Javier Solís
Encyclopedia
Javier Solís (September 1, 1931, Tacubaya
, Federal District
, Mexico
– April 19, 1966, Mexico City
, Mexico
) was a popular Mexican singer of boleros and rancheras, and a film actor.
in Mexico City, where he used to participate in singing contests. After dropping out of school he worked collecting bones and glass. Later he worked in a supermarket transporting merchandise. He worked as a baker, a butcher, a carpenters helper and a car washer. In his spare time, he trained as an amateur boxer, with aspirations of going professional, but after suffering a few defeats, he was urged to work at something 'more decent'.
Siria began singing in competitions under the pseudonym of Javier Luquín, in which the winner would be awarded a new pair of shoes; he was eventually banned from participating because he so dominated the competition. At that time he was working as a butcher, and sang while he worked. His boss, David Lara Ríos, heard him and was so impressed with his talent that he urged Siria to dedicate himself to his music and recommended him to a voice coach, even paying for singing lessons with Noé Quintero. To his family's relief, he hung up his boxing gloves and began a singing career.
to sing with the Mariachi Metepec, but he didn't get his first professional break until two years later, when Julito Rodriguez
and Alfredo Gil
of the famous singing trio, 'Los Panchos
', discovered him, and took him to audition at CBS Records. There, in 1950, he signed a contract and recorded his first album. He was singing at the same time at the Teatro Lirico(Lyric Theatre) in Mexico City when he met dancer Blanca Estela Saenz, who would later become his wife. His first hit, Lloraras, came two years later, and it was his then-producer Felipe Valdes Leal that gave Siria his stage name
, Javier Solís.
Solís began to receive international acclaim in 1957, when he began appearing in the U.S. and Central and South America. He was among the first artists to sing in the new style now known as Bolero-Ranchera. He sang bolero
s typically associated with trio music
, but which now were accompanied by mariachi
s. Solís was a versatile interpreter; he sang not only boleros, but rancheras, danzón
es, waltz
es and also tangos
. His hit recordings included Sombras, Payaso, Vereda Tropical, En Mi Viejo San Juan, composed by the Puerto Rican Noel Estrada
, and Amanecí En Tus Brazos, the latter a re-recording of the hit written and recorded by José Alfredo Jiménez
.
, María Victoria
, Antonio Aguilar
and Lola Beltrán
. His last picture, Juan Pistolas, was finished in 1965, the same year that his film Sinful
was released. During his lifetime, he was considered a better singer than actor by his public, who rated him alongside such accomplished artists as Jorge Negrete
and Pedro Infante
.
Amanecí en tus brazos,
Amigo organillero,
Angustia,
A pesar de todo,
Aquel,
Así,
Ay cariño,
Ayúdame Dios mío.
Tacubaya
Tacubaya is a section of Mexico City located in the west in the Miguel Hidalgo borough. The area has been inhabited since before the Christian era, with its name coming from Nahuatl meaning “where water is gathered.” From the colonial period to the beginning of the 20th century, Tacubaya was...
, Federal District
Mexico 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...
, 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...
– April 19, 1966, Mexico City
Mexico 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...
, 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...
) was a popular Mexican singer of boleros and rancheras, and a film actor.
Early history
Javier Solís was born Gabriel Siria Levario, the first of three children of Francisco Siria Mora, a baker, and Juana Levario Plata, a trader. She had a stall at a public market and as her spouse had allegedly abandoned her, and she had little time save for work, she decided to leave her son at the household of his uncle Valentín Levario Plata and his wife, Ángela López Martínez, whom he considered his real parents. Siria had to drop out of school before his teens to support his family. He only passed the first five years at a school in TacubayaTacubaya
Tacubaya is a section of Mexico City located in the west in the Miguel Hidalgo borough. The area has been inhabited since before the Christian era, with its name coming from Nahuatl meaning “where water is gathered.” From the colonial period to the beginning of the 20th century, Tacubaya was...
in Mexico City, where he used to participate in singing contests. After dropping out of school he worked collecting bones and glass. Later he worked in a supermarket transporting merchandise. He worked as a baker, a butcher, a carpenters helper and a car washer. In his spare time, he trained as an amateur boxer, with aspirations of going professional, but after suffering a few defeats, he was urged to work at something 'more decent'.
