Rocío Dúrcal: Remembering the Queen of Ranchera 20 Years Later | Mexico & Spain

Madrid – Twenty years after her death, the legacy of Rocío Dúrcal, the Spanish singer who achieved immense fame interpreting Mexican rancheras, is being celebrated both in Spain, and Mexico. Carlos López, former president of Sony-BMG Spain, remembers Dúrcal not only for her extraordinary talent but also for her exceptional character. “I have not met any artist comparable to her as a human being. She was a 10, when the average among artists is a 2.5,” López stated, according to EFE.

Born María de los Ángeles de las Heras in Madrid in 1944, Dúrcal began her career in film, appearing in movies like ‘Canción de juventud’ (1952) and ‘Más bonita que ninguna’ (1965). However, it was her embrace of Mexican music that propelled her to international stardom. López first met Dúrcal when she was in her early twenties, as he began his career promoting her 1981 album, ‘Confidencias.’

Dúrcal’s breakthrough came with the release of ‘Rocío Dúrcal canta a Juan Gabriel’ (1977). This album marked a turning point, solidifying her popularity in Mexico and launching her onto the global stage. “What she did was very unusual, for an artist to become an absolute star singing songs from a country that isn’t her own,” López explained. Her success was deeply intertwined with her collaboration with Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel, whose compositions became central to Dúrcal’s repertoire.

López emphasized the unique intensity of Dúrcal’s performances. He recalled a concert at the Teatro Degollado in Guadalajara, Mexico, where she performed alongside Juan Gabriel. “When she sang her rancheras, it gave me chills. I saw her sing at the Teatro Degollado in Guadalajara (Mexico) with Juan Gabriel and people were crying,” he said.

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of her death, a remastered version of Dúrcal’s first performance at the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City will be re-released in cinemas on Wednesday. The film features performances of iconic songs such as ‘La gata bajo la lluvia’ and ‘Amor eterno.’ While the screening will be limited to a handful of cinemas in 14 Spanish cities, over 200 theaters in Mexico will participate.

López noted Dúrcal’s distinctive vocal style, even when performing traditional Mexican music. “And even though she sang the rancheras in a very Madrid style, completely Castilian, she was born to sing,” he added. He also highlighted her unwavering connection with her audience, stating that she remained grounded and focused on their preferences throughout her career.

Dúrcal’s remains are interred at the Basilica of Santa María de Guadalupe in Mexico City, a testament to the profound impact she had on the country and its musical landscape. López believes that Dúrcal maintained artistic control throughout her career, remaining true to her vision and prioritizing her fans. “She was very proud of how far she had come, and I think, artistically, she did everything she wanted. She just didn’t have enough time to live longer, to be happy, and to witness her children grow up and become independent,” he said.

Dúrcal died on March 25, 2006, at the age of 61, after a battle with cancer.