Name	Las Vegas
Official name	City of Las Vegas
Settlement type	City
Nickname	"Sin City""Capital of Second Chances""The Marriage Capital of the World"
Image seal	Las Vegas seal.jpg
Map caption	Location of Las Vegas in Clark County, Nevada
Pushpin map	USA2
Pushpin map caption	Location in the United States
Coordinates region	US-NV
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	Nevada
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Clark County
Government type	Council-Manager
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Carolyn Goodman (N.P.)
Leader title1	City Manager
Leader name1	Betsy Fretwell
Area magnitude	1 E9
Unit pref	Imperial
Area total km2	340.0
Area total sq mi	131.3
Area land km2	339.8
Area land sq mi	131.2
Area water km2	0.16
Area water sq mi	0.1
Population as of	2010
Population urban	1,314,356
Population metro	1,951,269
Population total	583,756
Population note	(30th U.S.)
Population density km2	1604
Population density sq mi	4154
Population demonym	Las Vegan
Timezone	PST
Utc offset	−8
Timezone dst	PDT
Utc offset dst	−7
Postal code type	ZIP codes
Area code	702
Elevation m	610
Elevation ft	2001
Website	www.lasvegasnevada.gov
Blank name	FIPS code
Blank info	32-40000
Blank1 name	GNIS feature ID
Blank1 info	0847388
Footnotes	}}

Las Vegas () is the most populous city in Nevada, United States, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. Las Vegas, which bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, is famous for its casino resorts and associated entertainment. A growing retirement and family city, it is the 28th-most populous city in the United States, with an estimated population by the U.S. Census Bureau of 583,756 as of 2010. The 2010 population estimate of the Las Vegas metropolitan area was 1,951,269.

Established in 1905, Las Vegas officially became a city in 1911. At the close of the 20th century, Las Vegas was the most populous American city founded in that century (a distinction held by Chicago in the 19th century). The city's tolerance for various forms of adult entertainment earned it the title of Sin City, and this image has made Las Vegas a popular setting for films and television programs. There are numerous outdoor lighting displays on Fremont Street, as well as elsewhere in the city.

The name ''Las Vegas'' is often applied to unincorporated areas that surround the city, especially the resort areas on and near the Las Vegas Strip. The stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard known as the Strip is mainly in the unincorporated communities of Paradise, Winchester, and Enterprise.

History

The first reported European visitor to the Las Vegas Valley was Raphael Rivera in 1829. Las Vegas was named by Spaniards in the Antonio Armijo party, who used the water in the area while heading north and west along the Old Spanish Trail from Texas. In the 19th century, areas of the valley contained artesian wells that supported extensive green areas or ''meadows'' (''vegas'' in Spanish); hence the name ''Las Vegas''.

John C. Frémont traveled into the Las Vegas Valley on May 3, 1844, while it was still part of Mexico. He was a leader of a group of scientists, scouts, and observers for the United States Army Corps of Engineers. On May 10, 1855, following annexation by the United States, Brigham Young assigned 30 missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints led by William Bringhurst to the area to convert the Paiute Indian population to Mormonism. A fort was built near the current downtown area that served as a stopover for travelers along the "Mormon Corridor" between Salt Lake and the briefly thriving colony of saints at San Bernardino, California. Mormons abandoned Las Vegas in 1857, during the Utah War. Las Vegas was established as a railroad town on May 15, 1905, when owned by the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad was auctioned off in what is now downtown Las Vegas. Among the railroad's most notable owners and directors were Montana Senator William A. Clark, Utah U.S. Senator Thomas Kearns, and R.C. Kerens of St. Louis. Las Vegas was part of Lincoln County until 1908, when it became part of the newly established Clark County. The St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church near 4th and Bridger in downtown was founded in 1910. Las Vegas became an incorporated city on March 16, 1911; Peter Buol was the first mayor.

Las Vegas started as a stopover on the pioneer trails to the west, and became a popular railroad town in the early 20th century. It was a staging point for mines in the surrounding area, especially those around the town of Bullfrog, that shipped goods to the rest of the country. With the proliferation of the railroads, Las Vegas became less important, but the completion of the nearby Hoover Dam in 1935 resulted in growth in the number of residents and increased tourism. The dam, located southeast of the city, formed Lake Mead, the US's largest man-made lake and reservoir. Today, tours are offered into lesser-known parts of the dam. The legalization of gambling in 1931 led to the advent of the casino hotels for which Las Vegas is famous. Major development occurred in the 1940s, "due almost entirely" to the influx of scientists and staff from the Manhattan Project, an atomic bomb research project of World War II. Atomic test watching parties were sometimes thrown. American organized crime figures such as Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel and Meyer Lansky managed or funded most of the original large casinos. The rapid growth of Las Vegas is credited with dooming Galveston, Texas; Hot Springs, Arkansas; and other major gaming centers in the 1950s.

Geography and climate

Las Vegas is situated within Clark County in an arid basin on the desert floor, surrounded by dry mountains. The Spring Mountains lie to the west. Much of the landscape is rocky and dusty; the environment is dominated by desert vegetation and some wildlife, and the area is subject to torrential flash floods. The elevation is around above sea level. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and (0.04%) is water.

Within the city there are many lawns, trees, and other greenery. Due to water resource issues, there is now a movement to encourage xeriscapes. Another part of the water conservation efforts include scheduled watering groups for watering residential landscaping. A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant in 2008 funded a program that analyzed and forecast growth and environmental impacts through the year 2019. This study resulted in an expansion of the sewage treatment capacity, which enabled rapid population growth.

Climate

Las Vegas' climate is a subtropical desert climate (Koppen climate classification ''BWh''), typical of the Mojave Desert in which it lies. The city enjoys abundant sunshine year-round: it has an average of about 300 sunny days per year with more than 3,800 hours of sunshine.

The summer months of June through September are very hot and mostly dry, with average daytime highs of and night-time lows of . There are an average of 133 days per year above , and 72 days above , with most of the days in July and August exceeding that benchmark. Humidity is very low, often under 10%.

Las Vegas' winters are of short duration and the season is generally mild, with daytime highs near and nighttime lows around . The mountains surrounding Las Vegas accumulate snow during the winter but snow is rare in the Las Vegas Valley itself. Temperatures can sometimes drop to freezing but winter nighttime temperatures will rarely dip below .

Annual precipitation in Las Vegas is roughly , which on average occurs on 29 days per year. Most of the precipitation falls in the winter, but the driest month (June) has only 2.9 fewer average days of precipitation than the wettest month (March). |source 2 = HKO (sun only) |date=August 2010 }}

Demographics

According to the 2010 Census, the racial composition of Las Vegas was as follows:

White: 62.1% (Non-Hispanic Whites: 47.9%)

Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 31.5% (24.0% Mexican, 1.4% Salvadoran, 0.9% Puerto Rican, 0.9% Cuban, 0.6% Guatemalan, 0.2% Peruvian, 0.2% Colombian, 0.2% Honduran, 0.2% Nicaraguan)

Black or African American: 11.1%

Asian: 6.1% (3.3% Filipino, 0.7% Chinese, 0.5% Korean, 0.4% Japanese, 0.4% Indian, 0.2% Vietnamese, 0.2% Thai)

Two or more races: 4.9%

Native American: 0.7%

Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 0.6%

Source:

As of the census of 2010, there were 583,756 people, 211,689 households, and 117,538 families residing in the city. The population density was . There are 190,724 housing units at an average density of .