Siria began singing in competitions under the pseudonym of Javier Luquín, in which the winner would be awarded a new pair of shoes; he was eventually banned from participating because he so dominated the competition. At that time he was working as a butcher, and sang while he worked. His boss, David Lara Ríos, heard him and was so impressed with his talent that he urged Siria to dedicate himself to his music and recommended him to a voice coach, even paying for singing lessons with Noé Quintero. To his family's relief, he hung up his boxing gloves and began a singing career.
Singing break
At age 16, Siria went to PueblaPuebla
Puebla officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Puebla is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 217 municipalities and its capital city is Puebla....
to sing with the Mariachi Metepec, but he didn't get his first professional break until two years later, when Julito Rodriguez
Julito Rodriguez
Julito Rodríguez born October 5, 1925 in Santurce, Puerto Rico, is a bolero singer, guitarist & composer.Rodriguez was acknowledged to be a child prodigy in music, becoming interested in this topic since his early childhood...
and Alfredo Gil
Alfredo Gil
Alfredo Bojalil Gil , also known by his nickname el güero, was a singer and founding member of the musical trio, Trio Los Panchos. As a member of Los Panchos, he was the third voice and player of the requinto, a small guitar.-External links:*...
of the famous singing trio, 'Los Panchos
Los Panchos
Los Panchos was an internationally famous Latin pop trio known for its romantic ballads and boleros.-History:...
', discovered him, and took him to audition at CBS Records. There, in 1950, he signed a contract and recorded his first album. He was singing at the same time at the Teatro Lirico(Lyric Theatre) in Mexico City when he met dancer Blanca Estela Saenz, who would later become his wife. His first hit, Lloraras, came two years later, and it was his then-producer Felipe Valdes Leal that gave Siria 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:...
, Javier Solís.
Solís began to receive international acclaim in 1957, when he began appearing in the U.S. and Central and South America. He was among the first artists to sing in the new style now known as Bolero-Ranchera. He sang bolero
Bolero
Bolero is a form of slow-tempo Latin music and its associated dance and song. There are Spanish and Cuban forms which are both significant and which have separate origins.The term is also used for some art music...
s typically associated with trio music
Trio (music)
Trio is generally used in any of the following ways:* A group of three musicians playing the same or different musical instrument.* The performance of a piece of music by three people.* The contrasting section of a piece in ternary form...
, but which now were accompanied by mariachi
Mariachi
Mariachi is a genre of music that originated in the State of Jalisco, in Mexico. It is an integration of stringed instruments highly influenced by the cultural impacts of the historical development of Western Mexico. Throughout the history of mariachi, musicians have experimented with brass, wind,...
s. Solís was a versatile interpreter; he sang not only boleros, but rancheras, danzón
Danzón
Danzón is the official dance of Cuba. It is also an active musical form in Mexico and is still beloved in Puerto Rico where Verdeluz, a modern danzón by Puerto Rican composer Antonio Cabán Vale is considered the unofficial national anthem...
es, waltz
Waltz
The waltz is a ballroom and folk dance in time, performed primarily in closed position.- History :There are several references to a sliding or gliding dance,- a waltz, from the 16th century including the representations of the printer H.S. Beheim...
es and also tangos
Tango (dance)
Tango dance originated in the area of the Rio de la Plata , and spread to the rest of the world soon after....
