Carlos Gardel was a French Argentine singer, songwriter, and composer regarded a major figure in the history of tango. Along with his long-time collaborator Alfredo Le Pera, Gardel wrote several tangos which went on to become classics. With his deep baritone voice and skillful phrasing of lyrics, he was undoubtedly one of the biggest musical stars of the early 20th century. Referred to as “The King of Tango” and “The Wizard”, Gardel was the creator of hundreds of three-minute tango recordings many of which are considered masterpieces by his fans. Born out of wedlock to a young mother, Carlos grew up in difficult circumstances. The exact details regarding his birth and early life are not known though it is known that he did not complete high school. Blessed with a good voice and creativity, he began singing as a teenager and found a mentor in José Betinotti, who was a folk song expert. He began performing in cafes and clubs and soon gained popularity. His career reached newer heights with his collaboration with Alfredo Le Pera and he came to be regarded as a pioneer in tango. He was also a popular actor. He was at the peak of his career when his life was tragically cut short in an airplane crash.