As of 2006, there were 176,750 households, out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 103.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $53,000 and the median income for a family was $58,465. Males had a median income of $35,511 versus $27,554 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,060. About 6.6% of families and 8.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.

Las Vegas has one of the highest suicide and divorce rates of the U.S. A study that found Las Vegas residents are 40% less likely to commit suicide if they leave Las Vegas and visitors are more than twice as likely to commit suicide there as elsewhere was published in the Las Vegas Sun newspaper in 2008. The city's high divorce rate is not wholly due to Las Vegans themselves getting divorced. Since divorce is easier in Nevada than most other states, many people come from across the country for the easier process.

For similar reasons, Las Vegas has one of the highest marriage rates of U.S. cities, with many licenses issued to people from outside the area (see Las Vegas weddings).

Economy

The primary drivers of the Las Vegas economy are tourism, gaming, and conventions, which in turn feed the retail and restaurant industries.

Redevelopment

When The Mirage opened in 1989, it started a trend of major resort development of the southern portion of the Las Vegas Strip outside of the city. This resulted in a drop in tourism in the downtown area, but many recent projects and condominium construction have increased the number of visitors to downtown.

A effort has been made by city officials to diversify the economy by attracting light manufacturing, banking, and other commercial interests. The lack of state individual and corporate income tax and very simple incorporation requirements have fostered the success of this effort.

With the Strip expansion in the 1990s, Downtown Las Vegas (which has maintained an old Las Vegas feel) began to suffer. The city made an effort to turn around the fortunes of downtown. The city successfully lured the Internal Revenue Service operations from western side of the city to a new downtown area building that opened in April 2005. The IRS move was expected to create a greater demand for additional businesses in the area, especially in the daytime hours. The Fremont Street Experience (FSE) was built in an effort to draw tourists back to the area, and has been popular. Since the recession began in 2008, many of these shops have closed. The multi-level Neonopolis closed their 11 theaters and nearly all retail stores. Many high-rise condo projects have been under construction, but one of the highest profile buildings, The Streamline Towers, went into bankruptcy.

The city purchased of property from the Union Pacific Railroad in 1995 with the goal of creating something to draw more people to the downtown area. In 2004 Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman announced plans for Symphony Park, which will include residential and office high-rises, the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute, an academic medical center, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, and a new City Hall. After failed negotiations with The Related Co. on the development of Union Park in October 2005, San Diego-based Newland Communities was chosen by the city as the new development firm. The Newland contract calls for Dan Van Epp, Newland's regional vice president and former president of The Howard Hughes Corporation, to oversee his company's work on Symphony Park. The Lou Ruvo Brain Institute was completed in 2009.

In 2004 the city partnered with Cheetah Wireless Technologies and MeshNetwork to pilot a wide-area mobile broadband system. The pilot system is installed downtown, around the Fremont Street Experience. On a lot adjacent to the city's 61 acre site, the World Market Center opened in 2005. It was intended as a preeminent furniture wholesale showroom and marketplace to compete with the current furniture market capital of High Point, North Carolina.

On October 23, 2006, plans were unveiled to build a World Jewelry Center in Symphony Park. Similar to the World Market Center, the WJC will be a one stop shop for jewelry trade shows from around the world. The project proposes a 57-story, office tower. As of 2009 the project was still on hold.

Las Vegas decided to build a new city hall in the late 2000s. This had several consequences. One being that the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, which shared city hall, would have to find a new location. The second being that the old building would be vacated with the potential negative impact on the downtown area. The police department elected to build a headquarters building in another part of the city and consolidate most of its operations in one place. This increased the departments presence with in the city since it would be moving in employees not presently working in the city. The second problem was address when the city and Zappos reached an agreement for Zappos to move its headquarters into the old city hall.

Tourism

The major attractions in Las Vegas are the casinos and the hotels. There are many hotel casinos in the city's downtown area, which was the focal point of the city's gaming industry in its early days.

Most major downtown casinos are downtown on the Fremont Street Experience, The Stratosphere being the major exception. Fremont East, adjacent to the Fremont Street Experience, was granted variances to allow bars to be closer together, similar to the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego. The goal being to attract a different demographic then the strip attracts.

Downtown area casinos

Las Vegas got its start with casinos in 1931 with the opening of the Northern Club (now the La Bayou). The most notable of the early casinos may have been Binion's Horseshoe (now Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel) while it was run by Benny Binion. Boyd Gaming has a major presence downtown operating the California Hotel and Casino, Fremont Hotel and Casino and the Main Street Casino. The Golden Gate Hotel and Casino is the oldest hotel in the Fremont Street Experience. The Golden Nugget is the largest hotel and casino in the city. The Plaza Hotel & Casino on Main Street was the railway station until Amtrak discontinued service. Other casinos include the El Cortez, Fitzgeralds, Four Queens, Gold Spike Hotel and Casino and the Las Vegas Club.

Nearby communities

Henderson, Nevada, incorporated

North Las Vegas, Nevada, incorporated

Paradise, Nevada, unincorporated

Enterprise, unincorporated

Sunrise Manor, Nevada, unincorporated

Spring Valley, Nevada, unincorporated

Boulder City, Nevada, incorporated

Culture

The city is home to several museums including the Neon Museum home to many of the historical signs from the valley, The Las Vegas Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, the Las Vegas Natural History Museum, Lied Discovery Children's Museum and the Old Las Vegas Mormon State Historic Park.

On the first Friday of each month, the "First Friday" celebration is held, which exhibits the works of local artists and musicians in a section of the city's Downtown region called the "Arts District".

The Thursday prior to First Friday is known in the 18b Arts District as "Preview Thursday". This evening event highlights new gallery exhibitions just opening throughout the district.

The Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park, also known as the Las Vegas Zoo, exhibits over 150 species of animals and plants.

The $485 million Smith Center for the Performing Arts (scheduled for completion in 2012) is located downtown in Symphony Park. The center will host Broadway shows and other major touring attractions as well as orchestra, opera, and dance performances.

The city hosts annual events like the Helldorado Days (Las Vegas).

Sports

Las Vegas does not have major-league sports, although the metropolitan population is as large or larger than many cities that have them. The two main reasons are concern about legal sports betting and competition for the entertainment dollar. The only minor league sports team that plays in the City of Las Vegas is baseball's Las Vegas 51s of the Pacific Coast League, the AAA farm club of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Parks and recreation

Las Vegas has dozens of parks, including Las Vegas Springs Preserve, a recreational and educational facility, and Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs. The city operates 4 golf courses (Angel Park Golf Club, Desert Pines Golf Course, Durango Hills Golf Club and the Las Vegas Municipal Golf Course), 5 dog parks, 9 community centers, 8 senior centers and 20 sports facilities including 9 skate parks and 6 swimming pools.

Attractions

Las Vegas is a popular destination for Hawaiians. In 2002, almost 80,000 former residents of Hawaii lived in Las Vegas, and nearly 3,000 Hawaiians visited Las Vegas every week. Las Vegas is sometimes referred to as Hawaii's Ninth Island. The city is the home to the first ABC Stores branch outside the state of Hawaii.

Government

The City of Las Vegas government operates as a council-manager government. The Mayor sits as a Council member-at-large and presides over all of the City Council meetings. In the event that the Mayor cannot preside over a City Council meeting, the Mayor Pro-Tem is the presiding officer of the meeting until such time as the Mayor returns to his seat. The City Manager is responsible for the administration and the day-to-day operation of all of the municipal services and city departments. The City Manager maintains intergovernmental relationships with federal, state, county, and other local governments.

