Mexican musical icon Armando Manzanero dies due to COVID-19

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MEXICO:

Iconic Mexican composer Armando Manzanero died at the age of 85 at the Mexico City Hospital, early Monday morning after a long battle with COVID-19.

The Mexican outlet, El Universal said that the legendary music-maker had been intubated five days after being checked into a hospital on December 17, and had been in a stable condition before Sunday.

The Latin Recording Academy recognised the passing of the legendary composer, whose material had been performed by artists such as Elvis Presley, Dionne Warwick and Luis Miguel.

The Academy said, “Armando Manzanero received the Award for Musical Excellence and was the winner of the Latin Grammy, as well as a great friend that is now gone. We celebrate his life and work. It is an irreplaceable loss for the Latin music world. We are with the Manzanero family in their grief.”

Manzanero had been awarded a Latin Grammy in 2001 for his record Duets and received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.

The Society of Authors and Composers of Mexico called Manzanero “one of the greatest artists of our time” and “the romantic soul of Mexico.”

Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said in a statement, “Armando Manzanero was a sensitive man, a man of the people. That’s why I lament his death. He was also a great composer.”

Manzanero is set to be cremated in Mexico City, with his remains headed to Medira, his hometown.

(Edited by Mandeep Joshi)