Joselito
Who is Joselito?
José Jiménez Fernández, known artistically as Joselito and nicknamed “El Niño Ruiseñor” (the Little Nightingale), was born in Beas de Segura (Jaén) on February 11, 1943 — though some sources give 1947, since his growth was deliberately concealed on screen to keep him looking younger. He currently lives in Utiel (Valencia).
Career
Discovered by fellow singer Luis Mariano, he made his film debut in 1956 in “El pequeño ruiseñor,” directed by Antonio del Amo, a modest film that became a huge hit and established him as the successor to child star Pablito Calvo. It was followed by titles such as “Saeta del ruiseñor,” “Ruiseñor de las cumbres” and “Escucha mi canción,” filmed in both Spain and Mexico. Among the songs that made him famous were “El pastor,” “La malagueña” and Agustín Lara’s “Granada,” the latter also performed alongside Argentine singer Libertad Lamarque.
In the mid-1960s, as his voice and appearance changed and the fashion for feel-good children’s films faded, Joselito withdrew from film and music for nearly three decades. During that period he became a businessman linked to the media, but also went through episodes far removed from music: in 1990 he was arrested in Angola, accused of arms and drug trafficking while working as a mercenary, and was later imprisoned in Spain following an incident involving cocaine.
Notable discography
After leaving those turbulent years behind, Joselito returned to music, focusing on romantic ballads in the style of compatriots such as Raphael, Julio Iglesias and José Luis Perales. In 2008 he took part as a contestant on the reality show “Supervivientes,” from which he was voted off after just two weeks.
Legacy
Despite the unusual turns of his later life, Joselito is remembered above all as one of the great child icons of Spanish musical cinema in the 1950s and 60s, with a voice that marked an entire generation.