Much of the Las Vegas metropolitan area is split into neighboring incorporated cities or unincorporated communities. Approximately 700,000 people live in unincorporated areas governed by Clark County, and another 465,000 live in incorporated cities such as North Las Vegas, Henderson, and Boulder City. Las Vegas and nearly all of the surrounding metropolitan area share a police department, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, which was formed after a 1973 merger of the Las Vegas Police Department and the Clark County Sheriff's Department. North Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, and some colleges have their own police departments.

A Paiute Indian reservation occupies about in the downtown area.

Las Vegas, as the county seat and home to the Lloyd D. George Federal District Courthouse, draws numerous legal service industries providing bail, marriage, divorce, tax, incorporation, and other legal services.

City council

(Council members' official city websites are available)

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%" |- ! style="width:*;"|Name ! style="width:*;"|Position ! style="width:*;"|Termends ! style="width:*;"|References ! style="width:*;"|Comments |- || Stavros Anthony || 4th Ward Council member || 2013 || || |- || Ricki Barlow || 5th Ward Council member || 2015 || || |- || Carolyn Goodman || Mayor and Council member at-large || 2015 || || Replaced her husband, Oscar Goodman, who was term-limited |- || Bob Coffin || 3rd Ward Council member || 2015 || || |- || Steve Ross || 6th Ward Council member || 2013 || || |- || Lois Tarkanian || 1st Ward Council member || 2015 || || |- || Steve Wolfson, Esq || 2nd Ward Council member || 2013 || || |- |}

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Primary and secondary public education is provided by the Clark County School District, which is the fifth most populous school district in the nation (projected enrollment for the 2007–2008 school year was 314,000 students in grades K–12).

Colleges and universities

The College of Southern Nevada (the third largest community college in the United States by enrollment) is the main higher education facility in the city. Other institutions include the University of Nevada School of Medicine, with a campus in the city, and the for-profit private school Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. Many educational opportunities exist around the city. These include University of Nevada, Las Vegas and Nevada State College run by the Nevada System of Higher Education, Desert Research Institute, The International Academy of Design & Technology Las Vegas, Touro University Nevada and the University of Southern Nevada.

Transportation

RTC Transit is a public transportation system providing bus service throughout Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and other suburban areas of the valley. Inter-city bus service to Las Vegas is provided by Greyhound, many charter services, including Green Tortoise, and several Chinatown bus lines. Amtrak California operates Deluxe Express Thruway Motorcoach dedicated service between the City and its passenger rail station in Bakersfield, California.

A bus rapid transit link in Las Vegas called the Strip & Downtown Express (previously ACE Gold Line) with limited stops and frequent service was launched in March 2010, and connects Downtown Las Vegas, the Strip, the Las Vegas Convention Center, and Town Square.

With some exceptions, including Las Vegas Boulevard, Boulder Highway (SR 582), and Rancho Drive (SR 599), the majority of surface streets in Las Vegas are laid out in a grid along Public Land Survey System section lines. Many are maintained by the Nevada Department of Transportation as state highways. The street numbering system is divided by the following streets:

Westcliff Drive, US 95 Expressway, Fremont Street, and Charleston Boulevard divide the north-south block numbers from west to east.

Las Vegas Boulevard divides the east-west streets from the Las Vegas Strip to near the Stratosphere, then Main Street becomes the dividing line from the Stratosphere to the North Las Vegas border, after which the Goldfield Street alignment divides east and west.

On the east side of Las Vegas, block numbers between Charleston Boulevard and Washington Avenue are different along Nellis Boulevard, which is the eastern border of the city limits.

Interstates 15, 515, and US 95 lead out of the city in four directions. Two major freeways – Interstate 15 and Interstate 515/U.S. Route 95 – cross in downtown Las Vegas. I-15 connects Las Vegas to Los Angeles, and heads northeast to and beyond Salt Lake City, Utah. I-515 goes southeast to Henderson, beyond which US 93 continues over the Mike O'Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge towards Phoenix, Arizona. US 95 connects the city to northwestern Nevada, including Carson City and Reno. US 93 splits from I-15 northeast of Las Vegas and goes north through the eastern part of the state, serving Ely and Wells. US 95 heads south from US 93 near Henderson through far eastern California. A partial beltway has been built, consisting of Interstate 215 on the south and Clark County 215 on the west and north. Other radial routes include Blue Diamond Road (SR 160) to Pahrump and Lake Mead Boulevard (SR 147) to Lake Mead.

;East-west roads, north to south ;North-south roads, west to east

McCarran International Airport handles international and domestic flights into the Las Vegas Valley. The airport also serves private aircraft and freight/cargo flights. Most general aviation traffic uses the smaller North Las Vegas Airport and Henderson Executive Airport.

The Union Pacific Railroad is the only class-one railroad to provide rail freight service to the city. Until 1997, the Amtrak Desert Wind train service ran through Las Vegas using the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. Amtrak service to Las Vegas goes to Needles, California and continues on Amtrak's Thruway Motorcoach bus service. Plans to restore Los Angeles to Las Vegas Amtrak service using a Talgo train were discussed in the late 1990s, but the plan was not implemented. The Las Vegas Amtrak station was located in the Plaza Hotel; it held the distinction of being the only train station in the US that was located in a casino.

Walkability

A 2011 study by Walk Score ranked Las Vegas 25th most walkable of fifty largest U.S. cities.

Sister cities

Ansan, South Korea Jeju City, South Korea Huludao, Liaoning, People's Republic of China Phuket, Thailand Angeles City, Philippines Pamukkale, Turkey

See also

Las Vegas weddings

List of Las Vegans

List of Las Vegas casinos that never opened

List of films set in Las Vegas

List of films shot in Las Vegas

List of mayors of Las Vegas, Nevada

List of television shows set in Las Vegas

Las Vegas Strip

Radio stations in Las Vegas

Television stations in Las Vegas

References

External links

City of Las Vegas, Nevada web site

"The Making of Las Vegas" (historical timeline)

Geologic tour guide of the Las Vegas area from American Geological Institute

National Weather Service Forecast – Las Vegas, NV

Category:Populated places established in 1905 Category:Cities in the Mojave Desert Category:Cities in Nevada Category:Populated places in Clark County, Nevada Category:Gambling in the United States Category:County seats in Nevada

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name	Marc Anthony
background	solo_singer
birth name	Marco Antonio Muñiz
birth date	September 16, 1968
birth place	New York City, U.S.
instrument	Vocals
genre	Latin, salsa, pop, Latin pop, dance-pop, freestyle (early)
occupation	Singer-songwriter, actor
years active	1989–present
label	RMM Records & Video, Columbia, Sony Music Latin
website	www.marcanthonyonline.com
spouse	Jennifer Lopez(2004–present, now separated) (two children: Emma Maribel Muriz, Maximillion David Muriz) }}

Marc Anthony (born Marco Antonio Muñiz; September 16, 1968) is an American singer-songwriter, actor and producer. Anthony is the top selling tropical salsa artist of all time. The two-time Grammy and three-time Latin Grammy–winner has sold more than 12 million albums worldwide. He is best known for his Latin salsa numbers and ballads. He was married to Singer and Actress Jennifer Lopez from 2004 to 2011, when the couple announced their separation.

Anthony has won numerous awards and his achievements have been honored through various recognitions. He was the recipient of the 2009 Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Chair's Award. He also received the "2009 CHCI Chair's Lifetime Achievement Award" on September 16, 2009. Anthony holds the record having the most number-one singles on the Billboard Tropical Songs.

