Julio honored in China

Julio Iglesias received two historic awards in Beijing, on April 1st 2013:

-          First & Most Popular International Artist of All Time in China, an award given by Sony Music China and which was presented to Julio by the World renowned Chinese artist Lang Lang.

-          The Guinness World Records for the Best-selling Male Latin Artist.

“This is one of the most exciting moments in my career.”, Julio’s voice thrilled after receiving the awards. “I came to China for the first time in 1971. I imagined China as a great country, full of passion. And I was right. For me, dancing on the Great Wall, 20 years ago, was a moment of magic in my life.  This award comes from a country that’s been in my heart for decades. Thank you so much, China!”

(Source: julioiglesias.com)

Interview with Julio Iglesias

INDIAN CREEK, Fla. - In Julio Iglesias' recipe for success, talent is only a tiny ingredient. And although the Spanish crooner says singing was not an innate gift for him, he says he's gotten better — and he wants to show that to fans with his latest album.

"Good timing is the first thing you need in order to achieve success," says one of the 10 best selling Latin artist in history. "Then you need good luck and then a little talent ... and a lot of passion, a lot of drive, and discipline."

In a recent interview with The Associated Press at his luxurious house on the island of Indian Creek, Iglesias spoke about the reasons he recorded "1 - Greatest Hits", a double CD with songs he made popular in English, Spanish, French and Italian, like "Begin the Beguine (Volver a Empezar)," ''Crazy," ''Hey," ''Me Olvide de Vivir," and "Me Va, Me Va."

"I wanted to be practical and sing better the songs that deserved to be better sung," he said.
He also said he didn't care much about critics anymore and spoke about his fear of sleep, his next birthday and why he wouldn't sing with his famous son, Enrique.

AP: What would you like to say with this album?
Iglesias: Nothing. I want to make things better. I want people to know that I sing better, that sound today is a lot better. I don't want anyone to hide my voice in 20 years and put the orchestra they want in. I don't want anyone to do dirty tricks with my music. I want to do it myself.

AP: Throughout all these years, your profession surely has given you many things and also taken things away from you.
Iglesias: It has taken nothing... How unfair it would be for a guy like me to say...

AP: Hasn't it taken time from you with your family?
Iglesias: Not at all. My family has all the time in the world. My family lives the way it lives because I have this time marginalized for them, not in a sense of reproach but happiness. All my children and all my direct family must be really happy that I spent less time (with them).

AP: What did your career give you?
Iglesias: The gaze of the people. The applause, the recognition. When I go to a restaurant and they give me the freshest food (laughs). No, what this career has given me is the chance to know people inside and out; the looks with just the eyes, the cultures. If I ride with you in an elevator and there are six different cultures, I get five right for sure. That's wonderful.

AP: What makes you happy?
Iglesias: (Silence) No, no, happiness for me is not a special motivation. There are things way more important than happiness. Emotion is much more important ... Excitement and passion is 100 times better than happiness.

AP: And what excites you?
Iglesias: Many things. Waking up, that excites me a lot because I don't like to sleep.

AP: Are you afraid of not waking up?
Iglesias: I am afraid precisely of ... the time I lose, the fear that I don't like to go to sleep, I don't feel like it, I don't want to.

AP: How many hours do you sleep at night?
Iglesias: Oooh, I must sleep four. Very little.

AP: What makes you go on?
Iglesias: Discipline. Success.

AP: Are you afraid to lose it?
Iglesias: Not anymore. The only thing I'm going to lose at this point is life. It's not a very modest answer, but is a fair one. After three generations, there will always be a place where I can sing for 10 people at any club in Stockholm or any little corner of your country in Syria. There will always be a moment, there will always be people for me. Less, much less probably, but even if there are 100 I communicate.

AP: You turn 70 this year. Is this something special or just one more number for you?
Iglesias: It is crap. 70 years. (He pauses). Not an easy number, 70. Nor was easy 60, or even 50. I think I haven't had an easy number because I've had to learn how to live continuously. I wasn't born knowing. There are people who are born with everything in place but I was born with all the pieces separated and I have been putting them together. And now that I'm 70 I am approaching that crossword where many things get completed. And I don't want to get things completed, because the day I do I will get screwed.

AP: How do you view your son Enrique's career?
Iglesias: Enrique is magical. Enrique is like that miracle to a parent... We want our children to be successful and stand out, but as much as we can imagine it we can never think that our own children will have such an outstanding success.

AP: When are you going to sing together?
Iglesias: My son and I singing together is something that may seem very commercial, (but) I think that neither he nor me are going to do it, ever. ... I don't believe in a commercial duet between myself and my children.

