Carmen Linares, born Carmen Pacheco Rodríguez in 1951 in Linares, Jaén, Andalusia, is a distinguished flamenco singer. She is the daughter of Antonio Pacheco, an amateur flamenco guitarist, and is married to a flamenco journalist. Linares is the mother of a notable artist herself.

In 2023, she made history as the only flamenco artist to receive the Latin Grammy Achievement Award, joining a prestigious group of honorees that includes Ana Torroja, Miguel Ríos, Mercedes Sosa, Joaquín Sabina, Chavela Vargas, Toquinho, Joan Baez, and Ana Belén.

Recognized as one of Spain's finest flamenco singers, Linares is part of a legendary generation that includes notable artists such as Enrique Morente, Camarón, Paco de Lucía, Pepe Habichuela, Manolo Sanlúcar, José Mercé, and Tomatito. She serves as a vital reference for a new generation of flamenco singers, including Estrella Morente, Miguel Poveda, Pitingo, Arcángel, Marina Heredia, and Rocío Márquez.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Linares performed in Madrid alongside prominent figures like Enrique Morente and Camarón, as well as Carmen Mora and the Habichuela brothers, Juan and Pepe. In 1988, she was selected to be the voice that reopened Manuel de Falla’s original version of “El Amor Brujo” at the Seville Flamenco Biennial. Additionally, she was among the first flamenco artists invited to perform at Lincoln Center by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, where The New York Times praised her as “a singer with incredible expressive power.” Over her 30-year career, she has collaborated with esteemed conductors such as Frühbech de Burgos, Josep Pons, and Leo Brouwer.

Linares released her debut album in 1971 with Juan Habichuela under Hispavox, followed by her second album "Su Cante" in 1984, also with the Habichuela brothers. Subsequent albums include "Cantaora" (Dio, 1988) and "La Luna en el río" (Auvidis, 1991), both produced with Paco Cortés and Pedro Sierra, the latter winning the French Academy's Best Album award. She also recorded "Canciones Populares de Lorca" (Auvidis, 1993), an homage to the poet Federico García Lorca, which enjoyed significant success. Over the course of 15 years, Linares toured in major cities such as Paris, Amsterdam, London, New York, and Rome.

Her album "Antología de la Mujer en el Cante" (Anthology of the Woman in Flamenco Singing, Universal, 1996) is a significant contribution to flamenco discography. Featuring renowned guitarists like Tomatito and Vicente Amigo, it is regarded by flamenco journalists as one of the top ten flamenco albums in history.

In 2000, composer and guitarist Manolo Sanlúcar selected her for his project "Locura de Brisa y Trino," which set Federico García Lorca's poetry to modern guitar compositions. In 2002, she released "Un Ramito de Locura" with guitarist Gerardo Núñez, earning nominations for Best Flamenco Album in the Premios de la Música and the Latin Grammys in 2003.

Linares established her own record label in 2007. The following year, she released "Raíces y Alas" (Salobre), a tribute to Juan Ramón Jiménez, featuring arrangements by Juan Carlos Romero. In 2011, she recorded the live album "Remembranzas" (Salobre) at the Teatro de la Maestranza in Seville, with guest artists including Miguel Poveda and Javier Barón. From 2012 to 2017, she toured with various scenic projects such as "Ensayo Flamenco" and "Oasis Abierto," performing at venues like the Parco della Musica in Rome and the Cité de la Musique in Paris. In 2017, she released "Verso a Verso," a tribute to Miguel Hernández, which won the Best Flamenco Album at the MIN Awards.

In 2018, she toured with the show "Tempo de Luz," performing with artists such as Arcangel and Marina Heredia at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall in New York and Sadler's Wells in London. She continued to tour in 2019 with "El Amor Brujo," accompanied by a symphonic orchestra, and promoted her album "Verso a Verso" (Salobre, 2018).

For the 2021/2022 season, Linares launched “Cantaora: 40 Years of Flamenco,” showcasing significant songs from her career. This performance featured an extraordinary setlist that included women’s styles, lyrics by Federico García Lorca, and tributes to Paco de Lucía and Enrique Morente, with guest artists at each show.

Carmen Linares is the only female flamenco artist to receive the National Music Award from the Ministry of Culture of Spain in 2001 and was honored with the Princess of Asturias Award in the Arts category in 2022, joining a distinguished group of past recipients that includes Bob Dylan, Meryl Streep, Paco de Lucía, Woody Allen, and Pedro Almodóvar.