Mercedes Sosa died
“La Negra” was born on the same date and at the same place as her homeland. On July 9th, 1935 in San Miguel de Tucuman Haydeé Mercedes Sosa arrived in a humble home, a descendant of diaguitas indians and French.
Since she was very young she danced and taught folk dancing, and in some meetings with friends they encouraged her to sing, just for the amusement of those present.
In October 1950, this quinceañera, driven by the enthusiasm of a group of close friends, was encouraged to participate in a contest organized by radio LV12 Tucumán.
“Gladis Osorio” was the pseudonym she used primarily for these presentations at this radio station who did not hesitate to hire her after hearing her sing.
Her voice began to roar loudly, Mercedes was a fundamental interpreter of the new song movement developed in the mid-1960s called “Movement of the New Songbook,” a renewal of folk, that started in the province of Mendoza, which put the accent on the daily life of the Argentines, with its joys and sorrows.
“La voz de la zafra” and “Canciones con fundamento” were her first albums that went largely unnoticed.
It was on 1965, when Jorge Cafrune invited her to sing on stage at Cosquín Festival, when Mercedes Sosa came to be known by the whole country
From there with an undeniable talent she became the great figure that was applauded worldwide.
But after the coup of 24 March 1976,she remained in the country despite the repression and the fact that her records were banned. Until 1979, at a concert in La Plata, she was searched and arrested onstage along with the the audience. She then went into exile in Paris and then Madrid.
“La Negra”was able to return to Argentine scene on 18 February 1982, a couple of months before the dictatorship embarked on the Falklands War. The military regime had begun to agonize. At the Opera theatre in Buenos Aires she gave more than a dozen concerts, with guests that includied Leon Gieco, Charly Garcia, Antonio Tarrago Ros, Rodolfo Mederos and Ariel Ramirez.
With the return of democracy, the singer released: “Sera posible el sur?”, Which links hopeful songs, rhythms and singing folk. On 21 December, along with Leon Gieco Milton Nascimento, sh starred in the show called “Corazon Americano,” which called for a crowd rarely met.
She gave hundreds of concerts in Latin America and the world: Her warm tone, its strength, its expression, Mercedes Sosa took our music and our flag to distant lands where the public applauded standing.
Luciano Pavarotti, Sting, Lucio Dalla, Nana Mouskouri, Tania Libertad, Joan Baez, Andrea Bocelli, Silvio Rodriguez, Alfredo Kraus, Pablo Milanes, Milton Nascimento, Caetano Veloso, Chico Buarque, Gal Costa, Gian Marco, Konstantin Wecker, Nilda Fernandez Pata Negra, Joaquin Sabina, Joan Manuel Serrat, David Broza, Luz Casal, Cecilia Todd, Ismael Serrano, Shakira, were among the international artists who had the fortune to share the music of “La Negra”
Among the artists from Argentina, Mercedes was able to work with Atahualpa Yupanqui, Charly Garcia, Roberto Goyeneche, Ariel Ramirez, Fito Paez, Leon Gieco, Victor Heredia, Pedro Aznar, Antonio Tarrago Ros, Alberto Cortez, Los Chalchaleros, Piero, Teresa Parodi, Rodolfo Mederos , David Lebon, Julia Zenko, Soledad Pastorutti.
She received dozens of prizes and awards during her impressive career. Millions have seen and acclaimed her.
What touches us and we will continue to do so from “La Negra” is the purity of her soul, which conveys through her smile and her wonderful singing. Mercedes Sosa gives us an incredible sense of peace and joy. That is the reason why she will live forever …
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blessed be her soul for all her social work and the voice that chose her. RIP mercedes.
The legend was with us. Now she is above us. Senora Sosa’s influence should be a lesson for generations in the music producing field and all the listeners world wide that quality, devotion, and ethical music is what the world needs. She passes the torch to a generation that is challenged by the whimsical wants of today and the fleeting fame that eludes so many new musicians and listener. We can only hope and pray that her qualities and talents be an inspiration for even newcomers who don’t know her but learn about her through the many who share with them her importance in Latin music and culture. May she be united above with God.
I Sow her, Great voice.