At the Academia de la Música de España’s first ceremony awarding the title of Académico de Honor, held on Friday, 6 November 2026, at Madrid’s Teatro Real, journalists asked Luis Cobos about his appearance in a wig. Speaking to Europa Press, Cobos, the Academy’s president of honour, said he was undergoing treatment for a health problem but did not identify the illness.
The ceremony honoured ten figures in Spanish music: Raphael, Ana Belén, Carmen Linares, María del Mar Bonet, Jordi Savall, Teresa Catalán, Maryní Callejo, Diego A. Manrique, Jesús López and “Berry” Navarro. Cobos, a 78-year-old composer and conductor from Campo de Criptana in Castilla-La Mancha, said he had kept the health matter private and did not want to discuss family or personal details. He explained that he chose to speak at the event because fellow musicians and people close to him were there. Europa Press reported that he felt much better. He said he was still smiling and remained determined to keep fighting.
He also urged people facing health problems to persevere, exercise and eat well. Cobos said he had lost only three or four kilos during treatment, attributing the change to cutting out bread and sugar, as well as alcohol. He did not offer further details about the therapy or its effects.
The ceremony honoured ten artists for their careers and contributions to Spanish music, with Cobos presenting Raphael’s recognition. Cobos said he had become emotional while speaking and suggested he might share more about his condition another day.
