He paved the way for today's Latin lyricists and is proud of the many who have taken the same path.

After more than 30 years and 77 albums, Julio Iglesias continues to hit the concrete running, returning to the stage while making a few stops in Southern California.

In a telephone interview from his home in the Dominican Republic, the modest Iglesias spoke of his accomplishments, including his status in the Guinness Book of Records.

"I've been doing this since the age of 22. I'm alert and love to sing and perform. It's a need. If I don't do this, I die," he said. "I have been singing for two generations, but I can be better. I can still learn."

His popularity began in the 1970s and '80s with romantic melodies touching women and men around the world. His career began after his dreams to be a soccer player in his homeland of Spain were destroyed because of a car accident in the mid 1960s. What seemed tragic then for Iglesias would become the spark for a colossal career.

Iglesias holds the Guinness record for best-selling male Latin singer with more than 200 million albums sold worldwide. His work has been translated into many languages. Iglesias said his music is "something to touch the soul."

His talents were recognized as early as 1968 when he entered the Spanish Song Festival at Benidorm, singing his original song "La Vida Sigue Igual." Taking home first prize led to a record contract with Discos Columbia, an independent record label.

Touring Europe and Latin America by the 1970s gained Iglesias a large fan base with hits like 1975's "Manuela." His popularity gained him a record contract with CBS International in 1978.

By this time, Iglesias was recording not only in Spanish but also in Italian and French.

Approaching the '80s, Iglesias started to pursue the American and British markets by concentrating on his English recordings.

His efforts began to pay off in 1981, when his cover of "Begin the Beguine" became a No. 1 hit. It was quickly followed by the compilation record "Julio," which became a success in England and the U.S.

His major crossover success was 1984's "1100 Bel Air Place," a collection of duets, featuring the Top 10 hit duet with Willie Nelson, "To All the Girls I've Loved Before." The album sold more than 3 million copies in America and peaked at No. 5 on the pop charts and lead to a hit duet with RB diva Diana Ross titled "All of You."

His popularity grew throughout the '80s, although he had only one more pop crossover hit, 1988's "My Love," a duet with Stevie Wonder.

By the 1990s, he concentrated on targeting his Spanish language audience but continued to sing in other languages as well.

As Iglesias put it, he has accomplished an "American constitution." Although of Spanish descent, with devotion and faithfulness he feels Latin because he is singing in America for three months a year.

"For me, Latinos have to improve day by day. Accomplish things through consideration until the point that we become deep Americans through the heart, soul and in the mind. That's another accomplishment," he said. "To get together with a respect for others. Our obligation is to educate our children. That's not only a right we have but an obligation, too."

His sons, Julio Jr. and Enrique Iglesias, both chose to follow in their father's footsteps, but this is not what makes their father proud of them. "I love all my children and they all make me proud with whatever they do," he said.

Iglesias shows a great deal of love for his fans as well and said performing live shows is a big part of the rewards in his career. He uses his concerts to show his gratitude for his fans.

"I'm still alive and very proud to have the blood I have. To be able to sing for the Americans without nationalities without races, I love America," he said. "There is not another country like America who is able to bring so many countries together successfully. America is the most complete country in the world."

PREVIEW

Julio Iglesias

Cerritos: 8 p.m. Thursday and Feb. 1, Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, $65-$75, (562) 916-8501.

Highland: 9:30 p.m. Feb. 2, San Manuel Indian Bingo Casino, 5797 N. Victoria Ave., $55-$65, (800) 359-2464.

Palm Desert: 7 p.m. Feb. 3, McCallum Theatre, 73-000 Fred Waring Drive, $65-$125, (760) 340-2787.