Paco de Lucia, a flamenco guitarist, died of a heart attack on Wednesday in Mexico.
According to Reuters, Spain's arts association SGAE said in a statement, "It has been said, and rightly so, that Paco de Lucia has never been surpassed by anyone and guitar playing today would not be understood without his revolutionary figure."
The 66-year-old guitarist played classical guitar and flamenco. He was regarded as one of the most influential flamenco artists ever, bringing musical forms like bossa nova and salsa to his work.
The guitarist was originally named Francisco Sanchez Gomez. He work became increasingly important in the 1970s after the breakthrough album, Entre Dos Aguas. He formed a duo with Camaron de la Isla and worked with the recording artist on 10 albums.
His success continued and according to the Associated Press, his album Cositas buenas (Good Things) earned him his first Latin Grammy in 2004. His album, En Vivo (Live) earned him a second Grammy. De Lucia was also known in America for his work performing with Bryan Adams on the song, “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman.”
Image: Wikimedia Commons
