ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the trajectory of Parchís, from an instance of childhood celebrity in the Hispanic world to a multimedia project that cuts across different television networks, record and film production companies and diverse national audiences. It traces a genealogy of child stardom in music, film and television in Spain in order to contextualise historically the rise of Parchís and examines the evolving conceptualisation of childhood celebrities in Spanish media. The chapter focuses on the first years of Parchís, from their appearance within the Spanish media to their breakthrough in different Latin American markets. It analyses the elements that cemented their immediate success in the early 1980s, briefly dealing with their later career and legacy. Parchís appeared side by side with other child bands such as Chispita y 'los Piraña', Topolino, Los botones, Regaliz, Enrique y Ana and others. Parchís' first single was 'Superman', which, from the outset, established the band's register and their transnational pop imaginary.
