The Life and Death of Paco de Lucia obviously cannot be thoroughly examined in any article, however long.
His enormous contribution to Spanish Flamenco Guitar Music in particular, and to the World of music generally, will continue to inspire guitarists, and enthrall music lovers of all genres.
One of Paco's greatest accomplishments, if not his most formidable, was his interest in all forms of music.
This consuming passion led him to marry influences as diverse as Jazz,Rock, Cuban, Afro-Pop and Classical to Traditional Flamenco Music.
To aid in accomplishing this Paco added instruments to his accompanying band that were native to other musical cultures.
The Peruvian percussion "box" known as the "cajon," along with saxophone, flute, fretless bass, and even an instrument as seemingly ill-fitted for Flamenco as the Chromatic Harmonica.
But there was almost always a traditional element present in the presentation of Paco's "new Flamenco.
" Most notably a Dancer.
Although this hybridization was at first frowned on by Flamenco traditionalists - as you would expect - finally they too applauded this "new direction" in Spanish Music.
Francisco Sanchez Gomez was born across the water from Gibraltar, in the town of Algeciras to a Musical Family.
His Father was a Guitarist of Gypsy origin who insisted that Francisco practice Ten To 12 hours a day.
This "extensive repetition" began when Francisco was just eleven years old.
His Father took him out of school after he had learned to read, write and multiply.
There is a story that alleges in order to have him practice with no distractions, his Father chained him to his bed.
Paco later explained: "The pressure was more psychological.
" His Brothers also played.
Literally before he could speak, young Francisco was absorbing music, naturally and organically on a daily basis.
He later said: " I knew all the rhythms of Flamenco.
I had only to connect my fingers to the sounds in my head.
" So Rapid was Francisco's progress connecting his fingers to the sounds in his head, that at the age of 14 he was touring with the celebrated dance company of Jose Greco.
He took the Professional name "Paco de Lucia" as a gesture of respect to his Mother - Lucia Gomez.
"Paco" is a nickname for "Francisco.
" During his American tour with the Greco company, Paco was fortunate enough to meet with one of his Flamenco heros, the guitarist "Sabicas.
" Although he was performing well, Paco was not clear about the direction he should take and sought the wisdom of the older Guitarist.
Sabicas advised: "Do your own things.
" Advice he was later to regret perhaps, when he expressed displeasure on the departure of Paco's music from the strict confines of Traditional Flamenco.
But Paco was not the only prodigy of this early era of musical achievement.
There was another young and very accomplished musician active then.
Camaron de la Istra.
A Flamenco Singer.
Or "Cantante" in Spanish.
They formed a musical partnership that was to last for eight years.
So great was the bond between these two Artists, that often, in concert, one would pause to listen in admiration to the other.
Sadly Camaron died tragically at the age of forty two.
After decades of heavy drug use.
Paco's death was much more natural.
But no less dramatic.
A fatal Heart attack while walking with his children on the beach near his Mexican home.
A Passing totally unexpected.
His Legacy, of course, is his music.
The passion, the vibrancy, the eclectic marriage of all the musical genres that he made uniquely his own.
And shared them with us.
For that gift, Music lovers of the World will be forever grateful.
His enormous contribution to Spanish Flamenco Guitar Music in particular, and to the World of music generally, will continue to inspire guitarists, and enthrall music lovers of all genres.
One of Paco's greatest accomplishments, if not his most formidable, was his interest in all forms of music.
This consuming passion led him to marry influences as diverse as Jazz,Rock, Cuban, Afro-Pop and Classical to Traditional Flamenco Music.
To aid in accomplishing this Paco added instruments to his accompanying band that were native to other musical cultures.
The Peruvian percussion "box" known as the "cajon," along with saxophone, flute, fretless bass, and even an instrument as seemingly ill-fitted for Flamenco as the Chromatic Harmonica.
But there was almost always a traditional element present in the presentation of Paco's "new Flamenco.
" Most notably a Dancer.
Although this hybridization was at first frowned on by Flamenco traditionalists - as you would expect - finally they too applauded this "new direction" in Spanish Music.
Francisco Sanchez Gomez was born across the water from Gibraltar, in the town of Algeciras to a Musical Family.
His Father was a Guitarist of Gypsy origin who insisted that Francisco practice Ten To 12 hours a day.
This "extensive repetition" began when Francisco was just eleven years old.
His Father took him out of school after he had learned to read, write and multiply.
There is a story that alleges in order to have him practice with no distractions, his Father chained him to his bed.
Paco later explained: "The pressure was more psychological.
" His Brothers also played.
Literally before he could speak, young Francisco was absorbing music, naturally and organically on a daily basis.
He later said: " I knew all the rhythms of Flamenco.
I had only to connect my fingers to the sounds in my head.
" So Rapid was Francisco's progress connecting his fingers to the sounds in his head, that at the age of 14 he was touring with the celebrated dance company of Jose Greco.
He took the Professional name "Paco de Lucia" as a gesture of respect to his Mother - Lucia Gomez.
"Paco" is a nickname for "Francisco.
" During his American tour with the Greco company, Paco was fortunate enough to meet with one of his Flamenco heros, the guitarist "Sabicas.
" Although he was performing well, Paco was not clear about the direction he should take and sought the wisdom of the older Guitarist.
Sabicas advised: "Do your own things.
" Advice he was later to regret perhaps, when he expressed displeasure on the departure of Paco's music from the strict confines of Traditional Flamenco.
But Paco was not the only prodigy of this early era of musical achievement.
There was another young and very accomplished musician active then.
Camaron de la Istra.
A Flamenco Singer.
Or "Cantante" in Spanish.
They formed a musical partnership that was to last for eight years.
So great was the bond between these two Artists, that often, in concert, one would pause to listen in admiration to the other.
Sadly Camaron died tragically at the age of forty two.
After decades of heavy drug use.
Paco's death was much more natural.
But no less dramatic.
A fatal Heart attack while walking with his children on the beach near his Mexican home.
A Passing totally unexpected.
His Legacy, of course, is his music.
The passion, the vibrancy, the eclectic marriage of all the musical genres that he made uniquely his own.
And shared them with us.
For that gift, Music lovers of the World will be forever grateful.