Yes Sir, I Can Boogie singer María Mendiola has died.
The Baccara star passed away on Saturday, September 11, in Madrid, Spain, surrounded by her family.
In a post on the group’s Instagram page, bandmate Cristina Sevilla said: “How difficult it is for me to publish this.
“My dear Maria, wonderful artist, but for me above all… My friend, has left us today. Words cannot come out…
“I can only thank so much love how I have received from her part and tell her what so many times I had the opportunity to say to her in life… I love you.”
In their own statement, Mendiola’s family added: “She will always be remembered for her love, dedication and respect for the world of music and interpretation. We will always remember her smile.”
Baccara formed in 1977 with Mendiola and singer Mayte Mateos, who met as flamenco dancers on the island of Fuerteventura.
The pair were signed to RCA Records in the UK and topped the charts across Europe with their 1977 tune Yes Sir, I Can Boogie, which has sold over 16 million copies.
The disco classic has been covered by Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Goldfrapp, among others, and earlier this year saw a revival after the Scottish international football team adopted it as an unofficial anthem at Euro 2020.
Baccara’s first two albums – ‘Baccara’ and ‘Light My Fire’ – were hits for the group, with the latter featuring their Eurovision Song Contest entry Parlez-Vous Français?.
Representing Luxembourg, they finished in seventh place, losing out on the trophy to Israel’s Izar Cohen with the song A-Ba-Ni-Bi.
After releasing two more albums, Mendiola and Mateos went their separate ways, launching two versions of Baccara: Baccara and New Baccara.
Mendiola’s New Baccara featured co-vocalist Pérez and scored a trio of club hits in the ‘80s, including Touch Me, Fantasy Boy and Call Me Up.
Sevilla joined the band when Pérez quit in 2008 after being diagnosed with arthritis.
