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Montreal Singer Lhasa Dies of Breast Cancer at 37

Sad rumours began spreading around the Internet over the weekend that Montreal-based Mexican-American singer-songwriter Lhasa de Sela had passed away. Late Sunday night, the news became official when Lhasa's record label Audiogram confirmed what so many had feared.

On Friday, Jan. 1, "just before midnight," Lhasa de Sela died at the age of 37 in her Montreal home following a 21-month struggle with breast cancer.

Her health issues became widely known last fall when Lhasa was forced to cancel a lengthy international tour on the heels of the US release of her self-titled third album, which was recorded during her struggle with cancer.


Lhasa's gypsy-like upbringing -- seven years spent roaming Mexico and the US with her parents and siblings on a converted school-bus -- influenced her later music, an intense, eloquent and international concoction.

She debuted with her award-winning, Spanish-language album 'La Llorona' in 1997 followed by 2003's multi-lingual and multi-genre 'The Living Road' and last spring's self-produced and Polaris Prize long-listed English album 'Lhasa,' which again melded gospel, blues, country, folk and other musical forms into a uniquely gorgeous whole. Combined, her albums have sold over a million copies and touched every last listener.

Lhasa leaves in mourning her partner Ryan, her sprawling family, friends, fans and "cat Isaan."

Perhaps the world is mourning, too, as the official release sadly notes, "It has snowed more than 40 hours in Montreal since Lhasa's departure."

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DJ

Lhasa's angelic voice and music that mends the soul, helped me get through a very hard time when I prematurely lost the closest friend. I wept with her music and felt relief. She had the talent few people have and her passing is such a loss first for her family and friends and then for all of us who loved and respected her as an artist. I will continue introducing her music to my friends, as she needs to be remembered. My condolences to all whose lives were touched by this wonderful human being. Now, angels are singing with her. :(

January 05 2010 at 11:15 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
M

Having lost my only sister to breast cancer three weeks ago, this song is very poignant to me. Hopefully one day soon, someone will find a cure for cancer. I am sorry to hear of Lhasa de Sela's passing, such a talented singer!

January 04 2010 at 7:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
redman

Peter Criss of KISS (the Original drummer) Has been fighting breast cancer...

January 04 2010 at 7:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bill

D,
A site has a race specific label and you think that's ideology? PC, OK, right for America?
You sure used a lot of big words in your response, but seriously. What point are you trying to make. My question requires a yes or no answer. It's right or its wrong. It's that simple.
Anyway Happy New Year. I can say that and mean it. After all I am far from being a bigot. I am just asking a simple question. One that apparently nobody can answer including Time Warner or AOL.

January 04 2010 at 3:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
STEPHANIE

I am so sorry for the lost. I never heard of her either, but she was so young, and obviously very talented.

January 04 2010 at 2:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ann

Very haunting voice, this was the first time I heard Lhasa The video was very un-real. MAY SHE SLEEP IN PEACE

January 04 2010 at 1:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Nancy Garrison

How incredebibally sad!! Such a young age. I am not familar with her music, but from most of the postings she must have been incredible. My deepest condolences to her family, partner and her beloved cat.

January 04 2010 at 1:19 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
David J Bhaltazhar Esq

God Bless You Sweet Angel,

January 04 2010 at 12:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Helen

So sorry for what she went through, I was there 9 years ago & I thank God I made it.
Today is Monday Jan. 4 so she did not pass away on Mon Jan. 1

January 04 2010 at 12:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Helen's comment
Jen

I'm sorry you had to go through this horrible disease Chancy.

R.I.P. Lhasa

January 04 2010 at 2:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jay

Very sad. Especially when you realize that she didn't have to die at all. She could easily have been cured of her breast cancer. But cancer, the largest industry in the world, will never allow "the cure" in public. There is no way you're going to erase a multi- trillion dollar industry by allowing the cure out in the open. Cancer research is designed to streamline and perfect the the genetic rigor of different cancers so they may continue to afflict us and to finance the golden goose called "cancer." Doctors today are in one business, and that is the prescribing of pharmaceuticals, for which they are rewarded immensely.

January 04 2010 at 10:46 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Jay's comment
Kathe Davis

Jay, I would like very much to know what "cure" you are referring to. I have breast cancer myself, and, needless to say, would love any new information that might offer new hope.
Thanks,
K.

February 07 2010 at 3:45 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply