Dolores Abril
Who is Dolores Abril?
Dolores Caballero Abril, born Lolita Caballero Abril and known by the stage name Dolores Abril, was born in Hellín (Albacete) on May 9, 1939, into a large family of eight siblings. She sang on stage for the first time at age five, and as a child took part in a children’s program on Radio Albacete hosted by Elisabeth Ros. When her family moved to Manzanares, she already stood out for her ease singing and dancing at school events.
Back in Albacete, she became a regular presence at local gatherings and shows, until, while still very young, she had the chance to share a stage with Juanito Valderrama’s company during a Holy Week performance. That night she sang a copla by Juanita Reina and made such an impression that Valderrama gave her a signed photograph calling her a “future star of song.”
Career
At just eighteen, Dolores Abril joined Juanito Valderrama’s company — by then already an established singer — and from that point on her artistic career remained tied to his. Together they released numerous records, including the copla “Peleando en chirigota,” and toured Spain with shows such as “Voces de España” (1962), “Mano a mano” (1963), “Su Majestad la alegría” (1967) and “Revoltera en el Price” (1968). As a solo artist, Dolores recorded singles such as “Tú te casaste” (1961), “Gloria a Chicuelo II” (1962) and “Qué bonita está la Reina” (1963).
Her acting career developed alongside her music, always with Valderrama, in films such as “El emigrante” (1960), “Gitana” (1965), “De barro y oro” (1966) and “El padre Coplillas” (1968). Her relationship with Valderrama, who was married with three children when they met, took years to become official; he eventually left his previous marriage to share his life with her, and together they had two children, fellow performers Juan Antonio and Juana Dolores Valderrama.
Personal life
In October 1981, the couple suffered a serious car accident that left Dolores with a cervical dislocation and injuries to both legs, requiring six surgeries whose effects she still carries today. Juanito Valderrama died in Espartinas (Seville) in April 2004, aged 87, after more than forty years of life together with Dolores. In 2009, Dolores Abril received the Claveles de Plata award from the Seville Press Association. She lives in Espartinas, where she collaborates with the town council on a flamenco school.