José Luis Martínez Gordo, known professionally as José Luis y su guitarra (José Luis and his guitar), was born on June 11, 1935, in Jaén, Andalucia, Spain. A guitarist and singer-songwriter, he began his musical journey while studying at the Escuela de Ingenieros Técnicos de Obras Públicas (School of Technical Engineers for Public Works). His breakthrough came when he presented self-recorded songs to Radio Madrid in 1958, leading to a record deal with Philips. His first EP, Mariquilla, released in 1958, became a hit across Spain and Iberoamerica. Following the release of several EPs, José Luis y su guitarra secured a position as a public works official in 1962 and retired from music to focus on his career and family. He returned briefly in 1966 with the EP La luna clara and the single "Gibraltar". Martínez Gordo passed away on February 2, 2016, in Córdoba due to cardiac complications.
