Manitas De Plata - The legendary master of flamenco and flamenco guitar will be 80 years old on 7 August 2001

Regensburg, Germany (ots/PROTEXT) - Pablo Picasso heard theFrench-born gypsy Ricardo Baliardo at a bullfight one evening andproclaimed "This man is of greater worth than I am!" He engraveda drawing in Baliardo's guitar, baptising a new legend, ManitasDe Plata, and cementing a close friendship that would endureuntil Picasso's death. Born in Sčte in 1921, Ricardo Baliardo soon came to be knownas Manitas De Plata. He stood out from his colleagues at each ofthe annual pilgrimages to Saintes Maries. Manitas filled the gapleft by Django Reinhardt when he finally agreed to perform inpublic. One of his first recordings prompted a letter from JeanCocteau, who called him a true musical creator. Other recordings,the first in 1963, earned him the title "King of the flamencoguitar". For days on end, his performances sold out in many ofthe world's most renowned concert halls, including the RoyalAlbert and Carnegie Halls. Unfortunately, this honourable butilliterate gypsy was unable to read the sensational announcementsand rave reviews of his concerts. His success earned him a whole host of admirers, includingMarlon Brando, Brigitte Bardot, Salvador Dali, Jeanne Moreau,Klaus Kinski, Jean Cocteau, his closest friend Picasso, and manymore. Above all, the glamorous St Tropez jet set of the Sixtiesadopted him as their troubadour without marring the Catalonian'ssimplicity. His love for seńoras and seńoritas was already ripebefore fame struck. The past few years have also seen a series of triumphs. Today,at 80 years of age, he is taking things a bit easier, giving onlythe occasional concert with his sons Fernando and Manero and hisnephew Chico. Manitas is taking a rest this year, celebrating hisbirthday in suitably lavish style. Next year, however, he will beback to his old form, delighting audiences and concert halls theworld over. His new studio CD is entitled "Flores de mi corazón" There aren't many true musical legends left ...The Legendlives!

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