BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (CelebrityAccess) — Four years after lapsing into a coma, Argentine singer-songwriter Gustavo Cerati died on September 5th. He was 55 at the time of his death.
While the official cause of death was respiratory failure, Cerati suffered a stroke in 2010, following concert in Caracas, Venezuela and has been in hospitalized and in a coma since.
Cerati was the front man as well as playing guitar and keyboards for the hugely influential Argentinean rock band Soda Stereo. The group formed in 1982, achieving international success; breaking records in ticket and album sales; and laying the groundwork for numerous bands to follow in their footsteps. Soda Stereo is widely attributed as one of the progenitors of the Rock En Español, Ibero-American Rock, and Latin Rock genres.
Over the course of their careers, Soda Stereo sold more than 20 million albums before breaking up in 1997. They reformed in 2007 for what what was originally planned as a single concert, but due to demand, quickly turned into a 22-date international stadium tour.
In addition to the seven albums he produced with Soda Stereo, Cerati also released a number of solo efforts, including 1999's "Bocanada" and his final album, 2009's "Fuerza Natural", which earned Cerati a Latin Grammy for best Rock Album.
As well, Cerati produced electronic music under a variety of pseudonyms such as Plan V, Ocio and Roken, produced records for other artists and contributed music on albums by artists such as Shakira.
“Gustavo, we still have to do the most important song of all,” Shakira wrote on her Facebook page after learning of Cerati's death. “I love you, friend, and know that you love me! Just as you taught me, I’ll use love as a bridge.”
Cerati was married twice; and fathered two children, both of whom survive him.
