Agustín Lara

One of Mexico's seminal songwriters during the pre-war era, Agustin Lara wrote favorites including "Granada," "Solamente una Vez," "Maria Bonita," "Farolito," and "Palabras de Mujer." Lara excelled in a variety of song styles -- ranchera, bolero, tropical songs, even the occasional tango -- and brought a cosmopolitan flair to the Old West while vivifying many early Mexican films with his rich music. Born in 1897 in Mexico City (though he would often name Veracruz as his birthplace), Lara took piano lessons and ended up playing in a bordello until his father sent him to militar...