A younger Facundo
"Every morning is good news, every child that is born is good news, every just man is good news, every singer is good news, because every singer is one less soldier." - Facundo Cabral
"Facundo Cabral was our last troubadour. As much a philosopher-poet as a singer, he was a living testament to the search for what unites us in culture and society. After his concerts, you'd feel that our life in common was richer, more mysterious, more profound." - Argentine singer Isabel de Sebastian
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Facundo Cabral, world famous singer, songwriter, guitarist, poet, author and philosopher, officially designated a Messenger of Peace by UNESCO in 1996, was murdered on July 9th in Guatemala City, Guatemala when, according to one report, "A firefighter at the scene said colleagues saw black vehicles pull up and open fire on Cabral's white Range Rover and the beige Chevrolet Tahoe accompanying the singer." (source)
To add injury to insult, Facunda was nearly blind, crippled and a cancer survivor who had lost his wife and one-year old daughter to a plane crash in 1978. (source). His murder leaves tens of millions of fans grieving around the world, particularly in Central and South America. His death is perhaps as cataclysmic to the world as the murder of Beatle John Lennon in 1980.
The full picture of what happened is still sketchy as investigative evidence continues to trickle in, but this is what is known so far in the news excerpts below, beginning with this BBC News excerpt:
Tributes are being paid to Facundo Cabral, the Argentine folk singer, who has been shot dead in Guatemala.Cabral, 74, was heading from his hotel to the airport in Guatemala City when he was reportedly ambushed.
He was one of Latin America's most famous performers, and his killing has prompted a wave of reaction.
Guatemala's leader said early investigations suggested Cabral was not targeted but the attack was aimed at a music promoter travelling with him.
President Alvaro Colom said he was "dismayed by this cowardly act" and decreed three days of mourning.
Cabral had performed in the city of Quetzaltenango, 200km (120 miles) west of Guatemala City, on Thursday. He was heading to Nicaragua for more concerts.
'Adios amigo!'Police said Cabral's vehicle, which was accompanied by another carrying bodyguards, had been hit by a number of rifle bullets and the singer died at the scene.
His most famous song was No Soy de Aqui ni Alla (I'm Not From Here or There), which was recorded in a number of languages.
Argentine Foreign Minister Hector Timerman tweeted his "profound sadness" at the news, adding: "Adios amigo!" (FOR THE FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE)
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