This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24667741

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Y Viva Espana singer dies aged 82 Y Viva Espana singer dies aged 82
(about 1 hour later)
Singer Manolo Escobar, whose best-selling track Y Viva Espana became part of Spain's cultural identity in the 1970s, has died aged 82.Singer Manolo Escobar, whose best-selling track Y Viva Espana became part of Spain's cultural identity in the 1970s, has died aged 82.
Escobar died at home in the town of Benidorm surrounded by his family, after a long fight against cancer.Escobar died at home in the town of Benidorm surrounded by his family, after a long fight against cancer.
He was "a symbol who lived in the musical landscape of Spaniards for half a century," Spain's culture minister, Jose Ignacio Wert, said in a statement.He was "a symbol who lived in the musical landscape of Spaniards for half a century," Spain's culture minister, Jose Ignacio Wert, said in a statement.
"Music is my life," Escobar said this month. "I will never surrender.""Music is my life," Escobar said this month. "I will never surrender."
"I am happy because I have work and because, moreover, people are still prepared to pay to see me on stage," the singer said in an interview with Spanish newspaper ABC."I am happy because I have work and because, moreover, people are still prepared to pay to see me on stage," the singer said in an interview with Spanish newspaper ABC.
"I want to return to a few of the places I have been to in my career of more than 50 years and say goodbye for good. I will sing one more time in each one so that I don't go back," he added."I want to return to a few of the places I have been to in my career of more than 50 years and say goodbye for good. I will sing one more time in each one so that I don't go back," he added.
Born in a small village outside Almeria in October 1931, Escobar had a huge following in Spain in the 1960s and 1970s with hits such as El Porompompero and Mi Carro.Born in a small village outside Almeria in October 1931, Escobar had a huge following in Spain in the 1960s and 1970s with hits such as El Porompompero and Mi Carro.
A well-known personality thanks to his television show Canta Manolo Escobar, he also starred in films including The Guerrillas and Father Manolo, in which he played a singing priest.A well-known personality thanks to his television show Canta Manolo Escobar, he also starred in films including The Guerrillas and Father Manolo, in which he played a singing priest.
But it was the success of Y Viva Espana, in 1973, that made him an international star. But it was the success of Y Viva Espana, in 1973, that made him an international star. The track was based on Eviva Espana, the 1971 song written by Belgian duo Leo Rozenstraten and Leo Caerts, and performed, in Dutch, by Samantha.
The best-selling single - released to coincide with Spain's transition from dictatorship to democracy and a boom in international tourism - sold an estimated six million copies. Escobar's best-selling single - released to coincide with Spain's transition from dictatorship to democracy and a boom in international tourism - sold an estimated six million copies.
In 1974, the track was covered by Swedish singer Sylvia Vrethammar, whose English version reached number four in the UK Singles Chart.
One of Escobar's last big acts was in July 2010 when he sang with the Spanish football team to celebrate their victory in the World Cup in South Africa.One of Escobar's last big acts was in July 2010 when he sang with the Spanish football team to celebrate their victory in the World Cup in South Africa.
He announced his retirement from music at the end of 2012 after 50 years on the stage.He announced his retirement from music at the end of 2012 after 50 years on the stage.
Last month, he had to cancel the final dates of his farewell tour after falling ill.Last month, he had to cancel the final dates of his farewell tour after falling ill.
He was undergoing treatment, reportedly for colon cancer, at Benidorm's Hospital Clinica, but is understood to have left on Tuesday. He died at home two days later.He was undergoing treatment, reportedly for colon cancer, at Benidorm's Hospital Clinica, but is understood to have left on Tuesday. He died at home two days later.
Escobar leaves a wife, Anita, and one daughter, Vanessa.Escobar leaves a wife, Anita, and one daughter, Vanessa.