Antonio Ganem

9702 Julius Ave
Downey CA 90240
Tel: (562) 927-1878

Mr. Antonio Ganem, who is 78 years old Colombian gentleman born in Cartagena, 
saw Gardel sing in Cartagena in June 1935.

(Sr. Antonio Ganem: Vió a Carlos Gardel cantar, vende 200 discos 33rpm de Gardel.)

I spoke with Mr. Ganem on the phone on June 28, 2003. In his own words, he related to me his memory of Gardel: 

"I was very young at that time (10 years old). We went to see Gardel at the Teatro Variedades (later renamed Teatro Cartagena) but found out that all the tickets had been sold out. Because so many people missed seeing Gardel, he decided to sing to the public the following day from the balcony of the Hotel Cartagena where he was staying." 

Mr. Ganem also mentions that he was in Medellin when Gardel lost his life in the plane crash (June 24, 1935).

He also remembered that the famous Colombian tenor, Carlos Julio Ramirez, was one of the pall bearers at Gardel's funeral in Medellin.

Note from Jack Lupic: Gardel arrived in Cartagena by plane on a very hot day of June 7 at 11:00AM, having come from Baranquilla. From Cartagena, he flew to Medellin on June 10 and from there to Bogota on June 14.

Links:

• Witness to Gardel's visit to San Juan Puerto Rico in April 1935.
  Jim Meade's mother-in-law was age seven and remembers Gardel's visit to San Juan Puerto Rico in April 1935, shortly before his tragic death.  Her father's 12-cylinder Cadillac convertible was used to transport him through the streets amid the throngs of people.