Emi Bonilla, desde Colmenar

Emiliano Bonilla Pozo, a flamenco and copla singer better known in the history of flamenco singing by his stage name Emi Bonilla, was born in 1936 in Peñarroya Pueblo Nuevo (Córdoba), though he was a resident of Málaga. He began his artistic career performing on stage at a very young age and quickly stood out for his powerful voice and captivating personality, catching the eye of one of the most popular and influential impresarios in Spain: Manolita Chen. From 1954 onwards, he settled in Málaga. It was during these years that Emi received an offer to work in one of the most renowned shows in the country, Manolita Chen's Teatro Chino. From this moment on, Emi's fame and popularity skyrocketed, and he became a major star in the world of copla and variety shows. The artist's career evolved, and he began staging his own shows with his own flamenco troupe, touring the country before making the leap to international audiences. It was at this point that some of the most powerful record labels of the time contacted Bonilla to produce major works that would become bestsellers. Under the Discos Belter and Zafiro Producciones labels, Emi released albums of copla and rumba. Rumbas Flamencas, Pregonero de Coplas, and the popular Beatlemanía Flamenca are just some of the works with which Emi revolutionized the musical genre. During these years of flourishing success, the artist began sharing the stage with other stars and mingling with figures such as Emilio el Moro, Ana María, and El Príncipe Gitano. After years of artistic and, consequently, financial success, Emi built a beautiful house in Málaga and, next to it, a venue that became a landmark of the local arts scene: his own flamenco tablao. Managed by the artist's sister, Charito Bonilla, and under the singer's own supervision, a top-tier flamenco venue was established, offering entertainment to locals and international visitors for nearly a decade. The venue's style was simple: excellent shows, a sophisticated clientele, and service befitting a first-class establishment. Behind a green guitar-shaped gate and an immaculate white wall, Emi's flamenco venue was accessed via a staircase where a large portrait of the artist greeted visitors. Downstairs, the spacious facilities and spectacular stage immediately assured patrons that they were in for a high-quality performance. This was indeed the case, to the point that Emi Bonilla's flamenco venue became a meeting place for prominent figures in Malaga society. The rush-seated tables and chairs there witnessed major business deals between entrepreneurs, some of which began at "El Perro Andaluz" and were finalized at Bonilla's home. This venue hosted, and on some occasions performed, and on others enjoyed themselves and left photographic evidence of it, personalities of the stature of Dolores Vargas, Caracolillo, Juanita Reina, Terence Hill, Marisa Medina, Uribarri, Marisol, Pepe Palanca, José Legrá, Papillón, and the footballer Gento. Unfortunately, after a while, the flamenco venue was converted into a cinema. His arrival in Colmenar coincided with his participation in the television program ‘La Voz Senior’ (The Voice Senior), in which he reached the grand final. He lives in Colmenar surrounded by friends and often attends the events organized by the local flamenco club. His house is a veritable personal and artistic museum, a space for all the memories linked to cinema and his artistic life. Photos with hundreds of singers and film actors, including Anthony Quinn, the famous actor who was filming ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ in Almería at the time, are everywhere. For nine years, on the booming Costa del Sol, he was artistically partnered with Ana María Moya, with whom he worked on the film ‘Los joyeros del claro de Luna’ (The Jewelers of Moonlight), starring Brigitte Bardot. A generous artist on stage as well, he considered his admired Antonio Molina a brother and showered praise on Juanita Reina, Juanito Valderrama, and Antonio Machín. A tireless traveler, with his unmistakable hat, a symbol of art, Emi Bonilla is the true icon of copla. If you enjoyed the video, please like, leave a comment, and don't forget to subscribe to this channel to stay updated on the upcoming videos I'll be uploading every week. Contact Email: [email protected] See also: Juan Breva, the best flamenco singer:    • Juan Breva  Vélez-Málaga