Antonio Rodríguez Lesende

Antonio Rodríguez Lesende (1905–October 2, 1979) was a Spanish-born Argentine tango vocalist renowned for his elegant delivery and clear diction. Born in Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain, he immigrated to Argentina at age one and began his professional singing career on radio at eighteen. Known by the nickname “Gallego,” Rodríguez Lesende became a pioneering vocalist in tango orchestras, initially working as an estribillista (refrain singer) before developing into a complete lyric vocalist.

He performed with the era’s most prestigious orchestras, including those of José Tinelli, Francisco Lomuto, Edgardo Donato, Antonio Bonavena, Osvaldo Fresedo, Juan Carlos Cobián, Julio De Caro, and Carlos Di Sarli. In 1935, he formed the Trio Morel-Lesende-Mora with Joaquín Mauricio Mora and Héctor Morel, and premiered Juan Carlos Cobián and Enrique Cadícamo’s “Nostalgias” at the Charleston nightclub, an interpretation that became legendary in tango history. Beginning his recording career with Brunswick Records in 1927, he recorded approximately 62 tracks across 28 products through 1953. He retired from professional singing at the height of his interpretive ability (sources give either 1943 or 1947), briefly returning in 1953 to record “Tierrita” with the Stampone-Federico orchestra. Despite being regarded by peers including Julio De Caro and Aníbal Troilo as “the best orchestra tango singer of all time,” he remained a chorus vocalist and recorded sparingly. He died in Buenos Aires.

Sources note: Retirement date: sources indicate Rodríguez Lesende retired from professional singing at the height of his interpretive ability either in 1943 or 1947, with sources not agreeing on the exact year.