Júnior
Júnior, c. 1964
Born
Antonio Morales y Barretto

(1943-09-10)10 September 1943
Manila, Philippine Commonwealth
Died15 April 2014(2014-04-15) (aged 70)
Torrelodones, Spain
Occupation(s)Singer, actor
Years active1958–2014
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1970; died 2006)​
Children3, including Shaila Dúrcal
RelativesGretchen Barretto (niece)
Claudine Barretto (niece)
Marjorie Barretto (niece)
Julia Barretto (great-niece)

Antonio Morales Barretto (Tagalog pronunciation: [baˈrɛto]; 10 September 1943 – 15 April 2014), known professionally as Júnior, was a Filipino-born Spanish singer and actor.

Early life

Morales was born in Manila, Philippines, to a Spanish father and a Filipina mother, the eldest of five brothers. He was born during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, and at 15 years old his family emigrated to Barcelona, Spain, eventually settling in Madrid.

Career

In 1958,[1] he became part of the group Jump, a pioneering Spanish electric guitar group. During the group's popularity, he was featured in the film Me Enveneno De Azules in 1969. Some of his first hits included Todo Porque Te Quiero ("It's All Because I Love You") in 1969 and Perdóname (The Snake) in 1973.

He went on to join Los Brincos with Juan Pardo, and his brothers Miguel and Ricky Morales would also later join the group. Morales and Juan Pardo eventually left the group to release music as Juan y Junior. One of their songs is a Spanish version of "Fool on the Hill" by John Lennon and Paul McCartney from the LP titled Junior in 1976.

Movie career

In the 1980s, he starred in the Philippine films Good Morning Sunshine with Vilma Santos, and Disco Madhouse, and released three albums in Tagalog for the Philippines. One of his most popular songs that he wrote and produced was "Yakap" (1979).[2] That song, which he sang in his movie with Santos, became his signature song in the Philippines.[3] Another of his hit songs there are "Excuse Me" (1974) and "But If You Leave Me" (1976).

Personal life

Morales married his wife Rocío Dúrcal in 1970, and their first child, Spanish actress Carmen Morales de las Heras, was born in December of that year. After the birth of their second child, Antonio Morales de las Heras, in April 1974, Morales decided to give up his career to devote time to their children. Dúrcal meanwhile continued her film and singing career. In 1979 they had their third child, Shaila Morales de las Heras, who took up a singing career under the stage name of Shaila Dúrcal. Morales also managed Dúrcal for much of her career.

Morales remained married to Dúrcal until her death in 2006. Her children became involved in controversial court battles over her inheritance, eventually reconciled after Carmen's wedding.[4]

On 22 November 2007, his father, Antonio Morales Majó, died of anemia, aged 91.[5] His mother, Carmen Barretto Valdés, died in 2012, aged 97.[6]

He is the uncle of Philippine actresses Gretchen Barretto, Claudine Barretto and Marjorie Barretto.

Death

Junior died on 15 April 2014 in Torrelodones, Spain.[7] He was cremated and his ashes were buried at Basilica de Guadalupe in Mexico City.

Discography

Singles

  • "Yakap"
  • "But If You Leave Me"
  • "Excuse Me"
  • ”It’s Only Love”

References

  1. ↑ ""Junior", una carrera musical marcada por su amor a Rocío Durcal". ABC. Spain. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  2. ↑ "Lycos". Pobladores.lycos.es. Archived from the original on 15 February 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  3. ↑ "FunFare with Ricardo F. Lo". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  4. ↑ Tinoco, Armando. "Rocío Dúrcal's Widower Found Dead at 70". 15 April 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  5. ↑ "Hemeroteca". ABC. Spain. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  6. ↑ "¡Qué mamá tan cool!" (in Spanish). Peopleenespanol.com. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  7. ↑ "Aparece muerto Antonio Morales Junior, viudo de Rocío Dúrcal" (in Spanish). Lavozlibre.com. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
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