PARIS (AP) – Iconic flamenco guitarist Manitas de Plata, who sold nearly 100 million records worldwide and broke boundaries for Gypsy musicians, has died in southern France. He was 93.
De Plata died in a Montpellier retirement home early Wednesday surrounded by his extended family, his great nephew, Ricao Bissiere, told The Associated Press on Thursday.
Bissiere called him a “great guitarist and a beautiful man who opened the doors for Gypsy music.”
De Plata sold around 93 million records in a career that spanned over half a century. Despite acquiring a fortune as one of France’s best-selling recording artists, he died practically penniless – spending his fortune on “roulette, fancy cars, going out and beautiful women,” according to Bissiere.
“He loved life. He was a character,” Bissiere added.