Segovia was born in Linares, Spain, and was introduced to the guitar as a child.  He made it his purpose in life to turn the guitar into a classical instrument, and did.

Segovia claimed to have "rescued the guitar from the hands of flamenco gypsies."  He found flamenco technique appalling, and began building up a repertoire of classical performances using the guitar.  His first professional concert was at the age of 16 in Madrid, where he performed works by J.S. Bach.

Although many other musicians at the time did not believe the guitar could seriously be used to perform classical music, Segovia's astounding talent and technique convinced them otherwise.

Eventually he teamed up with luthier Herbert Hauser Sr. to create the new classical guitar.

In 1981 he was elevated to the Spanish nobility, with the title Marquis de Salobreña.  He was given a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1986.

He remains an influence on guitarists of many genres.