This May 15, 2025, the centenary of the birth of one of the greatest referents of Argentine popular music is celebrated: Horacio Guarany.
Born as Eraclio Catalín Rodríguez In the north of the province of Santa Fe, in 1925, Guarany transcended the borders of folklore to become a symbol of national identity, a singer committed to his time and a poet who knew how to paint the essence of his land and his people.
His childhood passed surrounded by a melting pot of cultures and traditions that shaped his artistic sensibility. He learned to play the ear guitar and nurtured the ancestral melodies and rhythms that resonated in their surroundings. His voice, serious and deep, soon began to stand out in local clubs and festivals, announcing the birth of a star.
The 1950s marked his arrival in Buenos Aires, the epicenter of the Argentine music scene. With his undeniable talent and overwhelming charisma, Horacio Guarany quickly made his way. Songs like “El Chúcaro”, “horse that doesn’t gallop” and its version of “Zamba of my hope” They became resonant successes, settling in the popular songbook and projecting it as one of the most important folklore voices.
Horacio Guarany, a committed artist
His personal magnetism and his scenic presence led him to venture into the world of acting. He participated in several films, leaving his mark with characters that often reflected their own essence as a town, simple and committed. One of his most remembered roles was in the film If the singer is silent (1973), who not only starred but also inspired his namesake, becoming a symbol of cultural and political resistance. His passage through cinema demonstrated his artistic versatility and his ability to connect with the public through different expressive languages.
Classics like “If the singer is silent”, “midnight guitar” and “when no one names you” They reaffirmed their place in the history of Argentine music.
During the year 1974 he received death threats and attacks with bombs from the Triple a (Argentine Anti -communist Alliance), was over to leave the country in 48 hours, and in December it had to exile. First in Venezuela, then in Mexico and finally in Spain.
The military dictatorship makes all its albums disappear, in addition to censoring the dissemination of some songs such as “The guerrilla” either “Coplera del prisoner”among others. He returns in December 1978, and on January 20, 1979 they put a bomb at his home on Manuel Ugarte Street, in Buenos Aires; He decided to remain in Argentina, although he had to make shows only in the interior of the country.
After the return of democracy, he returned to provide massive recitals and perform television presentations. His musical legacy continued to grow with the publication of new albums.
Soledad and Horacio Guarany.jpg
Influences and legacy
The popular recognition of Guarany was immense and It transcended generations. Its authenticity, its connection with the roots and its social commitment made it a loved one loved and respected by millions of Argentines. His music, full of feeling and poetry, continues to excite and summon new audiences.
The influence of Horacio Guarany extends to numerous generations of artists. Interpreters such as Soledad Pastorutti and Luciano Pereyra They have publicly recognized their admiration and the deep mark that their work left in their own careers. His way of approaching folklore, merging tradition and modernity, opened paths for new musical expressions and consolidated an indelible legacy.
He won 15 gold records and a dozen platinum, and in 2005 he won a Gardel award. Already in 1985 he had been distinguished with A platinum konex as the greatest male folklore singer. With 91 years, death found him at his home in Lujan on January 13, 2017, his remains were buried the next day in the West Peace Garden.
100 years after his birth, Guarany’s figure is still alive in collective memory. His legacy lasts in his songs, in his commitment to the people and in the heart of those who admired him and still admire him.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
