Consuelo Velázquez

August 21st, 2016 would have marked the 100th birthday of arguably one of the most important Mexican composers in history,Consuelo Velázquez.

Velázquez was the songwriter and lyricist of many Latin standards, such as "Amar y Vivir," "Yo No Fui", "Franqueza," "Que Seas Feliz," and "Cachito," but it was the romantic 1940s standard "Bésame Mucho," that became an international hit and made her the first female songwriter to have a pop hit on both sides of the border. Consuelito, as she was often called, composed this song when she was only a teenager. She once said that she wrote one of the most famous boleros about kissing, at a time when she herself had never even been kissed.

Born in Ciudad Guzmán, Jalisco, Consuelo grew up in Guadalajara and began playing piano when she was only 4.  She gave her first public recital at age 6, and moved to Mexico City in her teens to attend the National Conservatory and the Palace of Fine Arts.  She started her professional career as a classical music concert pianist, performing at Palacio de Bellas Artes and XEQ Radio, and started writing popular songs shortly afterwards.

Recognized as the most sung and recorded Mexican song in the world, "Bésame Mucho" was first recorded in 1941 and became a huge Big Band hit during the Second World War.  Since that time it has been recorded by artists ranging from The Beatles, and Frank Sinatra to Pedro Vargas and Luis Miguel and is the only Mexican song ever to have topped the U.S. hit parade for 12 straight weeks. In 2013, "Besame Mucho" was the Latin Songwriters Hall Of Fame's first recipient of The Towering Song Award, which is presented to the creators of an individual song that has influenced our culture in a unique way over many years.

During the height of her career as a composer, Velázquez was elected to the Mexican Congress, served as president for SACM (Society of Authors and Composers of Mexico), and was vice-president of CISAC (International Confederation of Authors and Composers Societies), all of which were groundbreaking feats for a Mexican Woman of that era.

Consuelo Velázquez, can rightfully be considered Mexico's greatest female composer ever.  Her life and her songs will be remembered with great affection by music-lovers everywhere for years to come.