Spanish singer celebrates his big night: Raphael celebrates his 80th birthday

The Spanish singer who made the world fall in love, Raphael, is turning 80 years old. The artist has worked, almost exclusively, in the music scene for six decades and his name is recognized around the world.

However, the Linares Boy (Jaén, Spain) did not want to be a singer at first. His dream was to be an actor. One day, as a child, he snuck into a movie theater and that's where his love for film began. He actually fulfilled his dream of becoming an actor, even though he is not recognized worldwide for that. He ended up becoming famous for his music.

The singer began his career in 1959 when he was only 16 years old. At that time his name was just Rafael. The label he was working with, Phillips Records, recommended he add a "PH" to replace the "F." What was the reason for the change? To make the singer more international.

From Eurovision to becoming an international star

Three years later, in 1962, the singer won three first prizes at the Benidorm International Song Festival (Spain). Four years later, in 1966, he represented Spain at Eurovision. He did so by singing Yo Soy Aquel, the first of his many hits.

He didn't win, but since then, Raphael has become known not only in his home country but also in the rest of the world, so much so that the following year, in 1967, he was chosen to represent Spain at Eurovision. This time with the song Hablemos del Amor. He didn't win the competition that time either.

However, he has been very successful in the music industry, just look at the data. Raphael has managed, in the six decades he has been performing, to sell more than 70 million copies worldwide, which is equivalent to obtaining a 'Uranium Disc.' If that weren't enough, he also has more than 350 gold and 50 platinum records. He has received an impressive list of awards: a Grammy, a Billboard, a Gold Medal of Merit for Fine Arts and an Honor Award from the Academy of Music.

He has achieved an extensive level of recognition thanks to songs such as Escándalo or Mi Gran Noche. These songs have made Raphael one of the most internationally recognized artists. We can't wait to find out what he still has in store for us. What's coming up next for the artist? He will start his Victoria tour in Spain, which he will probably end up extending throughout the rest of the world.