How Emilio Azcárraga Vidaurreta drove the Viruta career

Before meeting Gaspar Henaine Capulina Marco Antonio Campos Viruta saw how his career was driven by the most important entrepreneur of the show at the time, Emilio Azcárraga Vidaurreta.

Marco Antonio Campos, better known as Viruta, reached the peak of his fame when he met Capulina, with whom he made one of the most beloved comedic duos. However, before becoming one of the most important comedians in Mexico, he had his time in several musical trios and radio programs, of which he was the titular by decision of the first Azcarraga to do what is now known as Televisa.

One of the first works that Viruta had in the world of art was in a number of musical groups, including Trio Latino, El Poker de la Armonía and Los Romanceros, the latter being escorts of Blanca Estela Pavón. Campos was well known among the world of clubs, nightclubs and radio, but his fame would increase when he took the big step to form his first duo with Chamula.

Viruta and Chamula were among the first duos that managed to attract the attention of the listening public, since they made funny sketches with music together, only needing their two voices and performances, making their radio presentations unique.

It was at the XEW where they did most of their radio shows, which is why they managed to attract the attention of Emilio Azcárraga Vidaurreta, who was the owner of the station.

By that time, Azcárraga was already one of the most ambitious businessmen of the time and wanted his station to be one of the most listened to, so he turned to the talents that most people attracted, whether it was through the radio or in nightclubs.

He chose Viruta and Chamula as the musicians of his program La Fortaleza. From the fact that the owner of the XEW chose them directly to be the talents that would rise to stardom, he already predicted a great next step in their careers.

This show was hosted by Rosario Patiño, wife of Francisco Gabilondo Soler, Cri Cri. There they became the first musical comic copla, as they performed the songs of Chava Flores and there was no shortage of their funny interventions.

During that time, the actors won the hearts of the public and their fame became national, they were among the first to whom the public wanted to listen. Together, in La Fortaleza, they had great achievements, but the problems soon came.

While Campos characterized himself as one of the strictest actors in his work and always strived to make his image one of the most impeccable, Chamula was experiencing severe problems with his addiction to alcoholic beverages.

Viruta hoped that Chamula would change his way of being because with him he had managed to make his career climb, in addition, Azcárraga Vidaurreta had put all his trust in them and had boosted their fame.

On many occasions, in order for the program to not look bad and they received a scolding from the station owner because Chamula came to work in a very bad state, Viruta had to take on the role of both of them and modify the sketches at the last minute.

The situation worsened, to the point where Marco Antonio, feeling that everything he had achieved was falling apart, decided to disband the copla to continue only La Fortaleza.

A short time later, while Campos was resting in the XEW cafeteria, Gaspar Henaine approached him, asking him to form a new duo, but now with him. Although Viruta initially refused, because he did not want to happen again as Chamula, he accepted because he saw his colleague in trouble.

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