Trini Lopez died in Palm Springs, California on Tuesday at the age of 83.
The American singer, guitarist, and actor passed away from coronavirus complications.
Palm Springs Magazine announced Lopez’s death on Instagram, writing: “Trini Lopez, who has lived in Palm Springs since the 1960s, passed away Aug. 11. One of the well-known songs from his hit 1963 album was “If I Had A Hammer”.
Filmmakers P. David Ebersole and Todd Hughes had recently completed a documentary about his life, which was featured in the magazine.
Trini Lopez passed away from coronavirus complications (Image: Daily Herald)
Prior to his death, Lopez watched a cut for approval last week.
Born Trinidad Lopez III in Dallas, Texas, his parents were both from Mexico, he began playing in bands at 15 and in 1958, his group the Big Beats signed with Columbia Records
Lopez was already a successful recording star when he was cast as Pedro Jiminez in The Dirty Dozen, the star-studded 1967 World War II drama directed by Robert Aldrich.
The actor appeared in 1967’s The Dirty Dozen (Image: Moviestore Collection)
He scored 13 chart singles through 1968, including Lemon Tree, I’m Comin’ Home, Cindy, and Sally Was a Good Old Girl.
Beyond his success on record, he became one of the country’s top nightclub performers of that era, regularly headlining in Las Vegas.
Lopez also appeared in the Frank Sinatra-Dean Martin romp Marriage on the Rocks in 1965, The Poppy Is Also a Flower a year later, 1970’s The Phynx and played the lead in Antonio in 1973.
One of the well-known songs from his hit 1963 album was “If I Had A Hammer”. (Image: Paris Match via Getty Images)
On May 15, 2008, his 71st birthday, Lopez was inducted into the Las Vegas Walk of Stars.
During the later stages of his life, he continued to record – El Immortal was released in 2010, and in 2011 Trini released his 65th album Into The Future.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
