Antonio González El Pescadilla Plaque

What’s a love story without a bit of drama? The Antonio González “El Pescadilla” Plaque commemorates a man whose life was filled with both music and romance, intertwined like a passionate flamenco melody. Right here, on Carrer de la Fraternitat, the plaque marks the birthplace of Antonio González, better known as “El Pescadilla”. The Antonio González “El Pescadilla” Plaque is more than just a marker. It’s a window into the life of a man who played a pivotal role in the development of Catalan rumba. He was a musician, a husband, and a figure who left an indelible mark on the musical landscape. Antonio González’s father, also named Antonio, was known as “Sardineta”, a nickname reflecting the family’s fish-selling trade. This tradition was started by Antonio’s grandfather, Manuel González, “el Chindo,” who arrived in Barcelona from Murcia and sold fish while also playing guitar in tablaos around the city. Antonio González, “El Pescadilla,” followed in his family’s musical footsteps, becoming a seminal figure in Catalan rumba. His brothers, Manuel, Baldomero, Juan, and Josefa, also contributed to this vibrant musical genre. He married the iconic Lola Flores, a fiery flamenco dancer known as “La Faraona”. Their love story wasn’t a smooth ballad. It began while Lola Flores was involved with another prominent musician, Manolo Caracol. But the spark between Lola and Antonio ignited, leading to a passionate, albeit sometimes turbulent, relationship. Their wedding took place in 1957 at the Monastery of El Escorial, a grand setting for a whirlwind romance. The ceremony was held at the unusual hour of six in the morning. This early hour was chosen due to concerns about a potential disruption by the family of Antonio’s previous partner. The Antonio González “El Pescadilla” Plaque isn’t just a testament to a musician, but to a man who lived a life as vibrant and dramatic as the music he created. He stood in Lola Flores’ shadow at times, but his contribution to Catalan rumba remains significant. Their love story, full of passion and perseverance, ended tragically with the deaths of Lola and their son Antonio within weeks of each other in 1995. Antonio González followed them in 1999, leaving behind a legacy etched in music and memory, commemorated by this plaque.