(Source:  http://www.timescolonist.com/entertainment/julio-iglesias-wants-to-show-his-improved-chops-in-new-hits-album-1.107098)

Dubai Concert Postponed

Julio Iglesias Deeply Upset Over Dubai Gig Equipment Mix-up

21 March 2013

Veteran Spanish crooner Julio Iglesias is "deeply upset" after he was forced to postpone his Thursday night (21Mar13) show in Dubai when his equipment failed to turn up in time.

Picture: Julio Iglesias perform at 'Hard Rock Live!' in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Florida - 21.09.12

The 69-year-old star was scheduled to perform at the Dubai World Trade Centre, but promoters had to axe the gig at the last minute when they discovered Iglesias' gear had not arrived at the venue. A statement from organisers reads, "(We) regret to announce the re-scheduling of tonight's World Legends Tour concert with Julio Iglesias due to the delay in dispatch of the concert equipment... Iglesias sincerely apologises to his fans, sponsors, people and Government of Dubai".
Iglesias says of the equipment problems, "I love Dubai and was very much looking forward to sharing my show with you tonight. I am deeply upset that my concert equipment did not leave as scheduled to arrive in Dubai on time. Had this have happened anywhere else in the world, we would not have been able to reschedule the concert so quickly because in Dubai everything is possible."
The concert has been pushed back to Friday night (22Mar13).

U.S. Release of "1"

NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The phenomenal 45-year career of international megastar Julio Iglesias, one of the world's ten best-selling recording artists with global sales in excess of 300 million units, is the focus of an inspired new collection of his signature songs entitled 1 – GREATEST HITS. The title is set for release April 9, 2013, through Columbia/Legacy, a division of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT. 

Already certified multi-platinum in virtually every Spanish-speaking territory on earth, 1 – GREATEST HITS showcases newly-recorded versions (from 2006 and 2011) of the bulk of its tracks, representing Julio's most-loved hits from the '70s, '80s and '90s. These are the songs that have turned Julio into the world's biggest-selling Latin artist and one of the most emblematic celebrities of all time. 1 – GREATEST HITS is the first new album from Julio since Romantic Classics in 2006. The collection will be available in two separate configurations: The 2-CD version will include 37 tracks, comprising 19 tracks on CD One and 18 tracks on CD Two. The deluxe version will include the same two CDs, plus Starry Night: Live From the Greek Theatre, the DVD chronicle of Julio's historic concert at the legendary Los Angeles venue in 1990. 

 "This album," said Julio of the project he has been working on for three years, "is mainly dedicated to all the anonymous people who have been following me for 45 years, with generosity and affection, and who have allowed me to keep singing up until today. They'll always be the great driving force of my career." Fans will immediately be struck with the new arrangements and vocals, and the sonic advancements that enable Julio's unique and distinctive style to flourish and fill a room. Far from having the differences in sonics and production that normally affect compilations, the music possesses a uniformity and maturity of sound and interpretation. To hear a comparison between the original and re-recorded songs, please go to http://bit.ly/yMvona. 

The achievements and awards bestowed upon Julio Iglesias would fill numerous rooms. As far back as 1983, he received the first and only Diamond Record award from the Guinness Book Of World Records, for selling more records in more languages than any music artist in history, including Spanish, English, German, Japanese, Italian, Portuguese, and French topping the list. To date he has sold over 300 million records and received over 2,600 gold and platinum record certifications from around the world. Ever since Julio conquered the UK in 1981 with his #1 Pop Hit of Cole Porter 's "Begin the Beguine (Volver A Empezar)," he has courted the English-speaking segment of his audience with an ever-expanding repertoire. The song became the focus track of his first Columbia LP in the U.S. in 1983, simply titled Julio. The album included "Hey," one of many collaborations with co-writer Ramon Arcusa , and the opening track on the second disc of 1 – GREATEST HITS as re-recorded in 2011. Julio released his first LP entirely sung in English in 1984, 1100 Bel Air Place, which featured his breakthrough duet with Willie Nelson , "To All The Girls I've Loved Before," a Top 5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 that year and re-recorded by Julio in 2006. In addition to "To All The Girls I've Loved Before," two other songs were also re-recorded in 2006 and are included on 1 – GREATEST HITS: "All Of You," a duet with Diana Ross , and " My Love ," a duet with Stevie Wonder . 

