Carlos Julio Ramirez was born on August 4, 1916, in the city of Tocaima, Colombia. As a young boy, he began singing, performing for a few coins on ships that sailed the River Magdalena.
One of these ships, called "Unión," brought him into contact with Dr. Laureano Gómez, a conservative politician who would later become President of Colombia. Gómez offered to sponsor Carlos's academic and musical studies in Bogotá, and he registered him at the Colegio Salesiano, entrusting him to the musical teacher Emilio Murillo.
However, when Carlos's father discovered that his son was being sponsored by a conservative, he removed him from the school due to his own liberal leanings. Undeterred, Carlos continued to live in Bogotá with his sister Alcira, who was also an excellent singer, and he was able to continue his musical studies with Professor Murillo.
Carlos made his debut in 1928 on the radio station "La Voz de la Victor," one of the first radio stations in Colombia, where he met Maestro Efraín Orozco, who asked him to join his orchestra for a prolonged South American tour.
While in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Carlos met a couple from the musical world, André Kostelanetz and his wife, the famous opera soprano Lily Pons. They hired him to sing at the "Café Maipó" and on Radio Municipal.
Carlos also acted in several movies, including the famous picture "Bathing Beauty" in 1945, where he worked alongside Esther Williams. His first recordings of Colombian music were made in 1952, featuring songs such as "Besame Morenita" and others.
He also sang several international repertoire themes. Carlos Julio Ramirez was a very successful artist, but he also struggled with addiction to gambling, which led to financial losses. He recorded his last long-playing record in 1972 with the help of the famous Colombian composer Blas Emilio Atehortua.
Carlos Julio Ramirez passed away on December 12, 1986, in Miami.
