Raúl Velasco
Encyclopedia
Raúl Velasco was born in Celaya
, Guanajuato
, Mexico. For 30 years, he was the Mexican
host
/producer
of the TV show Siempre en Domingo (Always on Sunday) which is his hallmark
contribution to the Latin American world and eventually to other parts of the world where Spanish
entertainment
programs are broadcast
.
Raúl Velasco began this program as co-host of a Sunday afternoon special in 1969 called Domingos Espectaculares (Spectacular Sundays).
One of Raúl Velasco's catch phrases was, "Aun hay mas" ("There's more to follow"). For a short while, Siempre en Domingo was known as Aun hay mas because Raúl Velasco would always say these words prior to each intermission
or commercial
, with the hand gesture that corresponds to a request for a commercial break, similar to what Frank Sinatra
might have said or sung, The best is yet to come. . . The phrase and hand gesture became popular in Mexico as a result. (y aún hay más... amigos!)
, Mexico
on April 24, 1933. Coming from a family with few resources, Velasco started working at an early age. He worked first at his family store, called La Violeta, a small grocery. He also worked as messenger, tractor operator (agriculture machinery), and driver.
When he was very young, he married Hortensia Ruiz. They had three children; Raul, Claudia and Arturo. Some years later, he divorced Ruiz and married Dorle Klokow. In this second marriage with Dorle, Karina and Diego were born.
When he was twenty years old, he fulfilled one of his dreams: to move to Mexico City. He began working as an accountant for the National Bank of Mexico. At the same time, his writing spirit began to take hold. He wrote many sports articles and then he started writing in a magazine called Novelas de la radio. Furthermore, he wrote for Cine Universal, Cine Novelas and Cine Álbum.
Velasco made his mark in the world of the theater when he became the head of the entertainment section of the El heraldo de Mexico newspaper. He also worked on the radio station Radio Variedades. In addition, he started working on the Independent Television of Mexico (TIM) as a host, first with the program La reseña cinematografica de Acapulco, and then he participated in some open TV programs like Confrontación 68, Media Noche and Domingos espectaculares.
After hard work, on December 13, 1969, Siempre en Domingo was born. This program was one of the most popular TV musical programs in history. It was broadcast in the United States, Central and South America, Europe and Asia. It was a program of Televisa
Company.
As time went by, Velasco became an international artistic icon. He created some TV shows too. Some of them were Estrellas de los ochenta, Juguemos a cantar, Festival OTI and Galardón a los grandes.
to work for the magazine Radio Novels. After that, he collaborated with Cine Universal, Cine Novelas and Cine Álbum. From these publications, other newspapers came through like Novedades and then El Heraldo, where he was the editor of the entertainment and show section.
In 1969, he joined Television Independiente de México (now Televisa
), which is one of the biggest and popular TV networks in Mexico. Aside from his famous show, he was also an actor on programs such as Medianoche, Domingos espectaculares, Reseña cinematográfica de Acapulco, Confrontación 68 and El tigre. In 1998, he was fired by Televisa even though his show had high ratings because of some differences with his co-workers. Despite his bad relationship with Televisa, the popularity of the host influenced many important artists to give him a tribute for his brilliant career, and also for entering Mexican homes for almost 30 years.
In 2002, he published his first book, Reflexiones, para vivir mejor. It was composed of stories, tales and reflections where the author makes reference to topics of ethics and essential elements of spiritual life. The book was dedicated to all the people that search within their souls for all the feelings that have been hidden since childhood.
Siempre en Domingo was a TV show where many artists performed and debuted.
In the beginning, most of the artists performing on Siempre en Domingo were from Spain, Central and South America. However, the TV show became more and more popular, and soon many Mexican singers wanted to perform as well.
The show was very criticized for its very low quality, the usage of pre-recorded material, lip sync, and fake musicians.
It is commented that Siempre en Domingo was a "Pay to perform" kind of show so Mr. Velasco would decide who to present in regards of wealth or connections and not talent. It is also mentioned in some books that he worked as a contact between "artistas" and many politicians and business men who could hire them as escorts for high profile parties and events, this practice was supported by Televisa to keep the favors of the government and sponsors, and tolerated by the artists due to the exposure that the show represented.