Julio's next entirely English album arrived in 1990, Starry Night, produced by Albert Hammond and named for the Don McLean-penned title song, "Vincent (Starry Starry Night)." 1 – GREATEST HITS also includes "99 Miles From L.A." (by Hal David / Albert Hammond ) in its original version from Starry Night. "When I Need You," the Carole Bayer Sager/ Albert Hammond standard from Starry Night, leads off the roster of five songs that were re-recorded in 2011. The others comprise two Willie Nelson compositions, namely "Always On My Mind" and Patsy Cline 's "Crazy" (from Julio's 1994 album of the same title, Crazy); as well as "Crazy In Love" and a duet with Sting (also from Crazy) on one of his earliest ballads, "Fragile." Duets with America's top pop artists have been a focal point of Julio's attention for decades now, and CD One includes no less than nine standout duets. In addition to the four already mentioned, there are duets with Frank Sinatra ("Summerwind," courtesy of Sinatra's first Duets album in 1993); with Dolly Parton ("When You Tell Me That You Love Me") and Art Garfunkel ("Let It Be Me"), both from Crazy; and Stephanie Spruill (Casablanca's eternal "As Time Goes By"). 

On CD Two, with the exception of one song ("La Cumparsita," re-recorded in 2006), all of the selections were re-recorded by Julio in 2011. These go back to some of his earliest successes, for example, "Un canto a Galicia" from 1972, which was a #1 hit in Latin America and across Europe; "Hey" (title tune of his 1980 worldwide #1 album, which netted Julio his first Grammy Award® nomination in the Latin Pop Album category); 1981's "De nina a mujer" (from the album of the same title), and so on. 

1 – GREATEST HITS by JULIO IGLESIAS (2-CD version: Columbia/Legacy 88765 438212 2) CD One – Selections: 1. Begin The Beguine (Volver A Empezar) • 2. Crazy • 3. When I Need You • 4. Vincent (Starry Starry Night) • 5. 99 Miles From L.A. • 6. And I Love Her • 7. Always On My Mind • 8. Crazy In Love • 9. Fragile (with Sting) • 10. To All The Girls I've Loved Before (with Willie Nelson ) • 11. All Of You (with Diana Ross ) • 12. My Love (with Stevie Wonder ) • 13. When You Tell Me That You Love Me (with Dolly Parton ) • 14. Summer Wind (with Frank Sinatra ) • 15. Let It Be Me (with Art Garfunkel ) • 16. As Time Goes By (with Stephanie Spruill ) • 17. Se Ora Avessi Un Po' Di Te (Uno) • 18. Dizem Que Os Homens Nao Devem Chorar • 19. La Vie Defile En Silence (Como Han Pasado Los Anos). 

CD Two – Selections: 1. Hey • 2. Por El Amor De Una Mujer • 3. Me Va, Me Va • 4. Un Canto A Galicia • 5. El Dia Que Me Quieras • 6. Me Olvide De Vivir • 7. Corazon Partió • 8. De Niña A Mujer • 10. Amor, Amor, Amor • 11. Derroche • 12. La Cumparsita • 13. Nathalie • 14. Caballo Viejo/Bamboleo • 15. El Amor • 16. Caruso • 17. Devaneios (O Me Quieres O Me Dejas) • 18. Quelque Chose De France. 

1 – GREATEST HITS by JULIO IGLESIAS (2-CD+DVD version: Columbia/Legacy 88765 46961 2) CD One and CD Two (same as above). DVD – Starry Night: Live From the Greek Theatre – Selections: 1. Volver A Empezar (Begin The Beguine) • 2. Amor, Amor, Amor • 3. To All The Girls I've Loved Before • 4. Too Many Women • 5. La Polama • 6. Brazilian Medley: The Girl From Ipanema/Desafinado • 7. If You Go Away (Ne Me Quitte Pas) • 8. 99 Miles From L.A. • 9. When I Need You • 10. Bamboleo • 11. Moonlight Lady • 12. Pensami (Júrame) • 13. Hey • 14. Mona Lisa • 15. Ae, Ao • 16. Can't Help Falling In Love. (Previously released on VHS and internationally on DVD.) 

PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1zcOk)

Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame

Julio Iglesias in First Class to Enter Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame By Judy Cantor-Navas | January 28, 2013 5:35 PM EST

Manuel Alejandro, Jose Angel "Ferrusquilla" Espinosa, Jose Feliciano, Julio Iglesias, Armando Manzanero, and Concha Valdez Miranda are the first five songwriters to be honored by the recently created Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame at a ceremony presented in association with Billboard. 

The composers, from Spain, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Cuba, will be inducted at a ceremony on Tuesday, April 23, at the New World Center in Miami Beach. John Leguizamo will host the gala event, which takes place during the Billboard Latin Music Conference.
Composer Desmond Child and composer/producer Rudy Perez, co-founders of the hall, announced the inaugural inductees today (January 28) at a press conference in Miami. Spanish pop singer/songwriter Natalia Jiménez -- who will receive a special award for young songwriters, Jon Secada, and members of the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame Board of Directors joined Perez and Child for the announcement.

