Manuel Molina, a well-known Andalusian rock pioneer, singer-songwriter and flamenco guitarist, passed away on May 19, 2015 in San Juan de Aznalfarache (Sevilla, Spain).
Manuel Molina Jiménez was born in Ceuta (Spain) in 1948. He was a flamenco guitarist, like his father. Manuel joined the seminal rock band Smash in 1971. This Seville-based group was one of the first rock bands in southern Spain. Smash played a mix of blues-rock, progressive rock and psychedelia. They led the way to the celebrated Andalusian rock of the 1970s that fused flamenco and rock. With Smash, Manuel Molina recorded ‘We come to smash this time’ (Polygram Ibérica, 1971).
In 1972, Manuel and his wife, Dolores Montoya Rodriguez, better known as Lole, formed a duo called Lole y Manuel. They pioneered the nuevo flamencos sound by developing a style that appealed to non-flamenco fans.
The duo’s first recording was Nuevo dia, released in 1975. Lole y Manuel stayed together as a duo until 1993. Their discography includes Nuevo día – El origen de una leyenda (1975), Pasaje del agua (1976), Lole y Manuel (1977), Al alba con alegría, joined by progressive Andalusian rock band Imán, Califato Independiente (1980), Casta (1984), and Lole y Manuel cantan a Manuel de Falla (1992).
Lole y Manuel’s music appeared in Carlos Saura’s “Flamenco” film and “Kill Bill Vol. 2” by Quentin Taratino.
Manuel Molina and Lole’s daughter, Alba Molina Montoya, continues the family tradition. She’s a model and flamenco, jazz and blues singer.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
