Flamenco singer and guitarist Chico Bouchikhi knows better than most the meaning of the old adage that it takes years to become an overnight success.
The 64-year-old is an original member of the Gipsy Kings, who, in the 1980s, helped to breathe new life into flamenco music — the folk music of Andalusia in southern Spain.
But it was not until the release in 1987 of the band's third album and hits such as Bamboléo that the Gipsy Kings achieved global fame.
"Bamboléo was our biggest hit and it was a universal musical key that opened the doors to us all over the world," Bouchikhi told ABC Radio Adelaide.
Members of the band have reunited after more than 20 years to form The Original Gypsies, a headline act at the Womadelaide dance, music and art festival that launches tonight in Adelaide's Botanic Park.
Womadelaide will showcase 75 performing groups and more than 700 local, interstate and international artists from 60 cities worldwide.
Inspired by good times
Bouchikhi co-wrote Bamboléo (Swaying) and said the song was inspired by the private parties the band attended along the French Riviera, "sometimes accompanied by Brigitte Bardot, our friend".
The song was written in a minor key, which gives it a sombre sound, but has an upbeat tempo that encourages dancing.
The Original Gypsies, which also includes original members Paul and Canut Reyes, claim not to know much musical theory and don't concern themselves with major or minor keys.
They consider music to be a "universal key" that unlocks human emotions and the barriers that separate people.
"Our music can be very melancholic and moving depending on the state of the person who listens to us," Bouchikhi said.
"One person can sing and dance and another can cry. The emotion is always very personal."
Brother killed by secret service
Bouchikhi has known sadness not only in music but also in his personal life.
His brother was shot dead in Lillehammer, Norway in 1973 by members of Israel's secret service, Mossad.
It was a case of mistaken identity; the assassins were targeting the leader of the Palestinian terrorist group responsible for murdering Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympics in Munich.
Despite this history, Bouchikhi said he was opposed to calls for a boycott of this year's Eurovision song contest in Israel over its policy towards the Palestinian people.
"Music has no borders and, on the contrary, it is a cultural bridge between peoples that we must not break."
It was a lesson, he said, that also applied to the Romani people who were strongly associated with Andalusian culture.
"Gypsy people have suffered incredible persecutions that I hope will not happen again," Bouchikhi said.
"Our music has helped to change mentalities in a positive way.
"We are fortunate to have a unifying music that is ... apolitical, universal and radiant."
Womadelaide finishes on Monday night, which features the Original Gypsies on the main stage at 9:30pm.
