Mercedes Simone (April 21, 1904, Villa Elisa, Buenos Aires – October 2, 1990) was an Argentine singer and actress, known as "La Dama del Tango" ("The Lady of Tango").

Life Mercedes Simone was born in Villa Elisa, Buenos Aires Province from José Simone and Matilde Suárez. When Mercedes was 10 months the family moved to La Plata.

In La Plata she worked at the printing house Benavídez-Charlone. In 1923, she met the guitarist Pablo Rodríguez, who would become her husband that same year.

The couple moved to Villa Elisa, where Rodríguez opened a hair salon. Around that time Mercedes acquired a bandoneon and started taking lessons with maestro Domingo Bozzarelli.

Professional career In 1926 Mercedes debuted as a singer, accompanying the duo made up of her husband, Rodríguez y Longo, on a tour through Bahía Blanca. They continued touring in Mar del Plata, Tres Arroyos, Tandil, Azul, Olavarría, Ensenada and La Plata.

In Buenos Aires she made her solo debut on 12 October 1926, at the café El Nacional. Once established as an artist, she performed at the Empire theater (a venue reserved for the top stars of the time), and at the Follies Bergère, where one night she was heard by Carlos Gardel.

She worked from 1932 to 1936 at Radio Splendid, Radio El Mundo and Radio Argentina.

Last years In 1966, she opened a tango venue named Cantando, which remained in operation for two years. She regularly performed there, accompanied by maestro Lucio Demare. She also made appearances on Argentine television, notably participating in the program Sábados Circulares.

On June 17, 1969, the Academia Porteña del Lunfardo held a public session in her honor.

She dies in Buenos Aires on 2 October 1990.

Songs

La marcha nupcial - 1932 Milonga sentimental - 1932 La última cita - 1933 Mía - 1933 Cuatro palabras - 1933 Esquinas porteñas - 1934 Esta noche me disfrazo - 1934 Será una noche – 1936 Náufrago – 1936 Milonga triste – 1937 Abandono – 1938 Caricias – 1938 Carnaval de mi barrio – 1938 Vieja amiga – 1938 Media vida – 1938 Claudinette – 1942 Barrio de tango – 1943 Garúa – 1943 Verdemar – 1944 Motivo sentimental – 1944 Otra noche – 1944 Cada día te extraño más – 1944

Filmography ¡Tango! (1933) (1936) La vuelta de Rocha (1937) Ambición (1939) La otra y yo (1949)

References

External links Mercedes Simone at Discography of American Historical Recordings.