Anthony is a minority owner/limited partner of the Miami Dolphins NFL team.

Early life

Marc Anthony was born Marco Antonio Muñiz in New York City to Guillerminna, a housewife, and Felipe Muñiz, a musician and hospital lunchroom worker. His parents named him after Mexican singer Marco Antonio Muñiz. He was raised Roman Catholic.

Singing career

Muñiz began his career as a session vocalist for freestyle and Underground New York house music acts. After changing his name to avoid confusion with his namesake, Anthony worked as a songwriter and backing vocalist for pop acts including Menudo and the Latin Rascals. His first album was a freestyle music record, "Rebel", in 1988 on Bluedog Records. That same year he wrote and produced "Boy I've Been Told" for fellow freestyle artist Sa-Fire. Then in 1989, he sang backup vocals for Ann-Marie on the freestyle club hit, "With or Without You" produced by Little Louie Vega and Todd Terry. A year later, 1990, with Little Louie Vega and Todd Terry, Marc wrote and whispered a duet with Chrissy I-eece, called "You Should Know By Now". In 1991, he sang backing vocals on another freestyle track by Edmond titled "Come Back To Me". In 1992, still working with Todd Terry, he provided vocals for "Love Change" which is on the flip-side of a 12" vinyl released by Elan and The Powermachine titled "Here's Your Hat", production of Todd Terry. At the same time, he collaborated with music producer Little Louie Vega, who featured the singer on many another freestyle-flavored club hits "Ride On The Rhythm" and the "When The Night Is Over" album, which featured the Freestyle classic "Time". In 1992, Vega and Anthony opened for Latin bandleader Tito Puente at New York's Madison Square Garden. After 1992, he changed his style from freestyle to salsa and other Latin styles.

RMM Records

Otra Nota (1993) Anthony was initially reluctant to become a salsa musician and declined an offer to make a salsa album when Ralph Mercado, president of RMM Records, asked him. Anthony was in a taxi when he heard Juan Gabriel's hit song, "Hasta Que Te Conocí" which influenced him to change his mind and ask Mercado if he could record it as a salsa tune. Inspired by the music of Tito Puente, Rubén Blades and Juan Gabriel, Anthony released his Spanish-language debut, ''Otra nota'', in 1993. Anthony performed at the Radio y Musica Convention hosted by Alfredo Alonso. "Si Tu No Te Fueras", "El Ultimo Beso", "Palabras Del Alma", The album also included a cover of Bread's song, "Make It with You". Subsequent tours throughout the Americas, including an opening slot for Blades, established Anthony as one of the new stars in salsa. In 1994, he was featured in La India's album ''Dicen Que Soy'', on the song "Vivir Lo Nuestro".

His 1995 follow-up, ''Todo a su tiempo'', won Anthony a ''Billboard'' award for Hot Tropical Artist of the Year. The album was also nominated for a Grammy with songs like "Te Conozco Bien", "Hasta Ayer", "Nadie Como Ella", "Se Me Sigue Olvidando", "Te Amare", and "Llegaste A Mi". The album has sold more than 800,000 copies and has become established gold in the US and in Puerto Rico.

Anthony's next Spanish language album, ''Contra la Corriente'', was followed by the television special ''Marc Anthony: The Concert from Madison Square Garden'', broadcast on HBO on Valentine's Day 2000. The special was nominated for Music Special of the Year from ''TV Guide''. The album's song "Y Hubo Alguien" became his first number-one single on the ''Billboard'' Hot Latin Tracks Chart and the first by a salsa musician. The album became the first salsa album to enter the English language ''Billboard'' 200 chart. After an ongoing battle with RMM, he severed ties with Ralph Mercado and left the label in 1999.

Move to Sony

Anthony subsequently recorded the duet "No Me Ames" with Jennifer Lopez on her album ''On the 6'', giving her an assist in her Spanish language crossover attempt.

In 1999, riding the crossover wave of Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin in the Anglophone market, Anthony, working with producers Walter Afanasieff, Cory Rooney, Dan Shea, and Rodney Jerkins, released an English-language, self-titled album with the US Top 5 single "I Need to Know", and the Spanish version, "Dímelo". His song "You Sang To Me" was featured in ''Runaway Bride''. A dance version was remixed by Dutch producer Rene Van Verseveld. The album debuted at number eight on the ''Billboard'' album chart, and six weeks later went platinum; it eventually was certified triple platinum.The song "I Need To Know" earned a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

In 2001, he debuted another salsa album, ''Libre'', which was certified gold with songs like "Celos", "Este Loco Que Te Mira", and "Viviendo". The album spent 14 weeks at the number-one spot on the ''Billboard'' Top Latin Albums chart. The year after that, he made another English-language album, ''Mended''.

In June 2004, Anthony released a Latin pop album, ''Amar Sin Mentiras''. The following month, he reintroduced its songs with a danceable salsa rhythm in another album, ''Valio La Pena''. The song "Escapémonos" was a duet with Jennifer Lopez. In the 2005 Latin Grammy Awards, his ''Amar Sin Mentiras'' won best Latin Pop Album of The Year, and his ''Valió La Pena'' won Best Tropical Album of the Year. Lopez and Anthony performed "Escapémonos" at the 2005 Grammy Awards.

On July 11, 2006, Anthony released ''Sigo Siendo Yo'', a Spanish greatest-hits album. On May 2010 realized "Iconos" – as tribute of old Latin songs by artists such as José Luis Perales, Juan Gabriel and José José.

Acting career

Anthony played supporting roles in projects including 1995's ''Hackers'', and 1996's ''Big Night'' and ''The Substitute''. He appeared with Rubén Blades and Puerto Rican pop singer Ednita Nazario in Paul Simon's 1998 stage musical, ''The Capeman'', which ran for 68 performances. He had a role in Martin Scorsese's 1999 drama ''Bringing Out the Dead'', and in 2001, opposite Salma Hayek, was in the film ''In the Time of the Butterflies''. In ''Man On Fire'' (2004), Anthony, opposite Denzel Washington, played a wealthy businessman who hires a former U.S. Marine to protect his daughter from kidnappers in Mexico City. In 2007, Anthony starred in ''El Cantante'', a biographical drama about the life of salsa music legend Héctor Lavoe, who died in 1993 from AIDS complications. Anthony's then-wife, Jennifer Lopez, narrated the story and portrayed Lavoe's wife. The film, released in August 2007, received weak reviews. In 2010, Anthony guest-starred in two episodes of the TNT medical drama "HawthoRNe" as a detective and the title character's (Jada Pinkett Smith) love interest. He was later named the executive music producer of the show. In 2011, Anthony in partnership with Lopez Simon Fuller, and concert director Jamie King launched ''Q'Viva: The Chosen'', a reality television talent search for Latin American performers.

Appearances

He appeared at the Movies Rock concert along with his wife Jennifer Lopez in 2007 where he performed Simon & Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson".

Anthony sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" when Oscar De La Hoya fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. for the WBC Welterweight title.

On September 21, 2001 he also sang the national anthem at Shea Stadium in the first game after the attack on the World Trade Center. On September 28, 2008, he sang the national anthem again at Shea Stadium for the New York Mets final regular season game. Also in 2001 he appeared in the 30th anniversary concert celebration 30 years of Michael Jackson's music. On September 11, 2011, he once again sang the national anthem at Citi Field in remembrance of the 10 year anniversary of the attacks.

