Tango (Ramsés VII)

José Alberto Iglesias (his real name) was born in 1945 in San Martín city (Buenos Aires, Argentina). He was also known as Tango, Tanguito, Ramsés VII or Donovan "El protestón". His first and only group was Los Dukes in the mid-60s, with them he recorded and released some singles. From a collaboration with Litto Nebbia (Los Gatos) came the song "La Balsa", the first smash hit of argentine rock in 1967, recorded by Nebbia´s group. Litto Nebbia have heard the basic version (some chords and verses) and finished it, introducing bossa nova chords. This resulted in a record deal with RCA/Vik in 1968, the label released the single "La princesa dorada" with "El hombre restante" on the b-side, under the Ramsés VII alias. Amazing pop nuggets that nobody bought, but now are legendary as "See Emily play". Both songs featured Horacio Malvicino´s orchestra arrangements. In 1969, the Mandioca label owners convinced him to record some songs. At this point, drug abuse, police harassment and erratic behaviour was everyday´s stuff. He ended in an asylum. In May 19th of 1972 he run away, and later was found dead at a train station. Nobody knows for sure if he committed suicide or was murdered. In 1973, the Mandioca label released an LP with those sessions (his voice and a guitar, plus some chorus courtesy of Javier Martínez of Manal). The LP has been reissued in the 80s on vynil and is currently available in CD.