Velazquez, Consuelo (1916–2005)

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Velazquez, Consuelo (1916–2005)

Mexican composer and songwriter. Born Aug 21, 1916, in Ciudad Guzman, Jalisco, Mexico; died Jan 22, 2005, in Mexico City; dau. of army officer; m. Mariano Rivera Conde (recording executive), 1944 (died 1977); children: Sergio and Mariano Rivera.

Began career as a concert pianist at 20; started writing popular songs and ran a classical music program for radio station XEQ; had a huge hit with her composition, "Bésame Mucho" (1941), which was subsequently recorded by Frank Sinatra, Joao Gilberto, Cesaria Evora, the Beatles, Placido Domingo, Elvis Presley and Diana Krall; also wrote other Mexican hit boleros, including "Amar y Vivir" (To Love and To Live) and "Verdad Amarga" (Bitter Truth).

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