On October 12, 2009, Anthony sang the national anthem as the Miami Dolphins played their fifth regular season game against the New York Jets.

In 2010, Anthony appeared alongside Pitbull on the Cypress Hill single "Armada Latina" for their latest album, ''Rise Up''.

On June 25, 2010, Anthony performed as part of a tribute concert to Michael Jackson on CBS News' The Early Show.

In August, 2010, Anthony guest-starred in two episodes of the television series ''HawthoRNe'' as Detective Nick Renata.

On November 11, 2010 Anthony performed his cover of "Y Como Es El" along with the original singer José Luis Perales at the Latin Grammys.

On June 12, 2011 Anthony performed "The Star Spangled Banner" before Game 6 of the 2011 NBA Finals.

On July 22, 2011 Anthony appeared on the Pitbull single "Rain Over Me" for Pitbull's latest album, PlanetPit

Personal life

In 1994, Anthony's ex-girlfriend Debbie, a NYC police officer, gave birth to their daughter Ariana.

Marc married former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres on May 9, 2000 in Las Vegas. They have two sons, Cristian Marcus Muñiz (February 5, 2001) and Ryan Adrian Muñiz (August 16, 2003). It was a rocky marriage, and they separated in early 2002. They later reconciled and renewed their vows in a formal ceremony on December 7, 2002 at San Juan's Cathedral in Puerto Rico. The rocky marriage came to an end in October 2003 with Dayanara filing for divorce in January 2004. Less than a week after the divorce was finalized, Marc Anthony married Jennifer Lopez on June 5, 2004. To help in her recovery from the divorce, Dayanara traded her engagement ring for a diamond-encrusted Cartier watch and wrote the book ''Married to Me: How Committing to Myself Led to Triumph After Divorce''.

When his divorce proceedings began, Anthony was spotted with long-time friend Jennifer Lopez. Prior to his first marriage and her second, they had briefly dated. Lopez and Anthony recorded a duet in 2004, for Lopez's film ''Shall We Dance?'' Lopez and Anthony married on June 5, 2004, less than a week after his divorce was finalized on June 1. Guests had been invited to an "afternoon party", unaware they were attending a wedding. In February 2005, Lopez said about the marriage, "Everyone knows. It's not a secret." Months later, Anthony's daughter appeared in Lopez's video "Get Right".

Twins Emme Maribel Muñiz and Maximillian David Muñiz were born February 22, 2008. ''People'' paid $6 million for the first photos of the twins. As of at least January 2008, Anthony and his family reside in Brookville, New York, on Long Island.

In 2009, Anthony and Lopez purchased a stake in the Miami Dolphins. They joined several personalities in buying small stakes in the club, including Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Venus and Serena Williams, and Fergie.

On July 15, 2011, Anthony and Lopez announced their separation. Even though they are separating, their upcoming international talent show, "!Q'Viva!" and Kohl's fashion and home lines will go as planned.

By 2012, he had started to date model Shannon de Lima.

Discography

{{external media | align = center | audio1 = You may listen to Marc Anthony's interpretation of Hernandez' "Preciosa" here | audio2 = and "Lamento Borincano" here }}

Studio albums

1991: ''When the Night is Over''

1993: ''Otra Nota''

1995: ''Todo a Su Tiempo''

1997: ''Hasta Que Te Conoci''

1997: ''Contra la Corriente''

1999: ''Marc Anthony''

2001: ''Libre''

2002: ''Mended''

2004: ''Amar Sin Mentiras''

2004: ''Valió la Pena''

2006: Sigo siendo yo

2007: ''El Cantante''

2010: ''Iconos''

Filmography

Year	Film	Role	Notes
1988	''East Side Story''	Flaco	Singer
1993	''Carlito's Way''	Cameo Appearance	Sings "Parece Mentira"
1994	''Natural Causes''	Marine Guard
1995		Agent Kee
1996	''Big Night''	Cristiano
1996	''The Substitute''	Juan Lucas
1999	''Bringing Out The Dead''	Noel
2001		Lio
2004		Samuel Ramos
2007	''El Cantante''	Héctor Lavoe
2010–2011	''HawthoRNe'' (TV series)	Officer Nick Renata	Guest: "A Mother Knows", "Picture Perfect"Main Season 3
2011	''Lopez Tonight'' (Talk Show)	Himself	Guest
2011	''The Tonight Show'' (Talk Show)	Himself	Guest

Awards and nominations

See also

List of famous Puerto Ricans

List of Number 1 Dance Hits (United States)

List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart

References

External links

Official Website

Marc Anthony at Billboard.com

Category:1968 births Category:Actors from New York City Category:American dance musicians Category:American male singers Category:American people of Puerto Rican descent Category:American musicians of Puerto Rican descent Category:Columbia Records artists Category:American freestyle musicians Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Latin Grammy Award winners Category:Latin pop singers Category:Living people Category:People from New York City Category:Salsa musicians Category:Songwriters from New York Category:Spanish-language singers Category:Jennifer Lopez

ar:مارك أنتوني ca:Marc Anthony da:Marc Anthony de:Marc Anthony es:Marc Anthony fa:مارک آنتونی (خواننده) fr:Marc Anthony gl:Marc Anthony hr:Marc Anthony id:Marc Anthony it:Marc Anthony he:מארק אנתוני (זמר) kk:Марк Энтони hu:Marc Anthony nl:Marc Anthony ja:マーク・アンソニー no:Marc Anthony pl:Marc Anthony pt:Marc Anthony ro:Marc Anthony ru:Марк Энтони sq:Marc Anthony fi:Marc Anthony sv:Marc Anthony th:มาร์ก แอนโทนี (นักร้อง) tr:Marc Anthony yi:מארק ענטאני zh:马克·安东尼 (歌手)

name	Las Ketchup
background	group_or_band
origin	Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
genre	Flamenco, Pop, Chill out
years active	2002–present
label	Shaketown-SKT Music, Warner Music, Sony BMG
current members	Rocío MuñozLucía MuñozLola MuñozPilar Muñoz
past members	}}

Las Ketchup is a Latin Grammy Award nominated 4-girl group composed of sisters Lola Muñoz, Pilar Muñoz, Lucía Muñoz and Rocío Muñoz from Córdoba in Andalucia, Spain. They are the daughters of Juan Muñoz, a flamenco guitarist known as ''El Tomate'' (The Tomato). Before Rocío's addition to the group in 2006, the other three girls had success with their worldwide hit "Aserejé", also known as "The Ketchup Song".

Career

Las Ketchup was originally discovered by the noted flamenco producer Manuel “Queco” Ruiz, who signed them to his newly formed independent Córdoba-based label Shaketown Music, which he ran together with Manuel Illán. They recorded the songs “Asereje” and “Kusha Las Payas" with Ruiz producing, and shopped the demo to a number of large record companies with the intention of securing a distribution deal. The demo was received by Columbia/Sony A&R; Javier Portugués and director Raúl López who, on listening the recordings, stared at each other in delight exclaiming, "Wow, this is fantastic!". At first the intention was to arrange a distribution deal with Shaketown Music but on hearing the song they realised its international potential and so negotiated for Las Ketchup to sign with Sony.

