Andres Calamaro Argentine musician and composer Date of Birth: 22.08.1961 Country: Australia

1. Biography of Andrés Calamaro
2. Early Career
3. Solo Career and Success with Los Rodríguez
4. Later Career and Recognition
5. Recent Work and Legacy

Biography of Andrés Calamaro

Andrés Calamaro Masel was born on August 22, 1961, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is an Argentine musician and composer who is also a recipient of the Latin Grammy Award. Calamaro gained significant success in the 1990s with his now-defunct band 'Los Rodríguez' in Spain.

Early Career

At the age of 17, Calamaro was invited to participate in the recording of the album 'Raíces'. Afterward, he formed his own musical group called 'Elmer Band' with his friend and guitarist, Gringui Herrera. The band produced an underground hit called 'Tristeza de la Ciudad (City Blues)'.

Later, when Miguel Abuelo, the leader of the rock band 'Los Abuelos de la Nada', returned to Argentina, Calamaro joined the band as the keyboardist. The band was very popular, and Calamaro wrote some of their best hits, including 'Sin gamulán', 'Mil horas', and 'Costumbres argentinas'.

Solo Career and Success with Los Rodríguez

Prior to the breakup of 'Los Abuelos de la Nada', Calamaro released his first solo album, 'Hotel Calamaro', in 1984. His second album, 'Vida Cruel', recorded shortly after the band's disbandment, received positive reviews but did not achieve commercial success.

After his third album, 'Por Mirarte', Calamaro began working as a producer, collaborating with bands such as 'Los Fabulosos Cadillacs' and 'Los Enanitos Verdes', as well as solo artists like Fabiana Cantilo.

In the 1980s, Calamaro performed with his old friends Gringui Herrera and Ariel Rot. The trio recorded the album 'Nadie sale vivo de aquí (No One Here Gets Out Alive)' in 1989, with the support of session musicians. The release was nominated for 'Best Record of the Year'.

Due to the difficult economic situation in Argentina, Calamaro and Rot moved to Spain, where they formed the band 'Los Rodríguez' with Julián Infante and Germán Villela. The band released three successful albums: 'Buena Suerte' in 1991, 'Sin documentos' in 1993, and 'Palabras más, palabras menos' in 1995. They also released a live album, 'Disco Pirata', in 1992, and a compilation album, 'Hasta luego', in 1996.

Thanks to the album 'Sin documentos', which blended flamenco and Latin American rhythms, the band gained international recognition. They embarked on tours in Spain and Latin America and became part of Latin rock history.

After the release of the album 'Palabras más, palabras menos', the band presented a greatest hits collection, which quickly sold out, and subsequently disbanded.

Later Career and Recognition

In 1996, Calamaro recorded 'Cosas Que Me Ayudan A Olvidar (Things That Help Me To Forget)' for the album 'Silencio=Muerte: Red Hot + Latin' by the organization 'Red Hot', which combats AIDS through pop culture.

In 1997, he released the solo album 'Alta suciedad', which sold over 0.5 million copies, and embarked on a tour of Latin America. During a particularly creative period, Calamaro composed over 100 songs in six months, and 37 of them were included in his next album, 'Honestidad brutal'. The album featured hits like 'Te quiero igual', 'Paloma', 'Los aviones', and 'La parte de adelante' and reflected Calamaro's personal experiences, including a collaboration with Maradona.

In 2000, Calamaro recorded 103 songs for his 5-CD album 'El salmón'. In the following years, he performed in concerts and collaborated with other artists. Calamaro made his songs from the 2001-2002 period available for free download on the internet, stating that "music belongs to those who want to hear it and no one else".

In 2004, he released the album 'El Cantante (The Singer)' featuring covers of tango and other Latin American rhythms. In 2005, Calamaro presented the concert recording collection 'El Regreso (The Return)' from his performance at the 'Luna Park' stadium that year. The album won two Gardel Awards in 2006 for 'Best Rock Album' and 'Best Cover Album', and Calamaro received the prestigious 'Golden Gardel' prize.

Throughout his career, Calamaro continued to release albums and collaborate with other artists. His discography includes various genres, including rock, tango, and Latin American rhythms.

Recent Work and Legacy

In June 2010, Calamaro's album 'On The Rocks' marked his return to rock-oriented sound. The release became a hit, including the first single 'Los Divinos', which explores the fleetingness of time.

Over the past two decades, Calamaro has become one of the main icons of Argentine rock, selling over 1.3 million copies of his records.