Antonio Morales Barretto, better known as Junior, was a Spanish Filipino singer and actor based in Spain.
Early life
He was born in Manila, Philippines, from a Spanish father and a Filipino mother, the eldest of five brothers, during World War II, when the Philippines was occupied by Japan. He was 15 years old when his family emigrated to Barcelona, Spain, then settled in Madrid.
Career
In 1958, he became part of the group Jump, a pioneering Spanish electric guitar group. During the group's popularity, he was included in the film Me Enveneno De Azules in 1969. His unstaked first themes were Todo Porque Te Quiero in 1969 and Perdóname with English theme The Snake in 1973. He became part of the group Los Brincos with Juan Pardo. His brothers Miguel and Ricky Morales were invited to join the group. Later, he and Juan Pardo left their group as Juan y Junior. One of their songs is a Spanish version of "Fool on the Hill" by John Lennon and Paul McCartney from the LP titled Junior in 1976. In 1979, he interrupted his career to manage the career of his wife, the late singer Rocío Dúrcal with whom he had 3 children, including singer Shaila Dúrcal who is dedicated not only to her mother but also to her mother's namesake Rocío Jurado and Colombian diva Soraya who have been cancer victims. His daughter is actress Carmen Morales.
Movie career
In the 1980s, he starred in the Filipino films Good Morning Sunshine with Vilma Santos, and Disco Madhouse, and released three albums in Tagalog for the Philippines. One of his most popular songs that he wrote and produced was "Yakap". That song, which he sang in his movie with Santos, became his signature song in the Philippines. Another of his hit songs there is "But If You Leave Me".
Later life
In 2006, his wife Rocío Dúrcal died of cancer. Her children became involved in controversial court battles over her inheritance. The family eventually reconciled after Carmen's wedding. On 22 November 2007, his father, Antonio Morales Majó was Spanish, died of anemia, aged 91. His mother, Carmen Barretto Valdés was Filipino, died in 2012, aged 97.
Death
On 15 April 2014, Junior was found dead on his bed inTorrelodones, Spain. His daughter, Carmen, first arrived at the scene after he did not answer any of her repeated phone calls, and eventually asked his gardener to open his locked bedroom. He was cremated and his ashes were buried at Basilica de Guadalupe, Mexico.