Velasco, the host, encouraged many singers such as Lucía Méndez, Chayanne, Lucero, Emmanuel, Mijares, Gloria Trevi, Timbiriche
and more. Moreover, Velasco presented foreign artists such as Julio Iglesias, Dhario Primero, Raphael, Miguel Bose and Ricky Martin
. Furthermore, he encouraged announcers, commentators, producers, reporters, and writers. Some of these artists became famous around the world while most have been struggling to stay in the business. Many festivals such as OTI, Valores Juveniles (Juvenile’s values), Juguemos a Cantar (Let’s play singing) were promoted.
Later, Siempre en Domingo became one of the most popular TV shows in Latin America. Velasco's popular phrase, "patada de la suerte" (lucky kick), sponsored many artists that every Sunday performed in his popular TV show.
Siempre en Domingo had about 420 million television viewers around the world (according to Televisa and their partners)
Many singers, choreographers, recording companies and fans found their roots in this TV show. Some say that thanks to 'Siempre en Domingo, show business in Mexico was able to thrive. Some others think that it was an impossible for performers with real talent but no means due to the conservative profile of the show and the will to keep the Status Quo at all costs.
All things come to and end and Siempre en Domingo closed a chapter in musical history of Spanish-speaking nations.
Siempre en Domingo was on air until 1998 when Velasco was diagnosed with Hepatitis C
, and decided to retire.
Some years later, in 2003, the announcer Marco Antonio Regil planned to direct a new TV show similar to Siempre en Domingo, keeping the "familiar values" and "originality". This new musical TV show expected to have popular acts and not so popular acts in order to maintain happy and satisfied fans.
Selena Quintanilla was also in Siempre en Domingo.
, Mexico City.
Raul Velasco's funeral was a national event. His body was buried in the “Panteon Frances” where many fans, artists, and press congregated to give Raul the last goodbye.
His death impacted not only Mexico, but also Central America and the Caribbean. People from Guatemala
, El Salvador, Costa Rica, etc., showed they cared about the death of the TV host.
Velasco was survived by Dorle - his wife of 31 years-, 3 sons and 2 daughters: Arturo, who works as director of Televisa Music in Mexico; Claudia, who works as an interior designer; Raul, who owns a landscaping company in Mexico; Diego, who works as independent TV producer in Mexico and the US; and Karina who followed her father footsteps by becoming a TV host herself but only remained active while her father was on the top. At the time of his death, he had 5 grandsons and one granddaughter.
Celaya
Celaya is a city and its surrounding municipality in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico, located in the southeast quadrant of the state. It is the third most populous city in the state, with a 2005 census population of 310,413. The municipality for which the city serves as municipal seat, had a...
, Guanajuato
Guanajuato
Guanajuato officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Guanajuato is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 46 municipalities and its capital city is Guanajuato....
, Mexico. For 30 years, he was the Mexican
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
host
Presenter
A presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show...
/producer
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
of the TV show Siempre en Domingo (Always on Sunday) which is his hallmark
Hallmark
A hallmark is an official mark or series of marks struck on items made of precious metals — platinum, gold, silver and in some nations, palladium...
contribution to the Latin American world and eventually to other parts of the world where Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
entertainment
Entertainment
Entertainment consists of any activity which provides a diversion or permits people to amuse themselves in their leisure time. Entertainment is generally passive, such as watching opera or a movie. Active forms of amusement, such as sports, are more often considered to be recreation...
programs are broadcast
Broadcast
Broadcast or Broadcasting may refer to:* Broadcasting, the transmission of audio and video signals* Broadcast, an individual television program or radio program* Broadcast , an English electronic music band...
.
Raúl Velasco began this program as co-host of a Sunday afternoon special in 1969 called Domingos Espectaculares (Spectacular Sundays).
One of Raúl Velasco's catch phrases was, "Aun hay mas" ("There's more to follow"). For a short while, Siempre en Domingo was known as Aun hay mas because Raúl Velasco would always say these words prior to each intermission
Intermission
An intermission or interval is a recess between parts of a performance or production, such as for a theatrical play, opera, concert, or film screening....
or commercial
Television advertisement
A television advertisement or television commercial, often just commercial, advert, ad, or ad-film – is a span of television programming produced and paid for by an organization that conveys a message, typically one intended to market a product...
