Gipsy Kings

The Gipsy Kings are that rare thing - a household name famous solely for their music. Without peer, they are the planet's most successful world music artists, and probably the best flamenco guitar artists in the world too! While they are the most successful French music group in history and they have sold more than 18 million albums worldwide, the Gipsy Kings make music as communion, artistry rooted in the past yet focused on the future. The Gipsy Kings consist of two bands of brothers: the Reyes (Nicolas, Canut, Paul, Patchaï, André) and the Baliardos (Tonino, Paco, Diego). Initially, the Reyes and Baliardos busked on the streets of Cannes, and played weddings and parties, flavouring flamenco with Western pop and Latin rhythms. When an American admirer told the band their name Los Reyes meant "The Kings" in English they realised they were born to be Gipsy Kings. In 1987 their selftitled debut album introduced the world to rumba gitano—the sound of South America's rumba rhythm married to flamenco guitars—and the track "Bamboleo" was a huge international hit. Since then the Kings have never stopped singing to the world. Today the Gipsy Kings still live with their families in the south of France. Life may have changed for them—they no longer busk on streets or pick crops when times are hard or travel in caravans - but still, at heart, they remain Gypsies, the proud descendants of an ancient people who seduced the world with music and dance. On their new album, Pasajero, the Gipsy Kings continue their epic musical journey. When the Gipsy Kings hit Byron Bay over Easter 2010, they are sure to set your soul on fire!   
 

Sideshows

www.gipsykings.com