Raúl Velasco

"'Infobox_Person
name = Raúl Velasco


image"size =
caption ="
birth_date = April 24, 1933
birth_place = Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico
death_date = death date and age|2006|11|26|1933|4|24
death_place = Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico
occupation = Host, Producer
spouse =
children =
relations =

Raúl Velasco (April 24, 1933 - November 26, 2006) was born in Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico. For 30 years, he was the Mexican host/producer of "Siempre en Domingo" ("Always on Sunday") which is his hallmark contribution to the Latin American world and eventually to other parts of the world where Spanish entertainment programs are broadcast."While IMDB incorrectly lists "Siempre en Domingo" [imdb title|0290289|Siempre en Domingo] as originating in 1984, Raúl Velasco began this program as co-host of a Sunday afternoon special in 1969 called "Domingos Espectaculares" ("Sunday's Specials").One of Raúl Velasco's catch phrases was, "Aun hay mas" ("There's more to follow"). For a short while, "Siempre en Domingo" was known as "Aun hay mas" [imdb title|0396285|Aun hay mas] because Raúl Velasco would always say these words prior to each intermission or commercial, with the hand gesture that corresponds to a request for a commercial break, similar to what Frank Sinatra might have said or sung, "The best is yet to come. . ." The phrase and hand gesture became popular in Mexico as a result. (y aún hay más... amigos!)

Biography

Raúl Velasco Ramirez was born in Celaya, Mexico on April 24 1933. Coming from a family with few resources, Velasco started working at an early age. He worked first at his family store, called La Violeta, a small grocery. He also worked as messenger, tractor operator (agriculture machinery), and driver.

When he was very young, he got married to Hortensia Ruiz. They had three children; Raul, Claudia and Arturo. Some years later, he divorced from Ruiz and got married with Dorle Klokow. In this second marriage with Dorle, Karina and Diego were born.

When he was twenty years old, he fulfilled one of his dreams: to move to Mexico City. He started to working as accountant for the National Bank of Mexico. At the same time, his writing spirit began to take hold. He wrote many sports articles and then he started writing in a magazine called "Novelas de la radio". Furthermore, he wrote for "Cine Universal", "Cine Novelas" and "Cine Álbum".

Velasco made his mark in the world of the theater when he became the head of the entertainment section of the "El heraldo de Mexico" newspaper. He also worked on the radio station Radio Variedades. In addition, he started working on the Independent Television of Mexico (TIM) as a host, first with the program "La reseña cinematografica de Acapulco", and then he participated in some open TV programs like "Confrontación 68", "Media Noche" and "Domingos espectaculares".

After hard work, on December 13 1969, "Siempre en Domingo" was born. This program was one of the most popular TV musical programs in history. It was broadcast in the United States, Central and South America, Europe and Asia. It was a program of TELEVISA Company.As time went by, Velasco became an international artistic icon. He created some TV shows too. Some of them were "Estrellas de los ochenta", "Juguemos a cantar", "Festival OTI" and "Galardón a los grandes". [cite web |title=Noticias |publisher=AOL |date=2005-04-30 |url=http://entretenimiento.aol.com/celebridades/notas/articulos/_a/raul-velasco-como-siempre-dijo-adios-en/20061127141109990001 |accessdate=2005-07-06 ]

Career

His career started with his first contact with journalism in a sports magazine that was published in Celaya, Guanajuato where he wrote articles about frontenis, the sport he practiced. At the age of 20, Velasco traveled to Mexico City to work for the magazine "Radio Novels". After that, he collaborated with "Cine Universal", "Cine Novelas" and "Cine Álbum". From these publications, other newspapers came through like "Novedades" and then "El Heraldo", where he was the editor of the entertainment and show section.

In 1969, he joined Televisa, which is one of the biggest and popular TV networks in Mexico in December 13 of 1969 with the famous program "Siempre en Domingo". In 1998, he was fired by Televisa even though his show had high ratings because of some differences with his co-workers. Despite his bad relationship with Televisa, the popularity of the host influenced many important artists to give him a tribute for his brilliant career, and also for entering Mexican homes for almost 30 years.

He started as an actor in Independent Television of Mexico (TIM) with some programs like "Medianoche", "Domingos espectaculares", "Reseña cinematográfica de Acapulco", "Confrontación 68" and "El tigre".

