With the disco duo Baccara, she suddenly became known to the world at the end of the seventies. Maria Mendiola’s big hits are still played today. Now the Spaniard has died at the age of 69.
“Yes Sir, I Can Boogie” and “Sorry, I’m a Lady”: These hits in particular have made Maria Mendiola an international celebrity. Even today the songs are classics at family celebrations and popular dance numbers at weddings. Now the baccarat singer is dead. She was 69 years old. This was announced by her new musical partner Cristina Sevilla on the duo’s official Instagram channel.
“How difficult it is for me to publish it,” wrote Sevilla there. “My dear Maria, wonderful artist, but above all for me. My friend, she left us today.” No details are known about the cause of death.
María Mendiola, born in 1952, first made a career in the Spanish television ballet in the early seventies. There she met her colleague Mayte Mateos. The beginning of a groundbreaking success was laid. First they started their own dance and singing duo “Venus”, a short time later the music industry became aware of the Spanish women.
Maria Mendiola und Mayte Mateus a 1999. (Quelle: IMAGO / POP-EYE)
The name change to Baccarat followed immediately – and the rocket-like rise began. German producers in particular played their part in the fact that singles like “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie” and “Sorry, I’m a Lady” became number 1 hits across Europe in 1977 and are still considered disco classics today.
In 1978 and 1979 the duo followed suit, producing a top 4 hit in Germany with the single “The Devil Sent You To Lorado”. But the success waned and the duo broke up. Maria Mendiola was looking for a new partner and last released a new album with her in 2017 and has also been a regular guest in Germany. Now the fans mourn the Spanish singer. For example, on social media it says: “Tonight I will boogie – In the memory of Maria Mendiola”.
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