Murió Dean Reed

BERLIN. 17 (AP).- El cantante folklorico norteamericano Dean Reed, que alcanzo particular notoriedad en America del Sur, vivio en Mexico en los anos 60 y proclamaba su simpatia por los regimenes izquierdistas, fallecio en un "tragico accidente" en Alemania Oriental, informo la agencia estatal de noticias de ese pais, ADN.

La agencia no dio detalles sobre el accidente pero la madre del cantor dijo en Honolulu que se le habia informado que Reed murio esta manana cuando cuando nadaba en un lago cerca de su casa.

Dean Reed, a quien la agencia clifico de "autentico amigo y camarada" participo en varias campana en America Latina "por la causa de la Paz" particularmente en Chile y la Argentina, donde vivio algun tiempo.

Alto, atletico con el mechon de pelo rubio sobre la frente, Dean Reed tenia la estampa del tipico vaquero. Gracias a ella, a su simpatia y a su potente voz de baritono, se abrio camino en el mundo del espectaculo como cantor preferiblemente de protesta y como actor, la mayoria de las veces en westerns a la italiana. Pero mas que al show, el cantante norteamericano nacido en Colorado en 1938 y cantor de baladas en su estado natal desde la adolescencia, terminaria dedicandose a la actividad politica como fervoroso difusor de la causa de la paz. El factor desencandenante de esa toma de posicion, solia expicar, habia sido su contacto con la dura realidad de algunos paises norteamericanos.

Hasta entonces, Reed habia conseguido cierto exito con su grabacion de "Nuestro amor veraniego" en Hollywood y manifestando su vocacion militante participando de las luchas por reivincacion de los negros junto a Marlon Brando o el Clan Sinatra.

Con su guitarra y sus canciones llego a Buenos Aires a mediados de la decada del 60. La TV primero y el cine despues filmo "Mi primera Novia" junto a Palito Ortega, multiplicaron su popularidad. Aqui permanecio cerca de un ano.

Su manifiesta adhesion al marxismo, sumada a sus exitos canoros en la Union Sovietica (era el unico norteamericano ganador del Premio Lenin), le acarreo problemas con varios gobiernos que lo consideraban persona no grata o lo acusaban francamente de subversion. En diversas oportunidades se le nego la entrada a Argentina, la primera de ellas en 1968, hasta que pudo volver 2 anos atras. En 1971, logro ingresar al pais clandestinamente, lo que le valio una condena a 21 dias de prision y una nueva expulsion.

Desde 1972 residia en la Republica Democratica Alemana y habia llegado a convertirse en un idolo del publico sovietico, cantando una de sus canciones comprometidas con los modos, ritmos y aspecto de unsa estrella pop occidental.

Dean Reed died

BERLIN. 17 (AP) .-The folk American singer Dean Reed, who reached particular reputation in South America, lived in Mexico in the 60's and proclaimed his favoritism for the left wing, expired in a "tragic accident" in East Germany, informed the news state Agency of this country, ADN.

The agency did not give details of the accident but the mother of the singer said in Honolulu that they had informed her that Reed died this morning when he was swimming in a lake next to his house. Dean Reed, to whom the agency called him as an "authentic friend and comrade" participed in several campaings in Latin America "for the Peace" particularly in Chile and Argentina, where he lived for a period of time.

Tall, athletic with a tuft of blonde hair hanging on his forehead, Dean Reed looked as a typical cowboy. Thanks to this, to his simpaty and his powerful baritone voice, the way to the show business was opened to him as a protest singer and as an actor. Most of the time in Spaghetti Westerns. But more than a showman the american singer born in Colorado in 1938 and a ballad singer in his hometown, will end dedicating himself to the politics as a fervent lider of peace. The main factor to take such position as he used to say, was his contact with the crude reality in some of the Latin American countries.

Up till then Reed, had obtained some success with his recording "Our Summer Romance" in Hollywood and declaring his militant vocacion participating for the rights and reivindication of the black people next to Marlon Brando and the Sinatra's Clan.

With his guitar and his songs he arrived to Buenos Aires in the middle of the 60's. First was the TV and then the making of the movie "Mi primera Novia" sharing honors with Palito Ortega, were the facts that multiplied his popularity. He stayed here close to a year.

His afection to the marxism plus his succesfully songs in the Sovietic Union (he has been the only American who has won the Lenin Prize) brought him problems with other governments, being considerated non pleasant person or being accused of rebelliouness. In several opportunities his entrance to Argentina was denied, the first one was in 1968 and he couldn't return till 2 years later. In 1971 he entered to the country in a clandestine way and for this reason he was sentenced to be 21 days in prison and a new expulsion.

Since 1972 he has lived in East Germany and become an Idol for the Sovietic public singing one of his compromising songs using he rythms of the occidental pop star.