Simon Diaz Dead: Venezuelan Music Legend Dies At 85

Venezuelan Music Legend Dies
Venezuelan folk musician Simon Diaz, 76, listens during an interview in New York, Tuesday April 19, 2005. Diaz's songs have been recorded by some of Latin music's most famous artists, but he remains little known outside his home country. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
Venezuelan folk musician Simon Diaz, 76, listens during an interview in New York, Tuesday April 19, 2005. Diaz's songs have been recorded by some of Latin music's most famous artists, but he remains little known outside his home country. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

Musical legend Simón Díaz died early Wednesday morning at home, local daily El Universal reports. The Venezuelan musician was 85.

His daughter announced the news via Twitter.

"With tears in my eyes I announce to the country that my beloved father passed away this morning, in peace," read the tweet.

Díaz was born on August 9, 1928. He wrote over 200 songs and recorded 70 albums in his lifetime, according to the Associated Press. Apart from being a musician he was also a producer, an actor and a radio and TV personality. One of his most famous shows was "Contesta Por Tío Simón," a cultural children's show.

Simón Díaz revitalized Venezuela's typical llanero-style music. His tunes, including his most famous song "Caballo Viejo" also known as "Bamboleo," have been covered by artists such as Plácido Domingo, Gypsy Kings and Oscar De León, among others.

In 2008, Díaz he was honored by the Latin Grammy Awards for his contribution to Latin Music, according to Noticias24.

The tragic news comes during a rocky week for the South American country. Protests have broken out across Venezuela, fueled by outrage over an ever-worsening economic crisis, high levels of insecurity and food shortages.

On Tuesday opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez turned himself into police who'd been searching for him. Lopez was charged with fomenting the anti-government unrest that has left at least four people dead.

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