One of Latin pop’s leading heartthrobs, Elmer Figueroa Arce, better known as
Chayanne, was born in Puerto Rico on June 29, 1968. He debuted as a singer when he was ten years old, becoming a part of the group "Los Chicos" (the boys). Rivaled only by
Menudo, Los Chicos became one of the most popular Latin groups of the 80s, creating a frenzy amongst teenage women wherever they performed. As soon as Los Chicos folded, Chayanne went out on his own to establish himself as a solo act, finding success almost immediately with 1984’s Chayanne Es Mi Nombre for RCA Records.
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His big breakthrough came in 1987 when he recorded a self-titled album for Sony Music International (CBS Records). The Chayanne songs that were major hits on this album included, "Tu Pirata Soy Yo" (I am Your Pirate), "Este Ritmo se Baila Asii" (This Rhythm is Danced Like This), and "Fuiste un Trozo de Hielo en la Escarcha" (You Were a Chunk of Ice in the Frost).
In 1989 Chayanne recorded his second album/CD (for Sony) also entitled "Chayanne," with such new songs as "Fiesta en America" (Party in America), "
Violeta" (Violet), "Te Deseo" (I Wish), and "Para Tenerte Otra Vez" (In Order to Have You Again). This album was also recorded in Portuguese and resulted in several hits in the Brazilian market. This recording was found worthy of a nomination for a Grammy Award in 1989 under the category "Best Latin Pop Performance." Afterward, Chayanne would enjoy regular success, releasing hit albums approximately every two years: Tiempo de Vals (1990), Provocame (1992), Influencias (1994), Volver a Nacer (1996), Atado a Tu Amor (1998), Simplemente (2000), Sincero (2003), Cautivo (2005). Each sold better the one before, for the most part. Greatest-hits compilations such as Grandes Exitos (2002) and Desde Siempre (2005) have also been issued periodically. In addition to singing, Chayanne is a talented dancer and actor, with a growing number of telenovela and film roles to his credit. It seems this accomplished young artist has been around forever and that’s exactly how long we would like him to continue to perform.
