 Nicknamed "Flaco de oro" (golden skinny one), he always insisted that he was born in Tlacotalpan, Veracruz and not Mexico City as records show.Lara formed his first band in 1930 called El Son de Marabú and toured almost continuously in Mexico and abroad during his career.His most famous compositions include "Veracruz", "Noche de Ronda" and "Solamente una vez".