, with the hand gesture that corresponds to a request for a commercial break, similar to what Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
might have said or sung, The best is yet to come. . . The phrase and hand gesture became popular in Mexico as a result. (y aún hay más... amigos!)
Biography
Raúl Velasco Ramirez was born in CelayaCelaya
Celaya is a city and its surrounding municipality in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico, located in the southeast quadrant of the state. It is the third most populous city in the state, with a 2005 census population of 310,413. The municipality for which the city serves as municipal seat, had a...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
on April 24, 1933. Coming from a family with few resources, Velasco started working at an early age. He worked first at his family store, called La Violeta, a small grocery. He also worked as messenger, tractor operator (agriculture machinery), and driver.
When he was very young, he married Hortensia Ruiz. They had three children; Raul, Claudia and Arturo. Some years later, he divorced Ruiz and married Dorle Klokow. In this second marriage with Dorle, Karina and Diego were born.
When he was twenty years old, he fulfilled one of his dreams: to move to Mexico City. He began working as an accountant for the National Bank of Mexico. At the same time, his writing spirit began to take hold. He wrote many sports articles and then he started writing in a magazine called Novelas de la radio. Furthermore, he wrote for Cine Universal, Cine Novelas and Cine Álbum.
Velasco made his mark in the world of the theater when he became the head of the entertainment section of the El heraldo de Mexico newspaper. He also worked on the radio station Radio Variedades. In addition, he started working on the Independent Television of Mexico (TIM) as a host, first with the program La reseña cinematografica de Acapulco, and then he participated in some open TV programs like Confrontación 68, Media Noche and Domingos espectaculares.
After hard work, on December 13, 1969, Siempre en Domingo was born. This program was one of the most popular TV musical programs in history. It was broadcast in the United States, Central and South America, Europe and Asia. It was a program of Televisa
Televisa
Televisa is a Mexican multimedia conglomerate, the largest mass media company in Latin America and in the Spanish-speaking world. It is a major international entertainment business, with much of its programming airing in the United States on Univision, with which it has an exclusive contract...
Company.
As time went by, Velasco became an international artistic icon. He created some TV shows too. Some of them were Estrellas de los ochenta, Juguemos a cantar, Festival OTI and Galardón a los grandes.
Career
His career started with his first contact with journalism in a sports magazine that was published in Celaya, Guanajuato where he wrote articles about frontenis, the sport he practiced. At the age of 20, Velasco traveled to Mexico CityMexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
to work for the magazine Radio Novels. After that, he collaborated with Cine Universal, Cine Novelas and Cine Álbum. From these publications, other newspapers came through like Novedades and then El Heraldo, where he was the editor of the entertainment and show section.
In 1969, he joined Television Independiente de México (now Televisa
Televisa
Televisa is a Mexican multimedia conglomerate, the largest mass media company in Latin America and in the Spanish-speaking world. It is a major international entertainment business, with much of its programming airing in the United States on Univision, with which it has an exclusive contract...
), which is one of the biggest and popular TV networks in Mexico. Aside from his famous show, he was also an actor on programs such as Medianoche, Domingos espectaculares, Reseña cinematográfica de Acapulco, Confrontación 68 and El tigre. In 1998, he was fired by Televisa even though his show had high ratings because of some differences with his co-workers. Despite his bad relationship with Televisa, the popularity of the host influenced many important artists to give him a tribute for his brilliant career, and also for entering Mexican homes for almost 30 years.
In 2002, he published his first book, Reflexiones, para vivir mejor. It was composed of stories, tales and reflections where the author makes reference to topics of ethics and essential elements of spiritual life. The book was dedicated to all the people that search within their souls for all the feelings that have been hidden since childhood.
Siempre en Domingo
On September 13, 1969, a new musical variety show came out on television, becoming the most popular and traditional in Mexico: Siempre en Domingo (Always on Sunday). This TV show achieved fame in USA, Latin America, Asia and Europe.Siempre en Domingo was a TV show where many artists performed and debuted.
