Spanish singer/songwriter Joan Manuel Serrat released his first album in 1966. He then recorded Cancons Tradicionals and debuted as an actor in Palabras de Amor. In 1969, Dedicado a Antonio Machado, Poeta, presented live in Barcelona and Madrid, became a huge success. Serrat celebrated with a South American tour and came in first place at Rio de Janeiro's world music festival. In 1976, he crossed over to the U.S., performing in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York. In January of 1995, the Spanish government gave him a medal for his contribution to Hispanic culture. The Spanish Association of Authors and Editors (SGAE) awarded him with a Medal of the Century in 2000. ~ Drago Bonacich