Manitas de Plata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Manitas de Plata
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Manitas de Plata in 1968
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ricardo Baliardo |
| Born | 7 August 1921 Sète, France |
| Died | 5 November 2014 (aged 93) Montpellier, France |
| Genres | Flamenco |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Associated acts | Los Reyes, Gipsy Kings |
Ricardo Baliardo (born August 7, 1921 – died November 5, 2014) was a famous musician from France. He was better known as Manitas de Plata, which means "Little Hands of Silver" in Spanish. He was a master of the flamenco guitar. Flamenco is a special type of music and dance from Spain. Manitas de Plata was from a Spanish Gitano family. Even though he became famous all over the world, some people who loved traditional flamenco thought his style was a bit different from the usual rules.
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Life and Music Career
Ricardo Baliardo was born in a gypsy caravan in a town called Sète in southern France. He became well-known by playing his guitar every year at a special gypsy gathering. This event happens in a place called Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer in the Camargue region. People even recorded him playing live there.
Manitas de Plata waited a long time before playing in public. He only started performing for audiences about ten years after another famous guitarist, Django Reinhardt, passed away. One of Manitas de Plata's recordings was so amazing that a famous French writer, Jean Cocteau, wrote him a letter saying he was a true artist.
Meeting Pablo Picasso
In 1964, the famous painter Pablo Picasso heard Manitas de Plata play in a city called Arles. Picasso was so impressed that he reportedly said, "that man is of greater worth than I am!" He even drew on Manitas de Plata's guitar. This shows how much Picasso admired his music.
Becoming Famous in America
Manitas de Plata became famous in the United States after a photo exhibition in New York. His friend, Lucien Clergue, organized this show. Manitas de Plata recorded his first official music album in 1963. It was recorded in a chapel in Arles, France.
This album was later re-released in 1967 and became very popular. It helped him get noticed by American audiences. An American manager then arranged for him to play a big concert. This concert was at Carnegie Hall in New York City on November 24, 1965. Playing at Carnegie Hall is a huge honor for any musician.
World Tours and Collaborations
From 1967 onwards, Manitas de Plata traveled all over the world. He played many concerts and recorded more albums. He even performed with a dancer named Nina Corti. In 1968, he played at the Royal Variety Performance in London. This is a special show attended by members of the British Royal Family.
He also toured Australia in 1972. He was joined by some of his family members, including Los Baliardos. A piece of his music called Sevillana was even used in a movie soundtrack. It was featured in the 1985 film After Hours, directed by Martin Scorsese.
Family Connections in Music
Manitas de Plata had many family members who were also talented musicians. He was the uncle of Jacques, Maurice, and Tonino Baliardo. He was also a cousin to Paul, François (Canut), Patchaï, Nicolas, and André Reyes. These Reyes brothers were the sons of his cousin, José Reyes, who was also a flamenco artist. Many of these family members later formed the famous band Gipsy Kings. An Australian musician named Chris Freeman also learned from Manitas de Plata in 1971.
Manitas de Plata passed away on November 6, 2014, in Montpellier, France. He had been in poor health for some time. Many members of his family continued his musical legacy. His younger brother, Hippolyte Baliardo, and his eldest son, Manero Baliardo, were also well-known flamenco musicians. Another son, Bambo Baliardo, is still an active musician today.
Selected Albums
- Juerga! (1963)
- Flamenco Guitar (1965)
- Manitas de Plata - The world's greatest living flamenco artist (1966)
- Flamenco Magic (1967)
- The Art of the Guitar (1968)
- La guitare d'or de Manitas (1970)
- Manitas de Plata at Carnegie Hall (1995)
See also
In Spanish: Manitas de Plata para niños
- Los Niños de Sara
