“BEING IN LOVE DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE GETTING OLDER. ON THE CONTRARY, YOU FEEL REJUVENATED. AND YOU KEEP ON SINGING AND TELLING STORIES FROM YOUR SOUL”

“Better late than never,” these were the first words of great Mexican singer-songwriter Armando Manzanero once he landed in Cuba. Armando Manzanero (83), with a vast and prestigious musical career, recognized this island was always part of his imagination: “profound ties bind our nations and music has been the best bridge to narrow the gap,” he pointed out.
“Cuba has given a lot to universal music. Unforgettable musicians like Adolfo Guzmán, César Portillo de la Luz, and José Antonio Méndez are some of my role models.”

Is it the reason why you invited other renowned singers to participate in the live concert you performed at the Havana’s Seafront?
It is a debt I will never repay. But yes, I wanted to feel surrounded by such Cuban musical tradition in the voices of Omara Portuondo, Eliades Ochoa, and Haila María Mompié.

Even though this approach to the Cuban music is not recent, the featuring with Cuban artists prior to your visit certainly helped Cubans enjoy your music live…
Yes, indeed. Many people have helped and given plenty of support in this regard. I featured with Haila in the CD Con todo respeto Haila canta a Armando Manzanero, a compilation album I could not refuse as I found a new way of singing: the romantic tone of my performances and the Cuban salsa in her. I am very grateful and I am pretty sure this CD will be a perfect reason to come back. The bolero, the song, the Habano, the culture, the people living here are all good enough reasons to return.

Now with 83 years old, how can you keep on giving love and telling your stories?
I am a Mayan. This is my origin and that is why I work a lot. I wake up early and enjoy life, its first lights. Then I start writing songs. Being in love does not mean you are getting older. On the contrary, you feel rejuvenated. And you keep on singing and telling from your soul.