In the summer of 2002 they had a major flamenco Europop fusion hit with "Aserejé" (released as "The Ketchup Song" in the UK and other countries), which reached the top of the charts in many countries including Spain, Portugal, Colombia, UK, Italy, Greece, France, Finland, Turkey, Syria, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Netherlands, Philippines, Switzerland, Germany, Romania, Argentina, Hungary, Poland, Venezuela, Mexico, Peru, Canada, India, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Egypt and Puerto Rico. However, it failed to hit the Top 40 on the U.S. ''Billboard Hot 100''. Still worldwide, the trio became instant rivals to another Spanish female trio, Lunae, who released their debut single in Europe at the same time in 2003. The title and part of the lyrics were in Spanish. The hit also had an accompanying dance.

The group re-released the Ketchup Song later in the same year, with a new video, as a Christmas song.

The name of the group is a reference to their father Juan Muñoz, a flamenco guitarist known as ''El Tomate'' (The Tomato). This also explains why their debut album carried the title ''Las hijas del Tomate'' (Daughters of Tomato).

In 2006 they were joined by Rocío, their fourth sister, to represent Spain in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006. The girls have said themselves that Rocío has always been a member of Las Ketchup, but she wasn't in the photographs, videos or performances because she was pregnant.

The group sold over 12 million copies with the first album, but the second did not achieve the same success.

Recent events

Las Ketchup came back as a 4-girl group, with a new album titled ''Bloody Mary''. Their long absence was due to their writing songs for the album and Pilar's pregnancy. The album release was delayed till the beginning of 2006. They planned to release 1 million copies and their producer "Queco", who also produced and wrote their worldwide single "Asereje", indicated that this album retains their original sound. Their first single from the CD was also titled "Bloody Mary". This song was the Spanish entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006. The song did not perform as well as expected, ending 21st with only 18 points.

Discography

Albums

2002 ''Hijas del Tomate'' — #1 Spain

2006 ''Un Blodymary'' - #250 Spain

Singles

Year

Title

Chart Positions

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2002

2006

Awards

2002 'Ondas awards'

- Best New Artist/group

2004 Billboard Latinos awards

- Best pop album from new generation ("Las hijas del Tomate")

- Most tropical-salsa song played by Duo or Group ("The Ketchup Song" (Aserejé)

2003 Latin Grammy Award

- Best Pop Album By a Duo or Group with Vocals ''Las hijas del Tomate'' (Nominated, lost to Bacilos ''Caraluna''.)

2003 Record Fair MIDEM (Cannes)

- Best New Artist/group

2003 Amigo Awards

- Best New Group

- Best New Artist

2004 Record fair MIDEM (Cannes)

- Breakers of borders (Best-selling Album out of its country and inside of Europe with "Las hijas del Tomate") Song)

Parody

In 2002, the German comedian Elmar Brandt wrote (using the tune of Aserejé) a Gerhard Schröder parody called "Der Steuersong" (The Tax Song) for the radio program ''The Gerd Show''.

In 2002, a satirical version to the tune of Aserejé by ''El Groupo Mayonessa'' circulated in Gibraltar prior to the referendum on a proposal of joint sovereignty, entitled 'Vota Que No, Que No, Que No No No'

See also

Ketchup

Son de Sol

One-hit wonder

References

External links

Las Ketchup at AskMen.com

Las Ketchup at Answers.com

Category:People from Córdoba, Spain Category:Spanish dance music groups Category:Spanish Eurovision Song Contest entrants Category:Eurovision Song Contest entrants of 2006 Category:Family musical groups Category:Girl groups Category:Musical groups established in 2002 Category:Spanish pop music groups

da:Las Ketchup de:Las Ketchup es:Las Ketchup eo:Las Ketchup fr:Las Ketchup id:Las Ketchup it:Las Ketchup ka:Las Ketchup lv:Las Ketchup lt:Las Ketchup hu:Las Ketchup nl:Las Ketchup ja:ラス・ケチャップ no:Las Ketchup pl:Las Ketchup pt:Las Ketchup ru:Las Ketchup fi:Las Ketchup sv:Las Ketchup tr:Las Ketchup

name	Charles Trenet
background	solo_singer
birth name	Louis Charles Auguste Claude Trenet
born	May 18, 1913Narbonne, France
died	February 19, 2001Créteil, France
years active	1933–2000
notable instruments	}}

Charles Trenet (born Louis Charles Auguste Claude Trenet, 18 May 1913, Narbonne, France – 19 February 2001, Créteil, France) was a French singer and songwriter, most famous for his recordings from the late 1930s until the mid-1950s, though his career continued through the 1990s. In an era in which it was exceptional for a singer to write his or her own material, Trenet wrote prolifically and declined to record any but his own songs.

His best known songs include "Boum !", "La Mer", "Y'a d'la joie", "Que reste-t-il de nos amours ?", "Ménilmontant" and "Douce France". His catalogue of songs is enormous, numbering close to a thousand. While many of his songs mined relatively conventional topics such as love, Paris, and nostalgia for his younger days, what set Trenet's songs apart were their personal, poetic, sometimes quite eccentric qualities, often infused with a warm wit. Some of his songs had unconventional subject matter, with whimsical imagery bordering on the surreal. "Y'a d'la joie" evokes 'joy' through a series of disconnected images, including that of a subway car shooting out of its tunnel into the air, the Eiffel Tower crossing the street and a baker making excellent bread. The lovers engaged in a minuet in "Polka du Roi" reveal themselves at length to be 'no longer human': they are made of wax and trapped in the Musée Grévin. Many of his hits from the 1930s and 1940s effectively combine the melodic and verbal nuances of French song with American swing rhythms.

His song "La Mer", which according to legend he composed with Léo Chauliac on a train in 1943, was recorded in 1946. "La Mer" is perhaps his best known work outside the French-speaking world, with over 400 recorded versions. The song was given unrelated English words and under the title "Beyond the Sea" (or sometimes "Sailing"), was a hit for Bobby Darin in the early 1960s, and George Benson in the mid-1980s. "La Mer" has been used in many films such as Bernardo Bertolucci's 2003 ''The Dreamers'', and more recently in the closing scene (on the beach) of ''Mr. Bean's Holiday''. The song was also used in the opening credits of the 2007 film, ''The Diving Bell and the Butterfly'', which used the song to highlight the paralyzing effects of a stroke that felled his fellow Frenchman, Jean-Dominique Bauby. It was also used as the opening title song in Steve Martin's ''L.A. Story'' in 1991, and in a popular commercial for South Australia, promoting the wine region of Australia. Other Trenet songs were recorded by such popular French singers as Maurice Chevalier, Jean Sablon and Fréhel.

Early life

When Trenet was seven years old, his parents divorced and he was sent to boarding school in Béziers, but he returned home just a few months later, suffering from typhoid fever. It was during his convalescence at home that he developed his artistic talents, taking up music, painting and sculpting. In 1922, Trenet moved to Perpignan, this time as a day pupil. A water-colourist friend of the family André Fons-Godail, the "Catalan Renoir", used to take him out painting. His poetry is said to have the painter's eye for detail and colour. Many of his songs had references to his surroundings such as places near Narbonne, the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean coast.

He hated mathematics with a passion but passed his "baccalauréat" with flying colours in 1927. After leaving school he left for Berlin where he studied art, and later he also briefly studied at art schools in France. When Trenet first arrived in Paris in the 1930s, he worked in a movie studio as a props handler and assistant, and later joined up with the artists in the Montparnasse neighbourhood. His admiration of the surrealist poet and Catholic mystic Max Jacob (1876–1944) and his love of jazz were two factors that influenced Trenet's songs.

