The Government of Andalusia has named the singer Raphael as Favourite Son. It has also awarded the Medals of Andalusia and the Manuel Clavero Arévalo distinction to various personalities and entities that have made an outstanding contribution to the region. Among the award winners are the National Federation of Self-Employed Workers’ (ATA) chaired by Lorenzo Amor, the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC), the comedy duo Los Morancos and the Granada Football Club.
The title of Favourite Son of Andalusia is the highest distinction awarded by the Regional Government of Andalusia to a person whose cultural, scientific, social, political or economic work or actions have benefited Andalusia in an extraordinary and exemplary manner.
Rafael Martos Sánchez ‘Raphael’ was born in the town of Linares (province of Jaén) and is currently celebrating the 60th anniversary of a career whose first success was his triumph at the Benidorm Festival in 1962.
His discography includes 326 gold discs, 49 platinum discs and the only uranium disc awarded to a Spanish-speaking singer in the world for sales of more than 50 million copies. He has recorded more than 50 full-length albums in Spanish, as well as others in Italian, French, German, English and Japanese.
Raphael was previously awarded with the Medal of Andalusia in 2007.
The awards ceremony will take place on February 28 on the occasion of the Day of Andalusia.
