I
Under Franco

Like mostly every other European country pophistory in Spain starts with the blending of the local gypsy and flamenco culture with rock ‘n roll. In the fifties all kinds of small beatgroups start in the Spanish cities. Mostly translating known hits from American artists (Paul Anka, Everly Brothers, Elvis Presley) in the Spanish language groups like Duo Dinámico and Los Mustang become local celebrities. From the French the Spanish took over the ye-yé as a genre of uptempo pop music. It mainly consisted of a fusion of American rock from the early 60s (such as twist) and British beat music. Concha Velasco, a singer and movie star, launched the scene with her 1965 hit "La Chica Ye-Yé", though there had been hits earlier by female singers like Karina (1963). The earliest stars were an imitation of French pop, at the time itself an imitation of American and British pop and rock. Flamenco rhythms, however, sometimes made the sound distinctively Spanish. For instance Rosalia's 1965 hit Flamenco and Gelu’s Flamenco rock sounded most distinctively Spanish.

One has to keep in mind that Spain had a very strong nationalistic government during the sixties and most of the nineties. General Francisco Franco has been in charge since 1939 and had a strong grip on Spanish culture up until his death in 1975. The fact that groups sang in Spanish must have had the approval of the general but anything to non-spanish or otherwise revolutionary wasn’t really promoted. An example of this is the 69 entry for the Eurovision. Originally sung in Catalan ‘lalala’ was to enter the Eurovision performed by Serrat. Singer Massiel was flown to sing the song in Spanish, and win. But locally the statement was made.

That said one can find a very interesting Spanish folk-scene in these period with artists like Joan Manual Serrat, Mari Trini, Maria Jimenez and Perret. The more soft-pop latin side of the spectrum was claimed by Julio Iglesias. Spain also knew it's progrock scene mixed with traditional elements called Flameco rock. Some of the most well-known examples of this scene from its 1970s heyday are the bands Smash, Crack, Gotic Iman Califato Independiente Iceberg, Mezquita and Triana.

The New Spanish Cinema of 1962 turned out to be influential for Spanish pop.The new cinema movement started when José María García Escudero became the Director General of Cinema, propelling forward state efforts and the Escuela Oficial de Cine (Official Cinema School). Not only were they openly opposing Franco’s dictatorship they also delivered some memorable artists of which Sarita Montiel is the best example.