Biography of Joan Manuel Serrat, by Júlia Morente

Joan Manuel Serrat was born in Poble Sec, a neighbourhood of Barcelona, on December 27, 1943. He is one of the most important figures of modern, popular music, in both the Spanish and Catalan languages, who started the Nova Cançó Catalana (new Catalan song) together with other Catalan musicians. Josep, his father, was an anarchist, member of the CNT, and he worked at the Gas Company as an electrician. His mother, Ángeles, was born in Belchite, Zaragoza. She was a housewife and also worked as a dress-maker.

His childhood and environment in his neighbourhood impacted him as he described Catalonia, after the Spanish Civil War. He studied agricultural engineering, but he became involved with music when he was 16 after his father gave him a guitar. He dedicated him one of his firsts songs: La guitarra.

In 1960 the young artist participated in a pop band. In 1965 he joined the group Els setze Jutges, which defended the Catalan language during the Franco’s dictatorship. ElsVells Amants i Els Titelles, which Serrat sang at the Palau de la Musica Catalana, served to establish him as one of the most important artists in the Nova Cançó Catalana.

In 1968, he was chosen to sing the song La La La at the Eurovision Song Contest. He asked to sing it in Catalan, but the Spanish authorities didn't agree, so he refused to sing it in the Spanish version, and he was replaced by the singer Masiel. As a result, Serrat's music was banned in Spain.

In 1974, he was exiled in Mexico, after he had condemned the arbitrary executions under Franco's Regime. He was acclaimed in South America and the USA. He came back to Spain before Franco's death, and he sang Catalan songs as well as Spanish songs.

In 1969, his first child, Queco, was born. In 1978, Serrat got married to Candela, a well being family's daughter, and in 1969 was born their daughter Maria was born.

Since his beginnings, he was the best photographer of the Spanish reality with his irony and sensitivity. In his songs, he gave voice to poets like Machado, Miguel Hernández, Rafael Alberti and some others, and his own lyrics are always poetry.

Nowadays, in Spain, he has been recognised as a very important musician. Not long ago, he overcame a cancer, however, nowadays he continues singing and acting.