A statue in Elda Plaza Mayor will remember singer Pedrito Rico

In July 2021, this newspaper, town hall in hand I wanted to appreciate your figure Peter RicoA world-famous singer, dancer and actress who achieved great success in different countries of South America, especially in South America, between the 50s and 80s. Argentina where he still has Fan Club.

Well, a year later, the local government honored its commitment and commissioned a life-size statue to be installed in the upper part of Plaza Mayor, in the public space located above the lost. cinema square. A residential neighborhood close to the street that bears his name and the house where he was born on Calle Cid and lived until he was 13 when he moved with his family to a house in the Fraternidad neighborhood.

Relatives of Pedrito Rico welcomed the news that he personally conveyed to them. Mayor Ruben Alfaroemphasizing that the city has always appreciated the career of the artist and will always be grateful to the singer for many years after her victories and will offer her appreciation for declaring “his love for Elda” in performances, films, television shows and interviews.

Pedro Rico Cutillas was born on September 7, 1932, in Elda, amid the Festivities of Patron Saints, and died at dawn on June 21, 1988 in Barcelona of severe anemia at the age of 56.

artistic legacy

His talent was not appreciated enough in one field. Conservative and reactionary Spainpushed the versatile artist to direct his career abroad. Perhaps for this reason, his outstanding professional career and international projection to his hometown did not receive the recognition he deserved. The current government neglected Ruben Alfaro He wants to correct the life and work so that it will be known by the new generations.

To this end, different municipal districts are preparing a series of actions aimed at glorifying his figure. One of them is the detailing of the statue of the singer commissioned by the fallero master Joaquín Rubio.

The City Council also wants to display the valuable and extensive heritage that his family has donated to the municipality as a monographic museum in a municipal area. In this context, it should be noted that the artist’s collection is now in the Ethnological Museum, which is selflessly managed by the association. Mosaic. But in 2013 all of its funds were moved from the building’s basement location. Ficia Foundation To an old furniture warehouse on Eduardo Dato street. Due to various setbacks the museum has been closed to the public for three years and another of the legacy problems that the current local government wants to fix.

“I’m on hand guys”

Pedrito Rico was distinguished in Elda by dedicating only one street to himself, and unconnected and small tributes. He was not a prophet in his hometown, but as it can be understood from the hadiths, he was outside of him. Cuba’s Golden Record and Venezuela’s Guacaipurogiven in the 1958 as the best foreign translator

Moreover 1980 distinguished Madrid with medal Merit in the workplace She is still considered a celebrity in Argentina, where she is referred to as the “Angel of Spain” for her dedication to folk music. he made his own show Buenos Aires Channel 7, Channel 9 and Channel 13, as in Uruguay and Peru. He became one of the pioneers of Spanish song and achieved great success with his recordings. “Bell”, “Two crosses”, “My private life” and “Scapular”. Among the most popular themes “Ship of Oblivion”, “Black Dove” and “Paper Doll”. But best known by the Eldens, “Hand of My Heart”A song in which he describes in detail how his city and its inhabitants are and quotes the famous phrase: “I am from Elda, gentlemen, I have announced to the world”.

Lola Flores and Rocio Jurado

His most notable films were: “Good night Buenos Aires” in 1964; “Fair in Seville” in 1962; “Come to the rock dance” in 1957; “Vestida de novia” in 1966 and “El Ángel de España” in 1957 In a scene where Pedrito Rico winks at his city, stating that he is from a town called Elda. He also shared the billboard with many wonders of the time. Lola Flores, Rocío Jurado, Massiel, Carmen Sevilla, Angelillo, Maurice Chevalier, Altemar Dutra and Rafael Farina.

international fame

from Argentina president of the fan club, Martha Amendola He has always regretted that Pedrito Rico was not given the recognition he deserved, neither in Spain nor in Elda. “It is fair to remember him as an internationally renowned artist whose voice, dance, sympathy and duende left a deep mark in the hearts of the Argentine people and throughout America.. Her merits as a promoter of Spanish music and as an Eldense promoting her lands around the world deserve a memorial,” Marta told this newspaper. Well, her wishes will be granted thirty years after Pedrito Rico’s “El Ángel de España” death.