in 1981, a compilation album, Julio, was released to introduce mainstream American listeners to his music it included a number in English, “Hey.”
After his version of “Begin the Beguine” became a hit in the U.K. In the late ’70s, Iglesias signed a new record deal with CBS International that reflected his global popularity, and he set his sights on conquering the English-language markets. In 1976, Iglesias played a sold-out concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City, though the United States was one of the few countries where he was not yet a household name. Iglesias had a keen facility for languages, and in 1972 he started recording material in German, Italian, French, and Portuguese as well as Spanish soon he was one of the most popular musical performers throughout Europe, performing for tens of thousands of fans in most of the world’s capitals. Iglesias released his first full-length album in 1969, he represented Spain in the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest, and by 1971 he’d already sold a million records. Iglesias’ recording of “La Vida Sigue Igual” became a number one hit in Spain, and he set aside his career in law to pursue music full-time. Iglesias’ song won first prize, and he was offered a recording contract with the Spanish branch of Columbia Records. While Iglesias would return to his legal studies in Great Britain, he was still interested in music, and in 1968, he entered a song he’d composed, “ La Vida Sigue Igual” (Life Goes On) in the Benidorm International Song Festival, an annual Spanish songwriting competition. As Iglesias recovered, he taught himself to play guitar, and began writing songs as he discovered his passion for music.
However, Iglesias’ athletic career was cut short in 1962 by an auto accident that left him with a spinal injury that kept him in bed for nearly two years. Young Iglesias was also a gifted football player, and as a teenager he achieved one of his great dreams when he was recruited to play goaltender with his favorite team, Real Madrid. Julio’s father was a successful physician, and his son’s initial career ambition was to become a lawyer and a diplomat. Julio José Iglesias de la Cueva was born in Madrid, Spain on September 23, 1943.
Blessed with good looks, a powerful voice, and a gift for communicating with an audience, Julio Iglesias is one of the most popular and enduring figures in the history of Latin music, a true international superstar who has sold over 300 million albums worldwide and remains a popular concert draw and chart-topping recording artist in a career that has spanned six decades.
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