Luis Alberto Spinetta

One of the most influential artists in the history of Argentine rock, singer-songwriter Luis Alberto Spinetta was born in Buenos Aires on January 23, 1950. Throughout his decades-spanning career, he continually pushed the boundaries of Spanish-language rock, combining elements from psychedelic music progressive rock, and jazz fusion with varied literary influences. Almendra, his first band, redefined the sound of Argentine rock in the late 60s with classics like "Muchacha Ojos de Papel" and "Tema de Pototo" before splitting up in 1970. Following Almendra's dissolution, Luis Alberto Spinetta formed the short-lived hard rock combo Pescado Rabioso, which recorded two seminal records between 1971 and 1973. Although credited to Pescado Rabioso, the band's third full-length Artaud (1973) was entirely recorded by Luis Alberto Spinetta and was essentially his second solo album after 1971's Spinettalandia y sus Amigos. Hailed as a masterpiece upon its release, Artaud was voted the greatest Argentine rock album by several publications over the following decades. Luis Alberto Spinetta's musical exploration continued in the late 70s with Invisible, a power trio that flirted with prog-rock and jazz, reaching its artistic peak on 1976's El Jardín de los Presentes. Only a year later, he released his third solo effort, A 18' del Sol. During the 80s', Luis Alberto Spinetta re-emerged with the jazz fusion ensemble Spinetta Jade and resumed his solo work through critically acclaimed albums like Kamikaze (1982), Privé (1986), and Don Lucero (1989). In 1991, "El Flaco" scored the biggest hit of his career with "Seguir Viviendo Sin Tu Amor," included in his tenth studio album Pelusón of Milk. Between 1994 and 1999, he recorded four albums with his backing band Los Socios del Desierto, including 1997's Estrelicia MTV Unplugged. In the early aughts, LPs such as Silver Sorgo (2001), Para los Árboles (2003), Pan (2006), and Un Mañana (2008) showcased a softer side of Spinetta while still displaying a knack for experimentalism. In 2010, he summarized the entirety of his career on a legendary five-hour show at the Vélez Sarsfield Stadium, released on the live album Spinetta y las Bandas Eternas. After being diagnosed with lung cancer in 2011, the iconic singer-songwriter passed away on February 8, 2012.