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Mercedes Sosa

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Vocalist

The Resume

    (July 9, 1935-October 4, 2009)
    Born in San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina
    Birth name was Haydee Mercedes Sosa
    Folksinger in the nueva cancion (new song) movement
    Recorded over 40 albums
    Songs included 'Gracias a la Vida' ('Thanks to Life'), 'Si Se Calla El Cantor' ('If the Singer Is Silenced') and 'Todo Cambia' ('Everything Changes')
    Won three Latin Grammys for Best Folk Album (2000,2003,2006)
    Nicknamed 'La Negra' (for her jet-black hair) and 'the voice of the voiceless ones'

Why she might be annoying:

    Although usually an opponent of dictators, she supported Juan Peron in her youth.
    She declared 'artists are not political leaders' while performing numerous protest songs.
    She gained weight as she got older, with her neck disappearing beneath her chin until she bore an unnerving resemblance to Jabba the Hutt.

Why she might not be annoying:

    She was arrested and searched onstage during one of her concerts (1979).
    The Argentine military junta banned her performances and forced her into exile (1979).
    Just before the dictatorship crumbled in the wake of the Falkland Islands war, she returned home to greater popularity than ever (1982).
    Esquire magazine noted, 'Your Spanish may or may not be good, but Mercedes Sosa requires no translation. Hers is the song of all those who have overcome their fear of singing out.'
    She collaborated with a wide range of artists, ranging from opera singers Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli to pop singers Sting and Shakira.
    Joan Baez knelt and kissed her feet, claiming she was overwhelmed by Sosa's 'tremendous charisma.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 14 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 9 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 12 Votes: 58.33% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 11 Votes: 72.73% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 10 Votes: 70.0% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 66 Votes: 65.15% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 64 Votes: 62.50% Annoying