April's black-tie gala and subsequent Hall of Fame events will "honor the world's greatest Latin songwriters and their music in every genre." 

A nominating committee made up of songwriters, performing artists, musicians, producers, recording engineers, music critics and industry executives will meet once a year to nominate twenty-four candidates from all genres of Spanish and Portuguese-language music in the categories of Performing Songwriters and Non-Performing Songwriters. 

All members of the organization were eligible to vote for five out of the twenty-four of the inaugural round of nominees.

(Source: http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin-notas/1535684/julio-iglesias-in-first-class-to-enter-latin-songwriters-hall)

Video- Julio performs with Hati's President

(Source: YouTube)

Haitian President Rocks Out with Julio Iglesias in the DR

ALTOS DE CHAVON, Dominican Republic – Before becoming the president of Haiti, Michel Martelly was better known for his singing prowess and on-stage antics as singer "Sweet Micky." 

On late Friday, "Sweet Micky" returned to the stage in the Dominican capital to perform alongside crooner Julio Iglesias in a celebrity-studded concert in the Dominican Republic to help raise money for impoverished children. 

Among the attendees were Dominican fashion designer Oscar de la Renta, Venezuelan fashion designer Carolina Herrera and U.S. journalist Barbara Walters. SUMMARY An estimated 5,000 people filled an open-air amphitheater in the Altos de Chavon, a high-end residential complex east of the capital of Santo Domingo. Ticket prices ranged from $50 to $1,000. 

 Martelly thanked Iglesias for dedicating a concert of his "1 World Tour 2012" to Haiti's children. The proceeds will go to the Pink and White Foundation, a charity run by Martelly and his wife, Sophia. 

The duet represented Martelly's first performance outside Haiti since he was elected in May 2011. He was previously known for often bawdy performances before becoming president. "I've been a singer my whole life, but I never thought I'd be here next to you, singing," Martelly told Iglesias. 

Between laughter, jokes and hugs, the two men sang "Corazon, Corazon" in Spanish and "To all the girls I've loved before," in English. 

 Iglesias had visited Haiti following the devastating 2010 earthquake that officials say killed an estimated 300,000 people and left hundreds of thousands of people homeless. 

 "That's why the Dominicans are here today, with love, so that your children will be taken care of," Iglesias said. "This will show you, my president, the love of the Dominicans for Haitians." 

An estimated 5,000 people filled an open-air amphitheater in the Altos de Chavon, a high-end residential complex east of the capital of Santo Domingo. 

Ticket prices ranged from $50 to $1,000. 

 Based on reporting by the Associated Press. Read more: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/entertainment/2012/12/29/haitian-president-rocks-out-with-julio-iglesias-in-dr/#ixzz2GXn7VD4p

Merry Christmas

 "Little Drummer Boy" performed by Julio Iglesias and Family.

Best Wishes for a very Happy Holiday and a great 2013!

Updated 2013 Tour Dates

March 2013 
2nd – Krasnodar, Russia 
5th – Rostov-on-Don, Russia 
8th – Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine 
11th – Kiev, Ukraine 
14th – Moscow, Russia 
17th – Saint Petersburg, Russia 

April 2013
6th – Manila, Philippines 
10th – Seoul, South Korea 
14th – Shanghai, China 
17th – Chengdu, China 
19th – Shenzhen, China 
21st – Beijing, China 
27th – Singapore 
30th – Taipei, Taiwan 

June 2013
 22nd – Albacete, Spain 
25th – Barcelona, Spain 
29th – Santander, Spain 

July 2013
3rd – Logroño, Spain 
6th – Alicante, Spain 
13th – Roquetas de Mar, Spain 

(Source: julioiglesias.com)

Haiti leader to join Julio Iglesias in DR concert

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti —

A spokesman for Haitian President Michel Martelly says that the former musician will share the stage with Spanish singer Julio Iglesias at a fundraising concert in the Dominican Republic.

Enrique Mari of Haiti's National Palace says Martelly will join Iglesias for two songs at the concert. The songs' titles won't be revealed because the promoter wants them to be a surprise but one will be in Spanish and the other in English.

The show will take place Dec. 28 in the tourist city of La Romana. Proceeds will go toward a charity of Haiti's First Lady, Sophia Martelly.

Michel Martelly was a popular, globe-trotting musician who performed under the stage name "Sweet Micky" before he took office last year. He still enjoys breaking out into song at public events.

Copyright The Associated Press