Júnior

Júnior (born Antonio Morales Barretto; September 10, 1943 – April 15, 2014) was a Filipino singer and actor.

Early life

He was born in Manila, Philippines, the oldest of 5 sons, during World War II, when the Philippines was occupied by Japan. He was 15 years old when his family emigrated to Barcelona, then settled in Madrid.

Career

In 1958, he became part of the group Jump, a pioneering Spanish electric guitar group. In the group's popularity, he was included in the movie Me Enveneno De Azules in 1969. His unstaked first themes Todo Porque Te Quiero (It's All Because I Love You) in 1969 and Perdóname with English theme The Snake in 1973.

He became part of the group Los Brincos with Juan Pardo. His brothers Miguel and Ricky Morales were invited to join the group. Later, he and Juan Pardo left their group as Juan y Júnior. One of their songs is a Spanish version of "Fool On The Hill" by John Lennon and Paul McCartney from LP titled Júnior in 1976.

In 1979, he interrupted his career to manage the career of his wife, the late singer Rocío Dúrcal with whom he had 3 children, including singer Shaila Dúrcal who is dedicated not only to her mother but also to her mother's namesake Rocío Jurado and Colombian diva Soraya who have been cancer victims.

His daughter is actress Carmen Morales. His nieces (daughters of his maternal cousin Miguel) are actresses Gretchen Barretto, Claudine Barretto, and Marjorie Barretto.

Movie career

In the 1980s, he starred in the Filipino movies Good Morning Sunshine with Vilma Santos, Bongga ka Day, and Disco Madhouse and released three albums in Tagalog for the Philippines. One of his most popular songs that he wrote and produced was "Yakap". That song, which he sang in his movie with Vilma, became his signature song in the Philippines.

Later life

In 2006, his wife Rocío Dúrcal died of cancer.

On November 22, 2007, Junior's father, Antonio Morales Majó (b. 1915), died of anemia at the age of 91. His mother, Carmen Barretto Valdés (b. 1914), died in 2012 at the age of 97.

Junior himself was discovered dead on his bed in Torrelodones, Spain, by service personnel, on the morning of April 15, 2014.

Discography

• Yakap (now covered by Ogie Alcasid)