Xavier Patricio Pérez Álvarez, known as Gato Pérez, was born on April 11, 1951, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and was a musician of Argentine origin who settled in Catalonia. He moved to Barcelona in 1966 and began his musical career there. Pérez's breakthrough came with his experimentation with rumba catalana, leading to the release of his first albums Carabruta (1978) and Romesco (1979). His later works, such as Atalaya and La Rubia Del Bar, further solidified his reputation. Pérez's music was notable for its fusion of rumba with other genres like rock and salsa, and his lyrics often addressed social issues. Despite facing health challenges, including a heart attack in 1981, Pérez continued to compose and perform until his death on October 18, 1990. His contributions to Catalan music were celebrated through various tributes, including the documentary El gran Gato directed by Ventura Pons.
