Chucho Avellanet
Encyclopedia
Armando Hipólito Avellanet González (born 13 August 1941), nicknamed "Chucho" (from the Basque
Txutxo) is a Puerto Rican
singer and comedic actor. Avellanet is a native of Mayagüez
(actually born in the same house that is now occupied by the local clubhouse of the Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico
in town).
Avellanet is of Spanish and Italian descent, his grandfather being an Italian immigrant by the name of Pietro Nuccio. Before becoming famous, he had been performing across Puerto Rico's western coast with various musical trios, particularly with the Trio Los Duendes group. He was regarded as having a powerful voice, but was too shy to occupy a solo spot in any of the groups he performed with. In fact, Avellanet claimed, he felt better suited to perform comedy, and he did comic sketches at a few high school functions. After he returned from a stint at the Army National Guard
in North Carolina
he was discovered by a Cuba
n television promoter, Gaspar Pumarejo, who immediately introduced him to the Puerto Rican television world. His career formally started during the week of 23–28 May 1961, when he was featured daily in Pumarejo's show. His first formal live performance was opening for Myrta Silva
at a Puerto Rican music review regularly staged at the Tropicoro Room of El San Juan Hotel in Carolina, Puerto Rico
now the Wyndham El San Juan Hotel & Casino. He took voice lessons from Puerto Rican soprano Rina de Toledo.
Avellanet reached teen-idol status in Puerto Rico
during the 1960s, as a member of the nueva ola
music movement. Helped by Alfred D. Herger
, he was a member of a group of teen sensations that included Lissette Alvarez (to whom Avellanet got married), Lucecita Benítez
, Yolandita Monge
, Ednita Nazario
and Charlie Robles, among others. His popularity was such that he managed to do three shows on the New Year's Eve and New Year's Day of 1962. With la nueva ola, he recorded his first album, named Fugitiva. His first hit was a Spanish version of Marty Robbins
' Devil Woman
loosely translated by Herger, named "Magia Blanca." He later had his first major international hit with another song adapted to Spanish, a version of pop standard I Can't Stop Loving You
named "Jamás te olvidaré".
Avellanet later participated in a group of singers named La Juventud Canta. Although not a conventional music group, La Juventud Canta toured all over Latin America, and Avellanet extended his teen-idol status to other countries such as Mexico, Argentina
and Venezuela
, where Avellanet enjoyed a solid teen girl fan base.
Avellanet would soon join the United Artists
record label, making what would be his only attempt at a cross-over into the American pop genre, with the album In a Little Spanish Town. His fourteen other records under that label were recorded in Spanish.
1972 was a very eventful year for Avellanet, who finished in fourth place at that year's Festival OTI in Spain. Then, Avellanet made history by becoming the first Hispanic
to perform at the Miss Universe
contest, held that year in the Puerto Rican beach town of Dorado
.
Chucho Avellanet diversified, and by the 1980s, he was as known for his acting as he was for his singing. Having signed up with Canal 2
, he was able to explore his ability both in the show hosting and acting fields when he hosted, alongside Lissette Alvarez, the popular El show de Chucho y Lissette. He also hosted Senoras y Senores and Con Chucho Avellanet before finally settling with El Show de Chucho. Avellanet also made comedy at El Show de Chucho, participating at the show's comedy section. In one particularly memorable comic chapter, he screamed, May the roof fall on top of us if Im lying! and the roof then 'came down' on him and his guests. He also participated, with Lissette, in a famous Schaeffer Beer commercial, where he sang the jingle Cerveza Schaeffer es la mejor cuando se toma mas de una! (Schaeffer Beer is the best when you drink more than one!!). During the filming of the commercial the vessel they were at was rocked by a submarine of the United States Navy
navigating below it; the experience left him with a lasting impression, which years later motivated him to support the cause of the people of Vieques in their demands to have the Navy vacate their bombing range surrounding Vieques and Culebra
.
One of Avellanet's biggest international hits during the decade of the 80's came in his song Sera varon, sera mujer? (Will it be a boy, will it be a girl?), where he explored the questions that couples expecting a baby might go through. This song coincided with his wife's pregnancy, and in his case, his baby turned out to be a boy. He was by then married to his second wife, famous Venezuelan actress Marisela Berti, whom he later also divorced.
In 1988, Avellanet came back to the headlines, albeit not precisely because of his own, personal success: His nephew Roberto Alejandro Avellanet Negrón
was chosen as the newest member of Menudo
. Roberto followed in his uncle's footsteps, becoming a major teen-idol in Puerto Rico within months of his joining the teenaged boy band.
In 1994, he, Lucecita Benítez and Lissette Alvarez rejoined forces for a one-night only concert.
In 2010, Avellanet performed at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games
, held in Mayagüez. Later in the year he publicly announced that he was undergoing chemotherapy
for treating Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Stating that his prognosis is good, he nevertheless asked for privacy while undergoing treatment.
