El Fary
Encyclopedia
José Luis Cantero Rada known professionally as El Fary, was a Spanish
singer and actor.
The youngest of six children, José Luis Cantero was born in Madrid, close to a famous bullring
. As a boy he would play truant from school, preferring to spend time partying with Gypsies imitating his idol, the traditional "copla" singer Rafael Farina. It was from Farina that Cantero adopted his stage name
of "El Fary". Resolute that his shortness would not stand in the way of success he was determined that his dream of following in his idol's footsteps would one day come true. It was during the military service
(late 1950s) that he would finally learn to read and write.
Before hitting the big time El Fary worked hard as a gardener and a taxi
driver in order to make the money to record his first songs. As a taxi driver, he claimed to have driven the American actress Ava Gardner
around Madrid.
Once he had recorded and pressed these song
s - rumour has it - he sold them to the public himself from a stall in the Rastro (Madrid's weekly street market). At this time he also took part in singing contests on the radio and performed at local fiesta
s. Only when he was in his early thirties did El Fary start to make money as a singer when he was called to stand in for Pepe Blanco at a show in Pozoblanco, Córdoba
, Andalusia
. Later, the legendary Antonio Molina
hired him for a two-month tour.
By the 1970s the copla had fallen from favour with the Spanish record-buying public, but this did not dampen El Fary's enthusiasm
and by the end of the decade he was recording poppier songs such as Gypsy rumbas that found a home in the Spanish hit parade
.
's show Fiesta. Manolo Escobar
was called to say some kind words about the "new" artist. From then on, he was known across Spain. While not appreciated by the music establishment, his cassette tapes would be a hit in roadside gas-station shops. It was in the 1980s that El Fary released what would generally be considered his most famous song: El Toro Guapo.
In the 1990s El Fary got his break in the world of acting where he starred in the show "Menudo es mi padre" as a taxi driver - a role tailor-made for him. The show's title was itself a play on words poking fun at the protagonist's minuscule stature.
During this period El Fary was often the subject of speculation due to rumours of his son's drug addiction.
He helped to launch the career of the child singer Melody, a pop hit across the Spanish-speaking world, but after disagreement with her parents, he promoted his own teenage son Javi Cantero.
Towards the end of the decade his career was given another boost when film director Santiago Segura
premiered his comedy
film Torrente - The Dumb Arm of the Law
. The protagonist, José Luis Torrente (played by Segura himself) was a rude, racist, misogynist, corrupt
policeman who was a fan of El Fary. The film featured a new song recorded especially by El Fary himself called Apatrullando la ciudad ("Patrolling The City"). Both the song and the film were hits, and spawned two sequels, the first of which - Torrente 2 - Mission in Marbella
- became the most successful Spanish film (in Spain) of all time (on its release).
With the release of the third Torrente film in 2005 - Torrente 3 - The Protector - a unique piece of El Fary-related spin-off
merchandising
was produced: the Carrofary - a small rubber replica of the singer designed to be hung from a car's rear view mirror.
and had to discontinue his career in singing and acting. On June 19, 2007 the same day his last record was published, El Fary died, aged 69.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
singer and actor.
The youngest of six children, José Luis Cantero was born in Madrid, close to a famous bullring
Bullfighting
Bullfighting is a traditional spectacle of Spain, Portugal, southern France and some Latin American countries , in which one or more bulls are baited in a bullring for sport and entertainment...
. As a boy he would play truant from school, preferring to spend time partying with Gypsies imitating his idol, the traditional "copla" singer Rafael Farina. It was from Farina that Cantero adopted his stage name
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
of "El Fary". Resolute that his shortness would not stand in the way of success he was determined that his dream of following in his idol's footsteps would one day come true. It was during the military service
Military service
Military service, in its simplest sense, is service by an individual or group in an army or other militia, whether as a chosen job or as a result of an involuntary draft . Some nations require a specific amount of military service from every citizen...
(late 1950s) that he would finally learn to read and write.
Before hitting the big time El Fary worked hard as a gardener and a taxi
Taxicab
A taxicab, also taxi or cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choice...
driver in order to make the money to record his first songs. As a taxi driver, he claimed to have driven the American actress Ava Gardner
Ava Gardner
Ava Lavinia Gardner was an American actress.She was signed to a contract by MGM Studios in 1941 and appeared mainly in small roles until she drew attention with her performance in The Killers . She became one of Hollywood's leading actresses, considered one of the most beautiful women of her day...
around Madrid.
Once he had recorded and pressed these song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
s - rumour has it - he sold them to the public himself from a stall in the Rastro (Madrid's weekly street market). At this time he also took part in singing contests on the radio and performed at local fiesta
Festival
A festival or gala is an event, usually and ordinarily staged by a local community, which centers on and celebrates some unique aspect of that community and the Festival....
s. Only when he was in his early thirties did El Fary start to make money as a singer when he was called to stand in for Pepe Blanco at a show in Pozoblanco, Córdoba
Córdoba, Spain
-History:The first trace of human presence in the area are remains of a Neanderthal Man, dating to c. 32,000 BC. In the 8th century BC, during the ancient Tartessos period, a pre-urban settlement existed. The population gradually learned copper and silver metallurgy...
, Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
. Later, the legendary Antonio Molina
Antonio Molina
Antonio Molina was born in Málaga, 9 March 1928 - Madrid, 18 March 1992. Flamenco and popular singer and actor in films and on theatrical stage. He had a high, brilliant voice, which he perhaps abused until he lost it prematurely. He was very popular starring in many theater shows. After a few...
hired him for a two-month tour.