Before World War II

From 1933 to 1936, he worked with the Swiss pianist Johnny Hess as a duo known as "Charles and Johnny". They performed at various Parisian venues, such as Le Fiacre, La Villa d'Este, the Européen and the Alhambra. They recorded 18 discs for Pathé, the most successful of which was "Quand les beaux jours seront là/Sur le Yang-Tsé-Kiang". The Charles and Johnny records feature Hess on piano, with the two frequently singing in two-part harmonies with quickly alternating solo spots for the two. Around 1935, the duo appeared regularly on the radio on a broadcast called ''Quart d'heure des enfants terribles''.

The duo continued until 1936 when Trenet was called up for national service. It was after his national service that Trenet received the nickname that he would retain all his life: "Le Fou chantant" (The Singing Madman). In 1937, Trenet began his solo career, recording for Columbia, his first disc being "Je chante/Fleur bleue". The exuberant "Je chante" gave rise to the notion of Trenet as a "singing vagabond", a theme that appeared in a number of his early songs and films.

World War II

At the start of World War II, Trenet was mobilized. He was in barracks at Salon-de-Provence until he was demobilized in June 1940, when he moved back to Paris. There he would perform at the Folies Bergère or at the Gaîté Parisienne (two famous cabarets) in front of a public often consisting of German officers and soldiers. The collaborationist press tried to compromise his name and published that "Trenet" was the anagram of "Netter" – a Jewish name. He was able to show his family tree to the authorities, proving that he had no Jewish origin. This act of self-defence was held against him long after the end of the war. Like many other artists of the time, he chose to go on entertaining the occupying forces rather than sacrifice his career, showing little interest in the Jewish issue. He agreed, when asked by the Germans, to go and sing for the French prisoners in Germany. It is only fair to note that, as a homosexual, (see the section Return to France below) Trenet was himself in grave danger of deportation to the camps and may have had little choice but to co-operate and keep a low profile.

The refrain from the song Verlaine, "Blessent mon cœur d'une langueur monotone...", ("Wound my heart with a monotonous languor...") from Paul Verlaine's ''Chanson d'automne'', (popularized by Trenet) was used as the Allied code to the French "underground" signaling that the Normandy invasion in June 1944 was imminent.

After the war

After the war he decided to move to United States where he lived for a few years and where he quickly became a success. After a few triumphant concerts at the Bagdad in New York, Trenet became a big hit and was approached by Hollywood. He met the likes of Louis Armstrong and began a long-lasting friendship with Charlie Chaplin.

Return to France

On 14 September 1951, Trenet returned to Paris and made a comeback at the "Théâtre de l'Étoile". He incorporated ten new songs into his act, including "De la fenêtre d'en haut" and "La Folle Complainte". In 1954 he performed at the "Olympia" music-hall in Paris for the first time. The following year he wrote the famous "Route nationale 7" (a tribute to the introduction of paid holidays).

In 1958, Trenet was the headlining act at the "Bobino" and the "Alhambra". In 1960 he returned to the "Théâtre de l'Étoile", appearing on stage for the very first time without the famous trilby hat which had for so long been part of his act.

In 1963, Trenet spent 28 days in prison in Aix-en-Provence. He was charged with corrupting the morals of four young men under the age of 21 (they were 19). His chauffeur claimed that Trenet was using him as a pimp. The charges were eventually dropped, but the affair brought to public light the fact that Trenet was homosexual. He was never particularly public about it and spoke of it rarely. In his authorized biography of Maurice Chevalier, author David Brett claims that Chevalier and Mistinguett were the ones who first "shopped" Trenet to the police for consorting with underage boys, around 1940. Trenet never learned of their action.

1970s

In 1970, Trenet flew to Japan to represent France at the Universal Exhibition in Osaka. The following year he left Columbia, his long-time record label, and recorded ''Fidèle'' and ''Il y avait des arbres''. He also made a memorable appearance at the "Olympia".

In 1973, Trenet, who had just celebrated his 60th birthday, recorded a new album, ''Chansons en liberté''. The twelve songs on this album were an interesting mix of old and new compositions. His 60th birthday was celebrated in grand style by the French media.

Trenet made a surprise announcement in 1975, declaring that he was retiring from the music world. At the end of his final concert at the "Olympia" he bade his audience an emotional farewell. Following the death of his mother in 1979, he shut himself away from the world for the next two years.

Later career

Nevertheless, in 1981 Trenet made a comeback with a new album, devoted to sentimental memories of his childhood. Trenet then returned to his peaceful semi-retirement in the South of France, occasionally rousing himself to give a special gala performance in France or abroad.

After giving farewell concerts in France, Trenet was persuaded out of retirement by a French Canadian lawyer, Gilbert Rozon, in 1983 for a farewell concert in Montréal. Rozon became Trenet's manager thereafter and as a result Trenet performed many more concerts including a series every night for three weeks at the Palais des congrès in Paris in 1986.

On 21 May 1999, he returned to the forefront of the music scene with a brand new album entitled ''Les poètes descendent dans la rue'' (''Poets Take to the Streets''). Nearly sixty years after writing his legendary classic "La Mer", Trenet proved that he was capable of coming up with fourteen inspired new tracks. Following the success of the album, Trenet returned to the live circuit. His concerts proved a huge success, fans in the audience breaking into rapturous applause.

In April 2000 old age began to catch up with Trenet, and he was rushed to hospital after suffering a stroke. The singer was forced to spend several weeks in hospital recovering, but by the autumn of that year he was well enough to attend the dress rehearsal of Charles Aznavour's show at the Palais des Congrès (on the 25 October). This was his final public appearance. Trenet died 19 February 2001.

In November 2000 the Narbonne house in which Trenet was born – which had become 13 Avenue Charles Trenet – was turned into a tiny museum. Visitors were able to view souvenirs from Trenet's childhood and family life (especially those belonging to his mother, who had spent most of her life in the house), as well as original drafts of the songs which had made his career.

References

External links

Raquel Bitton Pays tribute to Charles Trenet in her CD "I wish you love" (1994)

International Jose Guillermo Carrillo Foundation

Fond In mémory of Charles Trenet

Le portail des amis de Charles Trenet In French. Provides a complete biography and discography.

Radio France Internationale In English. Biography and discography.

Google Music: Charles Trenet

[ Charles Trenet] – on Allmusic

Category:1913 births Category:2001 deaths Category:People from Narbonne Category:French-language singers Category:French male singers Category:French singer-songwriters Category:French pop singers Category:LGBT musicians from France

ca:Charles Trenet de:Charles Trenet es:Charles Trenet eo:Charles Trenet fr:Charles Trenet ko:샤를 트레네 io:Charles Trenet id:Charles Trenet it:Charles Trenet he:שארל טרנה ms:Charles Trenet nl:Charles Trenet ja:シャルル・トレネ no:Charles Trenet nn:Charles Trenet pl:Charles Trenet pt:Charles Trenet ru:Трене, Шарль fi:Charles Trenet sv:Charles Trenet uk:Шарль Трене

name	King África
background	solo_singer
birth name	Alan Duffy
born	October 31, 1971Buenos Aires, Argentina
origin	Argentina
genre	Latin, Pop
occupation	singer
years active	1993–present
label	UMG, Sony
website	}}

King África, stage name of Alan Duffy, (born October 31, 1971) is an Argentine recording artist of American descent. He is well known in Latin America and Spain for his dance music and unique, intense voice.

