Slacker Logo

Chavela Vargas

Advertisement
Advertisement

Biography

Chavela Vargas, born Isabel Vargas Lizano on April 17, 1919 in San Joaquin de Flores, Costa Rica, became one of the most famous singers in the history of Latin American music. Seeking a career in music, she left Costa Rica when she was a teenager and relocated to Mexico, a country with a bigger entertainment industry. She was a street performer for over a decade, not becoming a professional performer until she was in her thirties. Her signature stage wear earned her the nickname The Lady in the Red Poncho. She became known throughout the Spanish-speaking world for her interpretations of ranchera, a musical style that was typically sung by men. She created a signature sound by slowing down the tempos of the songs and bringing drama and humor to the lyrics. Her performances throughout the 40s and 50s grew her reputation internationally, and she hobnobbed with celebrated figures such as Diego Rivera, Juan Ralfo, and Frida Kahlo. She released her first album, Noche de Bohemia, in 1961, and went on to record over 80 albums. A worldwide superstar until alcoholism forced her into retirement in the mid-1970s, she reemerged in the 90s with albums like 1998’s Chavela Vargas and 2004’s La Llorona and resumed her beloved status. She passed away on August 5, 2012 in Cuenavaca, Mexico.
Read All Read Less

Albums

See All Albums

Artists Related to
Chavela Vargas

Lila Downs

FEATURED

Lola Beltran

FEATURED

Pedro Infante

FEATURED

Javier Solis

FEATURED

Jorge Negrete

FEATURED

Juan Gabriel

FEATURED

Tania Libertad

FEATURED

Amalia Mendoza

FEATURED

Lucha Villa

FEATURED

Pacifika

FEATURED

Joan Sebastian

FEATURED

Ana Gabriel

FEATURED

Pepe Aguilar

FEATURED
See All Related Artists

LIVE STREAM... SOCIAL RADIO STREAM...