Gloria Lasso Dies

Gloria Lasso, 83, best known for recording romantic ballads in Latin America and Paris, died in her sleep December 4th at her Cuernavaca, Mexico, home.

The native of Spain, whose career took off during the 1950s and 1960s, started out singing in dance halls at the age of 15.

She moved to France in 1954 and went on to earn three gold albums and one platinum.

Lasso’s 1956 recording of the French song “Padre” was said to be a favorite of Elvis Presley, who later recorded it in English.

Her last concert was November 11th in Cuernavaca.