a chance to look at the people inside the car. In the front seat, on the passenger side, was Alfredo Le Pera (author of many of Gardel’s tangos) and Gardel in the backseat. “I know you,” said the plumber, pointing in the singer’s direction. “You are Carlos Gardel.” “How come you know me?” a puzzled Gardel inquired. “I’ve seen you in the movies,” answered the man. Gardel then came out of the car to greet his fan properly and, one thing lead to another, and before long there was a crowd begging the “Criollo” to sing a tango for them. In an impromptu concert Gardel supposedly sang a few songs standing on the front balcony of a nearby house (some say he climbed on the hood of his car), before continuing on his way. Whether this story is true or not, the fact is, Gardel is still remembered in Isabela and has a strong enough following to have a tango festival (The Isabela Tango Fest) to commemorate his visit to a town where he didn’t have a show… or did he?
