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'Argentina's Elvis' dies aged 64 | |
(1 day later) | |
The Argentine musician Sandro, an early Latin American rocker who matured into a ballad singer, has died aged 64. | The Argentine musician Sandro, an early Latin American rocker who matured into a ballad singer, has died aged 64. |
He died from complications from heart and lung transplant surgery, doctors at a hospital in the western Argentine city of Mendoza said. | He died from complications from heart and lung transplant surgery, doctors at a hospital in the western Argentine city of Mendoza said. |
The singer, whose real name was Roberto Sanchez, began his rock career in the 1960s in the style of Elvis Presley. | The singer, whose real name was Roberto Sanchez, began his rock career in the 1960s in the style of Elvis Presley. |
He later developed into a ballad singer with a distinctive style and a strong following across Latin America. | |
Gyrating hips | |
Among his hits were Asi and Dame Fuego. In all, he recorded dozens of albums and starred in 16 films. | |
He was the first Latin American artist to sing at Madison Square Garden in New York in the 1970s. | |
Early in his career his dancing style, with its Elvis-style pelvic thrusts, scandalised conservative opinion, and his first TV performance triggered protests. | |
Sandro's smouldering looks won him a legion of admirers | |
As a member of rock band Los de Fuego, at one performance the lead singer lost his voice and Sandro stepped in and was an instant hit with fans. | |
He eventually went solo after gaining a reputation as Argentina's answer to Elvis Presley with his gyrating hips and provocative dance moves. | |
In 2005 the singer collected a career achievement award at the Latin Grammys. | |
His health had been poor since he underwent transplant surgery in November because of chronic lung disease. | His health had been poor since he underwent transplant surgery in November because of chronic lung disease. |
The musician put his illness down to a lifelong smoking habit. | |
"I am to blame for the condition that I am in. I deserve it, I sought it out. I picked up this damn cigarette," said Sandro in one of his final interviews to a Buenos Aires radio station. |