On Jan. 13, 1963, the program Radioscope was born on Radio Barcelona. Then, Spain was still was under the fascist regime of Francisco Franco that prohibited freedom of expression. Behind the voice of legendary host Salvador Escamilla, who began his broadcasts with "Good morning Catalonia," his program was a unique platform for new voices emerging on the Catalan music scene.

Among the young amateurs who came to his studio was a young man named Juan Manuel Serrat. It was 1965, and he had just graduated as an agricultural expert. Back then, he was a mere guitarist, but his determination showed a will to make history. He used the opportunity Escamilla offered him: shortly after, a record labeloffered him a contract to record his first album.

Serrat became one of the pioneers of what was called the Nova Cançó Catalana, a group of songwriters who defended the use of the Catalan language, prohibited during the Franco regime. On Radioscope, they were already encouraged to chat and sing in the language, defying the current censorship. It was one of the gaps that contributed to the crack in the authoritarianism.

Back in the 1980s, when Serrat was an icon in popular music in Spain, he returned to Radio Barcelona to have a relaxed chat with Escamilla in the lobby. Both forged a deep friendship, and they seemed like brothers.

"Hello, I was here waiting for you. Is it okay for you to sit here?” began the presenter. “Tell me the truth: what do these stairs at Radio Barcelona remind you of?” 

Serrat, dressed like the progressives of that time who all looked the same, blurted out: “Mountaineering! Up and down many times. Upstairs to work, downstairs to chat.”

Escamilla then takes out a pack of cigarettes and lights one.

“Normally, people bring back more memories than things. This house is important for those of you who are here working,” commented Serrat.

He also did not forget the courage of the radio station for inviting them to sing their protest songs.

Between laughs and puffs, Escamilla asked about the first songs he remembers having performed live on his show. “A mi ella em deixa,” “El mocador,” “Sota un ciererer florit,” “La guitarra,” were some Serrat listed. Then, the presenter mentioned the hit, “La cançó de matinada.” The singer replies that that “is what later allowed me to connect with the great audience. But let's not forget that I did a very nice job before, thanks to what we did here at Radioscope.”

Both also remembered the food eaten in the neighboring restaurant El Canari, as well as the usual discounts that the owner gave them. Regarding those first songs, Serrat said that "they were very consistent with the needs of the people, a type of song that allowed me to make this wonderful platform."