Lluis Llach

Lluís Llach, the Catalan musician, entered the world on May 7, 1948, in Girona. His formative years unfolded entirely in Verges, a diminutive town of under one thousand inhabitants, where he resided with his parents and older brother. His father practiced medicine while his mother, an educator, nurtured both sons’ musical sensibilities by playing piano and guitar at home. The instrument’s constant presence sparked early creativity in Llach, who began shaping original melodies at the age of six. At nine he left for Figueres to begin formal schooling; six years afterward he relocated to Barcelona, initially intending to study engineering before switching to economics. University life engaged him completely, and he eagerly pursued the musical avenues the city offered. His debut performance took place in Terrassa in 1967, and within months he earned second place at the Festival de la Canco de Barcelona. CBS Spain executives approached him afterward with a contract contingent on recording exclusively in Castilian, a condition he declined. Instead he joined the small Concentric label, founded by fellow Catalonians whose sole aim was to present and safeguard their cultural heritage. The 1969 album Les Seves Primeres Cancons sold an astonishing 100,000 copies, presaging a meteoric trajectory. While his recording career was taking shape, Llach simultaneously turned toward acting. Through his dramatic roles and a discography of well over two dozen titles, Lluís Llach stands among the world’s most visible Catalonian personalities.