Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Luis Miguel

Discover the career path of Luis Miguel, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Luis Miguel, a Mexican singer and record producer born in Puerto Rico, is widely known as "El Sol de Mexico." His versatile career spans various genres, including pop, ballads, boleros, tangos, jazz, big band, and mariachi. Notably, he remained exclusively within the Latin market during the 1990s Latin music boom, distinguishing himself from other Latin artists of his generation.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1981: Career Start

In 1981, Luis Miguel started his career in Mexico, marking the beginning of his journey in Latin pop music.

1982: Release of Un Sol

In 1982, Luis Miguel released his first album, Un Sol, and won his first gold disc at the age of 11.

1983: Co-starring in Ya Nunca Más

In 1983, Luis Miguel co-starred in the film Ya Nunca Más.

1984: Release of Palabra de Honor

In 1984, Luis Miguel released his fourth studio album Palabra de Honor.

1985: Sanremo Music Festival and Viña del Mar Music Festival

In 1985, at age 15, Luis Miguel took part in the Sanremo Music Festival, where he won the second place award with his song "Noi Ragazzi Di Oggi". That same year, he was also presented with the "Antorcha de Plata" Award in the Viña del Mar Music Festival for his duet single "Me Gustas Tal Como Eres".

May 1987: Release of Soy Como Quiero Ser

In May 1987, Luis Miguel's album Soy Como Quiero Ser was released, selling well over 2.5 million records.

November 1988: Release of Busca una Mujer

On November 1988, Luis Miguel's album Busca una Mujer was released.

1989: Success of La Incondicional

In 1989, Luis Miguel's single "La Incondicional" became a top-ten hit throughout Latin America.

1990: Transition to Adult Showman with 20 Años

In 1990, Luis Miguel transitioned from child singer to adult showman with the album 20 Años and sold-out shows, with the album selling 600,000 copies in its first week.

1990: Fría Como el Viento Reaches No.1

In early 1990, Luis Miguel's single "Separados" reached No. 1 on the Hot Latin Tracks.

1990: Tracking Touring Data

Since 1990, when Boxscore began tracking touring data, Luis Miguel is the highest-grossing Latino touring artist.

1991: Success of Romance album

In 1991, Luis Miguel's album Romance was recognized by the RIAA as one of the best-selling Latin albums of all time. He was the first Latino artist to earn two platinum certifications for Spanish-language albums in the United States, for Romance.

1991: RIAA recognition for album sales

In 1991, the RIAA recognized Luis Miguel for the high sales of his albums Romance and Segundo Romance.

1993: Grammy Award and Sinatra Performance

In 1993, Luis Miguel won the Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album for Aries. Also in 1993, he joined Frank Sinatra on his Duets II album and performed live in a nationally televised special in honor of Sinatra's 80th birthday.

1994: Release of Segundo Romance

In 1994, Luis Miguel released a sequel to Romance, Segundo Romance, and earned another Grammy Award, as well as platinum status in the United States.

1996: Hollywood Walk of Fame and Nada Es Igual Release

In 1996, Luis Miguel received a star and was inducted to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, becoming the youngest male singer to receive a star. Soon after, he released Nada Es Igual, a pop album featuring "Sueña", the main theme for Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

1997: Release of Romances

In 1997, Luis Miguel released his third album of the bolero series Romances, which sold over 5 million copies.

1997: Romances album debut

In 1997, Luis Miguel's album Romances became the first Spanish-language album to debut at No. 14 on the Billboard Top 200.

1998: Grammy, Billboard, and World Music Awards

In 1998, at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards, Luis Miguel won the award for Best Latin Pop Performance. He also received the Billboard Latin Music Award for "Male Pop Album of the Year" and the World Music Award for "Best Selling Latin Artist" in the same year.

1999: High-grossing tours

Between 1999 and 2000, Luis Miguel embarked on high-grossing tours in Chile, Uruguay, Venezuela, Brazil and Spain.

