Biography

Early years

Palma's parents were lawyer Cecilio Palma y Palma and Piedad Recinos. When he was seven years old, his family moved to Guatemala City. He soon began to sing in fan programs at the Theater April.

Career

Gustavo Adolfo Palma made his debut as a professional singer in 1936, with weekly songs on the broadcast radio station TGX, property of Miguel Angel Mejicanos. At the age of 17, he appeared regular singer during the golden age of Guatemala's state radio station TGW. At the age of 20, he was trained in singing by Martha Bolaños de Prado, an outstanding master who took several singers to success at that time.

In 1944, Palma participated in the contest “Trip to Mexico," promoted by Mexico's state radio station XEW, which was looking for the “the Voice of Latin America." Gustavo Adolfo Palma won first place, at the age of 24. In Mexico, he shared the music scene with Jorge Negrete and was accompanied by the best broadcast orchestras (Gabriel Ruiz; Moisés Pasquel, Rafael Hernandez; Abel Domínguez; Pablo Beltrán Ruiz and many more).

Returning to Guatemala in October 1944, he shared a stage with Pedro Vargas, in the glamorous Salon Granada, located in 6ª Avenue and 11 Street of zone 1. In 1947, he shared a stage with Pedro Infante in Mansion Victoria of the City of Guatemala. In 1955, he acted in the film “El Cristo Negro” (the Black Christ) with the actors Raul Martinez and Rosa Carmina. The movie filmed in Guatemala and directed and produced by Jose Baviera, of Spanish nationality. This one forms part of the List of Guatemalan films.

In 1956, he was named “most wanted artist”, by popular vote, in a contest promoted by the newspaper Mundo Libre, a testimony to the public's esteem. He recorded with several recording houses of Mexico, as well as “Columbia Records” and “Musart Records”. He recorded other Central American seal discs.

In 1964, he participated in the Central American Festival of the Song, in El Salvador, obtaining a prize for his song “Tonight, my Love”, composed by Marco Tulio Cordón. In 1970, he was the guest of honor in the First Festival of the Central American and Caribbean Song in Panama. The event was carried out 23, 24 and 25 October. Palma interpreted the song “Contigo” ("With You") of his own inspiration, accompanied by an orchestra conducted by maestro Jorge Sarmiento. In this event he again shared the stage with Pedro Vargas.

Palma was artistically versatile, acting in television, radio, night clubs and theaters across the entire Republic. He was active in Radio Ciros, Radio Morse, Concha Acústica (Acoustic Shell) of the Parque Centenario and the Parque Central; in theaters: Teatro Nacional Miguel Ángel Asturias, Lux, Capitol, Palace, Alameda, Teatro Municipal of Quetzaltenango, Teatro Municipal of San Marcos, Guatemala and others. In Guatemala, orchestras conducted by maestros like Miguel Sandoval; Manuel Gómez; Enrique Raudales; Milton Cabnal and many more accompanied him. In 1982, he was the protagonist of the festival “Broadway ‘82” performed in the Teatro Nacional of Guatemala, where Ricardo Arjona shared the stage.

Gustavo Adolfo Palma was composer of some romantic songs. In 1976, he was the main protagonist of the photo series “Maria”, acting with other Guatemalan singers, among them Elizabeth of Guatemala. In September 2005 he received a tribute, during the 75 the commemorative acts of anniversary of the TGW, the Voice of Guatemala. His last disc, called “Yesterday, Today and Always," was released in 1971.

Despite his busy life, his legacy is a big family, with eight offspring and a good number of grandsons, Gustavo shared his love with every member of his lovely family.

Gustavo Adolfo Palma - Family Tree
Offspring Thelma Irma Susana Gustavo Marta Anabella Patricia Luis
Grandsons Jose Daniel Gabriel Juan Sebastian Gabriela Johana Gabriela Alejandra Stephen Christopher Melanie Anabella Otto Jessica Jackelin Jennifer Stephen  
Great-grandchildren             Sebastian Valeria     Isaac Ethan     Natalia Valeria Jenni Carlos Matias Emma