Spanish singer/songwriter Miguel Ríos was born in June 1944. After a few years with Philips, he left in 1965 and after working temporarily with Sonoplay, signed up to Hispavox, releasing the smash hit single "Rio" and later his first full-length, Mira Hacia Ti. In May 1970, a second album came out, including Himno de la Alegria, based on Beethoven's ninth symphony, which became Rios' first song to reach the Billboard charts. After leaving Hispavox in the mid-'70s, Rios self-produced an album released by Polygram in 1977. By that time, the artist was getting worldwide recognition. ~ Drago Bonacich