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Junior

1943 – 2014

Filipino-Spanish singer

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About Junior

Lived 1943 – 2014 (aged 70). Junior was a Filipino singer, songwriter and actor.

Antonio Morales Barretto (; 10 September 1943 – 15 April 2014), known professionally as Júnior, was a Filipino-born Spanish singer and actor.

Early life Morales was born in Manila, Philippines, to a Spanish father Antonio Morales Majó and a Filipina mother Carmen Barretto Valdés, the eldest of five brothers. He was born during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, and at 15 years old his family emigrated to Barcelona, Spain, eventually settling in Madrid.

Career In 1958, he became part of the group Jump, a pioneering Spanish electric guitar group. During the group's popularity, he was featured in the film Me Enveneno De Azules in 1969. Some of his first hits included Todo Porque Te Quiero ("It's All Because I Love You") in 1969 and Perdóname (Excuse Me) in 1973.

He went on to join Los Brincos with Juan Pardo, and his brothers Miguel and Ricky Morales would also later join the group. Morales and Juan Pardo eventually left the group to release music as Juan y Junior. One of their songs is a Spanish version of "Fool on the Hill" by John Lennon and Paul McCartney from the LP titled Junior in 1976.

Movie career In the 1980s, he starred in the Philippine films Good Morning Sunshine with Vilma Santos, and Disco Madhouse, and released three albums in Tagalog for the Philippines. One of his most popular songs that he wrote and produced was "Yakap" (1979). That song, which he sang in his movie with Santos, became his signature song in the Philippines. Other hit songs of his are "Excuse Me" (1974) and "But If You Leave Me" (1976).

Personal life Morales married his wife Rocío Dúrcal in 1970, and their first child, Spanish actress Carmen Morales de las Heras, was born in December 1970. After the birth of their second child, Antonio Morales de las Heras, in April 1974, Morales decided to give up his career to devote time to their children. Dúrcal meanwhile continued her film and singing career. In 1979 they had their third child, Shaila Morales de las Heras, who took up a singing career under the stage name of Shaila Dúrcal. Morales also managed Dúrcal for much of her career.

Morales remained married to Dúrcal until her death in 2006. Her children became involved in controversial court battles over her inheritance, eventually reconciled after Carmen's wedding.

On 22 November 2007, his father, Antonio Morales Majó (born 1916), died of anemia, aged 91. His mother, Carmen Barretto Valdés (born 1914), died in 2012, aged 97.

He is the uncle of Philippine actresses Gretchen Barretto, Claudine Barretto and Marjorie Barretto.

Death Júnior died on 15 April 2014 in Torrelodones, Spain. He was cremated and his ashes were buried at Basilica de Guadalupe in Mexico City.

Discography Singles "Yakap" "But If You Leave Me" "Excuse Me" ”It’s Only Love”

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Also known as
Júnior, Antonio Morales Barretto, Antonio Morales

Family & relationships

Spouse
Rocío Dúrcal
Child
Shaila Dúrcal

People in Junior's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Junior's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Junior?

Filipino-Spanish singer (1943-2014)

When was Junior born?

Junior was born on 10 September 1943 in Manila.

When did Junior die?

Junior died on 15 April 2014 in Torrelodones.

What was Junior's occupation?

Junior was a singer, songwriter and actor.

What nationality was Junior?

Junior was Filipino.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Junior

· Wikidata: Q6321752

· DBpedia: Júnior (Filipino singer)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Junior. https://biography.guide/junior-singer/

MLA: "Junior." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/junior-singer/.

Chicago: "Junior." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/junior-singer/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-25 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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