Born in Marchena, Spain, he is considered to be one of the most representative artists with a "gypsy touch", along with Diego del Gastor.
His father, "El Lico" was a guitarist in his own right, while his mother "La Josefita", was a singer, as was one of his aunts, artistically known as "La Gilica de Marchena", who sang Soleá.
Two of his brothers, Chicho Melchor and Miguel el Bizco, were also guitarists, like his son Enrique de Melchor (1950–2012), who continued the family tradition.
Playing the guitar, Melchor accompanied several singers of his time, such as Manolo Caracol, La Niña de los Peines, and Antonio Mairena.
In 1974 he performed with Paco de Lucia at the flamenco festival of La Union on the coast of eastern Spain.