Cacho Castaña
Humberto Vicente Castagna, better known as Cacho Castaña, was an Argentine singer, songwriter, pianist and actor. Born in Buenos Aires, he initially worked as a shoe cobbler before becoming famous as a bolero singer in the 1970s. Castana composed and sung various compositions and songs, several of which became gold and platinum records. He also starred in multiple films. Castaña's career declined during the 1990s but rebounded after 2003 and he became active in Argentina's stage and festival circuit.
Early life
Cacho Castaña was born in Buenos Aires and was raised in modest circumstances in the Flores neighborhood. He worked with his father, a shoe cobbler, until he was 16. He developed an interest in music during his early years, becoming a piano teacher by the age of fourteen. He began his career in music in his teens as a pianist in Oscar Espósito's orquesta típica, one of numerous such groups that performed tango music at the time, and also performed in the Chamamé folk genre.Career
Music
Castaña became famous as a bolero singer during the 1970s. He began performing on Argentine television programs such as Tiempo Final and Un Cortado, among others. He wrote numerous hits, including Me gusta, me gusta, Lo llaman el matador and Hay que encontrar al ladrón, and his signature bolero: Para vivir un gran amor. His lyrics became known for their extemporaneous and often autobiographical style, which he described as "writing as I would speak."He is much better known for his contributions to tango music. Some of his compositions are considered classics by his fans, including Qué tango hay que cantar, Garganta con Arena, "Tita de Buenos Aires",, A dónde vas? Quedate en Buenos Aires. Aside from these songs, he also composed an ode to the Flores neighborhood: Café la Humedad. Castaña composed around 2,500 songs, of which 500 have been recorded. He produced 44 records, of which fifteen became gold records, and ten, platinum.