Features
No Town To Call Their Own
Over the years, the band has consisted of guitarists and singers from two families – the Reyes and the Baliardos – from the gypsy settlements in Arles and Montpelier. Nicolas Reyes is the son of famous flamenco singer Jose Reyes, who sold millions of records in the ‘60s and ‘70s, singing over the guitar work of his cousin, Manitas de Plata.
The Kings play flamenco, as it arrived to the gypsy settlements via Barcelona, and have turned the gypsy interpretation into a very successful venture, selling 14 million records worldwide. The band is also the subject of a documentary, “Tierra Gitana,” and two PBS specials.
The Gipsy Kings start off in Mashantucket, Conn.’s Foxwoods Casino May 20, and hit Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, Toronto, San Antonio, Portland and Los Angeles – plus more than 20 other cities- before calling it quits August 31 in Illinois. Chances are, though, these merchants of music will not be resting long.