It is reported by BBC on its official page in Twitter. The singer, who a few years ago played in Russia at the Disco 80s Festival, was 69 years old. The cause of death was not specified.

The Spanish pop duo Baccara was formed in 1976 and became a peculiar phenomenon of the disco era of the 70-80s. In those years, this rhythmic and perky, the most popular music at the time, started to be sung by everyone who could not be lazy. But Baccara, in which Maria sang from day one, became very special. They could not be confused with anyone else, because they managed to combine Spanish flamenco music with cheerful and glossy rhythms at 120 beats per minute.

Already in 1978 the duo recorded their first hit song Yes, Sir, I Can Boogie, which topped the UK charts and became one of the most popular radio tracks in Europe. At the same time, the song had drama, hooky melody, trendy rhythm, and graceful intonation. And the soloists not only sang and danced, but also sang and acted the hit, which had a Spanish passion, warmth and fashionability of sound actual for the end of 70-s.

Soon the debut album was also released, produced by the recent leader of The Rattles, Frank Dostal, and no less famous master of arrangements, Roh Soyi. Soon another hit of the duo, Sorry, I” m a Lady, appeared in the European charts – another bright and excellent synthesis of romantic Spanish music and groovy, groovy disco.

The title of the song soon became a meme (though nobody knew this word then) – when girls refused some proposals from men that didn’t suit them, or invitations to dance, they used this very phrase.

The second Baccara album – Light My Fire – was released in 1978 – again sensual, fiery, dancing! Another one – Colors – in 1979. Both enjoyed success, but with the loss of popularity of the disco style, the Spanish duo disappeared from the popularity parades. And the girls didn’t want to play new wave music which became fashionable.

Since the mid-1980s they performed only in Spain. But in the 90s they tried to come back, already on a wave of nostalgia and with a new name – New Baccara. They did a tour in Europe, then split up again. And in the noughties they decided to start all over again: in the same line-up and with the same name Baccara. Released two remix compilations.

But since then the duo played mostly only at festivals like “Disco-80”, which are held in the most of the former USSR countries – Lithuania, Estonia, Belarus and others. And also, for example, in Germany and Poland.

Baccara willingly came to Russia. And they always wanted to sing live and easily agreed to be interviewed. But they didn’t reach the same level of success as before…