User:Morenooso/Roberto Cantoral ws

Roberto Cantoral Garcia (7 June 1935, Ciudad Madero – 7 August 2010, Toluca) was a Mexican composer, singer and songwriter. He was known for composing a string of hit Mexican songs, including El Triste, Al Final, La Barca and El Reloj. The Sociedad de Autores y Compositores de México (Society of Authors and Composers of Mexico) estimated that La Barca and El Reloj have been recorded over 1,000 times by other artists like Placido Domingo, José José, Joan Báez and Linda Ronstadt. In 2009, he won the Latin Grammy Trustee Award.

Early life
Roberto Cantoral Garcia was born on 7 June 1935 in Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas. From an early age, he showed an ability for music and its composition.

1950 - 1960
In 1950, Cantoral formed the Hermanos Cantoral (Cantoral Brothers) with Antonio Cantoral. The duo recorded "El preso número 9" (Prisoner Number 9) and "El crucifijo de piedra" (The Crucifix of Stone). The duo became Los Tres Caballeros (The Three Knights) during Mexico's era of romantic music and traveled to Japan, Argentina and the United States.

1960 - 1980
In 1960, Cantoral went solo and achieved international fame for "Al final", "Noche no te vayas", "Regálame esta noche" and "Yo lo comprendo" (The End, Night [Don't You] Go, Give me the Night, and I Understand). In 1971, he won the OTI Festival with "Yo no voy a la guerra" (I'm not going to the War) and in 1973 for "Quijote". Cantoral donated the proceeds from "Pobre navidad" (Poor Christmas) to worldwide children institutions such as UNICEF and his song, "Plegaria de paz" (Prayer of Peace) was broadcast "three consecutive years at the Vatican". Cantoral composed themes for El derecho de nacer, Paloma and Pacto de amor.

Awards
During his lifetime, Cantoral received many awards. He received medals of merit from Adolfo López Mateos and Tito. In 1969, Cantoral won la presea Diana Cazadora and premio Cuauhtémoc de Oro (Diana the Huntress award and Cuauhtémoc Gold prize).

Personal life
Cantoral resided in Rancho Viejo, Texas, just across the border from Mexico. His home, which suffered a fire in 2006 but was renovated, features a large marble clock in honor of his song, El Reloj, and several statues.

Cantoral was the father of Mexican actress Itati Cantoral, the co-star of the Televisa television series Hasta Que El Dinero Nos Separe.

Death
Cantoral died after suffering a heart attack on a flight from Brownsville, Texas, to Mexico City. The plane made an emergency landing in Toluca, Mexico, where Cantoral was pronounced dead at the age of 75. His body was placed on public view at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City. Cantoral's ashes were scattered in his hometown, Tampico, Tamaulipas.