Antonio Molina de Hoces (born in 1928 in Totalán, though some accounts place his birth in Málaga’s Huelin district, and died in 1992 in Madrid) was a Spanish singer known for copla and flamenco. He first appeared on Radio España in 1949, winning a contest that led to his debut recordings with La Voz de su Amo, including “El agua del avellano”. His greatest success was the copla “Soy minero”, and he also starred in the short film El macetero (1952). Antonio Molina de Hoces signed with La Voz de su Amo and went on to release more than 30 albums, while also starring in several films, such as El pescador de coplas (1953) and Esa voz es una mina (1955), notably El pescador de coplas and El Cristo de los Faroles. He toured Europe alongside guitarist Niño Ricardo. In 1986 he returned to the stage, and in 1990 he received a Platinum Disc together with peers like Juan Valderrama. A diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis forced his retirement in 1989, and he died in 1992; his funeral drew large crowds, and a statue in Málaga honors his legacy.
