Latin American music legend Edmundo Ros dies aged 100

London: Edmundo Ros, the iconic band leader credited with popularising Latin American music in the UK, has died peacefully in the Residencia de Benimeli. He was 100.

He was born to a Venezualan mother and a Scottish father in Trinidad, and achieved success in musical career after he moved to London. “He died last night peacefully at his home in Spain, two months short of his 101st birthday,” BBC quoted his secretary John Adrian as telling. “He was a major figure, one of the biggest names”, Adrian said. “When you get to 100 you stop working. He retired in 1975, but between ``39 and ``75 he was a big, big name, had his own club in London and played around the world. “His discography is massive. He was the one who really popularised Latin American music in this country,” he added. The Queen Elizabeth, danced her first dance in public to his music. In later years his orchestra was often invited to play at Buckingham Palace. Ros was awarded an OBE for services to entertainment in the New Year Honours of 2000. ANI