Jun 5, 2025 By Brad Hundt 3 min read

In the 1980s, when hair metal and synthesizers were riding high on the charts, about the last thing you would imagine breaking through would be flamenco music.

Against all odds, Gipsy Kings managed to find a worldwide audience in the decade of MTV. They placed two hits on the charts in France with “Djobi Djoba” and “Bamboleo,” when the group’s first American album arrived in 1989, it reached gold status after selling more than 500,000 copies. Soon enough, Gipsy Kings were playing venues like the Royal Albert Hall in London and appearing as the musical guests on “Saturday Night Live.”

They have released many albums in the years since, and the group’s songs have appeared in such movies as “Toy Story 3” and “The Big Lebowski.” In 2014, the Gipsy Kings album “Savor Flamenco” won the Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album.

The band came together in France in 1979, formed by Nicholas and Andre Reyes, both the children of flamenco artist Jose Reyes. They were joined by their cousin Tonino Baliardo, who continues to front a touring version of Gipsy Kings. It will be at Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in North Strabane at 8 p.m. Friday.

Baliardo talked about the group’s long history and its current activities in an interview by email last month:

How receptive have American audiences been to your music? Have they become more so over the years?

Over the years we have always been very warmly welcomed in America. Winning a Grammy was a great honour. What is wonderful now is we are seeing second-and third-generation Gipsy Kings fans sing and dance at our shows. We are very excited to be returning and meeting our wonderful fans.

Are there any musicians you would still like to collaborate with?

I have often thought about this idea of a duets album. In a dream world, how about Santana, Eric Clapton, Sir Paul McCartney and Keith Richards, and that’s just for starters.

How did you get the song in “Toy Story 3”?

The team was approached by the film company and of course we have our version of “Hotel California” in the movie “The Big Lebowski.”

How long will you keep on touring? Do you have a date in mind to retire?

As a Gipsy, of course touring is part of my heritage. I love writing and performing and with my two sons, Cosso and Mikeal, joining me with other gypsies – we have a great group and continue as Gipsy Kings featuring Tonino Baliardo on touring and recording, and we are always ready to fiesta. I don’t have any time or thoughts to retire.

Any new recordings in the works?

I am currently in my home studio recording a new Album “Historia,” which will be released early 2026. The other exciting news is that for the past year we have had a camera crew following us for a documentary about my life as a Gipsy King. It will also be released early next year on Amazon Prime and various other platforms. It surely will be amazing to watch.

What is the most unusual place or venue you’ve ever played?

How about when we first started busking on the beach in St. Tropez and Brigittet Bardot asked us to play at one of her parties. Some of her guests were Kirk Douglas, Charlie Chaplin, Liz Taylor and many famous faces. We were invited back to play on many more occasions.

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