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Camarón de la Isla

San Fernando, Bahía de Cádiz, Cádiz

1 Villages · 7 Monuments · 2 Nature · 1 Curiosities · 1 Historical milestones · 1 Food and drink

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Camarón de la Isla

Curiosity · San Fernando, Bahía de Cádiz, Cádiz

José Monje Cruz, 'Camarón de la Isla' (San Fernando, 5 December 1950 - Badalona, 2 July 1992), one of the most influential singers of contemporary flamenco, was born in the Las Callejuelas neighbourhood of San Fernando, into a Roma family; the nickname was given to him by an uncle because of his thinness and his fair skin and hair, and 'de la Isla' refers to the city's location on the island of León. He left school early to help his father, a blacksmith and amateur singer, and from the age of seven he sang in taverns, ventas and at the local tram station. In 1958 he began performing at the Venta de Vargas in San Fernando, where he was heard by the great singers of the region; at the age of twelve he won the Montilla Festival. He was born and is buried in San Fernando.

5 de diciembre de 1950 - 2 de julio de 1992

Photo: Pérez De León (Public domain)

What to see and do in San Fernando