Image Courtesy: Google Doodle
Luis Alberto Spinetta (23 January 1950 – 8 February 2012) was an Argentine singer, guitarist, composer and poet. One of the most influential rock musicians in Argentina, he is regarded as one of the founders of Argentine rock, considered the first incarnation of Spanish-language rock.
Life and Career
Luis Alberto Spinetta was born on 23 January 1950 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was an Argentine rock musician, singer, songwriter, and poet. He is considered one of the most important figures in the history of Argentine rock. He began his career in the late 1960s as the leader of the band Almendra, which was one of the first rock bands in Argentina to incorporate elements of folk and classical music into its sound. He later formed the band Pescado Rabioso, which was a major influence on the Argentine rock scene of the 1970s. He continued to release albums and perform well into the 2000s. Spinetta was also known for his social and political activism and was an advocate for human rights and freedom of expression.
He died of lung cancer on 8 February 2012.
Award and Legacy
Luis Alberto Spinetta has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including the Order of the Legion of Honor in France, and the Konex Award for Best Rock Music Album in Argentina multiple times. He was also awarded the Gaviota de Plata in Cuba, and the Diamond Konex Award for his career in music.
Spinetta’s legacy in Argentine rock music is significant. He is considered one of the most influential and important figures in the history of the genre. His incorporation of elements of folk and classical music into rock, as well as his poetic lyrics, helped to expand the boundaries of what was possible within the genre. He is also credited with helping to pave the way for future generations of Argentine rock musicians. His influence can be heard in the work of many contemporary Argentine rock bands.
His songs and lyrics were covered by many other artists, and his influence on contemporary rock music in Argentina and Latin America is widely acknowledged. He is also remembered for his social and political activism, and for his advocacy of human rights and freedom of expression. His death was widely mourned in Argentina and Latin America, and his memory continues to be celebrated.
On 23 January 2020, Google Doodle celebrated Luis Alberto Spinetta’s 70th Birthday.