Acting
May 4, 1943
Linares, Spain
Raphael
Acting
Biography
Miguel Rafael Martos Sánchez, simply referred to as Raphael, is a Spanish singer and television, film and theater actor. Raphael is recognized as one of the most successful Spanish singers in the world. He is nicknamed both El Ruiseñor de Linares, El Divo de Linares and El Niño. His family moved to Madrid when he was nine months old, and he started singing when he was just three. He joined a children's choir at age four. When he was nine, he was recognized as the best child voice in Europe at a contest in Salzburg, Austria. His two idols were US singer Elvis Presley and French diva Edith Piaf. He began his professional career by singing with the Dutch record label Philips. He adopted his own peculiar singing style from the beginning; he is known for acting each one of his songs while on stage, emphasizing his gestures with high dramatic effect. It is not unusual for him to ad lib lyrics as to localize a song depending on the venue he's singing at. He also possesses a wide vocal range, which he often used in the beginning of his career as to evoke a choirboy approach to some songs. When he was nineteen, he won first, second and third awards at the famous Benidorm International Song Festival, Spain, in 1962 and 1963. After a brief relation with Barclay record label, he signed a contract with Hispavox recording company, and began a long artistic relationship with the musical director of this label, the late, talented Argentinian orchestrator Waldo de los Ríos and intensify the partnership with outstanding Spanish songwriter Manuel Alejandro.
Feature Films (25)
The fantastic story of how in 1970 the Spanish singer Raphael became a renowned artist in the Soviet Union, where he held concerts that attracted huge crowds, despite the Cold War and the systematic veto that the authorities normally imposed on artists from the other side of the implacable Iron Curtain.
Raphael: desde Rusia con amor
The film is slightly autobiographical, Raphael is trying to find fame and fortune as a popular singer in Spain until he teams up with an up and coming Spanish composer which helps him become a popular singer in Spain.
When You Are Not Here
Raphael plays a singer who searches for his classical pianist brother in Buenos Aires, with the brother eventually revealed playing in the squalid bar.
Let Them Talk
An account of the life and work of the singer and songwriter Miguel Ríos, pioneer and true icon of Spanish rock music.
Cruce de caminos
Performed at Las Ventas Spain, In celebration of Raphael's 50th anniversary as a performer, this comprehensive collection offers incredible videos from throughout his career. The vaunted Spanish singer and actor first hit the stage as a toddler, and has since played with the biggest Latin artists such as Juanes, Rocio Jurado, Miguel Bose, and many more. 50 ANOS DESPUES features 18 hits including "A Mia Minera," "Cantares," and "Adoro."
Raphael: 50 años después - En directo y al completo
Raphael is one of the most prolific, followed & adored spanish artists in the world. This documentary takes us across his childhood, early years, his home & family, glory, transplant and reinvention as singer & actor in 60 yrs of legacy.
Raphaelismo
Television & Series (19)
El Hormiguero is a Spanish television program with a live audience focusing on comedy, science, and politics running since September 2006. It is hosted and produced by screenwriter Pablo Motos. The show aired on Spain's Cuatro channel from launch until June 2011 and is now broadcast on Antena 3. Recurring guests on the show include Luis Piedrahita, Raquel Martos, Marron & "The Man in Black", and puppet ants Trancas and Barrancas. It has proved a ratings success, and has expanded from a weekly 120-minute show to a daily 40-minute show in its third season, which began on September 17, 2007. The show won the Entertainment prize at the 2009 Rose d'Or ceremony.
