* En anglais uniquement
Mexican singer
Manuel Mijares had his first experience in music while participating in his school chorus at a very young age. He made his professional debut in 1981 in a local festival called Valores Juveniles. After living in Japan and singing in a night club,
Mijares joined Latin pop star
Emmanuel, starting his solo carer after signing up to EMI. He issued a self-titled album in 1985, climbing charts around Latin America with his first international hit, "No Se Murió el Amor." He debuted as an actor while playing a role in Escápate Conmigo, working with singer/actress
Lucero, who became his wife in January 1997.
Manuel Mijares' next album, 1998's
El Privilegio de Amar, became a big hit -- the title track even featured
Lucero on backing vocals -- and
Mijares assumed a larger role in Latin music as a whole, duetting with
Elton John and
Gino Vannelli and earning a say in the music he chose to release; the latter was exhibited by his ability to toast
José José, one of his prime influences, with a full-album tribute, 2005's
Honor a Quien Honor Merece. One year later brought the lush LP
Acompañame, a duet album with
Yuri. Another project close to his heart, 2007's Swing en Tu Idioma, presented some of his favorite songs in a swing or big-band setting. Another covers album,
Vivir Así, became a big hit upon its release in 2009; it even prompted
Vivir Así Volumen II one year later.
Nearing a landmark date in his career -- the 25th anniversary of his debut in 1986 --
Mijares decided to celebrate with a pair of concerts. Although they sold out quickly, the results also appeared on an audio/video set,
Mijares 25: Zona Preferente. He continued to have commercial success with his releases;
Canto por Ti, released in 2013, spent several weeks at number one in Mexico. ~ Drago Bonacich