In the beginning, most of the artists performing on Siempre en Domingo were from Spain, Central and South America. However, the TV show became more and more popular, and soon many Mexican singers wanted to perform as well.
The show was very criticized for its very low quality, the usage of pre-recorded material, lip sync, and fake musicians.
It is commented that Siempre en Domingo was a "Pay to perform" kind of show so Mr. Velasco would decide who to present in regards of wealth or connections and not talent. It is also mentioned in some books that he worked as a contact between "artistas" and many politicians and business men who could hire them as escorts for high profile parties and events, this practice was supported by Televisa to keep the favors of the government and sponsors, and tolerated by the artists due to the exposure that the show represented.
Velasco, the host, encouraged many singers such as Lucía Méndez, Chayanne, Lucero, Emmanuel, Mijares, Gloria Trevi, Timbiriche
Timbiriche
Timbiriche is the name of a Mexican group that debuted on April 30, 1982, during a broadcast of the news program Hoy Mismo with Alex Gongora and disbanded in 1994....
and more. Moreover, Velasco presented foreign artists such as Julio Iglesias, Dhario Primero, Raphael, Miguel Bose and Ricky Martin
Ricky Martin
Enrique "Ricky" Martín Morales , better known as Ricky Martin, is a Puerto Rican and Spanish pop singer and actor who achieved prominence, first as a member of the Latin boy band Menudo, then as a solo artist since 1991.During his career he has sold more than 60 million album copies worldwide...
. Furthermore, he encouraged announcers, commentators, producers, reporters, and writers. Some of these artists became famous around the world while most have been struggling to stay in the business. Many festivals such as OTI, Valores Juveniles (Juvenile’s values), Juguemos a Cantar (Let’s play singing) were promoted.
Later, Siempre en Domingo became one of the most popular TV shows in Latin America. Velasco's popular phrase, "patada de la suerte" (lucky kick), sponsored many artists that every Sunday performed in his popular TV show.
Siempre en Domingo had about 420 million television viewers around the world (according to Televisa and their partners)
Many singers, choreographers, recording companies and fans found their roots in this TV show. Some say that thanks to 'Siempre en Domingo, show business in Mexico was able to thrive. Some others think that it was an impossible for performers with real talent but no means due to the conservative profile of the show and the will to keep the Status Quo at all costs.
All things come to and end and Siempre en Domingo closed a chapter in musical history of Spanish-speaking nations.
Siempre en Domingo was on air until 1998 when Velasco was diagnosed with Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is an infectious disease primarily affecting the liver, caused by the hepatitis C virus . The infection is often asymptomatic, but chronic infection can lead to scarring of the liver and ultimately to cirrhosis, which is generally apparent after many years...
, and decided to retire.
Some years later, in 2003, the announcer Marco Antonio Regil planned to direct a new TV show similar to Siempre en Domingo, keeping the "familiar values" and "originality". This new musical TV show expected to have popular acts and not so popular acts in order to maintain happy and satisfied fans.
Selena Quintanilla was also in Siempre en Domingo.
Death and family
Raul Velasco developed several heart and liver problems. He had been in the hospital several times, but the last time he became ill, he decided to be taken care of at home. On November 26, 2006, Raul Velasco died of natural causes at 7:15 am. He was 73 years old. He died surrounded by his family in his house located in PolancoPolanco
Polanco is the name shared by people and places in Mexico, Spain and other countries, including:* Polanco , an upscale neighborhood of Mexico City* Polanco, Cantabria, a municipality in Spain...
, Mexico City.
Raul Velasco's funeral was a national event. His body was buried in the “Panteon Frances” where many fans, artists, and press congregated to give Raul the last goodbye.
His death impacted not only Mexico, but also Central America and the Caribbean. People from Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
, El Salvador, Costa Rica, etc., showed they cared about the death of the TV host.
Velasco was survived by Dorle - his wife of 31 years-, 3 sons and 2 daughters: Arturo, who works as director of Televisa Music in Mexico; Claudia, who works as an interior designer; Raul, who owns a landscaping company in Mexico; Diego, who works as independent TV producer in Mexico and the US; and Karina who followed her father footsteps by becoming a TV host herself but only remained active while her father was on the top. At the time of his death, he had 5 grandsons and one granddaughter.