1999: Release of Amarte Es un Placer

In 1999, Luis Miguel released his ninth studio album Amarte Es un Placer.

2000: High-grossing tours

Between 1999 and 2000, Luis Miguel embarked on high-grossing tours in Chile, Uruguay, Venezuela, Brazil and Spain.

2000: Latin Grammy Awards for Amarte Es un Placer

In 2000, Luis Miguel's album Amarte Es un Placer earned him two Latin Grammys for being Best Album of the Year and Best Pop Album of the Year.

2001: Release of Mis Romances and Tour

In 2001, Luis Miguel released Mis Romances, his fourth album in the bolero series, followed by the Mis Romances Tour.

2003: Release of 33 and Recognition in Chile

In 2003, Luis Miguel released his pop album 33 and was recognized as the artist with the most records sold in the history of Chile by Warner Chile.

2003: Award from Prince Felipe of Spain

In 2003, Prince Felipe of Spain presented Luis Miguel with a special award for being the best-selling foreign artist in Spain's history.

2003: Awards and Recognition

In 2003, Prince Felipe of Spain presented Luis Miguel with an award for being the best-selling foreign artist in his country's history. He also received the "Premio Lo Nuestro a la Excelencia".

2004: Release of Mexico En La Piel

In 2004, Luis Miguel released his album Mexico En La Piel, which sold five million copies worldwide.

September 2005: Start of Mexico En La Piel Tour

In September 2005, Luis Miguel launched his Mexico En La Piel Tour in Mexico.

2005: Release of Grandes Éxitos and Navidades

In 2005, Luis Miguel released Grandes Éxitos, his first greatest hits album, and a Christmas album called Navidades.

2005: Mexico En La Piel Tour

In 2005, Luis Miguel's Mexico En La Piel Tour peaked at No. 1 in the Billboard World Top Boxscore.

2006: Performances at the National Auditorium

In 2006, Luis Miguel performed thirty shows between 18 January and 27 February at the National Auditorium in Mexico City.

2006: Awarded with the "Estela de Plata"

In 2006, during the Mexico En La Piel Tour, after giving 30 consecutive sold-out concerts at the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico, gathering over 260,000 spectators he was awarded with the "Estela de Plata".

2007: Mexico En La Piel Tour

From 2005 to 2007, Luis Miguel's Mexico En La Piel Tour consisted of 129 concerts, attended by over 1.5 million spectators, and grossed around $95 million.

April 2008: Release of Si Tú Te Atreves

On April 2008, Luis Miguel released "Si Tú Te Atreves", the first single from the album Cómplices.

May 2008: Release of Cómplices

On May 2008, Luis Miguel released Cómplices, produced by him and written by Spanish composer Manuel Alejandro. It sold almost 350,000 copies in the first 24 hours.

September 2008: Complices Tour began

In September 2008, Luis Miguel's Complices Tour began in Seattle, Washington.

2008: Release of Cómplices

In 2008, Luis Miguel's album Cómplices was released, peaking at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 chart.

2008: Grammy nomination for Navidades album

In 2008, Luis Miguel's album Navidades became the first Christmas album ever to be nominated for a Grammy in the Pop category.

September 2010: Release of Self-Titled Album

On September 2010, Luis Miguel released his self-titled studio album.

November 2010: Start of Tour

On 4 November 2010, Luis Miguel's tour started in the city of Lima, Peru.

2010: Luis Miguel Tour

In 2010, the Luis Miguel Tour began, spanning three years and 223 shows across North America, South America, and Europe.

2011: Luis Miguel Tour ranked among highest-grossing

In 2011, Luis Miguel's tour was ranked at number five of the highest-grossing tours in North America.

February 2012: Performance at Viña del Mar International Song Festival

On 22 February 2012, Luis Miguel sang at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival and became the most expensive artist in the history of the festival.