"Born in Córdoba, Spain as Francisco Peña Pérez, he began learning to play the guitar at age 6 and made his first professional appearance at age 12. In the late 1960's he moved to London. Peña was soon touring the world both as a soloist and an accompanist with performances at Carnegie Hall in New York City, the Royal Albert Hall in London and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. He founded the world's first university course on flamenco guitar, at the conservatory of music of Rotterdam."
Probably one of the (if not THE best) guitarists in the world. Next to that, an amazingly kind person, whom I've met on many occasions. From driving him back to his hotel, trough being his guest during dinner with "the gang", to a fine conversation during dancing classes... he just never ceased to be friendly, attentive, interested, kind and humorous. 💖💖💖🐶 🇳🇱
1st time I saw this magician was at the Festival Hall, London, England in (I think) 1973. The audience were about 30, all on the same level. I was sitting in the front about 10 feet away from him. Magic, both then and every other time I have witnessed this magnificent man play heavenly music. I am a guitarist myself, but NOTHING like the skill this man has. Beautiful. So many times at the Sadlers Wells, Islington, Ive lost count.
Paco ...... ..." un monumento.."- de la guitarra espanola .../! Y con esa , su soleare.......!!!- , para recordar ,.... escuchar siempre..... -( Escucharlo tanto -como escuchar y , a ; Pepe Habichuela , Serranito , Manolo Sanlucar , ...Y claro , Paco de Lucia -(!!!)
Apart from the fact that he is a magnificent guitarist, I am glad to see that I am not the only one that simply rolls the end of the strings instead of using a string winder.
"Soleares is one of the most basic forms or palos of Flamenco music, probably originating among the Calé Romani people of Cádiz or Seville in Andalusia, the most southern region of Spain. It is usually accompanied by one guitar only, in phrygian mode "por arriba"; "Bulerías por soleá" is usually played "por medio". Soleares is sometimes called "mother of palos" although it is not the oldest one and not even related to every other palo."
