Concha Velasco has long been linked to political questions with a candor that has kept him at the center of debates. Born in Valladolid in 1982, he grew up in Larache, a city in Africa where his father, a military man who had served under Franco, was stationed. Velasco became one of the era’s most recognizable stars, regularly appearing at La Granja festivals in the early 1970s to entertain Carmen Polo. When asked about changing his political stance, he acknowledged evolution, saying that would have been the worst outcome not to have grown. In an interview with Pioneer, he reflected on his own political and personal development, noting a shift that mirrored the times.
During a January 1972 performance at the Lara Theater in Madrid, the company faced a moment when Velasco and his partner requested one day off each week. Their insistence highlighted the broader tensions of the era, as labor conflicts simmered beneath the surface. As Emeterio Díaz Puertas explained, irregularities plagued the 1971 players’ guild elections. Some actors, who also held business interests, could influence votes and block performers like Juan Diego from office, tilting results toward representatives aligned with the Communist Party. The regime’s approach to labor was cautious, often withholding concessions.
All these pressures converged when Velasco and Juan Diego were dismissed. In 1974, the group organized outside the National Entertainment Association, led by Jaime Campmany, to press for improvements. When management did not intervene, the troupe went on a nine-day strike in February 1975, drawing a harsh response from Francoist authorities. Some participants faced arrest, including notable figures such as Aurora Bautista, Enriqueta Carballeira, Tina Sainz, and others, while Lola Flores was said to have mediated and helped release some through the General Directorate of Security (DGS).
Months later, in March 1976, Velasco himself intervened for a friend, Lola Gaos, who had been arrested for attending a Lever Ibérica workers’ meeting. Even after the dictator’s death, Velasco and Germán Cobos sought information at the DGS but were turned away and left without answers. The experience underscored the peril and persistence of artists navigating a rapidly changing political landscape.
Velasco’s public involvement extended to recognizing the need for cultural sustenance during times of transition. A festival at the Palace Theater of Alcalá in June 1976 supported community initiatives, including a dairy project facing closure that impacted hundreds of families. In November of that year, more than 500 professionals signed a letter urging changes to RTVE programs to prevent cultural and ideological decline and to bolster domestic film and television production.
Alongside other prominent figures, Velasco signed a petition bearing the signatures of over 600 personalities and delivered it to the presidency of the government. The list included notable names such as Juan Antonio Bardem, Ana Belén, Basilio Martín Patino, and Adolfo Marsillach, calling for an end to what was described as political excesses and for reform in a period marked by social upheaval and labor unrest that had shaken the country in early 1977.
Velasco’s engagement in public life continued, and he appeared alongside peers such as Álvaro de Luna and José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero in various events signaling solidarity with colleagues and ongoing cultural dialogue. In a later moment, Velasco asserted that one could be multiple things at once—an idea he carried into his stance on civic participation.
You can be everything at once
When asked about controversial civic questions, Velasco expressed a cautious but affirmative view. He acknowledged reading material on the topic, called it helpful, and stated he would vote yes. He emphasized personal choice and the freedom of others to decide as they saw fit, reinforcing a respectful approach to democratic processes. This stance was shared in a television interview conducted a few days before a constitutional referendum in December 1978, and was reported openly in the press at the time.
Velasco identified as a convinced democrat and did not hide his sympathy for the Socialist Party, a stance sometimes rooted in his Catholic faith and the belief that a person can embrace diverse values. He participated in multiple election campaigns over the years, including 1996 when PSOE faced political turbulence amid corruption scandals and other pressures. He joined demonstrations of support for leaders such as José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, alongside artists and public figures who advocated for social progress and cultural vitality. Although later expressing disappointment with some policies, Velasco remained active in political discourse and supported new leaderships, including Pedro Sánchez in recent years.
In more recent times, Velasco has faced heated debates on social media about politics. A 2014 television interview touched on optimism for the future, while a 2020 moment highlighted a public encounter with a regional leader that sparked online controversy. Critics argued the appearance could be used to shape a public image, while supporters suggested it reflected a willingness to engage with difficult topics and a desire to foster dialogue among citizens.