It all began in 1986, when a group of friends led by Josep Peiró, "el Tit” who regularly took part in decorating floats for the local fiestas decided to theme their latest effort around the figure of “Rambo”. The float was such a success at that year’s Spring Fiesta that from then on Carles Bisbe, who’d played the Silvester Stallone character became known as “El Rambo of Llafranch”.

Carles’ love of cinema and in particular of action films, meant that at that time Stallone and the character of Rambo were special idols for him and from being a fan to dressing up and being Rambo for a day was a small step.

Carles is a party animal and together with a loose set of friends his characterization of Rambo soon became the centre point for a series of improvised parties on the terrace of the Hotel Llafranch, where “Rambo” specialized in making some very explosive cocktails indeed for a growing group of regular customers. Following on from the tradition of his uncle Manel Bisbe – “el Gitano”, whose parties had made the Hotel famous in the 1970s, Carles, with his wild antics, was soon the centre of the Llafranch nightlife – hotel owner by day and Rambo by night!

First it was work, then it was party time as more and more people came to see Carles’ show and before long the Cocktail Rambo grew from being a small party of friends to a big summer spectacle.

From up on stage, Carles would start uncorking the cava with his machete and pour them into a gigantic bowl. Naturally enough the occasional cava bottle exploded out onto the audience who were cheering and egging him on below adding to the party atmosphere Rambo always created.

Cava, fruit juice to give the mix colour and perfume, a drop of liquor to warm things up and lots and lots of ice! Music, laughter and the sound of people letting themselves go and enjoying the summer party. The hotel terrace was turned into a great big dance floor and soon everyone was up dancing and laughing. The last few bottles were sprayed over the revelers as they cheered on their hero – “Rambo, Rambo Rambo!” All the ingredients were in the bowl and Llafranch’s Rambo machete flew from his hand and stuck deep into the table as a signal that the job was done – the cocktail was ready to be served!

As the improvised party became bigger and bigger and ever more popular, it began to spill out onto the road, cutting the traffic on the road in front as the hotel terrace proved just too small to handle what was fast becoming the highpoint of the summer in the small resort. It was clear that the party must go on, but it would have to find a bigger scenario.

This was no longer a little cocktail bash thrown for a few friends: now it was a fixed party held in the middle of every August. Every year something new was added to the show and every summer it was becoming harder to surprise the revelers with a bigger and better spectacle

The Còctel Rambo couldn’t leave the Hotel Llafranch, but Carles decided to seek permission to hold his party in the adjoining square -the resort’s most popular and busy area would now host Rambo’s summer party.

Without ever forgetting that this is the Carles Bisbe that all we visitors to Llafranch know, Rambo was taking on a life of his own and becoming ever more widely known. Carles cleverly used his summer show and the Rambo character he’d invented to promote the Bay of Llafranch and the surrounding area, as more and more tourists flocked to party in August.

The show also tried to promote the values of peace and understanding, special cocktails for various solidarity groups and especially for PEACE.

Of course, the character of Rambo was surrounded by the paraphernalia of the original film version: paramilitary get up and an image of a fighting soldier, but everyone who saw this Rambo, be it hitting the beach on a landing craft, dropping down by helicopter or abseiling onto the stage from the Hotel balcony, with the fireworks, the special effects and the booming music, knew that behind the mask there was a very real person – Carles Bisbe.

As spring comes round, our friend who keeps the flame of the party life in Llafranch burning bright every summer, starts planning his next show. Every year he looks to make the fun even better, the show even bigger and for the summer visitors to the lovely.