Carlos Berlanga

Carlos Berlanga (1959–2002) was one of the most iconic and multifaceted figures of contemporary Spanish culture, leaving an indelible mark as a musician, composer, and visual artist. The son of the great director Luis García Berlanga, he emerged as a central figure of the Movida Madrileña, the explosive artistic movement that swept Madrid after Franco's dictatorship. His career began with the punk band Kaka de Luxe, and he later co-founded Alaska y los Pegamoides and Alaska y Dinarama, writing timeless hits such as "Bailando" and "A quién le importa." Despite his great success, Berlanga remained a low-key person who often struggled with stage anxiety. Beyond music, his talent extended to the fine arts, designing, among other things, the poster for Pedro Almodóvar's film "Matador." His solo career, with albums like Indicios, revealed a more sophisticated and pop side of his creativity. His premature death from liver disease at the age of 42 deprived the Spanish scene of a true visionary of pop aesthetics.