Singer-songwriter Lhasa dies at 37
Influential Montreal-based singer Lhasa de Sela has died of breast cancer. She was 37.
The Mexican-American singer-songwriter died in her Montreal home late Jan. 1, after a 21-month battle with breast cancer, according to a statement on her website.
Known as Lhasa, she marked the world music scene with her dreamy and ethereal songs, written and recorded in Spanish, French and English.
Her first album, La Llorona (the crying woman, in Spanish) was released in 1997 to critical acclaim, earning Lhasa a Quebec FÈlix Award that same year and a Canadian Juno for Best Global Artist in 1998.
After touring for two years, Lhasa settled in the south of France to write her second album, recorded in French, English and Spanish.
Her ultimate album, a collection of English songs recorded live, was launched at Montreal’s Corona Theatre last year. Lhasa cancelled her 2009 tour because of her illness.
Lhasa was born in Big Indian, in upstate New York, in 1972. She moved to Montreal when she was 19 and split her time between Canada and France.
She is survived by her partner Ryan, her parents, her stepmother, and nine brothers and sisters. A private funeral is being planned, according to her website.
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