In 2002, he published his first book, "Reflexiones, para vivir mejor". It was composed of stories, tales and reflections where the author makes reference to topics of ethics and essential elements of spiritual life. The book was dedicated to all the people that search within their souls for all the feelings that have been hidden since childhood. [cite web |title=Noticias de entretenimiento |publisher=AOL |date=2005-04-30|url=http://entretenimiento.aol.com/celebridades/notas/articulos/_a/raul-velasco-como-siempre-dijo-adios-en/20061127141109990001 |accessdate=2005-07-06 ]

"Siempre en domingo"

On September 13 1969, a new musical TV show came out, becoming the most popular and traditional in Mexico: "Siempre en Domingo" ("Always on Sunday"). This TV show achieved fame in USA, Latin America, Asia and Europe.

"Siempre en Domingo" was a TV show where many artists performed and debuted.

In the beginning, most of the artists performing in "Siempre en Domingo" were from Spain, Central and South America. However, the TV show became more and more popular, so that many Mexican singers wanted to performed in Siempre en Domingo.

The show was very criticized for it's very low quality, the usage of pre-recorded material, lip sing, and fake musicians was a regular thing.

It is commented that Siempre en Domingo was a "Pay to perform" kind of show so Mr. Velasco would decide who to present in regards of wealth or connections and not talent, it is also mentioned in some books that he worked as a contact between "artistas" and many politicians and business men who could hire them as scorts for high profile parties and events, this practice was supported by Televisa to keep the favors of the government and sponsors, and tolerated by the artists due to the exposure that the show represented.

Velasco, the host, encouraged many singers such as Lucía Méndez, Chayanne, Lucero, Emmanuel, Mijares, Gloria Trevi, Timbiriche and more. Moreover, Velasco presented foreign artists such as Julio Iglesias, Raphael, Miguel Bose and Ricky Martin. Furthermore, he encouraged announcers, commentators, producers, reporters, and writers. Some of these artists became famous around the world the most have been struggling to stay in the business. Many festivals such as OTI, Valores Juveniles (Juvenile’s values), Juguemos a Cantar (Let’s play singing) were promoted.

Later, "Siempre en Domingo" became one the most popular TV shows in Latin America. Velasco's most popular phrase, "patada de la suerte" (lucky kick), sponsored many artists that every Sunday performed in his popular TV show.

"Siempre en Domingo" had about 420 million television viewers around the world (according to the Televisa and their partners)

Many singers, choreographers, recording companies and fans found their roots in this TV show. Some say that thanks to 'Siempre en Domingo", show business in Mexico was able to thrive. Some others think that it was an impossible for performers with real talent but no means due to the conservative profile of the show and the will to keep the Status Quo at all costs.

All things come to and end and "Siempre en Domingo" closed a chapter in musical history of Spanish-speaking nations.

"Siempre en Domingo" was on air until 1998 when Velasco was diagnosed with Hepatitis C.

Some years later, in 2003, the announcer Marco Antonio Regil planned to direct a new TV show similar to "Siempre en Domingo", keeping the "familiar values" and "originality". This new musical TV show expected to have popular acts and not so popular acts in order to maintain happy and satisfied fans. [citeweb |title=Noticias de Mexico |publisher=El Universal |date=2005-04-30|url=http://www.eluniversal.com/2006/11/26/til_ava_26A808289.shtml |accessdate=2005-07-06 ]

Death and family

Raul Velasco developed several heart and liver problems. He had been in the hospital several times, but the last time he became ill, he decided to be taken care at home. On November 26, 2006, Raul Velasco died of natural causes at 7:15 am. He was 73 years old. He died surrounded by his family in his house located in Polanco, Mexico City. Raul Velasco's funeral was a national event. His body was buried in the “Panteon Frances” where many fans, artists, and press congregated to give Raul the last goodbye. His death impacted not only Mexico, but also Central America and the Caribbean. People from Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, etc., showed they cared about the death of the TV host.

Velasco was survived by 3 sons and 2 daughters: Arturo, Claudia, Raul Diego and Karina who followed her father footsteps by becoming a TV host herself but she only remained active while her father was on the top. At the time of his death, he had one granddaughter. [cite web |title=Velan cuerpo de Raúl Velasco en su casa de Polanco |publisher=El Universal |date=2005-04-30 |url=http://www.el-universal.com.mx/notas/390369.html |accessdate=2005-07-06 ] [cite web |title=Noticias de Mexico |publisher=Noticias de Mexico |date=2005-04-30 |url=http://www.lasnoticiasmexico.com/61818.html|accessdate=2005-07-06 ]

References

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