Basque language
Basque is the ancestral language of the Basque people, who inhabit the Basque Country, a region spanning an area in northeastern Spain and southwestern France. It is spoken by 25.7% of Basques in all territories...
Txutxo) is a Puerto Rican
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
singer and comedic actor. Avellanet is a native of Mayagüez
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
Mayagüez is the eighth-largest municipality of Puerto Rico. Originally founded as "Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria" it is also known as "La Sultana del Oeste" , "Ciudad de las Aguas Puras" , or "Ciudad del Mangó"...
(actually born in the same house that is now occupied by the local clubhouse of the Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico
Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico
The Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico is a political party that supports Puerto Rico's right to self-determination and sovereignty, through the enhancement of Puerto Rico's current status as a commonwealth....
in town).
Avellanet is of Spanish and Italian descent, his grandfather being an Italian immigrant by the name of Pietro Nuccio. Before becoming famous, he had been performing across Puerto Rico's western coast with various musical trios, particularly with the Trio Los Duendes group. He was regarded as having a powerful voice, but was too shy to occupy a solo spot in any of the groups he performed with. In fact, Avellanet claimed, he felt better suited to perform comedy, and he did comic sketches at a few high school functions. After he returned from a stint at the Army National Guard
Army National Guard
Established under Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, the Army National Guard is part of the National Guard and is divided up into subordinate units stationed in each of the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia operating under their respective governors...
in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
he was discovered by a Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
n television promoter, Gaspar Pumarejo, who immediately introduced him to the Puerto Rican television world. His career formally started during the week of 23–28 May 1961, when he was featured daily in Pumarejo's show. His first formal live performance was opening for Myrta Silva
Myrta Silva
Myrta Silva was a Puerto Rican singer, composer and television producer. She was known affectionately as "La Gorda De Oro".-Early years:...
at a Puerto Rican music review regularly staged at the Tropicoro Room of El San Juan Hotel in Carolina, Puerto Rico
Carolina, Puerto Rico
Carolina is a city located in the northern part of Puerto Rico, bordering the Atlantic Ocean; it lies north of Gurabo and Juncos; east of Trujillo Alto and San Juan; and west of Canóvanas and Loíza. Carolina is spread over 12 wards plus Carolina Pueblo...
now the Wyndham El San Juan Hotel & Casino. He took voice lessons from Puerto Rican soprano Rina de Toledo.
Avellanet reached teen-idol status in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
during the 1960s, as a member of the nueva ola
Nueva ola
The Nueva ola is a term applied to a loose group of musicians, mainly in Spanish speaking South America, who played and introduced rock and roll and other American and European music of the 50s and 60s to their countries. Artist associated with the Nueva ola reached their peak of popularity in the...
music movement. Helped by Alfred D. Herger
Alfred D. Herger
Alfredo Domingo Herger is a famous former Puerto Rican television show host and a psychologist. He has been labeled the Ed Sullivan of Puerto Rico in local media, due to his strong influence in Puerto Rican pop culture and his success as a television presenter.-Early life:Herger, of Spanish and...
, he was a member of a group of teen sensations that included Lissette Alvarez (to whom Avellanet got married), Lucecita Benítez
Lucecita Benítez
Luz Esther Benítez , better known in the music world as Lucecita, is a Puerto Rican singer.-Biography:Lucecita was a member of what is historically known in Puerto Rico as the New Wave, or Nueva Ola of popular music, created by Alfred D. Herger, alongside Lissette and Chucho Avellanet, among others...
, Yolandita Monge
Yolandita Monge
Yolandita Monge is an international singer and actress from Puerto Rico and the first Puerto Rican female singer to be nominated to the Grammy Music Awards. She is also Puerto Rico's highest selling female artist. She has been in the music business since adolescence, and has recorded over thirty...
, Ednita Nazario
Ednita Nazario
Ednita Nazario is a Puerto Rican singer and songwriter who has achieved stardom both at home and abroad. She has been in the music business from a young age, and has released over twenty albums throughout her career....
and Charlie Robles, among others. His popularity was such that he managed to do three shows on the New Year's Eve and New Year's Day of 1962. With la nueva ola, he recorded his first album, named Fugitiva. His first hit was a Spanish version of Marty Robbins
Marty Robbins
Martin David Robinson , known professionally as Marty Robbins, was an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist...
' Devil Woman
Devil Woman (Marty Robbins song)
Devil Woman is a 1962 country single written and performed by Marty Robbins. "Devil Woman" became Marty Robbins' seventh single to reach number one on the country chart, spending eight weeks at the top spot. "Devil Woman" also crossed over onto the pop chart, peaking at number sixteen...
loosely translated by Herger, named "Magia Blanca." He later had his first major international hit with another song adapted to Spanish, a version of pop standard I Can't Stop Loving You
I Can't Stop Loving You
"I Can't Stop Loving You" is a popular song written and composed by country singer, songwriter and musician Don Gibson, who first recorded it on December 30, 1957, for RCA Victor Records...
named "Jamás te olvidaré".
