Kiko Veneno

In thisSpanish name,the first or paternalsurnameisLópezand the second or maternal family name isSanfeliu.

Kiko Veneno in 2005

José María López Sanfeliu(born April 3, 1952), better known by hisstage nameKiko Veneno,is a Spanish musician.

Biography

He was born inFigueres,where he was brought up in a military home, and later grew up inCádizfinally settling down inSeville.He got the nickname Kiko while studying at university.He studied History and philosophy and after graduating, travelled through Europe and the US. During his travels he attended concerts of artists likeFrank Zappa,andBob Dylanwhich influenced his style. Still, also during these years he rediscoveredflamenco.In 1975 he formed the groupVenenowith brothers Rafael andRaimundo Amador.In 1977 they produced theeponymousalbumVenenoproduced by Ricardo Pachon. Although not a great hit at the time it is now considered a classic Spanish album.

In 1979 he collaborated withCamarón de la Isla,the famousgypsyflamenco singer, on the classic albumLa leyenda del tiempo. In 1982 he published his first solo albumSeré Mecánico por Ti,produced by Jose Luis de Carlos, which had a poor commercial performance. During the 1980s he continued to publish songs but due to lack of commercial success he had to supplement his music working for the council ofSeville.

The most successful part of his career started in 1992 when he signedBMG-Ariolaand released his albumsÉchate un cantecito(1992) andEstá muy bien eso del cariño(1995), bothproducedbyJoe Dworniak.The first album produced several hits like "En Un Mercedes Blanco" and "Joselito". The success of these albums allowed him to devote himself full-time to music.

Kiko Veneno in 2019.

In 1992, Kiko sponsored the creation of a band that would be calledMártires del Compás,formed by Chico Ocaña, Raul Rodriguez and Jose Caraoscura. Disagreements between Ocana and Kiko meant that the band split in two: Ocaña took the name of the group and went solo, and Raul Rodriguez and Jose Caraoscura (Kiko in the background) formedCaraoscura.They released an album in 1995 entitled¿Qué es lo que quieres de mí?.

In 1999 he touredArgentinato give a series of concerts which were a critical success. After three more records Kiko ended his contract with Ariola and decided to produce his future music himself.

In September 2005 he releasedEl Hombre Invisible.Ever since, he has mostly collaborated with other musicians, while releasing his own new songs only viadigital download.

In 2006 he formed the bandG5alongLos Delinqüentes,TomasitoandMuchachito Bombo Infierno.

His album Sombrero Roto has been nominated forIMPALA's European Independent Album of the Year Award (2019).

Selected discography

Veneno

• Veneno (CBS, 1977).
• El pueblo guapeao (Twins, 1989).

Kiko Veneno

• Seré mecánico por ti(Epic, 1981).
• "Si tú, si yo" (Epic, 1984) - maxisingle.
• Pequeño salvaje(Nuevos Medios, 1987).
• Échate un cantecito(BMG Ariola, 1992).
• Está muy bien eso del cariño(BMG, 1995).
• Punta Paloma(BMG, 1997).
• Puro veneno(BMG, 1998)
• La familia pollo(BMG, 2000).
• El hombre invisible(Nuevos Medios, 2005).
• Dice la Gente(Warner, 2010).
• Sensación Térmica (2013)

Kiko Veneno and Pepe Begines

• Gira mundial(Elemúsica, 2002).

Compilation albums

• Un ratito de gloria(BMG, 2001)

G5

• Tucaratupapi(2007), withLos Delinqüentes,Muchachito Bombo InfiernoandTomasito

External links

• Kiko Veneno's homepage