Biography

King Africa was born Alan Duffy in Buenos Aires in 1971. His first appearance on record was August 1992 in the album ''DJ Dero - Volume 1'' with the track "EOE". This was followed in Summer 1993 with "Pontel Pónselo". The song was quickly installed in all clubs and finish to enhance disclosure King Africa as of 1992. The first album was not expected, since ''El Africano'' went on sale in mid-1993. It reached platinum status in Argentina and Chile, and featured "Salta", which topped the charts across Latin America.

The task of King Africa then focused on presentations to support their live CD, which was dedicated during the second half of 1993 and early 1994. His tour took him to the remotest corners of South America, working hard and achieving unprecedented success. The emergence in late 1994 of its much-anticipated second work, "the stick", causing great impact. "Topics," "Al Palo," and "Mom and I want to" quickly climbed the rankings in all of Latin America.

In Chile, where King Africa has a particularly high rating, was invited to the 1995 International Song Festival of Viña del Mar, where he played together with a large band and won the sympathy of the public, while being hailed by him as the most demanding critics, who year after year is quoted on the occasion of this prestigious festival. His act spread across the continent after the Viña del Mar event, and he performed in his namesake continent, Africa, in subsequent dates.

In a brief pause he recorded what would be his next success: "Cachete, pechito y ombligo" (''Cheek, Chest and navel''), published in Summer'96 compilation, with a rapid diffusion and acceptance in all the FM stations. He then returned to his incessant touring in January this year, making presentations in Pinamar (Argentina) and Punta del Este (Uruguay), both organized by MTV Latino.

During 1996, made numerous presentations in the Acapulco Festival (Mexico), Miami, Sweden and throughout Latin America. The launch of the remix of cheeks, and navel Pechito conducted by producer Sandy & Papo, led King to return to Africa the top of the rankings of major radiofórmulas latinoamericanas.

After completing its extensive tour of Latin America with the launch of "Remix", a disc with remixes and new versions of their hits and some new songs in late 1996, the band has experienced great changes in the composition and image.

His next release, "Animal" recorded in 1997, generated great expectations, quickly became a huge success throughout Latin America. In 1998 made numerous presentations on the Latin American continent, and traveled to Europe to present his record in Spain, where he ended up having a big impact on the Carnival of Tenerife where his hit "The Chameleon" was chosen the number one topic of this carnival.

In 1999, King Africa continued its extensive tour of Argentina, Spain and Latin America, but all efforts to impose the artist in the international arena finally yielded fruit with the start of the new millennium with the help of mega-hit: "La Bomba" and its European launch album: "Greatest Hits", King was placed Africa at the top of the Spanish top 40.

In 2000 his album "Greatest Hits" continued to be played on radio, television and nightclubs throughout Spain. His version of the song La Bomba (originallly by the Bolivian group Azul Azul) became "Song of the Summer" and rose rapidly to not only first place in sales but also in the radio charts.

Much of Europe echoed this great impact, beginning with an extensive tour over 150 concerts in Spain and Portugal, as well as France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Romania and the Netherlands. His album "Greatest Hits" became a very short time in Golden Disc in Spain, Portugal and Belgium, also made major television presentations like "che Carramba fortune!" By Raffaella Carrà (RAI, Italy), "Surprise, Surprise" (TV Romania), and countless performances at galas and in Spanish programs.

Early in 2001 King Africa launched "Carnavalito EP" (advance of his album "Pachanga"), a CD single with four songs which included: The Humahuaqueño, to sell thousands of copies.

In mid-April of that year released his new job, "Pachanga," which includes topics such as "Comadre Compadre," "El Humahuaqueño" and "Salta" (2001 remix), the latter song is used for the advertisement of Pringles potato chips with high global impact. At its launch in Latin America, "Pachanga" is published in Puerto Rico and United States with a special remix: "The Humahuaqueño" (reggaeton mix), to rapidly achieve in those countries and in Spain the Disco de Oro

That same year the prestigious Billboard magazine nominated King Africa as "Album of the Year" and "Best Pop Artist revelation to Billboard Latin Awards because" Pachanga "is on the list of 10 top selling albums.

Also in 2001, was invited to participate macroconcierto "Son Latino" in Tenerife's scenic Playa de las Vistas (Spain), and sang before 250,000 people to a standing ovation.

His tour was extended to the United States and Canada, where he was invited to participate in the election of Miss Hawaiian Tropic World to be held at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, in Las Vegas. The event was broadcast live on television, gave King Africa are at the beginning of the pump with the 74 participants who act as dancers, and closed the event with three songs.

In 2002 the artist released "Energy", an album that includes songs like: Mete Mete and Vitorino, the latter duo recorded with the prestigious "The River" (author's mega-hit La Macarena). In France this year received the Gold Record for exceeding sales of more than 250,000 copies of the CD-single "La Bomba (remix)".

In 2003 published the album: "Buena Onda" which contains songs such as: butter, you look good, and hit Tesouro do Pirata (Onda Onda). In July this year went to Japan to support a number of presentations on radio and television in the cities of Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Yokohama and Tokyo, his album "King Africa - Greatest Hits," released in that country, and because that his version of the item: La Bomba is one of the three most popular songs from the chart of the Japanese radios do several concerts with great success.

In 2004 went on sale: "Reggaeton Mix," containing items such as: "My grandmother made the next great Puerto Rican Wilfred" (Wilfred singer and Ganga, a group famous in the 90s), and the hit, "Golosa." That same year King traveled to Africa for the first time Costa Rica for several concerts.

At the beginning of 2005 participated in the television program "Big Brother VIP 2" of Spain, and immediately left the competition when it introduced the album: "VIP Party". King Africa, on this record, released a great compilation of 21 songs that have become famous throughout the world, including the mega-hit: "The Chocolate Makers Paquito" (a "paso doble" based on the 1937 work by the Spaniard composer Gustavo Pascual Falcó).

In the year 2006 published in the compilation "Caribbean 2006" (Vale Music) Song: "Saturday Night" (Di Di La La La), a classic of the 90s, and in 2007 hits the market in the compilation "Caribbean 2007 "(Universal - Vale Music) with his version: "Blossom" (Blossom Murderer) (Caribbean Remix), a song that triumph throughout Latin America.

In December 2007, Vale Music celebrates its 10th Anniversary launched the album: "Vale Music: 10 years in our own way", which includes 17 big hits version 17 of its great artists. As it could not be less, as a veteran artist of Vale Music, King Africa was invited to participate in this great celebration of the group performing a version O-Zone, the song is the big hit: "Dragostea Din Tei."

In May 2008, Vale Music distributed his successful album "Caribbean 2008," including a new summer song (track 1, on CD2), called: "Chispum." In early June, Vale Music editing compiled "Disco Estrella 2008" which includes a composition by Rodolfo Chikilicuatre. King Africa: "Dance the chiki chiki," a version they made together for Andreu Buenafuente's program.

His compilation contributed to the success of 10th Annual Latino Dance Vale Music Festival (Spain), in May 2009, and King Africa contributed to ''Caribbean 2009: The summer is blue'' with a new composition: "Tiki and Taka."

Discography

1993 ''El Africano''

1994 ''Al Palo''

1996 ''Remix''

1998 ''Animal''

2000 ''La Bomba (Grandes éxitos)''

2001 ''Carnavalito EP''

2001 ''Pachanga''

2002 ''Energía''

2003 ''Buena onda''

2004 ''Reggaetón Mix''

2005 ''Fiesta VIP''

References

External links

Biography

Category:1971 births Category:People from Buenos Aires Category:Living people Category:Argentine musicians Category:Argentine singers

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