| Flamenco Guitar stars are not as numerous as stars | | | | Flamenco Guitar from it's accompanying role to a solo |
| in other musical styles. But they definitely exist. | | | | one. Second - They took Spanish Music on tour. |
| Leading the pack, without a doubt, is Paco de Lucia. | | | | Bringing, for the first time, authentic Flamenco Music |
| Easily the most Internationally recognized Flamenco | | | | to an International audience. These "Pioneer |
| Guitarist. And, with good reason. Paco's innovations, | | | | Superstars" - The original Legends of Flamenco - |
| plus his ability and desire to explore other musical | | | | were Ramon Montoya, Sabicas, and Nino Ricardo. |
| genres while respecting his Flamenco heritage, | | | | Like most early Flamenco Guitarists, Ramon Montoya |
| introduced Spanish Music to a wider audience. | | | | came from humble origins. A Family of Gypsy cattle |
| A child prodigy, who received no formal instruction, | | | | traders. But through sheer talent and determination, |
| Paco began performing professionally at the age of | | | | he evolved into the most important guitarist of his |
| 17, with Jose Greco's dance company. Later he spent | | | | generation. For one principal reason. Ramon Montoya |
| 8 years accompanying the legendary Flamenco singer | | | | was the first to establish the Flamenco Guitar as a |
| - Carmen De la Istra. | | | | solo instrument. Taking it away from, and beyond it's |
| His tour with fellow guitar stars, John McLaughlin and | | | | traditional role accompanying dancers and singers. |
| Al Di Meola, with their live CD, "Friday Night in San | | | | But it was Sabicas, the next Flamenco Guitar |
| Francisco", took Flamenco Guitar Music to a new | | | | Superstar, who continued and expanded Montoya's |
| plateau. Solo, and with his group, Paco continues to | | | | accomplishments. Leaving Spain in 1936 with the |
| explore new musical territory, while remaining true to | | | | outbreak of civil war, Sabicas toured South America |
| his musical roots. | | | | and other countries. Bringing Flamenco Music to an |
| Paco's integration of Jazz, Pop, Rock, Classical and | | | | even wider audience. Noted for his exceptional |
| World styles into his music has, logically, influenced | | | | technique, Sabica's received the ultimate compliment |
| and inspired the current generation of Flamenco | | | | from the late American guitar superstar Chet Atkins, |
| Guitar Stars. Canadian |Jesse Cook with his Rhumba | | | | who commented in an interview: "The best technique |
| rhythms. Lawson Rollins, referencing many locations | | | | qround has got to be Sabicas, the Flamenco player. " |
| on the musical globe. The awesome technique and | | | | Perhaps the saddest note in the History of the |
| passionate performance of Miguel De La Bastide. | | | | Flamenco Guitar Superstars is the life of Nino Ricardo. |
| Trinidad's most celebrated musical export. | | | | An enormous talent, with a unique tone and style |
| But none of these great guitarists could have | | | | derived from upward curving fingernails, Nino was |
| become "Stars" - without the "Superstars of | | | | universally regarded as the best guitarist of his day. |
| Flamenco. " The pioneers who developed and | | | | Celebrated, and, of course, widely imitated. He died |
| innovated Flamenco Guitar Music. These "Roots | | | | of liver failure at the age of 68. Possibly aggravated |
| Superstars" made two game changing contributions | | | | by his early years of constant playing in Seville's bars |
| to the evolution of Flamenco Guitar Music. | | | | and cafes. |
| First, and most importantly, They elevated the | | | | |