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Pacho Galán

1906 – 1988

Colombian musician, composer and band leader

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About Pacho Galán

Lived 1906 – 1988 (aged 81). Pacho Galán was a Colombian songwriter.

Pacho Galán (1906—1988) was a Colombian composer and band leader of several Colombian music forms. His songs include Boquita Sala, Rio Y Mar, Fiesta de Cumbia, Cumbia Alegre and Ay Cosita Linda, which became one of his most famous after Nat King Cole recorded his own rendition of the song. The song was also covered by La Sonora Matancera, José Fajardo, Rafael de Paz, Billo's Caracas Boys.

Career In the early 1930s, the Galán family moved to Barranquilla, where Pacho joined the Departmental Band. In 1940, when the Atlántico Jazz Band was founded, he joined as an arranger and composer of most of the orchestra's pieces. Around the same time, he initially founded the "Pacho Galán Orchestra."

After the 1940s joined the newly-created Barranquilla Philharmonic and shortly afterward joined the "Emisora Atlántico" orchestra, conducted by Guido Perla. In 1954, he founded his own orchestra and composed the merecumbé song "Cosita Linda," for which he later became known as "The King of Merecumbé." Beginning in 1955, "Cosita Linda" was recorded by scores of versions by various artists and musicians around the world.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Also known as
Francisco Galán Blanco, Francisco de Asís Galán Blanco, Pacho Galan, Francisco Galan, Pacho Galan Y Su Orquesta

People in Pacho Galán's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Pacho Galán's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Pacho Galán?

Colombian musician, composer and band leader (1906-1988)

When was Pacho Galán born?

Pacho Galán was born on 4 October 1906 in Soledad.

When did Pacho Galán die?

Pacho Galán died on 21 July 1988 in Barranquilla.

What was Pacho Galán's occupation?

Pacho Galán was a songwriter.

What nationality was Pacho Galán?

Pacho Galán was Colombian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Pacho Galán

· Wikidata: Q3392753

· DBpedia: Pacho Galán

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Pacho Galán. https://biography.guide/pacho-galan/

MLA: "Pacho Galán." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/pacho-galan/.

Chicago: "Pacho Galán." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/pacho-galan/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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