By the 1970s the copla had fallen from favour with the Spanish record-buying public, but this did not dampen El Fary's enthusiasm
Enthusiasm
Enthusiasm originally meant inspiration or possession by a divine afflatus or by the presence of a god. Johnson's Dictionary, the first comprehensive dictionary of the English language, defines enthusiasm as "a vain belief of private revelation; a vain confidence of divine favour or...
and by the end of the decade he was recording poppier songs such as Gypsy rumbas that found a home in the Spanish hit parade
Hit parade
A hit parade is a ranked list of the most popular recordings at a given point in time, usually determined by sales and/or airplay. The term originated in the 1930s; Billboard magazine published its first music hit parade on January 4, 1936...
.
1980s
In 1980, he first appeared on television, in José María IñigoJosé María Íñigo
José María Íñigo is a Spanish radio and television presenter and stage and screen actor for Televisión Española.Born in Bilbao, Íñigo was hired by Radio Bilbao and then by Cope. He joined TVE in 1968 working on the show "Último Grito" alongside Pedro Olea...
's show Fiesta. Manolo Escobar
Manolo Escobar
Manuel "Manolo" García Escobar is a Spanish singer and actor. He may be best-known for his songs Y viva España, El porompompero and Mi carro....
was called to say some kind words about the "new" artist. From then on, he was known across Spain. While not appreciated by the music establishment, his cassette tapes would be a hit in roadside gas-station shops. It was in the 1980s that El Fary released what would generally be considered his most famous song: El Toro Guapo.
In the 1990s El Fary got his break in the world of acting where he starred in the show "Menudo es mi padre" as a taxi driver - a role tailor-made for him. The show's title was itself a play on words poking fun at the protagonist's minuscule stature.
During this period El Fary was often the subject of speculation due to rumours of his son's drug addiction.
He helped to launch the career of the child singer Melody, a pop hit across the Spanish-speaking world, but after disagreement with her parents, he promoted his own teenage son Javi Cantero.
Towards the end of the decade his career was given another boost when film director Santiago Segura
Santiago Segura
Santiago Segura Silva is a Spanish film actor, screenwriter, producer and director.Santiago was born in the Carabanchel neighbourhood in Madrid. After studying Arts at the Complutense University of Madrid, he decided to pursue a career as a film-maker and in 1989 he directed the short Relatos de...
premiered his comedy
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
film Torrente - The Dumb Arm of the Law
Torrente, el brazo tonto de la ley
Torrente, el brazo tonto de la ley is a 1998 Spanish dark comedy written, directed and starred by Santiago Segura.- Plot:Torrente is a lazy, rude, drunkard, sexist, racist, extreme-right-wing Madrid cop; a despicable character who only cares about himself. He lives in a decrepit slum with his...
. The protagonist, José Luis Torrente (played by Segura himself) was a rude, racist, misogynist, corrupt
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
policeman who was a fan of El Fary. The film featured a new song recorded especially by El Fary himself called Apatrullando la ciudad ("Patrolling The City"). Both the song and the film were hits, and spawned two sequels, the first of which - Torrente 2 - Mission in Marbella
Torrente 2: Misión en Marbella
Torrente, Misión en Marbella is a 2001 Spanish dark comedy. The film is the sequel to Torrente, el brazo tonto de la ley, and, like the first film, it was written and directed by Santiago Segura who takes the leading role of José Luis Torrente.- Plot:...
- became the most successful Spanish film (in Spain) of all time (on its release).
With the release of the third Torrente film in 2005 - Torrente 3 - The Protector - a unique piece of El Fary-related spin-off
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
merchandising
Merchandising
Merchandising is the methods, practices, and operations used to promote and sustain certain categories of commercial activity. In the broadest sense, merchandising is any practice which contributes to the sale of products to a retail consumer...
was produced: the Carrofary - a small rubber replica of the singer designed to be hung from a car's rear view mirror.
Death
On April 13, 2007, El Fary was diagnosed with lung cancerLung cancer
Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary...
and had to discontinue his career in singing and acting. On June 19, 2007 the same day his last record was published, El Fary died, aged 69.
Discography
- Ritmo caló (1975, Belter)
- Soy gitanito (1977, Movieplay)
- Camino de la gloria (1978, Movieplay)
- Yo me estoy enamorando (1979, Movieplay)
- Canela y limón (1980, Movieplay)
- Vengo a ti (1981, Movieplay)
- Amante de la noche (1982, Ariola)
- Amor secreto (1983, Ariola)
- Como un gigante (1984, Ariola)
- Rompecorazones (1985, Ariola)
- Un paso más (1986, Ariola)
- Grandes éxitos (1986, Ariola)
- Va por ellos (1987, Ariola)
- A mi son (1988, Ariola)
- Enamorando (1989, Zafiro)
- Dedícame una hora (1990, Zafiro)
- Tu piel (1991, Zafiro)
- Tomillo, romero y jara (1992, Zafiro)
- Mujer de seda (1993, Horus)
- Tumbalero (1995, Horus)
- Menudo es el Fary (1996, BMG-Ariola)
- Calle Calvario (1999, Zafiro)
- Sin trampa ni cartón (2000, Carabirubí)
- Ese Fary!! (2003, Muxxic)
- Los grandes éxitos de El Fary - Media Verónica (2007)
