For example, being already 79 years old, he recorded a happy and boisterous candombe: “Siga el Baile”, with the “Auténticos Decadentes”, a modern music group.
He abandoned their static posture to move permanently on stage; she leaned in front of the microphone; She placed her right hand near his lips; The collar of his shirt was always unbuttoned and his tie loosened, they were also his trademark.
But he was also a singer with a very personal voice. He therefore had fervent admirers and fierce detractors.
He was a kind of transgressor, because even his clothes were different.
Double-breasted suit with dozens of buttons and wide lapels in shiny fabric.
He did not vocally resemble anyone, he had no inheritance nor left heirs.
He was vocally very tuned, with a tenor register, a white voice and perhaps reiterated repertoire, but with the broad complicity of his audience.
He lived a long and happy life.
He married Ofelia Oneto at the age of 31.
Once upon a time – over coffee – Alberto Castillo told me in a program on Channel 2, precisely about tango, where the person speaking to you worked.
-“Yes, I have always been very happy, and I smile permanently, because joy comes from within. But a great sadness invades me many times, although only in the solitude of my bedroom. For the death of my wife Ofelia, the only woman I loved.”
And he added verbatim:
-“As they say in football – I debuted as a first-team singer at 20 years old.
I sang although for a very short time; with the Julio de Caro orchestra; at 21 with that of Augusto Berto. At 27 years old I started with Ricardo Tanturi.
I graduated as a doctor the following year.
I had very good children: two male doctors and a daughter who was an engineer and veterinary doctor.
And being a simple man as I am – he said with authentic modesty – I added 54 neighborhoods to Buenos Aires.
There were 46 and now there are 100 Buenos Aires neighborhoods.
What a pity that Ofelia left me!” She ended up telling us with a shine in her eyes that denoted a deep inner sorrow. It is that sadness draws marks on us that joys do not erase.
On July 23, 2002, Alberto Castillo left us, perhaps looking for his Ofelia.
He had an intense life. She filmed 18 films and recorded more than 300 albums. His first recording was the waltz “Retrabajo”.
He was loved by women and until the last moments of his life he was accompanied by a cheerful and cordial character.
And in relation to that character we want to end with an anecdote that we had to live with the singer.
About 15 years ago, a charity festival was held at the S. Martín theater, in the Termas de Río Hondo in S. del Estero.
They asked us to participate with some reflections and aphorisms about solidarity.
Overcoming my rejection of the scenario, we accepted.
The Alberto Castillo festival closed.
We arrived at the theater half an hour before our performance and went to the dressing room, where the singer was putting on his makeup.
We had spoken with him only once – as we related before – although we had seen each other on TV channels several times.
-“Good night, we told him, assuming he wouldn’t recognize us.”
-“Good night, crazy,” he replied smiling..
We made some superficial comments to him.
-“A lot of people came, Alberto!”
And he answered us:
-“Yes, the room is full, crazy.”
We thought he would use the expression “crazy” as a form of expression. But we dare to tell you:
-“Why do you call me crazy?”
And he answered us:
-“How many aphorisms do you have written?”
-“And, I don’t know, four or five thousand…”
And he added with his tender smile:
-“And don’t you think you have to be crazy to write so many thoughts?…”
And this dear 87-year-old boy who was once the doctor Alberto Salvador de Luca left us.
And a final aphorism for his unique personality and voice:
“The artist did not choose. He was chosen. “.
Source: Ambito
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
