The gifted singer Yma Sumac who had an impressive 5 octave vocal range and exotic persona that made her an international sensation in the 1950s, has passed away. She was 86.
"Sumac's first album for Capitol, "Voice of the Xtabay," soared to the top of the record charts. A handful of other albums followed during the 1950s.With her exotic beauty, elaborate costumes and singing voice that could imitate the cries of birds and wild animals, the woman who claimed to be a descendant of an ancient Incan emperor offered Eisenhower-era audiences something unique. During her 1950s heyday, Sumac sang at the Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall and Royal Albert Hall. She reportedly made $25,000 a week in Las Vegas. She was featured in the 1951 Broadway musical "Flahooley" and appeared in the films "Secret of the Incas" in 1954 and "Omar Khayyam" in 1957. Sumac said she began singing when she was about 9. "
Here is a tribute video composed of remixes and samples of Yma Sumac, "Axolotl", a fantasy about the fabulous Mexican creature, that resembles a monster – and a Muppet – with its slimy tail, plumage- like gills and mouth that curls into an odd smile, written by the composer Don Tiki.
Source, Pictures of Yma Sumac, More Videos,