. His hit recordings included Sombras, Payaso, Vereda Tropical, En Mi Viejo San Juan, composed by the Puerto Rican Noel Estrada
Noel Estrada
Noel Estrada was the composer of "En mi Viejo San Juan", one of the most famous Boleros in Puerto Rico.-Early years:Estrada was born in the town of Isabela, Puerto Rico where he received his primary education...
, and Amanecí En Tus Brazos, the latter a re-recording of the hit written and recorded by José Alfredo Jiménez
José Alfredo Jiménez
José Alfredo Jiménez was a Mexican singer-songwriter in the ranchera style whose songs are considered an integral part of Mexico's musical heritage....
.
Acting career
Solís began his acting career in 1959, and appeared in more than 20 films, working with such artists as Pedro ArmendárizPedro Armendáriz
Pedro Armendáriz was a Mexican actor of the cinema of Mexico and Hollywood.-Early life:Born Pedro Gregorio Armendáriz Hastings in Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico to Pedro Armendáriz García-Conde and Adela Hastings . He was also the cousin of actress Gloria Marín...
, María Victoria
Maria Victoria
María Victoria is a Mexican film and television actress and singer, who is best known for her role of "Inocencia" in La criada bien criada and its spin-off television series of the same name.-Early life:...
, Antonio Aguilar
Antonio Aguilar
José Pascual Antonio Aguilar Barraza most commonly known as Antonio Aguilar, nicknamed "El Charro de México", was a Mexican film actor, singer, producer and screenwriter. During his career, he made over 150 albums, which sold 25 million copies, and made 167 movies...
and Lola Beltrán
Lola Beltrán
Lola Beltrán was a Mexican film actress and one of the most acclaimed Mexican ranchera singers, nicknamed Lola la Grande .-Biography:...
. His last picture, Juan Pistolas, was finished in 1965, the same year that his film Sinful
Sinful (film)
Sinful is a 1965 Mexican film. It was the last film in which Pina Pellicer acted....
was released. During his lifetime, he was considered a better singer than actor by his public, who rated him alongside such accomplished artists as Jorge Negrete
Jorge Negrete
Jorge Alberto Negrete Moreno is considered one of the most popular Mexican singers and actors of all time....
and Pedro Infante
Pedro Infante
José Pedro Infante Cruz , better known as Pedro Infante, is the most famous actor and singer of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema and is an idol of the Latinamerican people, together with Jorge Negrete and Javier Solís, who were styled the Tres Gallos Mexicanos . He was born in Mazatlán, Sinaloa,...
.
Final years
Following the death of Infante in 1957 due to an air crash in Mérida, Yucatán, Solís experienced a surge of popularity, not least because he was considered the last of The Three Mexican Roosters, or Los Trés Gallos Mexicanos who along with Infante and Negrete, had been the idols of Mexican music and cinema. All of them died young; Solís was the last, passing at age 34 from complications due to gall bladder surgery. At that time, his doctors had refused him water, and his last words concerned his family and his thirst: "They will have to shower my grave with lots of water. I know that I'm going to die; there is no cure".Legacy
Javier Solís was a prolific artist, leaving an extensive discography, and like Infante, most of his albums are still in print. This gives an indication of his continuing popularity, so many years after his death.Selected discography
- Añoranzas
- Dos Idolos Juntos(Con Los Panchos)
- Fantasía Española de Agustín Lara
- Homenaje a Rafael Hernández Y Pedro Flores
- Interpreta a Agustín Lara
- Javier en Nueva York
- Lara, Baena Y Maldonado
- Lara-Grever-Baena
- Llorarás, Llorarás
- Luz de Luna
- Mexicanismo
- Para Siempre
- Payaso
- Prisionero del Mar
- Romance
- Un Año Más Sin Ti
- Y Todavia Te Quiero
Audio Files of Selected Recordings
Adelante, Al claro de luna,Amanecí en tus brazos,
Amigo organillero,
Angustia,
A pesar de todo,
Aquel,
Así,
Ay cariño,
Ayúdame Dios mío.