Remembering Manuel Arjona: The Colorful Icon of Locomía and His Transformative Journey

Manuel Arjona, a member of the original formation of the group Locomía, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 58. Sources close to the artist confirmed this news to El País, revealing that he died in his home in Viladecans, Barcelona. It was reported that he went to bed after painting the day before and never woke up. Arjona was part of the first Locomía, a group that revolutionized dance floors in Ibiza. The ensemble’s concept was shaped by Xavier Font, who recruited four young individuals, including Arjona. Born into a conservative family, Arjona lived concealing his homosexuality until his arrival in Ibiza. He described his experience as transformative, stating, "I landed in Ibiza and it felt like another planet. I came from a small town where I had to hide my sexual identity, and on the island, if you were a guy wearing a skirt, no one looked at you. It was a wild change." Locomía became famous for their colorful baroque clothing and fans, gaining renown in the Ku nightclub. However, as the group rose to fame during the Ibiza era, Arjona began facing problems with drugs, which played a role in the group's relocation to Madrid. There, Locomía was signed by José Luis Gil, then president of Hispavox, aiming to transform them into a successful band in late 1980s Spain. Their signature look included vigorous fan flicking, oversized shoulder pads, and pointed shoes. Despite their success, internal disagreements soon emerged, leading to the departure of Xavier Font. Arjona was part of an ensemble that also included Carlos Armas, Juan Antonio Fuentes, and Francesc Picas. They released Locomía's debut album, "Taiyo," in 1989, featuring tracks like "Loco Mía" and "Rumba Samba Mambo SRM," which helped propel them to the UK top 10 and across Latin America. By 1992, Arjona left the group after experiencing both immense success and continual conflicts within the band, marked by constant changes in its roster. In 2013, he made headlines again as a driving force behind one of the attempts to revive Locomía, expressing excitement about the idea in statements to EFE. Manuel Arjona's journey is a testament to his artistry and the vibrant spirit he brought to the music scene, leaving an indelible mark on those who enjoyed his work. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2