Only a few people in show business are recognized
by just one name. Only a few people bring a smile
to everyone's face when that name is mentioned.
Only a few deserve to be called "multi-talented." Charo
is one of those few.
Since the early 70's, Charo, the comedienne,
stage and screen performer, musician and singer,
has been an integral proponent of contemporary Latin
music. The spotlight on Charo has been shining brighter
than ever since her acceptance of the "Female
Pop Album of the Year" award. She received
this accolade at the Billboard International Latin
Music Conference for her 1995 flamenco inspired platinum
album, "Guitar Passion."
When no one else was presenting the fire and passion
of Latin music in the nightclubs of Las Vegas, Atlantic
City and other showrooms, Charo was. When no one
else was singing in both English and Spanish, called
Spanglish, Charo was. When no one else was playing
classical guitar on TV talk shows, Charo was.
Charo is a household name. She is instantly recognizable
for her witty humor, loveable accent and mastery
of the flamenco guitar along with her trademark statement, "Cuchi-Cuchi" which
has become synonymous with fun and excitement around
the world. She has appeared in countless hit televisions
shows, including more than forty-five appearances
on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" and
appeared on "The Love Boat" more than
any other star.
Recently, she was introduced to a whole new generation
of fans in a nationwide cellular phone commercial
for Sprint P.C.S., as well as regular appearances
on Hollywood Squares, and VH1's "The
Surreal Life 2004."
Charo is the nickname of Maria Rosario Pilar Martinez
Molina Baeza. Born in the town of Murcia in southeastern
Spain, she learned to play the guitar from the world-famous
master, Andres Segovia, becoming a recording artist
in her early teens. She appeared in the Spanish film
classic, "Don
Juan Tenerio" and was featured in a children's
television show that brought her to the attention
of famed Latin bandleader, Xavier Cugat. She joined
Cugat's band and traveled to Las Vegas where
the band played in major casinos; including Caesar's
Palace, The Flamingo, and The Tropicana.
Soon she was performing as a solo artist in the
famous Congo Room at the Sahara Hotel and Casino
sharing the stage with the likes of Johnny Carson,
Joey Bishop, Danny Thomas, Buddy Hackett, Jim Nabors,
and George Burns. During this time she recorded her
hit disco albums, "La Salsa" and "Flamenco
Salsa" on Capital Records. "Cuchi-Cuchi" went
platinum and became a hit in nightclubs world-wide.
Her follow-up album, "Ole-Ole," on Salsoul
Records, contained the single "Stay With Me" and
became an international hit, achieving gold status.
Since 1978, with her international hit, "Dance
A Little Bit Closer", produced under the guidance
of Salsoul Records, Charo created and established
the new bilingual salsa style. This new "Charo
Rhythm" has since been emulated by many other
Latin and American performers. In January 2003, Charo
received a Screen Actor's Guild award for being
the creator and founder of Latin style.
As her career progressed, Charo appeared in the
films, "The Concorde - Airport '79" and "Moon
Over Parador" with Richard Dreyfuss. For a
change of pace from screen acting, Charo recorded
a voice-over for Hans Christian Anderson's
animated film, "Thumbelina." She made
hundreds of appearances on top-rated comedy television
shows such as "The Carol Burnett Show,"
The Dean Martin Show," "Sonny and Cher" and
numerous Bob Hope and Sammy Davis Jr. Specials. She
was also a favorite guest on the talk show circuit
including, "The Tonight Show," "The Merv
Griffin Show" and "Late Night with David
Letterman."
Soon thereafter, Charo went to Hawaii on her honeymoon
with husband, Kjell Rasten, a Swedish-born businessman.
The couple fell in love with the islands and years
later would build a house on the island of Kauai.
In 1985, they opened a restaurant near their home
and aptly called it "Charo's." In 1987,
Charo relocated her family from Beverly Hills to
Hawaii after her son Shel turned 6 years old. "I
wanted our son to grow up in a healthy and beautiful
environment. I just closed my eyes to some good offers
in show business. I love show business, but my family
is my priority."
During this time, Charo exclusively produced the
variety show, "Tropical Heat" at the
Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki and for ten years,
it was the most successful show in Hawaii. Also during
this time, she began preparing "Guitar Passions,"
called a "fine flamenco-rooted album that spotlighted
her fluid finger play" (Billboard Magazine,
June 10, 1995). "Guitar Passion" (Universal
Wave Records) was named Pop album of the Year (Female
Artist) at the 1995 Billboard International Latin
Music Conference, and reached platinum status worldwide.
Following the success of "Guitar Passion,"
Charo released "Gusto" in 1997, which
was her first dance album since the '70's.
This highly acclaimed album includes the hits, "Give
me Cuchi" and a remake of "Besame Mucho."
In the summer of 2000, after the graduation of
her son, Charo felt it was time to return to mainstream
show production and headed for Las Vegas, where she
produced and headlined in one of the hottest shows
on the Las Vegas Strip. Her show named "BRAVO" opened
at the Venetian Hotel and Casino in 2001 and was
named the "Best Variety Show in Las Vegas" by
Time Magazine. "Bravo" spent
two years enjoying unprecedented reviews and the
near-mythical achievement of "Two" standing
ovations per night.
Charo had returned to Las Vegas with what many
critics hailed as "the best show of her career"
- Twice voted "Best Classical Flamenco Guitarist
in the World" - Guitar Player Magazine
- Vice President of Muscular Dystrophy Association
- Winner of a Billboard International Latin Music
Award
- Winner of Screen Actors Guild Award
- Winner of the prestigious Golden Eagle Award
for Outstanding Entertainment of the Year
- Received the Key to the City of Las Vegas by
Oscar Goodman (03/14/04)
- Honored with the "Charo Week Proclamation" from
the City of San Francisco (08/02/05)
Charo not only created and established the new
Salsa style, but also made it possible for contemporary
Latin music to reach the heights of popularity it
has today.
Currently, Charo is on tour and in concert to sold-out
audiences. She is also busy promoting her new CD, "Charo
and Guitar," a highly anticipated mixture
of her patented rhythms and mastery of classical guitar. "Charo
and Guitar" is a combination of the
most exciting and original music of today and the
most famous classical masterpieces in the world.
Charo performs brilliantly and passionately on these
powerful tracks, blending heart and soul with her
unique Flamenco style. This album breaks new grounds
by featuring and combining new-age Flamenco Pop with
some of the greatest classical masterpieces ever
written - sure to be an international success with
all audiences. "Charo and Guitar" will
bring countless hours of enjoyment to all listeners.
International entertainment icon and world-renowned
guitarist Charo has released a brand new CD entitled "Charo & Guitar.
"Please
feel free to browse through Charo's video clips,
awards, photos in the gallery, and much more throughout
her new site.
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