Manolo Díaz was a pioneer in the creation of rock in Spain, protest singer-songwriter and president of multinationals such as CBS or Emi. Today, now retired, it is the only memory of an unrepeatable era. He has just been awarded the Latin Grammy for his career.
Manolo Díaz, 81, is the last great boss of the Spanish music industry. He has been president of major Spanish labels such as CBS, Sony, Polygram or Emi, and president of the Federation of the Phonographic Industry of Latin America.
He worked with Julio Iglesias, Frank Zappa, Michael Jackson, Xuxa, Billy Joel, Isabel Pantoja, Bon Jovi, Carlos Vives and many more.
As part of CBS Spain, he was part of the team to promote Michael across the country. During the BAD Tour, CBS Spain presented Michael with an award plaque for the sales in Spain and also a Traditional Spanish cape.
Michael loved it and joked around, He forced Manolo Díaz to put it on and they spoke about the movie Dracula.
Manolo was one of the people who were responsible to make sure Michael Jackson was as successful as possible in Spain and they did an amazing job.
Manolo Díaz left the multinationals in the first decade of the 2000s.
A little over a year ago he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. He speaks of it with integrity and naturalness. He says his partner, Rose, forces him to play the piano every day. “Do you know what happens with this disease? That the brain sends an order, but it does not reach the hands well. But I manage to play. Doctors have told me that practicing with the piano is all too well to delay the effects of the disease. I’ve composed sonatas for Rose and my three children,” he says proudly.
