Francisco Gabilondo Soler

Francisco Gabilondo Soler was a Mexican singer and composer born on October 6, 1907, in Orizaba. He studied astronomy at the National Observatory of Mexico in 1928 before beginning a professional music career at age 25. Initially performing humorous songs as “El Guasón del Teclado”, he debuted the character “Cri-Cri” on Radio Station XEW on October 15, 1934. His repertoire of 210 songs included “El ratón vaquero” and “Los mosquitos trompeteros”. Gabilondo served in the merchant marine between 1941 and 1944. He returned to radio until his retirement in 1962. His recordings included Cri-Cri, el grillito cantor (1956) and Todo el año con Cri-Cri (1963). Gabilondo’s works were recorded by artists such as Plácido Domingo and Mireille Mathieu. He was the subject of the 1963 film Cri-Cri, el grillito cantor and received a tribute ceremony in 1984. Gabilondo died on December 14, 1990.