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Life Journey of Ben Molar: A Florist Turned Composer, an Enthusiastic Proponent of Argentine Tango

Venerable musical mastermind, responsible for crafting over 100 chart-topping tunes such as "Let's Fall in Love Again," breathed his last on April 26, 2015, at the ripe age of 99. During his illustrious career, he championed musicians across various genres, bestowed prestige upon the champions...

Life Journey of Ben Molar: A Florist Turned Composer, an Enthusiastic Proponent of Argentine Tango

Let's Chat Tango: Ben Molar, the Tango Titan from Buenos Aires

Say hello to Ben Molar, a 99-year-old music maestro who's left an indelible mark on Argentine culture. Born under the pseudonym Moisés Smolarchik Brenner on October 3, 1915, in San Telmo, the heart of Buenos Aires, Ben Molar's passionate journey began as a worker in a local flower shop and factory. His real passion? Music!

Known to the world as Ben Molar, he first entered the music scene as a bolerista in the '40s. Being an Argentine composer wasn't the hottest ticket in town back then, so he spun a yarn about being a Parisian tango genius to boost his street cred. Yep, he was quite the bon vivant!

This shrewd move paid off big time, and soon enough, the biggest pop stars of the era, like Pedro Vargas, Gregorio Barrios, Elvira Ríos, and Juan Arvizu, were all playing his sizzling compositions.

So, what's so amazing about Ben Molar, you ask? Well, for starters, he was the man behind Fermata Records, nurturing a cast of diverse artists, including Mercedes Sosa, Sandro, Palito Ortega, and many more. But his most significant contribution, without a doubt, was his relentless championing of tango.

As a tango enthusiast since childhood, Ben Molar couldn't help but feel that Argentine society owed a debt of gratitude to this stunning dance and its music. He tirelessly worked to make tango's indelible mark heard far and wide.

Remember those bronze plaques with the names of tango legends? Yep, that's him! He put them on the corners of Corrientes Street, creating a tapestry of Argentine tango history. And, he was particularly proud of the giant Carlos Gardel monument he managed to erect in the Abasto neighborhood.

Did Ben Molar ever actually meet Gardel? Well, it's a mystery, but he claimed to have seen them talking on a street corner!

In an amazing turn of events, Ben Molar managed to establish December 11 as the National Tango Day. Yep, you can thank him for that! And he didn't stop there. With the spirit of pushing boundaries, he organized the "14 for Tango" project, an artistic movement that gathered top-notch musicians, writers, and visual artists.

His label, Fermata Records, broke tradition by releasing fourteen-track albums instead of the usual twelve, proving that more is indeed merrier in the world of tango!

Finally, Ben Molar married the lovely Pola Neuman, with whom he had two sons, Daniel and Rubén Brenner. Despite his staggering success, he never let fame cloud his better judgment, always remembering to keep his feet firmly on the ground, as his parents had taught him.

Today, Ben Molar's legacy continues to burn bright as one of the most influential figures in Argentine tango and music. So, raise a glass to this extraordinary man and his timeless contributions to our world!

Connected Topics:

  • Tango: Argentina's Gift to the World
  • Ben Molar: The Man Behind Tango's Renaissance
  • A Peek into the Life of Moisés Smolarchik Brenner
  • A History of Argentine Music: The Rise of Ben Molar and Tango

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Ben Molar (Moisés Smolarchik Brenner): A Pioneer in Tango and Argentine Music

Brief Biography

Ben Molar (Moisés Smolarchik Brenner), born on October 3, 1915, started as a worker in a flower shop and factory in the San Telmo neighborhood of Buenos Aires. However, his true passion was music, which he pursued under the artistic name, Ben Molar. Known as the founder of Fermata Records, he was a trailblazer in the tango scene, promoting the genre and its artists.

Milestones and Achievements

  • Created Fermata Records, promoting and nurturing numerous stars, such as Mercedes Sosa, Sandro, etc.
  • Raised the profile of tango, positioning it as an essential part of Argentine culture.
  • Applied various innovations to the tango industry, such as promoting 14-track albums instead of the standard 12 tracks.
  • Installed bronze plaques honoring tango legends along Corrientes Street.
  • Fostered the "14 for Tango" project, bringing together top musicians, writers, and artists.
  • Established December 11 as the National Tango Day.

Cultural Impact

Ben Molar played a vital role in elevating the status of tango as a beloved and integral part of Argentine culture. His tireless advocacy and support for Argentine talent have left a lasting impact on the nation's musical history.

  1. Ben Molar, a 99-year-old tango titan from Buenos Aires, has left an indelible mark on Argentine culture, having made significant contributions to the fashion-and-beauty, entertainment, and pop-culture scenes as well.
  2. As a central figure in the tango world, celebrities and music lovers from all walks of life have confirmed Ben Molar's impact on Argentina's rich tapestry of lifestyle, distinctions, and traditions.
  3. From his passion for tango as a child to his relentless championing of the dance and music, Maradona-esque in their allure, Ben Molar has been a driving force behind the lifestyle evolution that tango represents.
  4. The tango enthusiast's innovations, such as the installation of bronze plaques for tango legends and the creation of the "14 for Tango" artistic movement, have solidified his place in the annals of Argentine history.
  5. With his establishment of December 11 as the National Tango Day, Ben Molar's impact on tango reaches even further, making his contribution to this dance and music a significant part of the cultural experience for all Argentines and tango lovers across the globe.
  6. Today, Ben Molar's name continues to shine bright in the world of tango, a testament to his unwavering dedication to preserving and promoting Argentina's most cherished contribution to the world of music and dance.
Renowned music producer, creator of more than a hundred songs like
Musical pioneer, creator of over a hundred songs and renowned for hit boleros like 'Volvamos a querernos', passed away on April 26, 2015, at the age of 99. His career was marked by advocating for artists across various genres, as well as championing the celebration of popular music icons and the establishment of National Tango Day.
Iconic songwriter and creator of more than a century's worth of tunes, best known for boleros like 'Let's Fall in Love Again', passed away on April 26, 2015, at the age of 99. Throughout his illustrious career, he championed musicians across different genres, contributed to the elevation of popular music greats, and played a crucial role in establishing National Tango Day.

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