AMAME LENTO - La Prisma

Amame Lento - take the time to love me slowly

Between 1969 and 1998, I was one of about 500 million people who sat down every Sunday night, no matter what, to watch Raúl Velasco's "Siempre en Domingo," (Always on Sunday) modeled loosely after the "Ed Sullivan Show" of another time and place. Among the performers who performed, many of whom made their debut, on the show were Selena Quintanilla Pérez (THE Selena from Texas), Luis Miguel, Gloria Trevi, Lucía Méndez, Dulce, Vicente Fernández, Rocío Dúrcal, Enrique Iglesias, Shakira, Gloria Estefan and many many others.

Some of the other acts which appeared on the show were ABBA, Tina Turner, David Lee Roth, Whitney Houston, Bryan Adams, Peter Cetera, Richard Clayderman, Richard Marx, The Bangles, Cyndi Lauper, Olivia Newton-John, Barry Manilow, Laura Branigan, Village People, Donna Summer, Shaun Cassidy, Gloria Gaynor, Sheena Easton, Crowded House, Boney M, KWS, Spice Girls, Sammy Davis Jr, Andy Gibb, Jimmy Osmond, Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, Level 42, The Outfield and Sting.

Raúl Velasco began this program as co-host of a Sunday afternoon special in 1969 called Domingos Espectaculares (Spectacular Sundays). One of Raúl Velasco's catch phrases was, "Aun hay mas" ("There's more to follow"). For a short while, Siempre en Domingo was known as Aun hay mas because Raúl Velasco would always say these words prior to each intermission or commercial, with the hand gesture that corresponds to a request for a commercial break, similar to what Frank Sinatra might have said or sung, The best is yet to come. . . The phrase and hand gesture became popular in Mexico as a result. (y aún hay más... amigos!)

Raul Velasco's funeral on 26 November 2006 was a national event. His body was buried in the “Panteon Frances” where many fans, performers, and press congregated to give Raul the last goodbye.

One evening when the show was riding high, Silvia Tapia Alcázar, a.k.a. "Prisma" appeared on the show. After that first evening she delighted the millions with many repeat appearances. This was the era of vinyl records and cassette tapes - back in the day, millions bought her recordings. Today, Google has mostly forgotten her, but listen to her and hear for yourself why La Prisma has a growing following in the Balkans, a market which Peerless Records/Warner Music Latina never even attempted to penetrate. I cannot help but wonder if Silvia smiles knowing that people in her grandmother's native Croatia are receiving her music and responding with their hearts ...

do sljedeći put, blagoslov - until next time, blessings,
David Byler a.k.a. Canovals
19. rujan 2016