José Manuel Ortega Heredia, known professionally as Manzanita, was born on February 7, 1956, in Madrid, Spain. A singer and guitarist, he began playing guitar at nine. In 1974, he joined Los Chorbos, whose music reflected urban marginality through rumba music. His solo career started in 1978 with the album Poco ruido y mucho duende. Notable releases include Talco y bronce (1981), featuring hits like "Un ramito de violetas" and "Por tu ausencia", and Por tu ausencia (1998), a live recording of his hits and new songs that achieved gold status. Manzanita passed away on December 5, 2004, in Alhaurín de la Torre, Málaga, due to a cardiorespiratory arrest.