In July 2021, this newspaper noted an effort to honor a renowned performer, Pedrito Rico, a world‑famous singer, dancer, and actress who found immense success across several South American countries, especially between the 1950s and 1980s. Argentina, in particular, still cherishes a dedicated Fan Club for him.
The following year, the local government fulfilled its pledge by commissioning a life‑size statue to be placed in the upper part of Plaza Mayor, in the public space above the old cinema square. The project sits near a residential neighborhood named after the artist and close to the house where he was born on Calle Cid, a home he left at age 13 when his family moved to a residence in the Fraternidad district.
Elda to praise singer Pedrito Rico with sculpture and museum
Relatives of Pedrito Rico welcomed the news, a message the singer herself reportedly conveyed to them. Mayor Ruben Alfaro emphasized that the city has always valued the artist’s career and will remain grateful for his decades of triumphs. The gesture is meant to honor his lifelong devotion to performances, films, television appearances, and interviews that amplified his name.
Pedro Rico Cutillas was born on September 7, 1932, in Elda, during the Festivities of Patron Saints, and he died at dawn on June 21, 1988 in Barcelona from severe anemia at the age of 56.
artistic legacy
His widespread talent did not always receive full recognition within conservative and sometimes reactionary Spain, which pushed him to explore opportunities abroad. This international reach did not always translate into local acknowledgment, and some say the hometown’s attention did not match his global impact. The current administration aims to rectify that imbalance by highlighting the artist’s life and work for newer generations.
The municipality plans several measures to celebrate his figure, including the creation of a statue commissioned by the fallero master Joaquín Rubio and placed near the fountain in Plaza Mayor, now repurposed as a flower bed.
Furthermore, the city intends to showcase the rich heritage donated by his family as a monographic museum within a municipal building. The artist’s collection currently resides in the Ethnological Museum, managed by the Mosaic association. In 2013, the collection moved from the basement of one building to a nearby furniture warehouse on Eduardo Dato street. Due to various delays the museum has remained closed to the public for three years, and the current administration seeks to resolve these legacy problems.
“I’m on hand guys”
In Elda, Pedrito Rico was honored with a dedicated street, though some feel the tributes were modest and scattered. He rose to international prominence and earned acclaim in Cuba and Venezuela, with recognitions in 1958 as among the best foreign interpreters of his era.
Madrid honored him in 1980 with a Merit medal in the workplace. He remains a celebrated figure in Argentina, where he is called the “Angel of Spain” for his devotion to folk music. His performances reached Buenos Aires on channels 7, 9, and 13, and he also starred in shows across Uruguay and Peru. He became a pioneer of Spanish song, recording popular tunes such as “Bell,” “Two Crosses,” “My Private Life,” and “Scapular.” Notable songs include “Ship of Oblivion,” “Black Dove,” and “Paper Doll.” Among Eldans, he is best known for the ballad “Hand of My Heart,” which vividly describes his hometown and its people and includes the famous line: “I am from Elda, gentlemen, I have announced to the world.”
Singer Pedrito Rico to receive a posthumous tribute from Falla ‘Las 300’
Lola Flores and Rocio Jurado
His most notable films included: “Good night Buenos Aires” (1964); “Fair in Seville” (1962); “Come to the rock dance” (1957); “Vestida de novia” (1966); and “El Ángel de España” (1957). In a scene where Pedrito Rico winks at his city, the film shows him declaring his origins in Elda, sharing the bill with many stars of the era such as Lola Flores, Rocío Jurado, Massiel, Carmen Sevilla, Angelillo, Maurice Chevalier, Altemar Dutra, and Rafael Farina.
international fame
The Argentine fan club president, Martha Amendola, has long believed that Pedrito Rico did not receive the widespread recognition he deserved in Spain or in Elda. She described him as an internationally renowned artist whose voice, dancing, warmth, and charisma left a lasting impression in Argentina and across the Americas. Martha noted that his merits as a promoter of Spanish music and as a representative of Eldense culture deserve a memorial. Her wishes, laid out decades ago, are moving closer to realization as Pedrito Rico’s legacy is celebrated beyond his passing.