Avellanet later participated in a group of singers named La Juventud Canta. Although not a conventional music group, La Juventud Canta toured all over Latin America, and Avellanet extended his teen-idol status to other countries such as Mexico, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
and Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, where Avellanet enjoyed a solid teen girl fan base.
Avellanet would soon join the United Artists
United Artists
United Artists Corporation is an American film studio. The original studio of that name was founded in 1919 by D. W. Griffith, Charles Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks....
record label, making what would be his only attempt at a cross-over into the American pop genre, with the album In a Little Spanish Town. His fourteen other records under that label were recorded in Spanish.
1972 was a very eventful year for Avellanet, who finished in fourth place at that year's Festival OTI in Spain. Then, Avellanet made history by becoming the first Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
to perform at the Miss Universe
Miss Universe
Miss Universe is an annual international beauty contest that is run by the Miss Universe Organization. The pageant is the most publicized beauty contest in the world with 600 million viewers....
contest, held that year in the Puerto Rican beach town of Dorado
Dorado, Puerto Rico
Dorado is a small tourist town in the northern coast of Puerto Rico, west of San Juan and is located in the northern region of the island, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, north of Toa Alta, east of Vega Alta, and west of Toa Baja. Dorado is spread over five barrios and Dorado Pueblo...
.
Chucho Avellanet diversified, and by the 1980s, he was as known for his acting as he was for his singing. Having signed up with Canal 2
Telemundo Puerto Rico
The name Telemundo Puerto Rico may represent:* WKAQ-TV, a Telemundo station in San Juan, Puerto Rico* Telemundo Puerto Rico , a former Spanish-language cable network...
, he was able to explore his ability both in the show hosting and acting fields when he hosted, alongside Lissette Alvarez, the popular El show de Chucho y Lissette. He also hosted Senoras y Senores and Con Chucho Avellanet before finally settling with El Show de Chucho. Avellanet also made comedy at El Show de Chucho, participating at the show's comedy section. In one particularly memorable comic chapter, he screamed, May the roof fall on top of us if Im lying! and the roof then 'came down' on him and his guests. He also participated, with Lissette, in a famous Schaeffer Beer commercial, where he sang the jingle Cerveza Schaeffer es la mejor cuando se toma mas de una! (Schaeffer Beer is the best when you drink more than one!!). During the filming of the commercial the vessel they were at was rocked by a submarine of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
navigating below it; the experience left him with a lasting impression, which years later motivated him to support the cause of the people of Vieques in their demands to have the Navy vacate their bombing range surrounding Vieques and Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Isla Culebra is an island-municipality of Puerto Rico originally called Isla Pasaje and Isla de San Ildefonso. It is located approximately east of the Puerto Rican mainland, west of St. Thomas and north of Vieques. Culebra is spread over 5 wards and Culebra Pueblo...
.
One of Avellanet's biggest international hits during the decade of the 80's came in his song Sera varon, sera mujer? (Will it be a boy, will it be a girl?), where he explored the questions that couples expecting a baby might go through. This song coincided with his wife's pregnancy, and in his case, his baby turned out to be a boy. He was by then married to his second wife, famous Venezuelan actress Marisela Berti, whom he later also divorced.
In 1988, Avellanet came back to the headlines, albeit not precisely because of his own, personal success: His nephew Roberto Alejandro Avellanet Negrón
Robert Avellanet
Robert Avellanet , also known as Roberto Avellanet, is a singer who was a member of Menudo.-Biography:Robert Avellanet is the nephew of well known pop and ballad singer Chucho Avellanet...
was chosen as the newest member of Menudo
Menudo (band)
Menudo was a Puerto Rican boy band that was formed in the 1970s by producer Edgardo Díaz, releasing their first album in 1977. The band achieved much success, especially during the 1980s, becoming the most popular Latin American teen musical group of the era....
. Roberto followed in his uncle's footsteps, becoming a major teen-idol in Puerto Rico within months of his joining the teenaged boy band.
In 1994, he, Lucecita Benítez and Lissette Alvarez rejoined forces for a one-night only concert.
In 2010, Avellanet performed at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games
2010 Central American and Caribbean Games
The 21st Central American and Caribbean Games took place in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, from July 18, 2010 to August 1, 2010.-Bid:...
, held in Mayagüez. Later in the year he publicly announced that he was undergoing chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with an antineoplastic drug or with a combination of such drugs into a standardized treatment regimen....
for treating Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Stating that his prognosis is good, he nevertheless asked for privacy while undergoing treatment.
External links
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans